Ruger BlackHawk

[DannoBoone1]

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!

[AJ]

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).

[DannoBoone1]

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?

[AJ]

Use some of the Lil'Gun left over from the Sav10ML. LOL! Hodgdon has some stout loads on their web site.

[DannoBoone1]

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!!

[AJ]

Yep, the Sav10ML and the 45 Colt area great combination to have.

[DannoBoone1]

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.