4 5/8 barrel

[cbourbeau32]

For those of you who reload have 41, 44 and 45's in the 4 5/8" barrels. Is 1000-1100 FPS acheivable with medium to heavy for caliber bullet weights? Let me know what velocities your favorite load shoots. Thanks, Charlie

[John R.]

44 special 4 5/8 bbl. with 260 WFN 1125 fps.

[Graybeard]

That's a loaded question. You first must state what the revolver is. If it's a Colt SAA then no not safely. If it's a Ruger then sure.

[Lloyd Smale]

you should take this to the reloading forum if your looking for specific loads.

[cbourbeau32]

Thanks John

GB it will be a Ruger and Lloyd I was not necessarily looking for exact loads. I am close to buying a single action Ruger pistol in one of the three calibers I listed. I want a shorter rather than longer barrel. I was just wondering if from personal experience by reloaders (because I reload) who own one of those 3 calibers if the velocities are doable from their own personal experience.

[Steve P]

I have all three in Rugers.  My plinking load is heavy bullet at 900-1000fps.  Hunting loads with same bullet is 1200-1400fps.  When you sneak a hunting load in with a cylinder of plinking loads it is noticable.   

Steve

[cbourbeau32]

I have all three in Rugers.
Steve

Thanks Steve so you have all 3 in 4 5/8" barrels?

[Luckyducker]

CB32, I have a Ruger Vaquero chambered in 45Colt with the 4 5/8" barrel and have developed a load using 335 grain Leadhead cast/gas checked bullet at 1292 ft/sec velocity.  This is an extreme load but shows no signs of excessive pressure in my revolver.  If you want any particulars about this load I will E-mail it to you only, as I will not post this load on this forum.

[cbourbeau32]

Thanks LD that helps. No need for load data.

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
For carrying all day, the short barrel will not get in the way, but is a loiitle harder to shoot well, than a 7-1/2" gun. I have a .45 Colt Blackhawk w/Super Blackhawk hammer for my trail gun. It likes two home-cast bullets in the 290-grain range powered by 2400 powder. I also load the 250-grain Keith bullet over 2400. All three are quite accurate when I do my part. The trick with a short barrel is to learn to live with the relatively lower velocity, and use a heavy bullet.
My .357 Blackhawk (also short) loves the Remington 180-grain semi-jacketed HP over anything I shoot in it. I don't have a short .41, but the selection of heavy bullets isn't as great as with other calibers. I cast a 212-grain RNFP and drive it hard out of my Marlin rifle, but the ogive makes it too long for the Ruger. Sierra used to make a wonderful 220-grain Silhouette bullet, and I should have grabbed a couple thousand before they dropped it.
Of the three you describe, I would go with the .45, simply because the bigger bores make it a smidge lighter than the others. The best choice may be the new version of the Blackhawk in .44 Spl that Lipsey's is selling. Light, powerful...

Good luck

[Dand]

Yes you should be able to get into that range with 41 mag, especially in a Ruger.  I have one load with 250 jacketed flat point that gets 1098 (avg 5 shots) in a 4 inch S&W - don't know if it was in my 657 or 57. It was at 5 degrees F, using Lil Gun. I get the bullets from Joe at Outlaw Bullets in Bend Oregon  jcunclejoe@aol.com

So I'm sure you could get that velocity with a .410 cal  250 to 265 gr LBT style cast bullet.

[Lloyd Smale]

I found very little differnce in revolvers with barrels between 4 inch and 7 inch. Ive had identical guns with 4 inch an 7.5 inch that shot within a few fps of each other. Granted in most cases a longer barrrel will gain some velocity but dont count on it. In the same aspect ive had 45s that would eaisly push a 250 to a 1000 fps and had others that took a bit to much powder to do it in my opionion. Barrel quality, cylinder gap, barrel/cylinder alignment, and chamber specs have just as much effect on accuracy as barrel lenght does. Bottom line is you look in your loading manual for the gun your using and if you need a load higher then what is recomended for your particular gun whether it be a colt or a lg frame ruger or anything inbetween and if you dont get the velocitys you need with the loads they list it cant be done.

[Ken ONeill]

I have 4 5/8" Rugers in all 3 calibers and 1100 + fps. is easily achievable in all 3 using loading manual loads and a 210-220 in .41 with 2400, a 240-250 in .44 with 2400, 296, and H-110, and a 250-260 in .45 Colt with 2400.

[cbourbeau32]

Thanks Lloyd and Ken. I took the plunge and ordered a 4 5/8" 41 mag. I'll post more when I get it and shoot it. Thanks to everyone who replied.

[Steve P]

You are gonna love that 41!!  I have put the Hogue grips on most of my Blackhawks.  Easy to control the recoil with the heavier loads, plus makes practice a lot more precise.

Only difference in short barrels vs longer barrels is sight radius and a very few fps in velocity.  If you can get the sight picture with a shorter barrel revolver, it can be as accurate as a longer barrel one. 

Have fun.......

Steve

[Dand]

Chor - give us a field report once you have put that 4 5/8 thru its paces. I keep thinking I'd like to add one to my collection. They just look good. I'm not that partial to the 7.5 barrel guns I have. Much prefer carrying the 4 inchers.

[Racer X]

I have two stainless 45 Colt Blackhawks. The first is a 7-1/2 custom gun with min spec chambers and a lapped barrel. The second is a stock 4-5/8. The 7-1/2 gun generally shoots about 100 FPS faster for loads in the 1000 - 1200 FPS range. Using AA #5 with a 250 grain WFN PB bullet, I have a very accurate and consistent load that is 1100 FPS in the 7-1/2 gun and 1000 FPS in the 4-5/8 gun.