Blackhawk Flattop 45LC/45zACP

[Neon Vernon]

Those little Flattops are some of the best Rugers made in the Post-Old Man period with the exception of the grips.

The 45 convertibles came with the thin white gunfighter grips. They were virtually unusable for me and I switched them out for Hogue walnut - thinking about a set from Chig's but haven't jumped yet.

Regarding comments on the proper hold, I don't tuck my little finger under the butt. The only real benefit to that hold is when it comes to running the hammer with the shooting hand thumb.

Mine is an exceptional shooter with either cylinder but is so much fun in ACP I usually leave that one in it. I normally use the same loads as for my 1911 but do keep some in Cowboy Special brass with 255 SWCs for woods walking.

 

[ChrisL]

Disagree. .45 Colt is 'THE' cartridge to shoot in a rimmed cartridge revolver like a Single Action -- semi auto rimless need not apply IMHO. Plus .45 Colt works great in mid-frame flattops (New Vaquero, and SAA included) as you can load from power-puff loads to Tier 2 loads as needed, or even build some Black Powder cartridges. My large frame .45 Colt revolvers are gathering a bit of dust now.

You shouldn't need any rubber when shooting .45 Colt or .45 ACP unless shooting ROL loads or hands/arms have a medical reason (like arthritis).

I don't know why people talk about reloading equipment 'cost'... But really should just treat it as an investment in your shooting future and write it off. I've used the same single stage press, scales, powder measure since the early 80s. A couple years ago I did buy a new Iron Press as I wanted to start using the Hornady lock-n-load system. Didn't 'need' it as older press was still functioning fine, just wanted to. Anyway, buy once and done. Then you can reload any cartridge to 'your' specifications from mild to wild. No relying on factory availability/price/power/bullet and also save you money on every round you shoot ... which allows you to shoot more. And loading for a new cartridge, only costs you a set of dies and a shell holder. Done. My 2 cents, err, 5 cents now.

BTW, the last time I did a cost analysis on my .45 Colt reloads. I was at around $25 a hundred.

Besides ... it's fun to reload.

 

[JimA]

"I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy.'

You will save a lot of money if you get the dies & such to reload the .45 Colt.

I agree. I have never fired a factory 45 Colt round in my revolvers or lever gun.

 

[Rclark]

I have never fired a factory 45 Colt round in my revolvers

Come to think of it, neither have I. Nor the .44 Special Cartridge and .44 Mag Cartridge. The .357 I did when I first started back in the 80s just to get some brass. So it goes...

 

[vlavalle]

Thanks Hondo. I'll get used to it, I have too!
I don't reload 45 LC and it's too expensive to buy. I'll probably only shoot 45ACP, which I do load for.

Thanks

I have a ballistics file and it consists of links (4,000) to online ammo resellers, and I have several .45 colt outlets listed for about $.65-$75/rd.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Like Rclark, I initially bought a box (or two?) of factory .45 Colt ammo just for the brass and to see what the "factory" loads felt like. They've since been reloaded many times. I've basically done the same with all my centerfires.

 

[Tommyhof]

I did start reloading 45 Colt. I also traded for a blued 45ACP/45LC.
Also bought a new 357/9MM.
No more HAHA. I have all the bases loaded now.
All mine are 4 5/8.

 

[vlavalle]

It is great that you can reload for all your calibers, but I found it way too expense to get setup to reload for my calibers (.57 Mag, .38 spec, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP. I use to reloaded y ammo back in the '70s when my gun was new (1965) and I was learning everything about guns. In getting back into reloading, I would have to shoot well over 1,000 rounds a year for each caliber for it to come close to save enough versus buying manufactured ammo. but the relative higher cost of buying manufactured ammo did 'force' me into creating what I call a ballistics file, that now has over 4,000 entries, 35 handgun calibers and 26 rifle ones, where each entry points to an online site that sells that particular ammo. Very quickly i realized that ballistics statistics as was needed to be able to see the ammo differences, so I could buy cheap and very powerful ammo, or ammo for special purposes. I then added in bullet type as well into the file also, along with required pricing, and availability info. Sometimes the bullet type is significant such as, like hard cast bullets for penetration and hunting. Sometimes I want to shoot powerful rounds, and sometimes just plinking, low cost ammo.

This free file is currently available to anyone who messages me here and I will send them the latest version. I release it as a PDF file.

 

[Rclark]

...but I found it way too expense

I will disagree. It is not that expensive to reload. Once you have a press, scale, powder measure, primer seater, then pick up a set of dies for each caliber. What? $70 for a set of dies? That's a commercial box of 50 .45 Colt shells.... But now your set for a 'life time' of reloading. I started in the early '80s as a late teen. Still reloading today using the same scales and powder measure, and hand primer. I did change out my press a couple years ago to get onboard with lock-n-load (Hornady). But the old single stage press was still working just fine and could have continued using it. Each reloaded cartridge costs me at least 'half' of what you buy commercially maybe more from what I see (excluding 9mm). Saving add up quick and it allows you to shoot more. Added bonus of shooting what you want to shoot. So you save money, shoot what you want, for the accuracy you want, and a fun hobby to boot. And no dependence on 'availability'. It is an all around win -- in my eyes . Still is!

