small build 45 lc linebaugh..Q:

[kennisondan]

got the Linebaugh ruger blackhawk conversion to 45 long colt.
would like to know what to expect from the performance end of the scale, and what handles best in it..
it is not the 5 shot conversion Larger... it is rated +p
Deer and Hogs will be afraid and paper plated will die in piles...
cannot wait.
dk

[Lloyd Smale]

depends. If its an oversized 6 shot based on a 5 shot cylinder it would proably take 300s to 1400 if its the standard ruger cylinder id keep it to 1200 fps. It would probably take a little more but your not gain much in bullet performance anyway.

[kennisondan]

Thanks for response .. From what I am reading, I do not have to go very fast for optimum performance with the right bullets.  I was wondering : 300 325 what would you suggest and what velocity would you expect would work well with it..
any suggestions would be appreciated.

I like the sound of 1200 fps 300 or so grains...I may drop it a little if that would not badly affect accuracy or knock down. LIke to droip it  1100 or 1000 with an LBT or BTB for hunting and experimentation. I am not recoil sensitive, but want to shoot as much and as comfortably as possible, but get great results. How does 1000 fps vs. 1200 ? knockdown, accuracy... I was reading that perhaps some need to go faster to be accurate. ?
dk

[Lloyd Smale]

It all depends on what your hunting. A 300 grain 45 bullet at 1000 fps will do alot of kiling. What i shoot for in a big load for a 45 is a well designed bullet at between 1100-1300 fps and what detemines the final level is accuracy as killing power and real world trajectory with loads in that level are about unchanged if your alloy is proper for the velocity. As a matter of fact i use the same criteria for 250 grain bullets in the 45 and pretty much do to in the 44s. For the most part the game were hunting with handguns in the US really dont need the penetration that 300 grain bullets will give you over a 250 but it certainly doent hurt anything to have it. Ive preached for a long time that a good lfn or swc 44 or 45 hardcast 250 grain bullet at even 900 fps will do alot of killing and for the most part alot of handgunners are better off sticking at that level with its mild recoil then trying to shoot a load that recoils and belches fire and distracts them from the main objective which is putting that bullet where it needs to be put. Im no handgun hunting expert but have used the 900 fps loads on good sized black bear and pigs and they kill a hell of alot better then youd think they would by using mathimatical equations to figure killing power.

[kennisondan]

pretty mcuh what I wanted to know... I am ready to proceed to the next level :  ordering in some bullets and powder, etc. May have to try my hand with some unique first, since I have some and some starting loads to try as well... thinking hard cast 250 gr and 300grain to try both at about 900 and about 1100 fps... I assume there is no need for a gas check or would you use one for keeping it clean ? or for a seal in the bore especiallyh on the lighter loads...
dk

it is the small frame and small cylinder linebaugh 45 colt.. it will replace the unfired rodeo I bought recently... want more oomph available if I decided to load it that way so for flexibility and to have the L-bow experience I sprung for it used.
dk

[MarkH]

That is the standard Blackhawk frame, by the way ... I do not know whether the cylinder is an oversize 6 shot, as Lloyd points out, or a standard-diameter 6 shot.

[kennisondan]

Yes it is the standard and is a #1 small build to be exact :  it is just a tight 45 :

"#1-SMALL .45 COLT ON RUGER FRAMES

Rugers. like Colts are plagued with oversize chambers that have come from the black powder era and poor tolerance standards in modern industry. By taking a new Ruger in say a 44 magnum caliber: we rechamber it using our custom reamers to tight 45 Colt specs. Standard SAMMI specs for .45 Colt is .484 minimum to .489 maximum diameter. Our reamers cut a .480 chamber. Average 45 Colt case dimensions are .476 diameter. Our chamber is standard length. This conversion is approximately 86% as strong as a 44 magnum revolver so offers a 100% safety factor to the 32.000 psi level. With this new "tight" chamber and a special custom slow twist barrel fitted properly you can expect the following velocities with a 5 1/2" barrel and safe "full power" loads:

260 gr. cast          1450 fps            24 KO
310/320 gr. cast     1350 fps            26 KO"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>from linebuagh site.

what I take it to be is one of the lightest strongest 45colt six shots, that approximates the weight and feel of a true light carry gun, with a 5.5 in. barrell and adjustable sights, built to last and to use accurately as I can shoot in this lifetime in field conditions. 
It is a good blend it seems.. and 32k saami specs sounds impressive, tho I will not go there, I want to have a reason for a real big bore..
thanks for the responses, it means a lot...
Now in light of the facts as represented here - what do you guys think .. equal to a ruger blackhawk or old vaquero 45 colt as far as loads go or not ? 
remember I do not want a 454... I want a 45 colt just a good one.
dk
 
 

[MarkH]

If the gun is in good shape - sure.  I pointed that out in light of your other thinking that the Rodeo would be a good +P 45 (at least that is how I understood it).  I'd recommend some reading, at least of Taffin's articles over at www.sixguns.com or his book, Big Bore Sixguns, which will really shed some light on the different strength levels of guns chambered in .45 Colt.

