With my first revolver pending dros. I must admit the bug has got me. To be specific it's a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull.

Now I am already itching for another six shooter, but this time specifically in the 45 Colt variant with 5.5'' barrel for going after smaller game. As well as being much easier to carry.

From a little research, I am reading there are mid size frame and full size frame Blackhawks. Is there a way to differentiate this by model number via Ruger's site?

I like the concept of the convertibles, being able to shoot 45ACP is a big bonus, although not needed. As I'll likely shoot strictly 45 Colt.

My intended purpose will dominantly be plinking, but also hunting small game.
I'd like the option to shoot the higher pressure rounds, that will be loaded for the SRH as well if possible. What I'm reading is that the mid size frames will not handle the high pressure 45lC, so the full size models are my only option.

Do you guys know which models are the full size?

This is the model I am looking at:
http://www.ruger.com/products/...specSheets/0463.html

My suggestion would be to buy the Bisley Blackhawk. You can get the blued model with 7.5" barrel or one of the stainless 5.5" models. Both will handle light to really heavy loads and do it much more comfortably than the plow handle Blackhawk.

I am not 100% sure on this but I think all the new model blackhawks other than the Bisley have a smaller frame and cylinder. Go with the bisley or buy a 44 Super Blackhawk if you really want a single-action Ruger that can handle heavy loads.

I've been doing research too, For what I can see there are 3 sizes now:

-Vaquero (same size as Colt SAA) these are too small for me.
the blue is aluminum grip frame, Stainless is steel

-New model Blackhawk. this may be slightly bigger than the Vaquero.
the blue is aluminum grip frame, Stainless is steel

-Super Blackhawk (44mag only).


They say that the aluminum frame will handle full house loads.

You wanna get really confused look here:
http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

No. The original Vaquero is the same frame size as the Blackhawk, sans adjustable sights. The Super Blackhawk also has the same sized frame as the Blackhawk, however it is only chambered in .44 Mag. The New Vaquero features a smaller frame than the original Vaquero.

So then I can assume the standard Blackhawk convertible can handle high pressure 45lc then Whitworth?

Right now I am only interested in the 5.5'' barrels or shorter, something I can hip carry vs the SRH with a 7.5'' barrel.

The large frame New Model .45 Blackhawks will have protective wings on each side of the rear sight. The blue ones will have aluminum grip frames; the stainless ones will have stainless steel grip frames. The Vaquero version, with fixed sights only, was also made in blue and stainless, but is no longer made .These will all handle loads up to about 30,000 PSI.

The New Model .45 cal. "mid frames" are either "Flat Tops" (but not marked as such), with no protective ears on the sides of the rear sight, or marked as "New Vaquero" in the fixed sight versions. They are all steel, and will handle loads up to about 23,000 PSI. These have a somewhat smaller grip frame, which I personally prefer, as well as a somewhat smaller main frame.
After more than 40 years of using the larger frame version, I have come to prefer the Flat Top version, with .45 ACP for small game and standard load .45 Colt for larger game.
If hunting truly large game, I have, and use, larger caliber handguns than the .45 Colt.

quote:

Originally posted by Vedak:
So then I can assume the standard Blackhawk convertible can handle high pressure 45lc then Whitworth?

Right now I am only interested in the 5.5'' barrels or shorter, something I can hip carry vs the SRH with a 7.5'' barrel.

Thanks for finishing up where I left off, Ken!

Vedak, as Ken mentioned, the Full-sized framed .45 Colt can safely handle 30K psi loads all day long. And to be honest, you will more than likely never need more as 30,000 psi .45 Colt loads can be quite terminally effective.

Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and pick up the 45lc convertible in my link then.

Whitworth,

I don't plan to shoot ruger only loads in the blackhawk much, but wanted the security of a stronger frame- in case I accidentally mixed ammo loaded for the SRH. Not likely to happen, but you never know.

Now the debate is between blued or stainless.

Stainless!
Peter.

Get the convertible stainless bisley, it was a distributor exclusive but there are several of them still out there.



Steller accuracy with both the 45 acp and 45 colt cylinders. The only thing to note is that you will have to adjust the elevation when going from mild 45 acp loads to full house 45 colt.

Thanks! I'll search for them.

I gave Ruger a call today and confirmed my initial questions, originally I was inquiring about the scope mounts for my Super Redhawk. Then figured I'd ask about the flat tops and standards.

