45 blackhawk

[zacharoo]

I just inherited a ruger blackhawk. It was found in an older cousin's house by his mother. It was inside abedside table drawer. It was inside a pair of socks. No one in the family ever knew he had a gun. He died a batchler?   The gun looks like he had bought it used. I dought he ever shot it.  There was noo rust but you could see it had been banged around a bit.  It is a 45 colt maked on barrel (Made in the 200th year of american liberty). It has the 4 and ? inch barrel. It had a loaded cylinder with lead bullets. The brass was marked remington .  I tried some of the hornady 250 gr. .452 dia. bullets and they just fell through the cylinder.  .452 oregon trail bullets just bearly pass through with only a light push. Were the cylinder throats in 1976 that big on a ruger or is this gun not right? I have not shot it yet am wondering what to try. I reload that caliber. My cousin was not a hunter! He was a how would it be nice to put. DAINTY WOULD BE RIGHT! If you know what I mean. Any help with this Question would help.
Zacharoo

[Luckyducker]

If the chamber throats are the same, or about the same, diameter as the barrel bore it will probably be an accurate revolver when loaded correctly.  I like the bullet to fit the throats, as in need just the lightest push to pass through.   Sometimes chamber throats on Rugers chambered in 45Colt are smaller than the barrel but it sounds like your Blackhawk is probably sized to about .452" which should be about right with the O.T. cast bullets.

[Hopalong7]

Sounds like it's just about right.  Typically, most Ruger .45 Blackhawk cylinder throats are too small by 2-3 thousandth's and need to be opened up.  Sounds like someone may have already done it.  I'd load her up and try it out...or....you could pack it up and send it to me for lot's and lot's of testing.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[zacharoo]

Tried with calipher measuring at the throarts on cylinder at each.. Looks like the are .453 or .454 at most? Of course I am not a machinest.  Set 6 oregon trail on yhe barrel side of the cylinder dropped it about 1/4 inch of the padded table and all six went through the cylinder. Hope you guys are right. Can't go shoot for a few days. Raining like a cow p------ on a flat rock here in Louisiana.  Thanks for the help you guys.
 Zacharoo!!  Say an extra prayer tonight for our troups who are making it safe for us to sleep in AMERICA !!!

[Autorim]

The .452's should do OK. If not try .454 bullets. I really like Trail Boss in the .45 Colt for just fun shooting.