contender
Ruger Guru
As noted above,, they only use one barrel bore diameter.
9mm Blackhawk convertibles.....
- Thread starter Stantheman1986
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
valvalle,, MANY thanks for the kind offer of your file/lists. I don't really need it. I just see a lot more .9mm stuff nowadays,, and a ton of it is foreign made brass, and various headstamps.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 10,877
I agree. My flattop Blackhawk .45ACP is my favorite gun to shoot. I’ve never even bought a single box of .45 Colt.
We have a 38-357/9mm convertible. The 9mm shoots very well with some loads but not all. That behavior is consistent with about every 9mm I ever tested. We have a 952 Smith that shoots test groups @ 50 yards around 2.5" or less but other 9mm ammo is in the 5-6" range with the same gun.
The convertible is less fussy with 38s and 357s where about everything shoots okay and some do exceptionally well.
The convertible is less fussy with 38s and 357s where about everything shoots okay and some do exceptionally well.
And I have never bought a box of .45 ACP :) (and only one box of 9mm) . I've loaded a few .45 ACP cases (from picking up at the gun club) for testing in my convertibles, but then dropped the idea of actually using them, as .45 Colt just suits me fine and does way more than the .45 ACP could ever hope to do, so why bother. Into the box went the .45 ACP cylinders -- so to speak. Price is aprox. equal when reloading anyway.
OP
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
Not everyone handloads :)
If they did, convertibles probably wouldn't exist , This is probably the sole reason for the Convertible, to make use of the dirt cheap surplus ammo and the concept just hung on.
If I had a nickel for everytime someone is like "just hand load for it" like ok, thanks for the advice.......let me just get a press and all the components real quick to crank out some .41 Magnum, no problem
I wish I had the ability to just make .45 LC at will and just to blast away. But I don't. So I buy a few boxes of 9mm and .45 ACP to shoot my various revolvers and autochuckers
I have a set of Lee Loaders for .45 LC and .38 SPL that maybe I'll use at some point to load BP rounds for Uberti repros but that's pretty much it. I will satisfy myself with 9mm and occasionally .45 ACP, with maybe a special treat of .44 Magnum or other pricy rounds here and there.
I reloaded for many years. Then one day I stopped. Thank goodness for 9mm, and .45 auto revolvers.
I may not understand it ... but I got it :D . I couldn't afford shooting big bores if I didn't. My setup has more than paid for itself over the years that I have been reloading with a single stage press. I'd be back to shooting just .22LR only which is fun also, but not the same. :)
BP rounds are fun too. But you do have make sure you leave time when you get home to clean the revolvers. Ie. The times I shoot BP, I make sure I the whole day is dedicated to that activity and try to make the most of it at the range or field before the clean-up begins back at home.
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GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Good idea!
9mm Carbine sighted for 25 yards, I have mine sighted for 50 yards.
A co-worker related a story to me from the late 50s- mid 60s when he was an Air Force Policeman. Seems the pipes from the fuel storage to the refuel point for the planes was on the ground. In the winter the local population would poke a hole in the pipes and fill up pots and pans with fuel. By the time the APs could respond the locals would "cut a chogie" and they could never be able to catch any of the thieves. One of my co-worker's AP associates says "watch this, I am going to lob one in and scare them". He AP un-holsters his 1911, jacks a round into the chamber holds about a Korean National high above one of the thieves head and executes a perfect shot. Said thief goes down like a stone, nothing is related in the nightly report, nothing is heard of from the local Korean Police, the only result is the theft of JP4 ceased.
A co-worker related a story to me from the late 50s- mid 60s when he was an Air Force Policeman. Seems the pipes from the fuel storage to the refuel point for the planes was on the ground. In the winter the local population would poke a hole in the pipes and fill up pots and pans with fuel. By the time the APs could respond the locals would "cut a chogie" and they could never be able to catch any of the thieves. One of my co-worker's AP associates says "watch this, I am going to lob one in and scare them". He AP un-holsters his 1911, jacks a round into the chamber holds about a Korean National high above one of the thieves head and executes a perfect shot. Said thief goes down like a stone, nothing is related in the nightly report, nothing is heard of from the local Korean Police, the only result is the theft of JP4 ceased.
