45 Colt

[DanWalker]

Here's my favorites for this caliber.
For a moderate load with suprising power, try a 300 grain boolit over 6.5 grains of RED DOT. I get 900fps and OUTSTANDING accuracy from my 5.5" blackhawk.
For a full power, hard hitting, LARGE game hunting load, I use the same boolit over 18 grains of 2400. A word of caution about this load. Keep an eye on your gripframe screws. This load generates enough recoil that if they are loose and the grip can flex, it WILL crack the gripframe over time. This is not a plinking load, but if you're headed out to kill a moose,elk, bear, etc... it WILL get the job done.(I shot through 2 hogs with one of these last year)
For a load that will whistle right through any whitetail or medium game, try the classic 9 grains of UNIQUE under a 255 grain Keith SWC. I shot an antelope 2 years ago with this load and it penetrated diagonally lengthwise. The previous FOUR shots that I took and missed at the SAME antelope at 40 yards, made impressive holes in the prairie.(Nothing like handgun hunting to keep you humble)
For a nice sedate target load, for rolling cans or busting rocks, I use 6.5 grains of RED DOT under a 255 keith swc. I get 850 fps from my blackhawk, and sub 1" groups at 25 yards. This is also the load I'd suggest to anyone who has a lady or youngster hunting with a 45COLT levergun.
The recoil and blast from this load makes a 243 seem like a 416 rigby in comparison.
The above mentioned 6.5 grain load with RED DOT and a 300 grain boolit is also a GREAT hunting load from a carbine.
I've had lots of people doubt it's power due to the low blast and recoil. I change their minds when I have my daughter blow a hole clear through an 8" tree with them.
18.5 grains of 2400 under a 255 keith swc is another classic I've played with. Velocity runs around 1100fps from my blackhawk and 1500 from my win 94 carbine. I'm a cheap SOB and don't shoot this load much, as I can get nearly the same velocity from other loads that use less powder.
For a fun small game load I load a tumble lubed .454 round ball over 5 grains of RED DOT. I get 590fps and itsy bitsy groups from it. I recoils about like a 22rf from my carbine and is my daughters favorite load. I've shot a few grouse with it from my blackhawk and it puts them down nicely, and doesn't rip up the meat like a SWC does.

[xtimberman]

Good information Dan. I agree that RedDot - GreenDot too - is largely ignored by pistol shooters. Many regularly use Bullseye, then skip all the way up to Unique. I discovered how good those two are when I had some leftover from shotshell loading and had run out of Unique.

How do you get the round ball to stay put in the .45 Colt case - particularly in the tubular mag. of your carbine?

xtm

[Bret4207]

Good stuff Dan. I have a Ruger Blackhawk 45 convertible. I have never had the 45 Colt cylinder in it, but your post may change that! If only my gun had the 5.5" barrel I wanted instead of the 4.5" it came with. Sad part is it's a shooter so I don't want to change the barrel.

[Ballard]

Great post, Dan. Thanks for the information.

[DanWalker]

Good information Dan. I agree that RedDot - GreenDot too - is largely ignored by pistol shooters. Many regularly use Bullseye, then skip all the way up to Unique. I discovered how good those two are when I had some leftover from shotshell loading and had run out of Unique.

How do you get the round ball to stay put in the .45 Colt case - particularly in the tubular mag. of your carbine?

xtm
I screw the seating stem all the way down as far as it will go, and adjust the die to crimp also.
This puts the ball DEEP inside the case.
Some leverguns will feed this round from the mag. I just single load them for kids to plink with.

[Frank V]

I too like Red Dot in the .45 Colt. I keep my loads down in the Colt safe range & have no trouble reaching 800/850fps with a good cast 45-270SA. That's enough for most shooting. Frank

[mainiac]

must be something about red dot! I also use it in my 45 bisley blackhawk. 7.3 grs with a 452460 boolit. 1020 av velocity,AND, it shoots ragged hole groups!

[willwork4ww]

You can't beat Titegroup. 7.0 grs gives around 900fps with the 270 SAA. 7.5 gives 950 and 8.0 gives about 1015 from a 4 5/8' bbl, all with excellent accuracy and no position sensitivity.

[Calamity Jake]

I've used 12-15# of RD in the 45 colt over the years. Mainly for the CAS game, my wife shoots a sheriffs model Uberti 45, off hand, using 4.0gr RD and a Saeco 255rf cowboy boolet.
She loves the 45C as do I.

[LeMat]

Would 6.5gr of Red Dot work well behind a 250LRN (45 Colt)?

I've got a box of those as well as a box of 300gr LTCFP (that I bought for only $23.00 a few short years ago).

