Henry Rifle Forums

Hey all, looking for some opinions from the seasoned Colt 45 shooters. After a lot of research on which Ruger New Model Blackhawk I own I have determined it is the larger frame and cylinder that can handle the hotter loads. Trying to decide if it is worth it to work up some hotter hunting loads for deer hunting or just stick with my 41 mag. I was given a box of Hornady XTP's in 250 grain and have 2400 powder on hand. I also have new Starline brass as I've read 45 brass can be an issue with hot loads. I would really like to take a deer with this caliber mostly for the fact that I haven't yet. Any advise you all have would be greatly appreciated given this is a fairly new caliber for me. Not to worried about particular load data as I would stay inside Hornady's manual but more experience between standard velocity and the hot loads. Thanks, Dave

That 2400 and those XTP bullets will give you some great results. I also would not over look using some Unique if you have some.

I have shot the 250 gr. XTP loaded with 20 grs. of 2400 in .45 Colt thru my 2.5 inch Alaskan and seen 1100 FPS. Longer barrel would give you a bit more speed and should take care of a deer. Plenty of load data for hot .45 Colt loads out there. You don't need to go to hot with a .45 Colt to kill a deer.
Remember the original Colt .45 BP load was a 250-255 gr. bullet at 900 FPS to kill a horse as required by the Army back in the day.

My jug test of the above mentioned 250 GR. XTP load. https://youtu.be/YtW3Dyzs1GI

Hey dmanwarren, I also shoot a Ruger New Model Blackhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel for .45 (7.5 for .357). Hornady XTP is my go to load for both the .45 and .357, and my preferred weight for the .45 is 250 grain also.

For Brass, I also use Starling, but I shoot the nickle plated brass exclusively in my revolvers and brass for my Henry.
I load with three powders: For the XTP I drop Unique or Bullseye and chrono around 650fps. I also have a load for cast 250 grain that I us HS-6.
Neither I would consider a hunting load for big game, but they are sound and stable rounds for me.

At the range I shoot the .45 blackhawk at 50 yards with a three inch group free hand, 2 inch from the bench (providing I can see my front sights !)
With my Henry I shoot at 100 yards.

Love those Blackhawks !

Hey 40 shooter, Big fan of history, thanks for the post and info on the Army requirements ! Great Video !

I have some "Ruger only" bear loads and, I gotta tell you, they are distinctly uncomfortable to shoot. In fact, they are downright miserable to shoot in my 45 Colt standard Blackhawk, enough so that I can't practice shooting them enough to be confident at deer ranges. I see no reason to go more than a hot standard load pushing a 250 at about 1000 fps. I think that's plenty for deer at my usual 50 yard revolver shooting distance and still something you can practice shooting.

dmanwarren-

Go for it!

Just ensure your XTP's are .451" not .452"

Thanks for the replies guys and gals. I've got all summer to play with load development so what the heck I'll give it a go. NGC the Blackhawk grip is definitely not as forgiving as my Smith rubber grips so that is a consideration. Wingnut, I would like to hear more as to why on the .451" my Hornady manual shows the XTP in .452". If I can hit around 1150 to 1200 fps with accuracy out of my 5.5" barrel I would be tickled pink. Thanks, Dave

I know Hornady does or did make jacketed bullets in both .451 & .452. “Generally”, jacketed bullets of bore size are used in reloading & your Ruger is .451”. If you have valid data for the .452, then go ahead and load. Otherwise, pressures could exceed expectations.

Thanks wingnut, my bullets are .452 and that is what is shown for bullet diameter in my Hornady 10th edition manual. I don't plan on pushing the max loads and usually find accuracy 5 to 8 percent under max. Thanks, Dave

OP, I've been working with my Henry Big Boy 45 Colt for the last year. The 250gr XTP's proved to be pretty accurate, and I worked them up to about 1700fps with Accurate #9 powder. Used that combo to take a buck and a doe last fall, both 1-shot kills. I'm continuing to look at other loads, just because I like to tinker, but the XTP worked just fine for me. I'm usually a Nosler guy, but so far I have not found their 250gr bullet to be as accurate, perhaps because it's .451 instead of .452. Good luck with yours!