Having just purchased a three-screw Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC I have a question. What would be a recommended cartridge for deer hunting. I'll probably use my 44 again this year, but have the rest of the year to get used to the 45. This 45 is the 7.5 inch barrel model. Do I need to worry about pressures in this older model as compared to the new models? Just looking for a good place to start. Maybe as I re-read Max's book on hunting revolvers that will help also. I didn't own the gun when I read it the first time. Anyway thanks for your thoughts.

Not at all. I load a 250 XTP in front of a heavy dose of H110 in 45 Colt for deer. It'll get your attention but is easily manageable.

Underwood has a .45 Colt +P load with a 250 grain XTP that looks like it would be a great deer load - if you are looking for a factory offering.

250gr XTP and 26.5gr H110 went slap through a quartering away deer and dropped him on the spot at 35ish yards this year from my .45 Colt load.

Thanks for the information. I will order a couple of boxes from Underwood. Also get the needed dies and powder and bullets for reloading. I am anxious to try these.

If you are going to handicap yourself with a jacketed bullet the 250 gr. XTP has a great reputation for hunting. Just kidding! Actually for deer or medium size big game I think many of the jacketed bullets might be better than cast.
The 45 in a Ruger Blackhawk is fantastic with good loads & the guns are very strong. I've taken many deer & 4 elk with mine. Find a load that is accurate & you will be fine. The 45 is one of the very best hunting cartridges out there yet it's easy to shoot even with heavy loads, you will love it.

Dick

10 gr of Unique with a 250 gr xtp or a cast Keith style bullet is a very good shooting everyday load.Unique is a bit dirty but still a good load. For a heavier load I use 20 gr of 2400 powder. 4 5/8th Blackhawk or 5 1/5 in Bisley. 17.5 gr of 2400 and a 300 gr cast shot real well if you want a heavier bullet.

My old standby deer load is a Keith style 255 grain hard cast SWC over 25 grains of 296. This is a pretty mild load and doesn't hurt your hand but gets the job done.

A GOOD LOAD TO TRY, THAT I REFER TO AS MY "OLD WEST" LOAD BECAUSE IT APPROXIMATES THE ORIGINAL 40 GR. BLACK POWDER LOAD, IS 8.5 GRAINS OF TRAIL BOSS AND A MAGNUM PRIMER, WITH 250 - 260 GR. BULLETS. VERY ACCURATE, EASY ON THE SHOOTER AND GUN, AND WILL DO CLOSE TO 1,000 fps IN A 7 1/2 INCH BARREL. I USE THIS LOAD WITH THE OTBC 250 FP BULLET AS AN EVERYDAY LOAD FOR MY S&W's AND COLTS. IN THE FIXED SIGHT COLTS (2 3rd GENERATION SAA'S AND A 1909 DA) THE LOAD SHOOTS TO POINT OF AIM OR A TAD HIGHER USING A 6 O'CLOCK HOLD. IF YOU WANT A HEAVIER LOAD THE LOADS POSTED SO FAR WITH IDENTICAL TWINS 296/H110 SHUD DO.