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45 Blackhawk
- Thread starter nwobhm
- Start date
Lee Martin
New member
The .454 Alaskan......
....looks neat, but isn't practicle. .454 Casulls aren't well suited for a 2.5" tube. At that length, the velocity gain over 30,000 CUP .45 Colt loads is marginal. If you're into muzzle blast and unburned powder however, it's just the ticket.
Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com
....looks neat, but isn't practicle. .454 Casulls aren't well suited for a 2.5" tube. At that length, the velocity gain over 30,000 CUP .45 Colt loads is marginal. If you're into muzzle blast and unburned powder however, it's just the ticket.
Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com
The .454 Alaskan......
....looks neat, but isn't practicle.
I might agree that it isn't "efficient" but it sure seems "practical" to me. If you want a handgun with a 4" or shorter barrel that you can carry on your belt everywhere you go in the wilderness, what else are you going to buy? You would tear a S&W 625 to pieces if you tried to get similiar ballistics. The .500 is pretty cool but it is pushing my idea of a "belt gun." Shooting Times released actual chrono results when they tested the .454 Alaskan.
Out of a 7.5 inch Super Redhawk, they got 1563 fps from the CorBon 320 grain load. Same load out of a 2.5" Alaskan got 1369 fps. So that is a loss of 200 fps but what's the alternative? You have a four inch double action .44 Magnum that can match those numbers? If you really want maximum punch in belt portable size, the Alaskan is pretty much by itself.
I see it as a "super .45 Colt" myself. I want to buy one but I probably won't shoot much .454 in it. But I will shoot .45 Colt loaded just as hot as I please. And I won't worry about whether I'm damaging the gun! My wrists and elbow will give out before that revolver! And yet it should be a real pussycat with 1000 fps 250 grain Keith bullet loads. That's versatile and yes, even practical.
Gregg
There is little real difference between what the hot loaded 44 mag and a hot loaded 45 colt at least in a ruger . I happen to own three 45 colt rugers and enjoy them .
. For a 454 belt gun I like my Freedom arms model 83 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel , It can be had for about twice the price of the Ruger but it is worth the difference .
. For a 454 belt gun I like my Freedom arms model 83 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel , It can be had for about twice the price of the Ruger but it is worth the difference .
The 45 Blackhawk is a sweet gun. If you reload it's even better. I have one thats a convertible that also shoots 45 ACP. Both 45 ACP and 45 colt shoot real well. My favorite 45 Colt load is a 300gr bullet and 2400 powder. The 45 Colt is more of a push than a hard slap compared to the 44 mag. If you get a SS gun you can shoot black powder loads and not have to worry about cleaning the gun right away. Get one I think you will like it. I'm looking for a 357 mag blackhawk myself. How do you like yours?
If you have taken a liking to the .45 Blackhawk and want one go ahead and get it. Theres nothing that says that we should have only one gun per class (i.e. .22 for plinking, .38/9mm/.357 etc for defense and .44 for hunting) The simple pleasure that you derive from shooting a gun chambered in a cartridge that has existed for over 130 years is reward or justification enough. If you handload and want to boost the performance of the .45 in the Blackhawk, thats icing on the cake. I have enough "serious" guns but the .45 Blackhawk 4 5/8 is my favorite woods rambling and relaxing gun.
44mag@ucnsb.net
New member
If you want a handgun with a 4" or shorter barrel that you can carry on your belt everywhere you go in the wilderness, what else are you going to buy? You would tear a S&W 625 to pieces if you tried to get similiar ballistics. The .500 is pretty cool but it is pushing my idea of a "belt gun."
I see it as a "super .45 Colt" myself. I want to buy one but I probably won't shoot much .454 in it. But I will shoot .45 Colt loaded just as hot as I please. And I won't worry about whether I'm damaging the gun! My wrists and elbow will give out before that revolver! And yet it should be a real pussycat with 1000 fps 250 grain Keith bullet loads. That's versatile and yes, even practical.
First, please let me point out that I am not trying to butcher someone's post. I think the Alaskan has a purpose, I am not sure it is the Ideal Woods Carry gun, but it is nice none the less. Let me tell you what I sent to Bowen a few weeks ago and am waiting to get back. It cost less to buy and have customized than the .454 Alaskan will and is readily available.
I purchased a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt with a 5 1/2 in barrel for around $500.00. Bowen is charging me $225.00 to have it cut to 4", remarked, and new site installed. From what I understand the Alaskan will retail around $819.00. I would have no concerns shooting any .45 Colt load that I can find or handload in my Redhawk. A 4" barrel will be much more convenient in the woods IMHO, especially when you consider you might be forced to use your handgun to feed your belly. I wouldn't want to be taking anything but short range shots with a 2 1/2 inch barrel in any caliber. I just wanted to interject that there are other options out there for a "woods belt gun" that could be more practical and not expensive.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004B.html
and I have to agree with the earlier comment that you can't go wrong with buying any .45 colt, especially a Ruger. You know there's a special editoin Super Blackhawk out this year in .45 Colt, it's a flat top hunter model. Check it out. Good luck with it..
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=864&return=Y
Let us know what you get..
.44mag