Convertibles.

[starmac]

I have a dumb question for you guys that shoot convertible revolvers. If say you have a 45 colt with the acp cylinder and you use heavy hunting loads in the colt cylinder, will it shoot close enough to point of aim to be able to adjust the sites from one to the other??

[shorty500M]

depends on many variables as to type and wieght bullets, powder selection, load intensity and the individuals shooting style

[Reloader06]

The answer for my Ruger is a definite MAYBE.

[No_1]

If velocity, pressures and boolit weight are the same then maybe it will. Only one way to find out right?

[shorty500M]

its a definite try it and see situation in my opinion. have an early 5screw S&W 1955 convertable that doesntt change point of impact much if any if bullets are same weight in both. i built a pair of S&W m625 convertables, one for me and 2nd for customer. both shoot great in either caliber but mine requires a interchangable front blade to maintain zero when swapping cylinders and his doesnt care what you do it piles 99% of any load into a 2inch group @25yds.. my midframe factory flattop ruger is same way it doesnt seem to care and shoots extremely close no matter what it gets fed. have an early production freedom arms with acp, colt, winmag, and casull cylinder set that if you shoot the exact same slug at same velocity doesnt require sight adjustment. change the parameters of any load and i get out the extra front sight blades and screwdriver

[fecmech]

I wouldn't worry about it a bit, almost any change will be vertical. Simply count the number of clicks up from a bottomed out rear sight for your base load and adjust for the ACP load(probably up if it's a lighter bullet). When you're done playing with the ACP's go back to your base setting.

[shorty500M]

I wouldn't worry about it a bit, almost any change will be vertical. Simply count the number of clicks up from a bottomed out rear sight for your base load and adjust for the ACP load(probably up if it's a lighter bullet). When you're done playing with the ACP's go back to your base setting.
thats great advice that i will gladly say yes remember that ccccomment

[KCSO]

Benn there done that, thought I could use cheap surplus 45 acp for practice and load hot 45 Colt for bear loads. IIRR the 45 acps hit about 6" off from the bear loads at 25 yards in my Ruger convertable. They were good enough for close range hip shoting practice but not close enough for serious practice or small game hunting. Then my cheap surplus 45's dried up and there was no advantage other than being able to use the acp in a pinch.

[Outpost75]

In regard to point of impact, bullet weight matters more than velocity.

147-gr. 9mm and 158-gr. .357 shoot close to same sight setting.

230-gr. .45 ACP and 250-grain . 45 Colt shoot close to same light setting.

Your mileage may vary.

[birch]

I have a convertible Colt Single Action Army and had the same problem.

With the acp, you will have to load it hotter to meet the same POA/POI. It all boils down to barrel dwell time. I have a 7.5" barrel, so I had to load the 230gr lrn .45acp to near factory velocities to get that boolit out of my barrel quicker. If a light load is used, the recoil raises the barrel too much before it exits the muzzle.

[MtGun44]

That's why they make adjustable sights. Take notes and it is no problem.

Bill

[Mohillbilly]

MtGun44 I agree . I also have a Freedom arms 83 with 4 cylinders , and a note book . I like the versatility of the different brasses available . ACP for plink'n , Colt for test'n Ruger loads , Winmag to test LAR Grizzly loads , 454 for big four legged problems .

[phonejack]

Not a 45 but in my 357 I have a j bullet hunting load and a 38 sp load ( with the same bullet) that shoots to the sights @ 25 yrds. The same 357 load is what I use in my rifle also.

[fecmech]

Here is my "crude but effective" color coded settings for my .357 Ruger. Red for mags@1300 fps and green for 38's @900 fps.

[5.7 MAN]

I shoot a 255 grn swc at 950 fps in the 45 colt and at 50yds I use a 6 oclock target hold.

When I shoot the acp with 230 grain factory loads I have to cover the target.

The target I use at 50 yds is a 12" steel plate.

[RobS]

In regard to point of impact, bullet weight matters more than velocity.


230-gr. .45 ACP and 250-grain . 45 Colt shoot close to same light setting.

Your mileage may vary.

That's what I've experienced as well for a Flat Top. I'm not loading Ruger Only 45 Colt upper end loads from this revolver though.

[Artful]

On several of my guns I have painted the front sight one color line like green part of the way down the ramp to show hold over and from the green line up orange and top of the orange is the hold for the other load.

[Char-Gar]

I have two 45ACP/45 Colt convertibles, one a Ruger and the other a fix sighted USFA. With standard 230 gr.45 ACP ball (or hand loaded equivalent) and standard 250 gr. level 45 Colt (or hand loaded equivalent) they will shot fairly close to the same point of impact. Any minor differences can be dealt with by adjusting the sight picture.

Now, if you shoot heavy bullet hot 45 Colt loads all bets are off. Bullets land different places due to the bullet dwell time in the barrel and the arch of recoil. Thus bullet weight and velocity do matter, in so far as they have an effect on recoil and bullet dwell time.

[Larry Gibson]

I've tested numerous 357/9mm and 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible revolvers. It is also the same as when shooting 38 SPL in 357s or 44 SPLs in 44 Mags; if the bullets are close to the same weight and the velocity is the same the POI will be close to the same. If not the POIs won't be the same.....just about that simple.

I currently have a "Evil Roy" SAA in 45 Colt with a 45 ACP convertible cylinder. My 45 Colt load is the Lee 452-200-RF over 7.3 gr Bullseye for 930 fps. My 45 ACP load is the same bullet or the Lee 452-190-SWC over 5 gr Bullseye for 900 fps. The front sight has been filed down for a proper zero with the 45 Colt load and the ACP load his to the same POI. That makes it a very handy combination with a fixed sighted revolver. With a Ruger convertible the same is easily done by simply making compatible reloads. If using different bullet weights at different velocities then simply use the adjustable sights as mentioned. I readily adjust the sights on my adjustable sighted Rugers, S&Ws and Colts for known zeroes between 38 SPL/357 Mag and 44 SPL/44 Mag. Not as "handy" as a load compatible combination but easily doable.

Larry Gibson