[MS Hitman]

On the small .45s, John would rechamber the .44 Mag cylinder, therefore, it is a standard size cylinder.  John told me he  doesn't do many of these anymore as the Ruger had gotten better on their tolerances. 

Dan, you aren't located in Utah by any chance? 

[kennisondan]

Ms Hitman : Utah ?: nope just a little coonass down in Loosiana...but I could be induced to go to utah for shooting some pests or some deer, etc. : ;have gun will travel ..

Mark H : as to the rodeo and Plus P : I made a bad decision without referencing first, but I had gone to look for a rather light big bore pistol capable of higher than standard 45 loads or chambered for something larger, but found none and was convinced this was somewhat it...I was advised that the tightening and close tolerances of the reworked rodeo into a  Long shooter  would allow it to shoot any 45 loads ie: hotter than the actual colts revolvers  I was comparing it to, and that it would acheive superior accuracy as well...
well now I do beleive that closer tolerances and getting rid of end play etc. can help the revolver to shoot well and keep pressures in check better than sloppy tolerances, but I think he was putting it to me on the "higher energy loads handling ability" of the gun... and I bought it on a whim...thought I had a poor man's Linebaugh, of sorts by an undiscovered talent...etc. now I realize it is slicked up and ready for cowboy action shooting and good reliability due to ruger coil springs replacing the old type springs. Have not found a reccomednation for plus p loads yet, though and now it does not matter... I am buying what I really wanted to get, and will sell the Rodeo/long shooter.   

 Books to read : I never can read enough and spend hours a day doing that on these and similar subjects and am about to order a few books and reloading manuals and quit relying on the net for a while... i lost my old manuals in a move... I appreciate that advice; and I need to read more of the experts, as well as all the opinions on the net that reflect those learnings to some degree.
I do have a basic understanding of the factors allowing higher pressures, etc. but I am always hungry for more info and better info as well. I will be asking for a list of books suggested and the ranking of which to get and read first.. I also need a couple of reload manuals... and wonder if it is ok to buy used ones... I will reload 308 with small dies for auto, 44, 45colt, 45 70 for now.

One other thing I seem to get is that it is not necessary for any reason (Knockdown or accuracy or trajectory).. to go beyond 250 grains slug or so and not much reason to go past 1000 fps either - here in Louisiana. For really big boned large bodied stuff a heavier bullet at the same velocity should do the trick.  () i was just wanting a diffferent weight than the 44 mag 240 gr. fare I have used for so long.) but no reason to increase recoil and gain nothing needed/usable..I conclude also that no gas check  will be necessary if the bullets fit the bore well and are cast hard.  Am I almost ready ? any comments or further advice...
I check these every day and soak up all I can everywhere I can.
thanks
dk
 

[MarkH]

If I recall correctly, you got a Rodeo that had been worked over by Longhunter/Jim Finch ... a friend of mine and a good cowboy action gunsmith.  Such a Rodeo is a pretty darn good gun ... but not a magnum ... I'm glad you did some research before shooting it at the top end of the spectrum.

[kennisondan]

Markh: I really like the gun, it handles and feels so fine and the trigger is realy good, it is very tight and light. I have been told it is very accurate as a rule.  I did not mean to knock the gun, for sure.. just was concerned that I had not gotten what I wanted xactly, MY FAULT.. I could use that weapon with standard loads around 800 to 900 fps and 250 gr cast and kill anything I will ever kill in La. quite well. It carries so much better than longer heavier guns, I am really starting to appreciate the carry weight and balance and overall size factors.
You are correct... maybe I should shoot the Rodeo just a little bitty bit...then decide...I did purchase 400 rounds of reloaded ammunition for the rodeo and planned to burn up some cowboy loads to see how I liked them and to jump start my aquaintance with the gun and a sweet light loading. That might be the load I come to love in the rodeo. It will give me some brass to start with as well.  (fedl after that for brass)..
Heck, every time I think that I may get rid of a gun to get another one, I start to liking the one about to go when we start talking about them..you see :  if I can just close my eyes long enough to sell two 44s and the rodeo and maybe another item I could put some money with it and order up something 475ish...500ish
this stuff is killin me...
dk

Damn guns...

[EdK]

I have a Rodeo. It is a good gun indeed. As has been pointed out by others and acknowledged by you yourself it will do most all that would need doing in LA (or for me in NH for that matter). Now if you want a Linebaugh built Ruger or FA that's fine too but you already know that gun is not likely to be your light-carrying everyday friend like the Rodeo but you can own it with pride, shoot heavy loads, do all that would ever need doing whether in LA or AK.

Take your time, think about it a while longer, you'll make the right decision