Gotta say, the person I spoke to was not a fan of Buffalo Bore, or any reloading manuals suggesting "Ruger" only loads. He wasn't a fan of reloading at all in fact, and strongly suggested not to use ANY high pressure load for 45 Colt, whether it be factory loaded or self loaded. Mentioned that if I used any such loads, or reloads- it would void the warranty immediately.

I understand Ruger want's to cover themselves, and the guy was nice in the Respect to saying they would exchange the Factory rings for different ones I'd need free of charge. But boy was he VERY straight forward about everything else, almost getting irritated that I would ask such a question.

By the way Paul,

do you have any close ups of the cylinder with those markings? they look really cool!

Of course, no factory gun is warranted for any handloads; factory loads only; They really can't do otherwise due to idiots who also re-load.

yes I get that.

What's considered factory load though? Buffalo bore, Double Tap, Grizzly, etc do not apply? They all make high pressure loads.

Using common sense when reloading will keep you safe in most instances. Just pay attention to what you are doing. If you feel the need to firewall a particular cartridge, go to a larger caliber.

Here is my 5 1/2-inch Bisley .45 Colt with the scroll work removed from the cylinder:



And here it is with a custom set of grips:



It is standard fare for Ruger not to recommend reloading.

Nice gun. Who did the grips?

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
Nice gun. Who did the grips?

Thank you. Jack Huntington (775/355-6898) did them. He also did the grips on this revolver (he actually built the whole revolver, but you can see his grip work here too).

I always like seeing the guns you post Whitworth. You have great tastes

quote:

Originally posted by Palladin8:
I always like seeing the guns you post Whitworth. You have great tastes

Thank you sir!

quote:

Originally posted by Vedak:

yes I get that.

What's considered factory load though?

Buffalo bore, Double Tap, Grizzly, etc do not apply?

They all make high pressure loads.

Ive been reading this thread with interest.. We all seem to have agreed, that any " Handloads " are not warranted, due to liability issues.

I believe a question was asked about," HIGH PRESSURE FACTORY LOADS ", but not answered.

So, I'll rephrase the question:
What Factory loaded Ammunition,sold by," Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, Grizzly, are considered, safe high pressure (Warranty Issues ?) .45LC factory loads ??

I don't believe any of the "Ruger only" or + P loads in .45 Colt from the above mentioned manufacturers exceed 30,000 psi, making them Ruger safe. I've shot quite a bit of the heavy Double Tap and Grizzly .45 Colt ammo through mine without a hiccup.

I have three Ruger blackhawks in 45Colt. One of them is a 5.5" Bisley and the other two are both the plow handle variants. One of them is a convertible that has a 4.65" barrel. Out of all of them I think the convertible is my favorite. It is very accurate with 45ACP loaded with a 255gr cast bullet. I also like shooting the same 255 Lyman Semi Wadcutter bullet over a charge of 8grs of Unique. I have shot up to 10grs but 8grs seems to be just as accurate and less recoil for general plinking. This load pretty much duplicates the old factory loading of around 800fps which would be more than enough to kill small game.
My more serious loads are either a 315gr Lee bullet over a max charge of either Lil Gun or H110 or a 335gr Lyman over a max charge of the same powders. Both of those loads will pretty much kill anything that lives in the US.

Another vote for the Ruger stainless 5.5 inch Bisley. Bought one about 3 years ago and the only thing I did to it was a trigger job. It is very accurate and the Bisley grip allows it to roll in my hand decreasing the felt recoil.
It is much deserving of a set of custom grips and one day will add some.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll be making the purchase in a few weeks. Just picked up my 454 SRH this week, so I have to hang around for another 30 days before the next purchase.

plus one more on the 5&1/2" Bisley. That to me is just the perfect combonation of barrel length carry ability etc. I got my first one years ago when I had to buy a stainless Bisley Vaquaro to rob parts off to convert my 5&1/2" Super Blackhawk. After all that of course Lipsey's introduced the one mentioned above within a couple months of my project. I carried that revolver at work every day and got into the bad habit of locking it into my truck at night knowing it would be back out on the trail again the next day. It got stolen through the back sliding window a couple years ago.
Just last week I almost finished up it's replacement and for some reason I'm building another one instead of buying one of the Lipsey's ( not sure why I've gone that route again) almost done now just need to put a good finish on the grips and waiting the Belt mountain #5 base pin.