serious loads in the ruger nmv's.

[pinto bean]

i know that the nmv's aren't as stout as the older(larger) model vaquero's,but i was wonderin' if anybody had a suggestion
for a heavier load to take with me on my elk huntin' trip in colorado next month. oh,-.45 ,preferably with a heavier bullet.

thanx,
pinto

[Sagebrush Burns]

Load 8.5 Unique behind a 250 lead SWC and you'll kill any deer that walks (about 900 fps in a 5 1/2" Ruger or Colt).

[Adirondack Jack]

Some may counsel that since the NRV is "Colt sized" it ought to be limited to Colt fodder.  I take that with a grain of salt.  I read John Linebaugh loads an "L" frame Smith .44 special to 22K PSI and gets away with it, for a "packing load" while hunting.  Further, many have loaded the Colt New Frontier to fairly warm specs and gotten by with it.

The NRV is every bit as strong as these guns, and may well be a fair bit stronger, owing in part to the very tough ruger frame.  I won't tell ya exactly what I was told by an insider about the testing of these guns before we ever saw em, but suffice to say most OPERATORS would get battered long before the guns.

Specifically, I'd suggest a 250-255 grain LEAD bullet at 1000 fps or so as a reasonable KILLING load without breaking you or the gun.

Maybe try 9.6 gr WW 231  
or
13.5 gr Blue Dot  

[August]

Just adding information, not disagreeing.   Ruger emphatically cautions using factory level loads (and below) in the .45 NMV.  This warning is posted by the gunpowder in every gun store I go into around here.

[Ranch 13]

Ruger specifically warns against using any reloaded, or handloaded ammunition.

With that out of the way..... I don't measure enough difference between the outside cylinder walls in my NMV and my ancient NM blackhawk to get excited about. The NMV is definetly not very user friendly when you load it to the upper levels.
9 grs of unique and a 250 gr swc was good enough to drop a Charolais bull on his butt when he decided he ruled the world , I would imagine any poor beast of lesser stature won't be able to walk off from a well placed hit either.

[Kinda Sudden]

11 grs. of HS-6 behind a 270 gr. SAA bullet. These bullets weigh about 282grs. You will get 850-900 fps. depending on your cylinder throats. Ruger still does not have their act together with cylinder throats on the NV going from .4505 to .4525. I have seen about 50 fps variance between individual guns. Seat your bullets to 1.670 max which may be too long for Colt/clones but fine in the NV. heavy crimp but don't get rediculous. Very accurate!!!!! You can use 8.5-9grs unique for similar FPS but accuracy for me was not as good.

I have used up to 11.5 grs HS-6 for just under 1000 fps dont think I would want to go any higher.

             K.S.


Disclaimer:
I am mentally impaired, and under the influence. Trying to duplicate my loads will probably lead to severe bodily injury and/or loss of life. Do so at your own risk.

[pinto bean]

perzactly what i was lookin' for.

thanx