Mould recommendations for Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt

[S Mac]

I just bought the aforementioned revolver and I'm seeking mould recomendations from those more knowledgeable than myself. {leaves the door wide open}

I would probably be buying Lyman or RCBS, mainly because a friend has a # of moulds and is getting out of casting, would like to buy from Bob.

I hope to use this to hunt with and some informal target shooting. Thanks, Steve Mc

 

[RicinYakima]

Want to shoot paper targets? Lyman #452460 or equivalent. Shoot animals? Lyman #452424 or RCBS 45-270 SAA. If the bullet is a snug fit in the cylinder and the powder charge is close to 12,500 CUP, they all will shoot well.

 

[gman]

The RCBS 270-SAA is a very good bullet. I have the RCBS version and the NOE. But for me the new Elmer Keith molds that NOE has recently made shoot more accurate in my Blackhawks than any other mold I currently have. They drop from the mold heavier than the 270-SAA bullets do just shy of 300 grains. I have loaded them on top of 20 grains of 4227 for 1020 fps in my 7.5" Bisley and 13.1 grains of HS6 for a little north of 1100 fps. Very accurate with both loads but I favor the 4227. I would measure those cylinder throats before ever buying a mold to make sure you don't end up with a mold that cast too small. If your lucky they will measure tight. You can always get them opened up. My Bisley runs .455 on the throats and that's what I size to. This is assuming you have the large frame Blackhawk.

 

[Brother_Love]

I went the opposite way, just bought dies and 2 molds. I am now looking for a revolver.

Good luck and I will be watching your thread.

 

[waco]

Another vote for the 45-270-SAA

 

[358156 hp]

I couldn't make any recommendations any better than Rics post. Lyman 452651 is also quite the thumper if you want a really heavy bullet & don't mind a gascheck. I used to do obscene things with this bullet in an early 45 Colt Redhawk.

 

[9.3X62AL]

"......do obscene things with this bullet.....". I'm leaving that ALONE.

I have two #454424 Keith-type moulds, a one-cylinder Ideal and a newer two-banger Lyman. Both scale in the 250-255 grain range depending upon alloy, and the first time I cast with them I was surprised at their "squatty", short-for-diameter aspect. Both shot wonderfully (and indiscernably from one another) in a Uberti Cattleman in 45 Colt x 4-3/4". They both were losers in the Built Backwards Bisley Ruger 45 Colt, until the throats got opened a bit. Then things shot a lot better.

 

[Dale53]

I'm like Ric in my bullet choices. I use the NOE version of the Lyman 454424 for general use and am really impressed with the Mihec version (six cavity mould) of the RCBS .45-270-SAA bullet (285 grs. in my alloy) for hunting.

My revolver is the large frame Ruger Bisley .45 ACP/.45 Colt convertible. I had to ream both cylinders before this revolver would perform (cylinder throats are now .4525"). Now, it shoots well under 1" at 25 yards on demand from a rest with a variety of loads.

My "walk around" load is 8.0-9.0 grs. of Unique behind the 454424 bullet in the .45 Colt. My hunting load is a full charge H110 load behind the RCBS bullet. My general target load uses the .45 ACP cylinder and the Mihec version of the H&G #68 (200 grs.) ahead of 4.0 grs. of Bullseye or equivallent. It shoots extremely well (under one inch at 25 yards) and is most pleasant to shoot all day. It is also a FINE edible small game load.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[358156 hp]

"......do obscene things with this bullet.....". I'm leaving that ALONE

Much appreciated, Al .
That particular revolver was a true testament to the strength of Redhawks. I quit pushing my luck with that gun when I realized that between the recoil and the torque, I was almost hitting myself on the top of the head with the top of the barrel. I like to believe I'm a little wiser now.

 

[S Mac]

What do you guys think about the Lyman 454190 and the RCBS 45-230-CM? These are 2 my friend has.

 

[RicinYakima]

The Lyman #454190 is the traditional 45 Colt bullet that may cast a pretty big bullet, as in .456" -.458" depending upon when it was made. I was made for the pre-WWII Colts. You can usually size it to what you need. It is normally very accurate, but is heavy for paper punching. Why waste lead? On the low end of average for a hunting bullet. The RCBS Cowboy Match is also accurate, but no more than the 200 grainers. It would be a good hunting bullet for that weight range. It is neither fish nor foul, but it is heavy enough to be a good target bullet used with fast powders and flat nosed enough to do well in flesh. Just my opinion, Ric

 

[Ian]

200-grain bullets shoot insanely low for me in .45 Colt revolvers. The 454190 runs around 250 grains and doesn't have a crimp groove which makes it unsuitable for rifles with tubular magazines unless using a compressed load of powder but OK in handguns if seated as intended and crimped over the ogive. Generally in my experience seating them that deep doesn't work well for group size with smokeless powder, but will help ensure that they will chamber reliably when using black powder.

 

[RicinYakima]

That is why Blackhawks have adjustable sights. At least the two I've had would come up at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets, SAA's were struck off my list 40 years ago because none would shoot POA/POI for me.

 

[9.3X62AL]

I have an older Lyman #454190 2-banger. It also shot well in the departed Uberti, and does well in the Recut Ruger.

I just got a 5# flask of RL-7 recently, and I hope to soon try out the 100%-density loadings of this fuel in 45 Colt as I have in 32/20 and 44/40 revolvers with moderate success. No 45 Colt rifles in-house, so the Ruger will get the draw. #454190 and #454424 will do the work here.

 

[S Mac]

My friend has 2 different 454190's a single HP and a 2 cavity. I'm sure they are older moulds, I may end up with both. i know a HP isn't necessary but it would be fun. And you guys talked me into a .454 sizeing die, my cyl throats measure .454-455 according to my calipers. A sized .452 slug is a real loose fit, although my bore would be happy with .452.

 

[RicinYakima]

Bore is irrelevant! If the throats are happy, it will shoot. Forget what you read in the grocery store "gunsizens", they just repeat falsehoods.

 

[Brad]

I use mostly a 295 gr Lee GB mould. With my load of surplus 105 it gives me around 900 fps in a 4 5/8 BH. Recoil is manageable with one hand. Same load shoot great in my Marlin 1894 CB.

I do like the Lee 255 RNFP but only to 50 yards, past that it goes wonky. The Lyman 452424 does well too but I haven't shot them in years.

 

[Brad]

And yea, throats are what matters. Size for a snug slip fit thru throats and let em rip

 

[fiver]

that 230 would get you down the road pretty well.
I wouldn't be afraid to poke a 200 lb deer with a boolit that weight out as far as I could hit it with a revolver.

 

[smokeywolf]

Been shooting the IDEAL 454190 for well over 50 years out of a 2nd model 5-1/2" Colt SAA. Don't see how one could own a pistol chambered for 45 Colt and not own that mould. Also have a semi-wadcutter for the same cartridge. I haven't cast 45 SWCs in a coon's age, so I can't remember the mould number, but it's likely an IDEAL.