.45 Convertible

[haymaker]

On the Ruger website I see only one model for .45 convertible, and that is a New Model Blackhawk. I ordered the 4.62" model from a local dealer. I get confused trying to figure out Ruger frame sizes and how hot can I load for this gun. I ordered this gun for 2 reasons: I've never shot a .45 colt and the caliber intrigues me, I'm tired of chasing .45 acp brass in the weeds with my semi autos. Any info you guys and gals can give me on this gun is greatly appreciated.

 

[WIL TERRY]

What kind of info ??

 

[haymaker]

Will the New Model Blackhawk take "Ruger only" loads? Will it handle hot hunting loads or is it mainly designed for "cowboy loads"?

 

[contender]

If you ordered a NM Blackhawk in 45 convertable, you are going to enjoy it. You have the versitality of 45 acp & 45 Colt. You can load everything from mild to wild as the Blackhawk frame is capable of what is known as "Ruger only loads." From puny 155 grn 45 acp's to over 300 grn thumpers can be sent down that gun with smiling results.
I will strongly suggest learning to reload to truly get the most out of this gun.
Next,, learn about how to measure the cylinder throats & such to get a proper lead slug to shoot accurately. (Ignore this if you plan on only using jacketed bullets.)
Spend some time around here searching stuff on the 45 Colt & you will find a wealth of info.

 

[Hugh]

quote="haymaker"]On the Ruger website I see only one model for .45 convertible, and that is a New Model Blackhawk. I ordered the 4.62" model from a local dealer. I get confused trying to figure out Ruger frame sizes and how hot can I load for this gun. I ordered this gun for 2 reasons: I've never shot a .45 colt and the caliber intrigues me, I'm tired of chasing .45 acp brass in the weeds with my semi autos. Any info you guys and gals can give me on this gun is greatly appreciated.[/quote]

My New Model Blackhawk .45 is not a convertible, which means it shoots the .45 Colt cartridge. It is a 1979 vintage with 4-5/8" barrel; which means it is a large frame revolver and has the XRN-3RED grip frame. I do not reload, and usually shoot Blazer 200 gr ammunition. I have replaced the original alloy grip frame with a stainless steel grip frame, and replaced the ejector rod housing with a blue steel one.

The recoil is more mild than I expected from a .45 Colt, and that may be as a result of the added weight of the steel grip frame and erh. This is by far my favorite shooter, pretty much of all time. I am mildly interested in getting it fitted with a .45 ACP cylinder.

Sorry I can't give any hand load information. I believe some of the new ones may be lighter in weight. Someone will probably be along with more information. Enjoy that single action .45.

 

[29aholic]

A lot of the confusion on Blackhawks came from the original profile of the grip frame (XR-3) which was pretty much identical to a Colt SAA. So much so Colt made them change it (XR-3 Red). I guess somewhere in the past few years coinciding with the reintro of the Flattop the GF was changed back to the XR-3. Loading wise you are safe going up to "Ruger Only" loads if you want. I am a huge fan of IMR 700X and use it in anything I can. I have loaded 45 Colt with 7gr under a 255gr cast SWC for ~900fps. You can work up from there. If you prefer Unique around 8-8.5gr with the same bullet is a good start. I have a 454 Casull so I have no need to really try and hotrod a 45 Colt, but that's just me. 45acp's in my experience seemed to shoot better in a revolver when loaded a tad hotter than what you normally load for an auto. Although supposedly they have fixed the issue, you want to measure the throats of the chambers and size casr bullets accordingly. There is also the possibility of a "thread choked" barrel which is a slight constriction in the barrel at the frame caused by the pressure used to screw the barrel in. A tight patch pushed slowly through the barrel will tell you if it gets tighter as it goes through the frame area. Not a hard or expensive fix if it is. My flattop 44spl wasn't.
This is kind of a nutshell overview. I am not a Ruger expert, nor do I play one on TV.

 

[haymaker]

Thanks everyone. That's the kind of info I was looking for. I'm new to reloading and have loaded for .45 acp and .38/.357. So far I've only used jacketed or plated bullets. I'm looking forward to learning about loading and shooting the .45 colt.

 

[Rclark]

You'll like it!