 

[GYJ44]

.....I found it way too expense to get setup to reload for my calibers.....

Just not true. You can get setup for reloading for under $500. The cheapest ammo at Midway is nearly $1 a shot. Some of the Ruger-only stuff from Buffalo Bore is $3/rd. It adds up quick. So the equipment is paid for in less than 1000rds. Which is not a lot of shooting.

Must you incessantly plug your "ballistics file" in every post?

 

[Neon Vernon]

Everyone knows that you don't actually save money by reloading, but you do get to shoot a lot more for a given $ amount!

 

[vlavalle]

I will disagree. It is not that expensive to reload. Once you have a press, scale, powder measure, primer seater, then pick up a set of dies for each caliber. What? $70 for a set of dies? That's a commercial box of 50 .45 Colt shells.... But now your set for a 'life time' of reloading. I started in the early '80s as a late teen. Still reloading today using the same scales and powder measure, and hand primer. I did change out my press a couple years ago to get onboard with lock-n-load (Hornady).

To get setup for reloading IS a lot more than $70. you have not looked in a long time! I do not have ANY of the reloading equipment at all. it cost several hundreds to get into it with decent equipment, then you have to buy casings, powder, primers, all on top of buying the equipment.. i buy .38 spec ammo for between $.35-.40/rd. the .357 Mag rounds are a bit more expensive at about $.65-$.85 at the low end, other than the real powerful from expensive manufacturers, like Buffalo Bore or Underwood, where the cost can go up to$1-1.50 or even over $2.x/rd, which is rather prohibative. The same is the case with .45LC ammo where .45 ACP, is similar to .38 Spec for low cost ammo, and pricing, and the .45LC ammo starts around the same as the .357 Mag ammo, and goes up for the powerful rounds as well. SOME OF THE .45 LC Cowboy rounds are expensive too, but shouldn't be since they are so weak, but they make smoke to make it look like the Wild West days!

 

[Hecklerusp45]

A revolver that can fire two different cartridges is a great idea

 

[bisleyfan41]

Regarding comments on the proper hold, I don't tuck my little finger under the butt. The only real benefit to that hold is when it comes to running the hammer with the shooting hand thumb.

So you can fit 3 fingers on the xr3 frame? Can barely get 2 and a half on the xr3-red, so the pinky goes under. Super and bisley are good.

 

[Neon Vernon]

So you can fit 3 fingers on the xr3 frame? Can barely get 2 and a half on the xr3-red, so the pinky goes under. Super and bisley are good.

Yeah, I've got piano player hands, long skinny fingers. I can get about 2 2/3's on the XR3, more like 2 3/4 on the RED. I do prefer the Bisley myself, haven't had a Super since back in the '90's.

 

[Rclark]

ANY of the reloading equipment at all. it cost several hundreds to get into it with decent equipment

Sure, but that is a 'one time' cost. Put it behind you. Just like a set of dies is a one time cost (if treated right). You have to look at it as a long term investment. From then on, your ammo costs less (if that is important to you). I just checked, I am loading .45 Colt 250gr RNFP for around $25 a 100. That's $0.25 a round. Cases can be reused of course. I've loaded mine over 20 times before I toss.... Anyway, reloading as worked fine for me over the last 40 years or so... Been fun, rewarding, and a real sense of freedom to load what I want to shoot. Load from mild to wild, working up loads that shoot well in my guns. Chronographing looking for the sweet spot... Doesn't get any better no-how. That said, each to their own. What works for me, doesn't for someone else. And that is ok too . Enjoy the shooting sport as you like!

As for cases.... I don't count those cost wise for revolver cartridge. Why? Well, it just keeps going down after each reload. Say I bought 100 .45 Colt cases at $30. That's $0.30 per case for the first load. But after using it 20 times it is down to $0.015 per case... A penny and a half.... I think I got my money's worth.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'm just glad I bought my RCBS Rock Chucker setup fifty years ago. I have no idea what I paid for it, but that's long forgotten. The equipment still works just fine. Over the years I've picked up dies for all my shooters, and they're still fine as well.

 

[GYJ44]

To get setup for reloading IS a lot more than $70. you have not looked in a long time! I do not have ANY of the reloading equipment at all. it cost several hundreds to get into it with decent equipment, then you have to buy casings, powder, primers, all on top of buying the equipment.. i buy .38 spec ammo for between $.35-.40/rd. the .357 Mag rounds are a bit more expensive at about $.65-$.85 at the low end, other than the real powerful from expensive manufacturers, like Buffalo Bore or Underwood, where the cost can go up to$1-1.50 or even over $2.x/rd, which is rather prohibative. The same is the case with .45LC ammo where .45 ACP, is similar to .38 Spec for low cost ammo, and pricing, and the .45LC ammo starts around the same as the .357 Mag ammo, and goes up for the powerful rounds as well. SOME OF THE .45 LC Cowboy rounds are expensive too, but shouldn't be since they are so weak, but they make smoke to make it look like the Wild West days!

