Top 10mm Ammo possible for Ruger Blackhawk

[RRMan03]

I do not reload as some of you on here already know. I do have a question though. I know that the Ruger Blackhawk is much stronger than my G20. Given that what would be the upper end of the line in FPS,energy for 155 gr Barnes X, or 180 Speer Gold Dot type ammo.I am not asking for a load just for number that are possible without blowing your head off.I know you reloaders can push the limits of what any bullet /caliber will do with a solid gun so lets here it.I already got my G20 up to its limit for me anyway and am just curious about the Ruger in 10mm. I recently acquired on of the Buckeye specials with convertible cylinders and already have learned about the 38-40 from a nice guy here on this forum.

[REDLINE]

What length barrel (to put velocity into perspective)?

[DM1906]

6-1/2" barrel.

I've loaded some "RBH only" rounds (for entertainment purposes only), and there's not really much more to be had from the cartridge.  As much is gained by the barrel length, as the load itself.  I load the 155 Barnes to 1500 FPS in the Glock 20, and it shoots to about 1570 in the RBH.  I've had them as hot as 1625 in the RBH (wouldn't shoot them in the Glock, or any autoloader, except maybe the LAR), but the brass is pushed beyond its limit.  No KB!, but shortened cases and loose primer pockets.  The limiting factor is the case capacity (unable to use large charges of slow-enough powder), not the pistol(s).

[REDLINE]

DM1906;  I wonder if you could have pushed further with a different powder than you were using before ending up with loose primer pockets?

[sqlbullet]

Probably not. Case capacity is the issue.  You run out ta room for powder before you get enough slow powder in there to make a difference.

Only solution I see would be to load to a much longer COAL length.  This would give more room for powder.

[DM1906]

DM1906;  I wonder if you could have pushed further with a different powder than you were using before ending up with loose primer pockets?

No.  It didn't matter what powder.  Either too much pressure, or too little velocity, pick one.  The only way to increase velocity beyond that is more barrel or more case capacity.  The RBH is an absolute tank, but the cases begin to fail between 45-50K PSI.  Any bullet can be seated only so far out before the neck tension is too little.  The RBH cylinder can accommodate rounds beyond 1.8", which is obviously way too long.  I'd have to load 10mm AMT Magnums to take advantage of that (case length is 1.243").  I'd like to do that at someday, but I won't cut my original cylinder.  I'd have to source another cylinder and ream it to Magnum length.  The problem then, is they won't fit in any 10mm Auto magazine, which kinda defeats the purpose.  The Barnes 155 gr. bullets are (slightly) tapered to the base, so that limits it even more.  The taper is enough to the point I don't have to expand the case mouth to seat them.  They will insert about 1/3 the bullet length by hand in the .38-40, and a little less in 10mm.  Shorter lead/core bullets help a little, but not enough for any appreciable gain.

[RRMan03]

Now thats why I come here. Ilearn something everyday from you guys that know not the bullshit of guesswork on some forums.

[REDLINE]

I understand.