I've been having serious problems finding Unique, but seems there is Red Dot everywhere and I'd love to know that this powder works well with the 250's and 300's.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Hullo , lots of good stuff for the 45 colt & different boolits & powders, it is always nice to hear what other are using, I keep mine full of 250 KT's with 18 gr 2400, not bad...but some of the liter loads look interesting..Thanks Again

[Lloyd Smale]

redot works great with 250s. 5-7 grains depending on how mild you like it.
Would 6.5gr of Red Dot work well behind a 250LRN (45 Colt)?

I've got a box of those as well as a box of 300gr LTCFP (that I bought for only $23.00 a few short years ago).

I've been having serious problems finding Unique, but seems there is Red Dot everywhere and I'd love to know that this powder works well with the 250's and 300's.

[LeMat]

Thanks Lloyd. So I take it that 7 grains is about as hot as you want to go with a 250? Same goes for a 300?

[Hardcast416taylor]

Hey Dan. Glad you agree with me on the 6.5 gr. of Red Dot loading. I`ve been using that charge as my everyday go-to load with a RCBS 255 gr. ww ac boolit. It works very well in my 5.5" Ruger convertable as well in the 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk. I break the mold as what constitutes a carry weapon as I carry the 5.5" convertable. I want to end an arguement now not 6 shots later. [smilie=1:Robert

[mag_01]

Yes I'm a bullseye user an my load is 6 to 6.5grs. behind 255gr. lee and 225 and 200gr. lee boolit --- Good performance. Not abusive.

[jh45gun]

Thanks for the info Dan

[azcoyhunter]

You can't beat Titegroup. 7.0 grs gives around 900fps with the 270 SAA. 7.5 gives 950 and 8.0 gives about 1015 from a 4 5/8' bbl, all with excellent accuracy and no position sensitivity.

I agree,

I love it in my Ruger.... Cast 300 gr, not a bad kick, but it lets you know that you are shooting a 45 LC.

Clint

[bishopgrandpa]

6.8 gr. W231 under a 255 gr cast is a great load at around 850 and accurate from my 7.5" blackhawk

[jh45gun]

Dan got any suggestions for that 300 grain bullet with any other powder suggestions besides red dot? Just curious. I got some of the 255 grain pills you sent me loaded up with 8 grains of Unique now I am looking for a load for the 300 grain ones for my Encore 45/410 barrel. Powders I have on hand are Unique, 2400 and HP38.

[revolver junkie]

my hunting load is a 330 kieth over 16 grains of lil' gun kicks like a mule, hits like freight train
it put a huge dent in 3/8 plate at 50 yards [smilie=w: man what a rush
and it dropps right out of the cylinder like a cowboy load

[Lloyd Smale]

7 is about it for me you could probably go 8 in a ruger but when i want more velocity then 6 or 7 will bring i go to a slower powder. I actually prefer bullseye to redot. It meters much better. Funny thing is though ive gotten some scary good accuacy with redot dropping it from a measure and ignoring the small weitht variations.
Thanks Lloyd. So I take it that 7 grains is about as hot as you want to go with a 250? Same goes for a 300?

[jh45gun]

Dan can you clear one thing up? You state you get 900 fps with a 300 grain bullet using 6.5 grains of Red Dot yet with a 255 grain bullet the FPS is 850 with the same load of Red Dot. I guess I do not understand I would think the lighter bullet would be faster? Not trying to question your results just trying to understand why this would be?

[NickSS]

I have been using 6.5 gr of Red Dot for years in the 45 Colt with a 250 gr LFP slug. I think I have fired several thousand of them in my rifle and pistol. Works so good in both that I never have done and further experimentation

[lathesmith]

jh, it's not unusual for a heavier slug to post nearly identical or even slightly higher velocities than a lighter slug with the same powder charge, especially as your barrel gets shorter. The heavier slug gives you a better "burn", and is able to get more energy from the powder in the shorter barrel than the lighter slug can.
I agree with Lloyd, Bullseye meters better than RD, but I still use and love RD because it works so well. The only time I don't like to use RD is when charges go below about 4 grains; RD dispensing with my Auto-disk measure gets irratic with these light charges of RD, so Bullseye is my go-to powder then. But this is only for 45 ACP, you wouldn't want to load that light in a 45 Colt anyhow.
lathesmith

[jh45gun]

Thanks I did not know that now I do. I am gonna have to get some Red Dot and try it the last loads I loaded were with 8 grains of Unique. Be interesting to try some Red Dot too.

[LeMat]

I'm planning on using a 6.5 Red Dot recipe, but have a question about crimp grooves.

