45c Old model 3 screw

[Dobetown]

I picked one up earlier this year and got to thinking about the proper load level. I would think it would be higher than a single action Colt.

 

[mattsbox99]

Its capable of 'Ruger Only' loads, but my recommendation is to stick to published loads of sane pressures.

 

[J Miller]

There are a lot of loads available for the large frame Blackhawk .45s that are well within reasonable pressures.

Hodgdons runs theirs up to 30,000 CUp, others stop at 25,000. I have used some of the 30K loads from the Hodgdon #26 in my OM BH and they are MAX, MAX, MAX in my opinion.
Normally I don't load over 20K PSI ± a couple K.

Joe

 

[Dobetown]

Thanks for the imput, I have newer Bisleys I can run thumpers in.

 

[Luckyducker]

A friend has a 3 screw 45 and he shot hot loads in it until he finally wised up and quit beating his hands unmercifully. They will handle any load that any new model will safely shoot......but why bang things so hard? I really like the moderate loads in my NM Bisley Vaquero even though it can handle some real beast killers.

 

[Cherokee]

A 250 gr bullet at 950-1000 fps should take care of most needs.

 

[J Miller]

There is no structural difference between an old model BH and a NM BH. They are both equally strong and durable.

The only reason I keep mine down around the 20K ± level is because there is no need for the heavier loads. Loads such as Keiths 18.5grs of 2400 under a 260 ± gr SWC will do anything that needs done with a hand gun on this continent and do it without causing carpal tunnel disease.

I have shot the 300gr CorBon JHPs in mine, as well as some 300gr cast bullets over H110 and my wrists last about 18 rounds. No need for that. If I need more oomph I'll grab a rifle.

Joe

 

[Bucks Owin]

I too feel most comfortable staying somewhat under 30K and don't like to beat my .45 BH unnecessarily just for an additional 50-100 fps and no "real" gain. That's why I stay away from 2400 for full tilt loads, preferring W296 ...

(And yes, there's enough "opposite reaction" to keep most folks happy... :lol

 

[flatgate]

I'd carefully measure the diameter of the cylinder's throats prior to purchasing bullets. Over sized throats have shown up in Ruger's early .45 cal. Blackhawks.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and many of them had vastly undersized throats.

Either way, measuring the chamber throats is a good starting point for ownership of an OM .45 Blackhawk.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I'd carefully measure the diameter of the cylinder's throats prior to purchasing bullets. Over sized throats have shown up in Ruger's early .45 cal. Blackhawks.

JMHO,

flatgate

10X Carl... My '74 NMBH throats run .455" ish... :?

But .454" cast bullets group quite well... 8)

BTW, Penn and some others offer bullets in .454" for the non casters among us.... :wink:

 

[flatgate]

. . . and many of them had vastly undersized throats.

Yeah, but that's kinda a moot point, i.e. one can FIX tight throats. Oversized throats are a pain in the sizer die.......

flatgate

 

[DeletedMember275]

Oversized throats are a pain in the sizer die.......
flatgate

Ask anyone who owns an M25-5 S&W about that; the throats on mine run .456-.457"! In fact, I just bought an RCBS 300 grain .458" mold to try in it.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and many of them had vastly undersized throats.

Yeah, but that's kinda a moot point, i.e. one can FIX tight throats. Oversized throats are a pain in the sizer die.......

flatgate

And the point is, since you CAN fix undersized throats, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker on a potential purchase . . . but you would at least know that the throats aren't OVERSIZE which might -- MIGHT -- be reason to pass up a purchase.

Can't have too much information or knowledge of what to watch out for.

As you pointed out, and I concurred, a check of throats is a really good idea.

 

[flatgate]

One NM, one OM. The "Liberty" marked NM came with oversized throats. I returned it to SR&Co. and a new cylinder was fitted at N/C. It was slightly undersized and got "fixed" locally.

The OM came with pretty decent cylinder throat dimensions. Both have been owner modified a little.......

flatgate

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and quite nicely, I might add.

"Brass adds class."