460 Rowland

[Joe S.]

Anyone ever rechamber a mid frame Blackhawk chambered in 45 acp to 460 Rowland?

Someone done got my mind wandering... It seems like a neat cartridge.

 

[444thumper]

If I understand the 460 Rowland, it is a just a high pressure version of the 45 ACP. They make the case longer so it won't chamber in a regular ACP chamber but the overall length of the cartridge is the same so it will fit in the same magazines, etc. Therefore, the powder space is also the same. What I'm getting at is I don't think you would need to rechamber to get the same results, just load the ACP hotter. The key safety issue is identifying the hotter rounds and that is where the Rowland brass would have an advantage, like the 38/357. Wouldn't want to drop them in a gun not set up for it. I have seen some interesting articles on Ruger only 45 loads and I'm sure you could find them if you just did a little googling.

I thought about using the 45 Autorim case to set them apart but the AR cases wouldn't work in my gun, rim too thick. There is some other brass out there, something to do with cowboy stuff, I think, that is supposed to work. Just haven't gotten around to trying it. That might work as a way to tell them apart. Otherwise, some obvious, like a red marker on the case, etc. would be wise.

If you work on it, let us know how it goes.

PS. I looked a little and this is what I was talking about. http://www.cowboy45specialbrass.blogspot.com/
Don't know how strong it is but might be an idea to check out.

 

[dougader]

I would not run 460 Rowland in a 6-shot, midframe Ruger. The 460 runs to 40,000 psi IIRC and that's a bit too high for this revolver. 45+p, 45 Super, yes, but not the 460.

 

[Joe S.]

thanks for the replies yall. it appears that is a hotter round than i initially realized.

 

[Silent Sam]

460 brass is heavier & stronger than ACP brass, not just longer. Loading ACP brass hotter is not the answer. I wouldn't have any qualms about a large frame conversion. Is there even such a thing as a 45 cal mid frame Blackhawk? (not Vaquero/New Vaquero) While the max pressure is identified as 40K cup, I doubt any commercial offerings are pushing that pressure and if you load your own you'll find you don't need to. Max published loads fall short of that pressure. Clark Custom does revolver conversions for the Rowland on Blackhawks and S&W 25/625s. I shoot the 460 Rowland in a Kimber 1911 and a Mech-Tech carbine. I don't have much interest in it in a revolver as the 45 Colt covers any more power I need than 45 ACP provides. It is the "hostess w/ the mostess" in a 1911 though... a real hammer.

 

[Joe S.]

i will be the first to admit i dont understand totally pressures and CUP measurements, as listed on load data sights and books...

but after Silent Sam's comment, i got to thinking... 357 is pretty high pressures on some loads i have seen. so i went and looked. my 45 Flattop is built on a 357 frame, and in IMRpowder.com's site, their 357 loads get up into the 40k+ CUP ranges... 460 Rowland highest pressures on their site (only one powder mind you) is about 39k CUP.

so, what am i missing? is 40k CUP in a 35 caliber bullet less than 40k CUP in a 45 caliber bullet? i know wall thickness of cylinders is a factor, but is it that much of one? i would guess yes...

a 45 Colt/ 45 ACP/ 460 Rowland convertible would be sweet, i would think.

 

[Silent Sam]

I would not run 460 Rowland on a mid frame. Just to be clear... Cylinder wall thickness matters!

 

[Joe S.]

gotcha!

 

[shorty500m]

i consider the .460 Rowland to be an extreme edge in the S&W and even the full size Blackhawk because of the 40k being a bit higher than the accepted 30kpsi in the .45 Colt Ruger only loads. dont think its dangerous really just a bit less safety margin. the .45 Super max is 28kpsi which is really too much to put in the stock midframe rugers i think. am 100% happy with .45acp+p of 23kpsi in the midframe though.