OP
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
I handload whenever I shoot my percussion revolvers or a muzzleloading rifle 
At this point in my life I barely have time to shoot, let alone sit down and make ammo
My good friend was a huge handloader and used to make me batches of ammo, then he too, one day just gave it up. He's like I have better ways to use my time then spending a whole night off reloading 300 rounds of .223 just to go out and shoot it up, collect brass, run brass in the sand shaker thing, rinse , repeat
He said components got costly and his time is worth just buying factory ammo
If people enjoy loading, that's awesome. it's a hobby in and of itself. I'll sit and make 50 paper cartridges for a .58 rifle-musket, and I enjoy it. I just don't want to do it all the time . I get the point of it and the enjoyment, it's just time consuming.
I love all the old Fudds that have been reloading since 1962 and haven't bought factory ammo ever. All like "a 30-40 Krag what powder do you load" whatever Remington put in the cases :)
At this point in my life I barely have time to shoot, let alone sit down and make ammo
My good friend was a huge handloader and used to make me batches of ammo, then he too, one day just gave it up. He's like I have better ways to use my time then spending a whole night off reloading 300 rounds of .223 just to go out and shoot it up, collect brass, run brass in the sand shaker thing, rinse , repeat
He said components got costly and his time is worth just buying factory ammo
If people enjoy loading, that's awesome. it's a hobby in and of itself. I'll sit and make 50 paper cartridges for a .58 rifle-musket, and I enjoy it. I just don't want to do it all the time . I get the point of it and the enjoyment, it's just time consuming.
I love all the old Fudds that have been reloading since 1962 and haven't bought factory ammo ever. All like "a 30-40 Krag what powder do you load" whatever Remington put in the cases :)
contender
Ruger Guru
Stantheman1986,, you have valid points. Often the time it takes to assemble ammo can be longer than one may feel it should, and that their time is more valuable. Handloading PROPERLY & SAFELY does take time & effort.
If factory ammo works for you and is available,, I see no problem.
But back in 1977,, I wanted to shoot more, and couldn't afford to spend much. Handloading allowed me to invest in equipment, that allowed me to take my spare time and make ammo a lot cheaper (per round) by far than what I could purchase. In essence I got to shoot a lot more than if I had just bought factory ammo.
Over time,, adding many other calibers,, with factory ammo very expensive,, it was also another way to shoot more in calibers that normally would break the bank. Having the equipment already,, allowed me to do this easily as well.
Now,, with the AMOUNT of ammo I've loaded & shot,, if I compared the number of rounds I've loaded & shot,, to the same number if purchased factory stuff, I could not have afforded it.
But as noted,, time is also a factor.
Many feel their time is more valuable.
AND,, many feel it's a tedious CHORE to handload.
To each their own.
It's well understood AND accepted.
But many of us who learned to handload,, have expanded our knowledge & understanding of our firearms,, as well as getting pleasure out of the journey in learning such stuff.
But as a serious handgun hunter,, one of my biggest pleasures is harvesting game, with my handguns, using ammo I assembled, tested & enjoyed. I feeling of independence, as well as knowing I'm self sufficient is well worth my time.
More recently,, the crazy pandemic, combined with the sudden loss of ammo AND components made a lot of people realize they had expensive paperweights when they couldn't get ammo.
As a bullet caster, a handloader, and the type of person who has always believed in bulk purchases,, (when feasible) I never had to decrease the amount of shooting I've always done.
My point to this long post is this;
It's fine if a person doesn't want to handload. Their life & their choices. But many of us who do handload, AND enjoy it also have chosen a different path. Life would be boring if all of us were the same.
If factory ammo works for you and is available,, I see no problem.
But back in 1977,, I wanted to shoot more, and couldn't afford to spend much. Handloading allowed me to invest in equipment, that allowed me to take my spare time and make ammo a lot cheaper (per round) by far than what I could purchase. In essence I got to shoot a lot more than if I had just bought factory ammo.
Over time,, adding many other calibers,, with factory ammo very expensive,, it was also another way to shoot more in calibers that normally would break the bank. Having the equipment already,, allowed me to do this easily as well.
Now,, with the AMOUNT of ammo I've loaded & shot,, if I compared the number of rounds I've loaded & shot,, to the same number if purchased factory stuff, I could not have afforded it.
But as noted,, time is also a factor.
Many feel their time is more valuable.
AND,, many feel it's a tedious CHORE to handload.
To each their own.
It's well understood AND accepted.
But many of us who learned to handload,, have expanded our knowledge & understanding of our firearms,, as well as getting pleasure out of the journey in learning such stuff.
