Author Topic: 30 Car. Ruger Blackhawk 160gr Cast - need starting load (Read 800 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **on:** December 12, 2004, 12:43:40 PM »

I'm ready to load cast for the Blackhawk in 30 carbine.

In particular I'm loading the 90gr Lee soupcans (starting with 4.5 to 5.0 gr of Unique) and

I need a starting load for the 160gr tumble lube Lee custom.

Any suggestions?

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2004, 09:08:06 PM »

Tim, the 7.62x39 will take about a full case of WC 680 under a 159 grain bullet. .30 Carbine case has about half the capacity, and I don't see how you can get enough 680 in it to hurt anything. I'd start there at about 10 grains. Once I had a handle on how 680 behaves, I'd use that info to work with other powders in the same class.

Castaway · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:54:39 AM »

Just curious, what's the application for a 160 grain bullet? What kind of velocity do you expect to get?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2004, 02:58:45 AM »

Quote from: Castaway

Just curious, what's the application for a 160 grain bullet? What kind of velocity do you expect to get?

Hmmmmmmmmm. I guess it's just because it's there. The 30 carbine in j-loads is just too loud - when it makes my eardrums meet in the middle.

So I'm trying a light load with the 90gr and a slow heavy load with the 160's. Later I'll try something inbetween.

Thanks DJ for the load - I think there MIGHT be room for 10 gr of powder under the boolet.

Castaway · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2004, 03:13:51 AM »

Good enough reason for me.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2004, 03:16:49 AM »

It's a symptom of too many guns and too little time. I think I got the Blackhawk 20 years ago and I'm now just getting to do some serious loading for it.

Flash · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 01:17:28 PM »

You might find that the 160 grain bullets are going to be too long for the cylinder to rotate. I tried 125's and couldn't get them deep enough in the case to use in the Blackhawk. Out of a Contender yes but not a revolver. Yes, the muzzle blast is tremendous with high power loads in the 30 Carbine Blackhawk. I use 32/20 load data in mine and even scale that back some with a 88 grain Lyman 311419 cast bullet. The flat nose of that bullet just tucks inside the cylinder face so I can imagine where a 160 grain bullet is going to be. :roll:

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2004, 01:31:17 PM »

Just loaded up some 311415's (117gr) with starting load of 5.5gr of unique.

You're right the 160's can be loaded but only deeply. Might have room for 4 to 5 grains fo powder as the front driving band is slightly larger than the forcing cone in each cylinder. Hmmm. Maybe another boolet.