Size of Ruger Hunter 45 Colt cylinder throats?

[silverpelican]

Hello to all, I have a Lipsey Late run, one of the clean up of extra parts guns in lay-a-way.  It is 45 Colt Hunter Ruger model.  I have read that various Ruger Super Blackhawk's have erratic cyl. chamber sizing and cyl. throat under sizing relative to the barrel groove diameter.  Since I will not have access to the gun for two more months, I want to ask, other owners of these guns (approximatley 800) total. Are these special run of guns any less erratic in cyl. chamber sizing?  Thanks to any and all who answer.

[Lloyd Smale]

dont know but my buddy has one and its one of the most accurate sixguns ive ever seen.

[silverpelican]

Lloyd,
That is great news!  I take it, that your friend had no issues with chamber and chamber throats or you would have heard about them!  Thanks for the information.
silverpelican

[Racer X]

I have one that I bought new in April 2005 and its throats were undersize. I don't recall the exact measurements, but I believe they were around .449" from the factory before I had them opened to .453".
 
The chambers were oversize, like all Blackhawks.

[Kmrere42]

Hi,



Just got to check out a nice 7 1/2" convertible  45 Colt/Acp Blackhawk,  Get this.....   Barrel is a very tight .4495" an cylinder throats at a huge .458.  And that's both cylinders.


Got it on hold for a week, just not sure if I want the issues. Price is $385.


BTW,  What are the specs on the 45Colt hunter model???


Thoughts guys....


Paul

[gcrank1]

I dont want .458 throats; sounds out of SAAMI spec, but I am not positive.....
If it is he needs to send it back, not sell it so it ends up on the used market over & over to the unsuspecting.

[painted horse]

Every Ruger 45 colt I've bought in the last 15 years (we're into double digits) have had tight cyl throats, typically .448-.449 and the bores have all been .451-.4515. The cyls have all been between .480-.482ish. Not saying this is typical, but it would seem to be from my experience. .458 bore is huge. I'd pass.
 
I'll also add that all of them had barrel constrictions at the barrel/frame to varying degrees. All mine have had the cyls reamed to .4525 and the barrels firelapped. Much better..

[Racer X]

BTW,  What are the specs on the 45Colt hunter model???

Mine ran around .449" before Dave Clements opened them up to .453".

[Lloyd Smale]

got to agree. I dont know how many 45 rugers ive had in my life but im sure its been over 20 anyway and the only ones ive ever seen oversized were redhawks. Every one of my single actions except the my montado has had to have them opened up. the montado was 4515-4522 which was close enough

Every Ruger 45 colt I've bought in the last 15 years (we're into double digits) have had tight cyl throats, typically .448-.449 and the bores have all been .451-.4515. The cyls have all been between .480-.482ish. Not saying this is typical, but it would seem to be from my experience. .458 bore is huge. I'd pass.
 
I'll also add that all of them had barrel constrictions at the barrel/frame to varying degrees. All mine have had the cyls reamed to .4525 and the barrels firelapped. Much better..

[Glanceblamm]

This was a very agonizing measure (for myself) trying to get a square peg (read dial caliper) into the round hole of a cylinder throat.
 
A barrel slug is even worse as the lands don't line up across the diameter of the bullet. I did know of a "V" shaped gauge that allows for a reading and a conversion but did not go there.
 
With that being said, I still figure that the throats on two Vaquero models I own are in the .4522 range with the barrels being .4515...I could be off by a ten thousands here but it is a moot point as I found that the barrel slug on both those models would slip through the cylinder throats without the aid of a hammer driving a dowel. Not excessive mind you as that slug could not be rattled with the likes of a pick while in the throat but just a very good fit with the throats being at least .001 larger than the bore.
 
Perhaps I just got lucky with these two .45's?.....I did not own a revolver in this caliber until 2002 but made sure to slug both because tight throats on the Rugers seem to be the rule rather than the exception on this forum. I believe that my method of trying out a barrel slug in the cylinder throat is a good one as any slug is still going to be tight enough to require the use of a hammer to get the thing through the same hole a second time around.

[gcrank1]

Exactly! Setting and reading a mic is another acquired skill; most of us are already pretty good at 'feel'. In fact, going with it should probably be the first step if someone is interested in checking out their revolver. KISS anyone?
As a 'practical' guy, I usually shoot a new toy with a known good load to just get acquainted, if it isnt satisfactory I know where to go next. If it shoots well I dont mess with some of these other processes and end up becoming disenchanted 'just because of a measurement'.

[Kmrere42]

Hi Racer X,



I managed to get one from gunbroker NIB.  What should I expect from it???  How was the timing and other aspects that you found.



Thank you,


Paul

[Racer X]

Hi Racer X,

I managed to get one from gunbroker NIB.  What should I expect from it???  How was the timing and other aspects that you found.

Thank you,

Paul

I bought mine new in 2005. Timing and alignment were good out of the box; however, the throats were undersized and the crown and forcing cone angles were a little ecentric.
 
Dave Clements did a basic (~ $500) accuracy tune on it that included a trigger job, opening throats, free-wheeled cylinder, forcing cone and re-crown, Belt Mountain basepin, front sight, set-back barrel/cylinder gap to .002" and removed enshake.
 
After I had the work done, I could get decent accuracy with plain-based cast bullets, as long as I did not push loads past 1000 FPS. Best groups with iron sights were just under 1-1/2" at 25 yards.
 
Before going overboard with custom work like I did, shoot the gun and see how it groups. I am willing to bet you will need a trigger job and the throats opened to .4525". Someone like Cylindersmith.com or Dave Clements, who can open the throats; all you have to do is ship them the cylinder, which will be alot cheaper than shipping the entire gun. Depending on where you live, you may have access to a competent gunsmith who can do an action job.

[temmi]

I'm one of those guys that buy a gun and run to the shop and get it fixed...


When I bought My Blackhawk i figured I would shoot it first...


I can find anything to do with it.

It has been wildly accurate when my sons and their girl friends (one of which loves it so much it is the only gun she will shoot)  shoot it.

I have shot it with “Cowboy” loads and “Warm” (all Lead) loads same result.


I have no Idea what the throats size is or the forcing cone angle is… It just works.

I’m thinken about getting a Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt with a 7.5 inch barrel maybe I will have that converted to a 5 shot non-scalloped cylinder…

Or

maybe I will fall in love with it and leave it alone like I did with my Blackhawk