A few links to get you starting when looking for loads :

Brian Pearce .45 Colt
Taffin Tests .45 Colt

Concerning loading .45 Colt up a bit:

Linebaugh Dissolving the Myth
Ross Seyfried .45 Colt

Concerning .45 ACP
Taffin and the .45ACP in revolver

I have two flattop .45 convertibles (5 1/2" barrels) and enjoy them very much. You'll find your bigger large frame revolver just as much fun... and useful.

 

[contender]

I promise you,,, you will smile when you start playing with this one,,,,!

 

[SATCOM]

29aholic,

"Colt made them change it (XR-3 Red)" Ever shoot an OM Blackhawk with full house .44 magnum with the aluminum XR3 gripframe much? Not pleasant to most people. Even Elmer Keith wanted a steel dragoon style!

Some lawyer from Colt telling Bill Ruger he could not do something?!? I don't think so. JMO

SATCOM

 

[deac45]

I have a convertible Bisley and it is absolutely my most fun and versatile gun. Even heavy loads bring on the grins and giggles! If I had to go with one gun this one would be it.

Deac45

 

[street]

A lot of the confusion on Blackhawks came from the original profile of the grip frame (XR-3) which was pretty much identical to a Colt SAA. So much so Colt made them change it (XR-3 Red).

Seeing that Colt first made their SA in 1873. The patent would have run out on the grip frame years ago. Because of this Colt would not have had any ammunition,"no pun intended" to force Bill Ruger to do anything that he didn't want to do such as change his XR3 grip frame..

 

[29aholic]

Like I said, I am not a Ruger expert so maybe the Colt issue was a fairy tale that was just passed down to me.

 

[contender]

Not a fairy tale,,, just some "fact" spouted by a so-called gun show expert. (Most likely a Colt lover!)

Many odd & unusual stories abound about guns. All too often, some stories are repeated enough to make folks think they are facts.

 

[M'BOGO]

Haymaker,

If you get a flattop convertable Blackhawk, they are not rated for the Ruger Only .45 Colt loads. It was never really specified, and the flattops are on the medium frame, as are the New Vaqueros.

 

[David Bradshaw]

SLEEPER. The Blackhawk Convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP is a sleeper. A single action offers the simplest revolver cylinder for extracting rimless cases, none of the fuss or mechanical dependencies of double action extraction. The ACP headspaces on the case mouth----no problem with low recoil ammo, which doesn't require a heavy roll crimp.

For the owner missing out on handloading, the ACP is economical and widely distributed----certainly more so than the Colt round. The .45 ACP provides excellent power-for-noise. Those who frequent indoor ranges will be very glad they bought the Convertible.

If any of this sounds like an apolgy for the .45 ACP in a revolver, yielding as it must to to heavier punch of the Colt, be forewarned. It is not. The .45 ACP with the right bullet correctly applied, acquits itself where no 9mm has business.

Point of Impact (POI) may require some elevation adjustment between .45 ACP and .45 Colt, but the difference is easily remembered even in a pea brain, it just takes diligent practice and sticking to some basic loads to retain it. And by slightly depressing the rear sight, the elevation screw is readily adjusted with a finger nail. By shooting 230 grain slugs in .45 ACP, and 225 to 240 in .45 Colt, the fudge factor is small. Heavier .45 Colt, beginning with 255 grain slugs, print progressively higher. There is no formula, as individual grip affects muzzle rise. Just remember heavy bullets have more barrel time, during which fraction of a second the muzzle rises a bit higher before the bullet departs.

Begin with a Convertible, and change the grip frame if you want, as it should prove cheaper than having a cylinder made. Without which, you don't know what you're missing.
David Bradshaw

 

[haymaker]

I thought I posted another reply but I don't see it anywhere.

My first handgun was a Super Single Six. I bought it 30 years ago and I still have it. I now have a small collection of DA revolvers and semi autos but I've always appreciated the simplicity of a SA revolver. My new Blackhawk should arrive in a week or so and I'm really looking forward to shooting it. I like the idea of shooting .45 acp out of a revolver without having to use moon clips. The .45 Colt looks like a fun round to play with from mild to wild.