Add up how much you spend on factory ammo in a year. Handloading saves money, period. The only ammo cheap enough to make a good argument is 9mm and cheap steel case 5.56. Everything else, the .45Colt especially, handloading is much less expensive. No matter what you have to buy.

Cowboy ammo is smoky because of cast bullet lube.

 

[vlavalle]

Add up how much you spend on factory ammo in a year. Handloading saves money, period. The only ammo cheap enough to make a good argument is 9mm and cheap steel case 5.56. Everything else, the .45Colt especially, handloading is much less expensive. No matter what you have to buy.

Cowboy ammo is smoky because of cast bullet lube.

Like I Said, YOU HAVE TO SHOOT A LOT JUST TO MAKE UP THE HUNDREDS OF $ TO GET INTO RELOADING. I buy maybe $100-$200 A YEaR FOR MY .357 Mag Blackhawk, and I mainly shoot.38 spec at $.35-.40/ rd., and it is about the same for my .45 colt Blackhawk., where I mainly shoot .45 ACP. For SBOUT $.40-.45 PER ROUND. I JUST bought about 100 rounds of .45 super for about $60, which included shipping.. Again, while it is cheapest to make your own, but you have to shoot a lot to cover the cost of getting into reloading. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE YOU ARE CONSIDERING THIS ASPECT OF IT, and that you are just looking at the per round cost ONCE YOU HAVEALL THE RELOADING EQUIPMENT. What does it really cost you to make .357 Mag ammo or .45 LC? AND how powerfull are these? Tthe cost
o mnufactured ammo goes up consierably for the very powerful versions. Be sure to include procuring all PARTS: casing, bullets, primers, and powder. AND WHAT ABOUT .45 ACP OR .38 Spec ammo? I know you buy power in quantuty, so it is a BIt HARD TO CALCULATE THAT INTO THE TOTAL COST PER ROUND.

 

[GYJ44]

Like I Said, YOU HAVE TO SHOOT A LOT JUST TO MAKE UP THE HUNDREDS OF $ TO GET INTO RELOADING. I buy maybe $100-$200 A YEaR FOR MY .357 Mag Blackhawk, and I mainly shoot.38 spec at $.35-.40/ rd., and it is about the same for my .45 colt Blackhawk., where I mainly shoot .45 ACP. For SBOUT $.40-.45 PER ROUND. I JUST bought about 100 rounds of .45 super for about $60, which included shipping.. Again, while it is cheapest to make your own, but you have to shoot a lot to cover the cost of getting into reloading. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE YOU ARE CONSIDERING THIS ASPECT OF IT, and that you are just looking at the per round cost ONCE YOU HAVEALL THE RELOADING EQUIPMENT. What does it really cost you to make .357 Mag ammo or .45 LC? AND how powerfull are these? Tthe cost
o mnufactured ammo goes up consierably for the very powerful versions. Be sure to include procuring all PARTS: casing, bullets, primers, and powder. AND WHAT ABOUT .45 ACP OR .38 Spec ammo? I know you buy power in quantuty, so it is a BIt HARD TO CALCULATE THAT INTO THE TOTAL COST PER ROUND.

Not really. One thing you need to realize is that those of us who do handload have done the math, many times.

The Lee Classic Turret kit is $277. Their die set is $38. From there, just add powder, primers, bullets and brass. You should have been saving your brass, I get the feeling you have not. 100rds of Starline brass is $32.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013020237

I don't buy powder or primers online but locally. Figure on 1000 primers for $59 and a pound of powder for $43. 400rds of 255gr cast bullets from Missouri Bullet is $71.

So for a grand total of about $540 you're all set for at least 400rds of loaded ammo. Plus you'll have another 600rds of primers and powder for another 400rds. Or you can spend the same amount on 500rds of factory ammo and have nothing to show for it afterwards. Totally contrary to your nonsensical posts, you've paid for the equipment and bonus components to boot at the same cost of 500rds of factory ammo.

You're welcome.

 

[jmca]

To get setup for reloading IS a lot more than $70. you have not looked in a long time! I do not have ANY of the reloading equipment at all. it cost several hundreds to get into it with decent equipment, then you have to buy casings, powder, primers, all on top of buying the equipment.. i buy .38 spec ammo for between $.35-.40/rd. the .357 Mag rounds are a bit more expensive at about $.65-$.85 at the low end, other than the real powerful from expensive manufacturers, like Buffalo Bore or Underwood, where the cost can go up to$1-1.50 or even over $2.x/rd, which is rather prohibative. The same is the case with .45LC ammo where .45 ACP, is similar to .38 Spec for low cost ammo, and pricing, and the .45LC ammo starts around the same as the .357 Mag ammo, and goes up for the powerful rounds as well. SOME OF THE .45 LC Cowboy rounds are expensive too, but shouldn't be since they are so weak, but they make smoke to make it look like the Wild West days!

There are old guys no longer reloading that want to sell their setups. Look on Marketplace, Craigslist, Garage Sales and Auctions. I know 2 guys that asked me to buy them out. One is too old and the others wife doesn't want him reloading anymore