But as a serious handgun hunter,, one of my biggest pleasures is harvesting game, with my handguns, using ammo I assembled, tested & enjoyed. I feeling of independence, as well as knowing I'm self sufficient is well worth my time.
More recently,, the crazy pandemic, combined with the sudden loss of ammo AND components made a lot of people realize they had expensive paperweights when they couldn't get ammo.
As a bullet caster, a handloader, and the type of person who has always believed in bulk purchases,, (when feasible) I never had to decrease the amount of shooting I've always done.
My point to this long post is this;
It's fine if a person doesn't want to handload. Their life & their choices. But many of us who do handload, AND enjoy it also have chosen a different path. Life would be boring if all of us were the same.
An interesting note. Yesterday I did my weekly perusal of my two distributors inventories of available ammunition. One of the two distributors actually listed that they have 30 30 ammo, only one SKU, Federal Premium, it would sell at the LGS for around $40 per box of 20. How many folks remember in the late 80s-early 90s Wal-Mart would put out their Hunting Fall Flyer and a box of Remington 30-30s were between $13-15 per box, 30-06 around $18? Now with the Biden Inflation factor that equates to around $22 per box of 30-30 today.
Similar story with me. I started loading in the late 60s. I then got into some competition shooting, add to that shooting wildcats, and even buying factory guns that I don't think any factory ammo was ever made for. You get better performance from your equipment with custom loaded ammo in addition to saving a little money and now ammo availability will not effect you.
All that plus I enjoy the loading. To develop something that performs well is great and having good coffee, enjoying the peace while loading--it is my relaxing time. All good.
DGW1949
Hawkeye
I'm hearing ya....Over-inflated 30-30 ammo prices is why I decided to put my old Win '94 up for sale. I simply ain't paying $25-$40 a box for 30-30 ammo and after watching it for the past 3 years, I don't suspect it's going to come down.
DGW
It probably will, and even if it doesn't, the .30-30 is seriously easy to load for.
DGW1949
Hawkeye
I hope for other's sakes that it does. Ain't no valid reason that 30-30 ammo should cost more than what I'm paying for .308's and brass-cased 7.62X39...As for reloading that particular round no, not for me.
DGW
It's just supply and demand. The ammo companies are concentrating on the biggest demand, which means that less common calibers haven't seen much of any new ammo in quite some time. Suppliers will start to raise the prices on the stuff they cannot get as supplies go down but demand is still there. I've talked to a few folks in the industry to say they're just now starting to catch up on the common stuff and hope to start working on the less common stuff by the end of the year.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I bought all the stuff and learned how to reload so I wasn't as dependent on others, not for accuracy or cost. Same for casting.
One of the AF bases my Dad was stationed at had a similar situation.
I have his slides of the canines, posing, training, working.
He remembered their names and number of kills.
davevabch
Hunter
- Joined
- May 29, 2011
- Messages
- 2,703
That is one of the things I have alway's got a chuckle from. I picture some guy coming up to the LGS counter and buying a gun and the clerk then going and placing all the reloading equipment from scales to a reloader to tumbler and all the many supplies/tool etc that go with it, including powder. Clerk saying, well that will be two grand, and think about how much money you will be saving.
Guy then say's, "Don't I need primers as well". Clerk laughs, Primers? Well hell, we haven't seen in any primers in over a year.
davevabch
Hunter
- Joined
- May 29, 2011
- Messages
- 2,703
Bought m
Present price if you can even find one.
[H1]Ruger 6 Round 357 Remington Magnum/9mm Blackhawk W/4 5/8" Ba - $724.29 w/code "WELCOME20"[/H1]
Present price if you can even find one.
[H1]Ruger 6 Round 357 Remington Magnum/9mm Blackhawk W/4 5/8" Ba - $724.29 w/code "WELCOME20"[/H1]
- $724.29
- Go to deal
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OP
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
I've gotten lots of chuckles from this kind of stuff, guys just like "just load for it"
I've had old guys at the range rattle off all this super old equipment like, get yourself a Lee turret press , the older ones are better, some lead bullets from my guy Joe but I think he passed......then get yourself some 45-70 brass and cut it down.....get some old Trail Boss from before they changed the formula......and primers if you can find them....
Ok sir thanks for the rundown
contender
Ruger Guru
As I've mentioned,, handloading isn't always for everyone.
