New toy!

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
Well, a little birdy must of seen my reply on Creeker's Liberty 45 post and had a talk with my daughter. Her and her husband showed up this morning and said Happy early fathers day!. Handed me a new Ruger Stainless convertable 45, 4 5/8".
E7LpRmc.jpg

We grabbed some loads I've made for my 1911, but they wouldn't chamber fully. The 1911 has been throated heavily and the bullets were seated out a little too far. Measured the cylinder throats with Starrett Ball gages and got .4512 in the ACP cylinder and .452 in the Colt cylinder. The loads we were trying were sized at just over .452. Not at all sure the ACP cylinder was bored deep enough, fired empties wouldn't seat deep enough to rotate the cylinder freely. Those cases measured .880-.883 oal. Guess I'll send both cylinders to Doug after I slug the bore.
Anyway, I seated some of the 230TC deep enough to work and we got in some shooting. Very little lead in the bore, but some at the start of the throats.
Now to order Colt cases, dies and leather. This gun will likely never see jacketed bullets, what dies are more recommended here for lead loads? What leather does everyone like for the 4 5/8 Blackhawk?
For now I'll probably play mostly with the Lee 45-230TC that I've got cast for the 1911, but will probably get something n the 250-280 range later. Figuring on Universal since I use it in my shotguns and 38-55. Anybody see any wrinkles in the plan?
 

Ian

Notorious member
You got good kids.

El Paso Saddlery makes some decent, inexpensive rigs. There are many others and a lot depends on your style.

My convertible prefers .4515" bullets. Never had trouble with the chambers being too short but there doesn't appear to be any sort of tapered transition between the chamber and cylinder throat, just a 90⁰ step between chamber and throat diameters and I have to be very careful about bullet selection and sizing or cartridges won't chamber. I think a throat job similar to what we'd do to a 1911 would be a good idea for each chamber, as well as a headspace check to make sure the chambers are deep enough.
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I have a Ruger 45 ACP cylinder that will not accept sized cases that fit my 1911 fine, so, I shoot 45 Colt. You can use the same bullet in 45 Colt, just crimp into the bullet side. Great kids you have there.
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
Just slugged the bore. Pushed .490 round balls through. I get .4508 if I just go an inch in from the muzzle and pull it back out. .4502 if I push it on through the thread choke area. I'll ask Doug as well, but how big would you make the throats?
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I would make the throats .452. BTW, Ruger will not accept 45 Auto Rim cases, rim is too thick.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian

StrawHat

Well-Known Member
Could it be that the cylinder is cut for AutoRim cases and or moon-clips?

Can’t use moon clips in a Single Action Revolver, only in Double Action revolvers.

Unless the cylinder is specifically cut for the 45 AR, no go. Single Action revolvers chambered for the ACP can utilize the 45 Cowboy Special if you fell the need for a rim but they are not necessary.

Kevin
 

StrawHat

Well-Known Member
I like the Sunday holster designed by a Texas Ranger and produced by August Brill and others.

73B58FA5-D7CB-47A7-B906-A400EA372EA2.jpeg

There are many custom makers who are happy to supply whatever style you prefer. Mine was built by Josh Ashman.

Kevin
 
Last edited:

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
The Simply Rugged is what I got for the 1911 without the chest rig. Wish he would of doubled the leather on the mouth, sometimes it closes up and makes it harder to insert the gun. Other than that it's very good workmanship.
 

gman

Well-Known Member
That single action begs for a Threeperson’s holster. I might be biased though! Awesome gift and great kids!
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Could it be that the cylinder is cut for AutoRim cases and or moon-clips?
Yes, it is easy to do. Center the cylinder in the head stock and cut the back of the cylinder forward to adjust for AR head space. You will have to measure how far inward to cut to just clear an AR case. That worked for thousands of Webley revolvers and I did three Rugers, both old and new models. 45 ACP will still headspace on the case mouth and the AR will head space on the back of the cylinder. HTH

p.s. The ACP cases will still be better supported than on the feed ramp of a 1911. Nope, you can not get it to worth with moon clips.
 
Last edited:

Creeker

Well-Known Member
You're a blessed man. I shot several Lee 45-230TC bullets in my ACP cylinder. They had to be seated deep enough in order to chamber. A small change in the OAL allowed them to function fine. Here's a little video clip of that bullet. I miss spoke, the sixgun was purchased in 77.

 
Last edited:

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
Nice shooting. You're right about being blessed. I'm very proud of all 3 of the kids and their families. Hard working, honest, and successful.
I pushed some of the 230TC through a .451 size bushing last night(came out .4514) and this morning loaded a couple dozen up in acp cases over 5.4 Universal. Shortened the length to 1.175 and made sure to not over crimp. Worked great. Managed to get the gun sighted in a bit better and bounce the 27 yard gong a few times before the chain took a hit on one of my typical "push" anticipations.
Cylinders are going out to Doug's in the morning, so I'll get started casting more before truly hot weather hits.
One thing I have noticed, the all black rear sight leaf with the all black ramp front is hard for this ol guy to work with. I hit the front with a paint marker and it helped but need to find a rear leaf with a white outline or something. What does everybody use on their Blackhawks?
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
One thing I've forgotten to ask, is there a list of loads for the intermediate level? I see colt and clone level, and Ruger only. This is a Flattop version Blackhawk,( mid-sized frame like the Vaquero) so it won't take the full Ruger only loads. I may find the upper end Colt level loads is about all I want, but was curious about the medium frame Ruger loads. I've seen some say it will take up to 20k Psi, but haven't seen anything that seemed "official".
 

StrawHat

Well-Known Member
If you are looking for ACP loads, any will work. Going to +P is your choice. For long Colt loads look for loads that are safe if the S&W 25-5.

Kevin
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
actually they will go over 20 I'd say 23 was more in line with all day every day loads.
you might not want that for paper punching and the like, but for a trail load it wouldn't hurt.
I mostly stick with 8.5-9.3grs of unique with a 200-230-255gr bullet, universal would slide right in that slot easy enough.

if your numbers are correct and I'm not doubting it because the stainless guns have been some tighter IME.
I don't see you needing anything done except a 451 size die.
maybe just maybe a little lapping for that throat to help you out some, but that'd be about as far as I went on the gun.
 

david s

Well-Known Member
I'm not very tall and if barrels get over about 4 inches long the gun butt gets jammed into my ribs when I sit down, the Mernickel holsters help some with this.
3O4uzG5.jpg