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View Full Version : Favorite bullet/mold/load for 45 Colt



BruMatt
06-06-2013, 01:28 PM
I have a renewed interest in 45 Colt caliber. I used to shoot it 30 years ago for fun and carry around the farm. I just purchased a 45 Colt S&W Mountain Gun and it has been great at the range. Reminds me of how much I enjoyed shooting it when I was younger.

It seems like most of the load development for the caliber is centered around the Cowboy Action crowd. The other current contingent is centered around high powered loads for the Ruger BH/RH shooters. There has been so much development in other old calibers (like 44 SPL) for carry/SD and target use, it seems like 45 Colt is a little behind the curve.

I would be interested in what shooters are casting and using in their 45 Colt revolvers. Load data would be helpful too.

Thanks,

dondiego
06-06-2013, 02:23 PM
You can't hardly go wrong with 8 grains of Unique behind any 250 grain or heavier cast boolit that fits your throat diameter.

fredj338
06-06-2013, 03:01 PM
I have settled on the RCBS 270SA as my all around 45colt bullet. It casts as a solid closer to 285gr. I push it along around 900fps. In HP form it can weigh from 250-265gr depending on the HP I choose. It's very accurate @ all vel levels from 850-1050fps. I use Unique or 2400. For light CAS loads, the Lee 200grRNFP o/ 5gr of RD is a good load.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/fredj338/452-268-1K.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/fredj338/media/452-268-1K.jpg.html)

waco
06-06-2013, 03:04 PM
I use the RCBS 270 SAA over either 8 grains of Universal, or Unique.
Plenty of power, and good accuracy.

PS Paul
06-06-2013, 03:17 PM
That RCBS 270SAA Fred mentions seems to be a great boolit. The classic RNFP in 250 to 255 gr. is a pretty good way to go too. I have found,a s have many others who load and shoot this caliber, that Rugers really tend to "shine" with heavier boolits. so the CASS guys who shoot 185 to 200 gr. boolits are not maximizing the fine accuracy potential of those guns. They don't have to with shorter distances, so it seems "shot to shot recovery" is more important than accuracy.

So, one of my favorite boolits in this caliber (my most favored handgun cartridge of all time) is the Lee 250 gr. RNFP from a 6 cavity mold. I have several other molds I use too, like a 300 gr. Accurate, but that needs to be crimped over the front driving band to fit and is not for everybody.

HS-6 is another powder I've played around with lately. it seems to have some of the same "multi-use" characteristics of 2400- mild to wild!!

Unique is a good powder for general-purpose use, as is Red Dot for lighter loads. I don't use Red Dot a lot since it tends to "soot up" your brass due to "non-obturation", but other guys who shoot it with me, especially beginners, like the low-recoil characteristics of red Dot loads at around 5.2 gr. with a 250 gr. RNFP.

Naturally, there are a LOT of other powders that work really well in .45 Colt to include H110/296, #9, 'lil gun (despite the controversy), Blue Dot and the like for those "Ruger only" loads you mentioned. the older I get, the less appeal those loads have for me, so loading 250 gr. from about 750 fps to 1,000 fps seems to be just fine for my use.

I've been using Green Dot for reduced loads a lot lately, but I also discovered 2400 works well for reduced loads AND full-house loads without the dangers of "downloading" that powders like H110 and 296 can give if not filled to near-capacity. Not a lot of powders have this flexibility.......

Probably one of my all-time favored loads for med.-high velocities is 250 gr. RNFP with 19.0 to 20.0 gr. 4227. A comfortable 'push" with this powder, it has properties unique to it including the push, sound and "smell", strangely enough.

So if all you got is Unique, by God, go with that. part of the fun for me (for nearly 30 years now) has been just trying lots of different powders and loads/recipes. Just the way I enjoy it, FWIW.

That 8.0 gr. unique load mentioned above works well. I don't load much more than 8.6 gr. unique with that boolit since I believe it is kinda hard on guns, but that is just my "feeling". I know guys who load up to 10.0 gr. and sometimes beyond, but I look to other powders for added velocities.....
Hope this helps!

prs
06-06-2013, 03:54 PM
There is not a lot new, because they got right back then. I like a case full of Swiss ffg slightly compressed by a PRS boolit. For modern powder, I still prefer Unique and the old 454190 with NRA lube. Lots of power and accurate. BIG fun!

prs

Larry Gibson
06-06-2013, 04:25 PM
You can't hardly go wrong with 8 grains of Unique behind any 250 grain or heavier cast boolit that fits your throat diameter.

+1 on that. I favor the RCBS 45-255-KT except that I use 8.5 gr Unique, very accurate and comfortable to shoot out of my Uberti SAA's.

That said I have mostly been shooting the Lee 452-200-RF over 7.5 gr Bullseye for 930 fps out of my 5 1/2" SAA. It runs 1150 fps out of my 20" M73, 1230 fps out of my 24" M92 Rossi and 1090 fps out of my 10" Contender. I have not chronographed it out of the 4 3/4" SAA. It is very accurate in all 5 of the guns.