But for many of us,, it's THE answer to having quality ammo, at very affordable pricing,, allowing us to shoot more often.
And even with the beer virus crap,, even primers are coming back around a bit. Maybe not at the pre-covid pricing,, but heck, nothing is the same as it was pre-covid.
It's just that handloaders have more options than people who rely upon others or a commercial company to provide them with ammo to prevent their favorite from becoming just an expensive paperweight.
But for many of us,, it's THE answer to having quality ammo, at very affordable pricing,, allowing us to shoot more often.
And even with the beer virus crap,, even primers are coming back around a bit. Maybe not at the pre-covid pricing,, but heck, nothing is the same as it was pre-covid.
It's just that handloaders have more options than people who rely upon others or a commercial company to provide them with ammo to prevent their favorite from becoming just an expensive paperweight.
woodperson
Blackhawk
I hand load both .357 and 9 mm for my convertible. And for some reason I like shooting both. I have shot .38 Special but I shoot a lot more downloaded .357 and 9 mm. For years I did not shoot the 9 mm but then after I actually tried the 9mm I liked it. Sure, with a .357 and a reloader you can cover a lot of uses. But...I like having the other options also. It is interesting to me that the 9 mm does shoot to a different POI. Groups okay but shoots lower and a little to the right.
I no longer use .38 Specials in my .357 Magnum revolvers. Most of my .357 Loads any more are 158 gr bullets at 1,000 to 1,200 fps. My can of 296 is getting lonely. I recently discovered Winchster 244 which is great for -P .357 loads.
OP
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
I'm waiting for Turkey to fill the void in cheap (er) range ammo left by Wolf
They already have Turkish 9mm available, at $240 per 1000 it's a decent price by today's standards
I do miss Tulammo steel case .38 Special and .357. I have a particular 4" fixed sight .357 GP100 that absolutely loved that stuff. Empties stuck in the chambers in a lot of revolvers but not in some, it was weird. I have GP100s that wouldn't function with it but this one, 1000s of rounds of steel case .38, not a problem, they all dropped right out, shot like a laser....... I think the gun needs sloppy chambers to work with steel.
I'm honestly probably taking the plunge and getting a 9mm SP101 while I can, I miss shooting lots of centerfire Double Action Revolver and buying .38 is killing me
They already have Turkish 9mm available, at $240 per 1000 it's a decent price by today's standards
I do miss Tulammo steel case .38 Special and .357. I have a particular 4" fixed sight .357 GP100 that absolutely loved that stuff. Empties stuck in the chambers in a lot of revolvers but not in some, it was weird. I have GP100s that wouldn't function with it but this one, 1000s of rounds of steel case .38, not a problem, they all dropped right out, shot like a laser....... I think the gun needs sloppy chambers to work with steel.
I'm honestly probably taking the plunge and getting a 9mm SP101 while I can, I miss shooting lots of centerfire Double Action Revolver and buying .38 is killing me
OP
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
This is what it's all about, put 6 cylinders of 9mm through the Blackhawk, blew probably 10 bucks worth of 9 to shoot "minute of paper plate" at 25. Not all of em hit the plate but I was screwing around , shooting some of them one handed. A little bit of fun after I test fired a new 1911.
I'll fully admit I get bored shooting .22, even through revolvers. I can pop off 50-100 .22's and I've had my fill. I could pop off 9mm through this Blackhawk for hours . I need to feel some muzzle blast and power
I'll fully admit I get bored shooting .22, even through revolvers. I can pop off 50-100 .22's and I've had my fill. I could pop off 9mm through this Blackhawk for hours . I need to feel some muzzle blast and power
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Lost me a step 1. I am a reloader and do not buy from store. I have a foil hat somewhere but I don't wear it because it's a dead give away.
.357 is a hand loader cartridge.
... with 9mm? :) .
A bit high even at todays prices (maybe tomorrows prices though if inflation isn't curbed) One thing about reloading is for some of us, it is a 'one' time out-lay for equipment. My first single-stage (and associated scales and powder measure) I used for decades (from early 1980s). Still good as new today ... Only reason I recently bought an Iron Press (just the press) was to try out the new Hornady lock system which works great. Half twist and die locked in place. I like. Sure I added a hand priming tool, and a few odds and ends over the years, but the 'expensive' part never changed. Use the same scales, powder measure, etc. Never progressed to a progressive as my single stage is all I need for my modest shooting needs.
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