Birdshead .45 ACP - Range Report

[Ben]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0960.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/Photo0960.jpg.html)

Ruger Birdshead 45 ACP

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/985.jpg

You can make HP's just as fast as you can make solids with a single cavity mold. I'll include a video link below so that you can see just how fast you can make HP bullets with this mold :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hlA9r9zWnkQ

Here are some photos of Erik's excellent work ! ! !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/001-50.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/0052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/0042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/002-51.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/003-47.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/004-45.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/006-34.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/007-30.jpg

[Nobade]

That is a darn slick way to modify a mould to hollow point. I might have to send him some work in the future. That little revolver looks like it works pretty good too! Nice setup you have there.

-Nobade

[Ben]

That is a darn slick way to modify a mould to hollow point. I might have to send him some work in the future. That little revolver looks like it works pretty good too! Nice setup you have there.

-Nobade

I can't decide which one I like the BEST, the mold or the revolver ?

Both are smooth as silk.

I know that in today's " Magnum Mania " and the High Capacity Auto Craze, you wouldn't think of a revolver design that has over a 100 yr. old history
as a good self defense weapon.

Catch is.....I think it would make a fine close quarters self defense revolver.

________________________

P.S.

Obviously I used Ben's Red with these loads. Not a spec of any leading in the cylinder mouths or in the bore of the revolver.

Ben

[DeanWinchester]

That is a beautiful combo.

[jmsj]

Ben,
The gun and the video of the mold are both outstanding.
I have been waiting to see how this gun was going to work out for you. I'm glad it turned out to be such a great shooter.
jmsj

[Catshooter]

That is sweet Ben.


Cat

[DeanWinchester]

I REALLY want a 45 acp revolver. I love the 45 acp cartridge but have NEVER gotten along with any of the automatics I have owned.

Very Jealous Ben!

[makicjf]

I can't decide which one I like the BEST, the mold or the revolver ?

Both are smooth as silk.

I know that in today's " Magnum Mania " and the High Capacity Auto Craze, you wouldn't think of a revolver design that has over a 100 yr. old history
as a good self defense weapon.

Catch is.....I think it would make a fine close quarters self defense revolver.

________________________

P.S.

Obviously I used Ben's Red with these loads. Not a spec of any leading in the cylinder mouths or in the bore of the revolver.

Ben

I carry a blued version 80 % of the time as a ccw weapon: ultra reliable, potent and easy as pie to carry in a mernickle- I use the lee 452-252 swc a/c over 5.8 of unique, or sometimes the lee 230 tc over the same- I carry quick strips to reload. I'd trust my life to mine! sweet pictures, cool tinkering and an awesome little gun!
thanks for sharing!
Jason

[44man]

Yes sir, just as good as it gets. The mold looks great and I love that Vaquero.
Great casting too.

[silverbuzzard]

can you heavy crimp the bullet or is the round headspacing on the case mouth?

[Ben]

silverbuzzard

Loading for the Birdshead is no different than loading for a 1911 , 45 ACP auto pistol.( other than the fact that nose shape isn't impt. with the revolver )

Can't crimp the end of the case, that interferes with head space.

I have good neck tension in my reloads. My seated cast bullets have not moved forward during recoil.

Ben

[atr]

very nice Ben !
has me rethinking the 45 acp.....Like Dean I too have never gotten along with any of my semi-autos....but that Ruger of yours has me rethinking......

[Ben]

I figure with a minimum of care, this one will last about 1,000 yrs.

One ,tough, rugged, revolver.

By the way, did I mention that I've had a bare minimum of feed ramp problems.

Ben

[DeanWinchester]

By the way, did I mention that I've had a bare minimum of feed ramp problems.

Ben

Number of stove pipes and failure to feed probably pretty low to huh?
LOL!!!

[gunfan]

Number of stove pipes and failure to feed probably pretty low to huh?
LOL!!!

Clever!

Scott

[silverbuzzard]

I called Ruger today to ask if they made that gun in 45Colt. He told me that particular gun [ ACP ] was made for a distributor [Lipseys?]
and they were going to make it in LC but "the distributor canceled the order"I asked if I could purchase a 45 cyliinder and he stated no, no one can.
My only concern is recoil moving the bullet and of course a 45 Colt case can be crimped but as stated above ,does not seem to be an issue.
SOOOO .just gotta have one in ACP

[Ben]

silverbuzzard

Not certain who you spoke with at Ruger , but seems he has his wires crossed up !

http://www.gunblast.com/Birdshead.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Nz9JrRZ5X20


I saw a brand new one in 45 Colt at a gun shop in Birmingham a few days ago.

Something isn't right here ?

Ben

[silverbuzzard]

well, yes, something not right. He stated no extra cylinders but clearly they offer that on their site !

[silverbuzzard]

Ben
We are talking the NEW Vaquero, correct?

[Ben]

Yes, NEW Vaquero Stainless.

[MtGun44]

Ben,

Great group, nice looking gun and really excellent mold. What's not to
like? I think that would be a really effective self defense load.

I agree, that gun is going to be around a long time - well, if the DC folks will keep
their hands off of them.

Bill