I've been trying to figure out a problem with my ruger Blackhawk. original loads were entirely too light and it was obvious that the powder was not combusting properly. I was loading 17 1/2 grains of 2400 under a 255 grain semi wadcutter.

I went back to the range and a 300 grain bullet over the same 17 1/2 grain load. In fact I shot two "identical" loads. A 300 gr. wflngc over 17.5 gr in my .44 mag smith light hunter (7.5 bbl) and a 300 gr. load over 17.5 in my 45 colt.

Result? The smith hurt and the ruger blackhawk 45 clt was just plain comfortable to shoot. I mean, 50 rounds of 300's would not be a problem.

I broke my arm just about a year ago. The 44 mag flat out hurt. The 45 colt ruger? Seriously, not a problem. I think there just might be something to the whole long colt thing after all!

Yes indeed there is! We tested some loads in .44 mag and .45 Cot -- same weight bullets, same velocity, and 20% less pressure on the Colt side..... There's nothing not to like about the .45 Colt!