I pressure tested the above loads in the 10" Contender barrel via the Oehler M43. SAAMI MAP for the 45 Colt is a very sedate 14,000 psi. The 255/8.5 Unique load runs at 18,000 psi (still lower than several cartridges MAPs chambered in the Uberti SAA's). The 200/7.5 Bullseye load runs right at the SAAMI MAP of 14,000 psi.

Larry Gibson

PS Paul
06-06-2013, 04:26 PM
You know, the more I think about it, the greater the appeal of just good old BP has to me, despite all the cleaning guys are afraid of. that 454190 is close to the Lee RNFP, but it seems a different ogive, depending upon year of manufacture. Looks as if it has changed on the meplat over the years......

outdoorfan
06-06-2013, 05:23 PM
RCBS 270 SAA. 8.5 grains Unique for 900+ fps in 4 5/8 blackhawk for everyday load, 5.2 grains Red Dot for 650 fps for more quiet load (truth is the Unique load doesn't hurt the ears all that bad), and you can always run it up hard and strong (in the blackhawk) with H110 or similar powder. This boolitt at 650 fps will fully penetrate 10 1 gallon milk jugs filled with water. More boolit is not needed, IMO.

BruMatt
06-06-2013, 06:36 PM
Great information here. Thanks. Is the RCBS 270 SAA bullet over 8.5gr Unique a load that will exceed recommended pressures or cause excess wear on my S&W 625 Mountain Gun and Beretta Stampede SA? I have loaded up to 8.5gr Unique with the 250 RNFP and it was a very accurate load but 8gr was a lot more comfortable to shoot. 10gr of HS-6 was a comfortable, accurate load as well. The RCBS bullet looks like a good carry/HD load.

40-82
06-06-2013, 06:43 PM
I use the Lyman 452424 and the RCBS 260 grain in front of 6.0 grains of HP-38 or Titegroup. The surprising thing is how well these loads shot to correct point of impact with a variety of fixed sighted Colts and one Smith & Wesson converted from .455 Eley. I've gone through my share of barrel turning to get some of these revolvers to shoot to correct point of impact. When I started I never hoped to find a load that would fit so many different revolvers. I don't run the Ruger Blackhawk to the power levels that it could handle for fear of one of those loads finding its way in an older revolver.

outdoorfan
06-06-2013, 07:14 PM
Great information here. Thanks. Is the RCBS 270 SAA bullet over 8.5gr Unique a load that will exceed recommended pressures or cause excess wear on my S&W 625 Mountain Gun and Beretta Stampede SA? I have loaded up to 8.5gr Unique with the 250 RNFP and it was a very accurate load but 8gr was a lot more comfortable to shoot. 10gr of HS-6 was a comfortable, accurate load as well. The RCBS bullet looks like a good carry/HD load.

No on the 625. The Beretta, I have no idea.

mainiac
06-06-2013, 07:17 PM
I tried the 452460 years back,and couldnt beleave the accuracy,,so i havent shot another kind of boolit since.I crimp in the top lube groove,and use 7.3 grs of red dot.1000 f.p.s.,,and scary accurate...(btw,,in case people dont know,,this boolit is made for the acp,and weighs about 200 grs)

PS Paul
06-06-2013, 07:24 PM
Brumat, I see you've played around with HS-6 as well. That powder seems to almost be a "well-kept secrect" in .45 Colt, but the more I use it the more I REALLY like it. Glad to see other fellas have "discovered" it too!!

detox
06-06-2013, 07:41 PM
How well do the lighter weight 45 acp boolits shoot in the 45 long colt revolver. Trying to conserve lead.

felix
06-06-2013, 07:42 PM
Same here, Mainiac! Adjust powder in that burn range from 6.5 thru 7.5 to mate the fixed sights to the bottom the bull at 50 feet. Amazingly accurate boolit. I have some 68s to play with but I have not used them in this application as of yet. ... felix

Jupiter7
06-06-2013, 07:52 PM
I just started loading 45colt. Didnt have my lee 255rnfp mold yet. Pulled what I had for 45auto. The lee h&g68 clone over 7.5grs bullseye gets around 950fps and accurate but 3" high at 25 with factory blackhawk 4 5/8" sights, same load with hornady 200gr xtp clocked 935fps. I also loaded up lee228-452, tumble lubed and crimped into top lube groove over 7grs bullseye, didn't chrono but was pop can accurate at 15yds but still high. I'll be loading up some 255's this weekend, gonna load to cater to the factory sights. I'm hoping 1000+fps will be the sweet spot.

retread
06-06-2013, 09:03 PM
Can't beat BP in the 45 for fun but the fouling is a pain. I load a 452-228-1R with 6.2 gr. of Accurate #2 that I was given. Makes a nice gentle load for plain shooting enjoyment. Load a 452-255 with 8 gr. of Unique for a little more punch. Still like to enjoy shooting rather than having it punish me. Probably just showing my age. :groner:

prs
06-06-2013, 09:18 PM
Can't beat BP in the 45 for fun but the fouling is a pain. I load a 452-228-1R with 6.2 gr. of Accurate #2 that I was given. Makes a nice gentle load for plain shooting enjoyment. Load a 452-255 with 8 gr. of Unique for a little more punch. Still like to enjoy shooting rather than having it punish me. Probably just showing my age. :groner:

Foul-out (loss of accuracy due to hard fouling) does not have to be a problem, even with the lever guns, these days. Even with GOEX that tends to foul more than most other real BPs. No grease wads or cookies either. Just use a boolit that packs lots of lube, like the PRS-454-250-RF from Big Lube Bullets.

