DannoBoone1 Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 I just inherited a BlackHawk and have a couple questions for you pistol pro's. It was purchased new in the late '60's and my Dad called it the .45 Long Colt. The receiver is labelled simply "Ruger .45 Caliber New Model Blackhawk". Iowa regs state that the .45 Colt is legal during shotgun deer season. In your opinion, is it feasible to use this pistol on deer? What would be the optimum load in this pistol for deer, i.e., powder/bullet/primer combo? I remember shooting this gun as a teenager and it shot 3" groups @ 30yds for me with the factory sights. BUT I have no recollection of the ammo we used in it at that time. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk The Blackhawk is a strong revolver and can take some stout loads. The New Model came out in 1973 so your gun was made after that. As for ammo, much of the factory ammo is designed to be used in the Colt SAA gun. The SAA will not withstand the pressures the Ruger or T/C Contender or Encore will. You can get hotter loads like Corbon's .45 Colt +P (higher pressure). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannoBoone1 Posted April 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk Thanks for the age correction, AJ. That was around my Army years, and cronology in the ol' mind is not always accurate. I do have the set of reloading dies for it (have reloaded rifle since teenager) and plan to reload. Anyone know of a good deer hunting load for this pistol? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk Use some of the Lil'Gun left over from the Sav10ML. LOL! Hodgdon has some stout loads on their web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannoBoone1 Posted April 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk Never was "gutsy" enough to use Lil'Gun, especially after seeing RB's pressure traces comparing a heavy load of it to a much milder duplex load which outperformed the LG. (After trying the duplex in my own rifle, I was turned into what many consider one of the "duplex idiots".) After viewing Steve's Pages, I see that I do have four different powders for the .45 Colt, and the pages list the "low" and "high" loads. Also have a whole box of 230gr .451 XTP's, so that will more than get me started!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk Yep, the Sav10ML and the 45 Colt area great combination to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannoBoone1 Posted April 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Re: Ruger BlackHawk Ya figured out my intentions! Should I get a permit here in Iowa for the shotgun seasons, both the 10ml & .45 are legal, as well as during the late, late season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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