I just purchased a Ruger Stainless Blackhawk Bisley in 45 colt with 5.5" barrel that I would like to start reloading for. I am looking for load information for informal target/plinking loads and heavy hunting loads. I curently load for 15 calibers so reloading is not new to me, just the 45 colt. What are the most popular bullet weights and loads for these purposes?

Thanks!!

I really like 6 grains of Titegroup behind a 255 grain SWC for a plinking load. For hunting I usually carry a 335 WFN loaded with 21 grains of H110, but a 255 SWC with 25 grains of H110 would also work well. This site has so real good info: http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm

Sharkbait:

Congrats on your new Ruger, I think you'll like it. You will almost certainly need a trigger job or, as a minimum, install a spring kit to lighten it up some. The latter is extremely easy to do and makes it very shootable.

Without getting into specifics,as there are thousands of acceptable loads for the .45 LC around. I would load for plinking and everyday type practice a 220 to 250 gr bullet around 850 to 900 fps. For everyday carry and normal size game hunting I like a good 250 gr. bullet at around 1100 to 1200 fps. It will decisively kill anything up to deer size critters. If you were in bear country or trying for larger game and can accurately place heavier recoiling rounds----lots better to shoot one in the right spot with a 250 at 1100 than to miss or poorly hit one with a hotter load---then I would shoot a suitable 300 gr bullet a bit hotter. I know this is very general but there are so many bullets and powders that work well in the .45 that a lot depends on what you have and what you want to do with that particular load.

I dunno how experienced you are with pistols, but if you are not used to heavier recoiling handguns, I urge you to load light and shoot them until you are comfortable and then work up from there. There is a good bit of difference in the recoil of the same bullet at 850 than at 1200, believe me.

I really like 6 grains of Titegroup behind a 255 grain SWC for a plinking load. For hunting I usually carry a 335 WFN loaded with 21 grains of H110, but a 255 SWC with 25 grains of H110 would also work well. This site has so real good info: http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm
Some how this got posted again, sorry.

[This message has been edited by Sean (edited 02-21-2002).]

250gr cast bullet over 35grs(volume) of Goex FFG blackpowder.

Gatogordo -

quote:

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There is a good bit of difference in the recoil of the same bullet at 850 than at 1200, believe me.

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A double amen to that!!

R-WEST

good evening mr. shark, my favorite hunting load in either the bisley or RH is 23 grains h110 with 300 grain wide flat nose hard cast bullet. There is much good data in the current Hodgdon manual as well as new heavy bullet data at their web site. The previous suggestion of Sixgunner is good. Look for the Linebaugh reference. Both Cabella's and Beartooth bullets are good hunting bullet sources. With Hodgdon and Beartooth, you have all you need for your new Blackhawk. For more discussion of advanced data, use Linebaugh and Ross Seyfried's material from Handloader Mag's. Good shooting.