With my Ruger Bisley Vaqueros with 5.5" barrels, Unique at 7.2 grains seems to print a group to same POI as 34g ffg Swiss pushing 250 boolits.

prs

pipehand
06-07-2013, 08:30 AM
I just started loading 45colt. Didnt have my lee 255rnfp mold yet. Pulled what I had for 45auto. The lee h&g68 clone over 7.5grs bullseye gets around 950fps and accurate but 3" high at 25 with factory blackhawk 4 5/8" sights, same load with hornady 200gr xtp clocked 935fps. I also loaded up lee228-452, tumble lubed and crimped into top lube groove over 7grs bullseye, didn't chrono but was pop can accurate at 15yds but still high. I'll be loading up some 255's this weekend, gonna load to cater to the factory sights. I'm hoping 1000+fps will be the sweet spot.

The 200 grain H&G's shouldn't be hitting high, but lower than the 255 grain boolits. I've got a 4&5/8th convertible Blackhawk that originally shot high with everything- turns out the hole in the topstrap for the elevation screw wasn't fully tapped, and would not let me lower the rear sight as much as needed. I finished the tapping job that Ruger started, and now 45-283's (group buy clone of the RCBS 45-270 SAA) shoot to point of aim with 8.5 grains of Unique.

BTW, the thread size is 6-48, just like scope mounting holes.

Jupiter7
06-07-2013, 10:30 AM
The 200 grain H&G's shouldn't be hitting high, but lower than the 255 grain boolits. I've got a 4&5/8th convertible Blackhawk that originally shot high with everything- turns out the hole in the topstrap for the elevation screw wasn't fully tapped, and would not let me lower the rear sight as much as needed. I finished the tapping job that Ruger started, and now 45-283's (group buy clone of the RCBS 45-270 SAA) shoot to point of aim with
8.5 grains of Unique.

BTW, the thread size is 6-48, just like scope mounting holes.

I haven't adjusted the sights at all. Just bought the gun about a month ago, maybe 50rds through it of mixed stuff. Had to wait 2wks for dies and another week for a mold. Gonna get serious about getting it sighted in this weekend.

pipehand
06-07-2013, 10:47 AM
OK then. I was a bit confused as to why shooting high was an issue since the sights are adjustable. The problem with my gun was that it wouldn't adjust enough due to a factory goofup. Thought you might have had the same problem.

RobS
06-07-2013, 10:59 AM
The lighter side I use a 225 grain design I created http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-225B-D.png and load it with 7 grains of Red Dot or promo. One up from there I shoot a 260 grain LFN style design and load it with 7.5 grains of Herco for lower end loads. I have pushed the 260 harder in my Rugers with 2400 but have a preference for heavier designs. In my Ruger Large Frame Bisley BH I load my own designed 310 grain LFN style boolit with 10 grains of Herco for my lighter end load and load several other powders such as H110, 2400 or Ramshot Enforcer/AA4100 for the mid to upper end. I have yet a heavier one of my designs, another LFN style design and at 345 grains. This one I don't shoot very often from the Ruger Bisley even though it is super accurate but it is my go to in my Ruger SRH 454 Casull.

The S&W mountain gun should easily take 20K loads which would be between the 14K standard 45 colt loads and the upper end TC/Ruger only loads of 30K. Modern 45 Colts such as Ruger's small frame 45 Colt Flat tops will take 20K loads so I would venture to say the S&W could take a bit more pressures but I wouldn't go after it with TC/Ruger only loads.

RobS
06-07-2013, 11:12 AM
All the way at the bottom of this web page read up on what Linebaugh notes regards to S&W.

"Notes on the Smith & Wesson"

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/heavyweight_bullets.htm

jonp
06-08-2013, 05:52 PM
As with the other comments I have had good luck with Red Dot under a 200gr rnfp for target shooting as well as w231. For heavier loads under either the 255gr or 270 gr I've been using 2400 since I have some at around 18gr but for really heavy loads which I don't shoot often I have yet to find anything that works as well as H110 in all magnums.

shootinfox2
06-10-2013, 02:24 PM
200 gr RNFP over 6 grains of Trailboss, WLP

Kermit2
06-10-2013, 07:28 PM
My everyday load in .45 Colt is a 250 grainRNFP cast boolit over 9.0 grains of Unique and a standard large pistol primer. I shoot this in my Ruger New Model Flat Top with 4 5/8" barrel. Shoots very well. Shot 25 rounds over my chrono and it said they averaged 999 fps. I recently purchased an RCBS 45-270-SAA mould. I've cast and loaded some of the boolits, but haven't had a chance to test them yet. I've loaded some over 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 grains of Unique for testing. These should be good medicine for feral hogs. Here piggy, piggy, piggy. ;-)