I've got some D&J 300gr TCFP that two crimp grooves. These are the same exact pills as shown below (I hope Roper doesn't mind if I use his picture):
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee195/Roper1952/300grTC.jpg

I'm using a Ruger Redhawk and am curious to know which crimp groove I should use.

Thanks!

[zxcvbob]

Use the longest one that will chamber properly in your gun. Seriously, that's all there is to it. (Some revolvers have longer cylinders than others.)

[DanWalker]

Dan can you clear one thing up? You state you get 900 fps with a 300 grain bullet using 6.5 grains of Red Dot yet with a 255 grain bullet the FPS is 850 with the same load of Red Dot. I guess I do not understand I would think the lighter bullet would be faster? Not trying to question your results just trying to understand why this would be?
I'm baffled as well. I'm guessing that the heavier slug has more initial resistance to movement at the moment of firing, and increases pressure, which increases velocity.

[LeMat]

Use the longest one that will chamber properly in your gun. Seriously, that's all there is to it. (Some revolvers have longer cylinders than others.)

Looks like I shouldn't have a problem using the bottom crimp groove - it'll fit just fine.

So having two crimp grooves is nothing more than giving one the ability to use it in a shorter/longer cylinder? Nothing to do with powder volume or compressing a load?

[jh45gun]

I'm baffled as well. I'm guessing that the heavier slug has more initial resistance to movement at the moment of firing, and increases pressure, which increases velocity.

That Explanation works for me LOL I was just wondering as you would think the lighter bullet would be faster. As you say I guess other things factor into it. Thanks for the reply.

[zxcvbob]

So having two crimp grooves is nothing more than giving one the ability to use it in a shorter/longer cylinder? Nothing to do with powder volume or compressing a load? That's all there is to it. (of course I could be wrong.) Yes it changes the powder volume, that's why you probably want to use the longer crimp if you can (reduce the peak pressure or allow for more powder)

[Yaak]

Dan,

You are correct, also the bullet spends just a bit more time in the barrel as well, again allowing pressure to increase which supplies more velocity. I learned this little tid bit from John Linebaugh who of course was able to explain it a whole lot better than I can....grin. My favorite bullet in the 45 Colt is the lyman 454424 cast with pure wheel weights and water dropped then lubed with LBT soft. I've used quite a few different powders under this bullet but you guys are way ahead of me with some of this stuff.

I just had to join in, this is my first post. Years ago I had a web site on 45 Colts and learned a lot, but I'm afraid I need to refresh my memory on some of it. In those days I shot a lot of bullets from Cast Performance Bullet Company along with pouring plenty of my own.

Yaak

[Rodfac]

I like 8.0 gr of Win 231 with Lyman's 454190 cast from WW, which gives me 890 fps, chrono'd. That load in a 30 yr old Colt SSA with 7.5" bbl shoots into 1.25" at 25 yds, sitting with a back rest. With most anybodies 255 gt SWC, 7.5 gr of Win 231 does as well and is somewhat milder.

Using my .45 ACP cylinder and 4.7 gr of Win 231 with 200 gr TNC's, accuracy is just as good but impact points are 1" low at 25 yds. It's still a useful load, especially if all I've put up for use are 45 ACP loads for my 1911's.

HTH's Rodfac

[.45Cole]

my 45 cents worth-
found 452460 good with 8.5 grns unique. Recoil, but very accurate. Been playing with AA5 and like it with 250 grainers. 260LFN and h110 works well too. All in rugers and marlin/browning
PS browning low wall rifle is beautiful and fun to shoot.

[DanWalker]

I've been experimenting with 454424HP's lately, in an attempt to make a good thing even better.
I'll keep you guys posted as to how it works out.

[Wills Point Pete]

I have clones of the Colt SSA so my cast loads are all within SAAMI Specs. My heavy loads for my '92 clone are always loaded with jacketed so I don't accidentally blow my fool head off.

Anyhow I shoot a lot of Big Lube Pigeon Roost Slim bullets over various charges of ffg and fffg black. Those same slugs, or the more or less same slugs with standard grease grooves in a Lee mold over TiteGroup work well.

When I'm too lazy to cast I use a whole lot of those Remington swaged lead bullets with that dish shaped base. They used to have a real hollowbase but... Oddly those work well with black too if you fill that dish with soft BP lube and seat over a fiber or waxed cardboard wad. I almost hate to admit it but those bulk packed Remington bullets are ugly, beat up from packing and shipping, the black lube flaking all over everything and still, to get a tighter group on a target I have be absolutely merciless in my QC on my own cast bullets, and even then, I can't beat them by much.

[gc45]

Willis; I too have shot several thousand of those same Rem bullets, all through my first Ruger BH years back. Like you stated, they shoot as good and mostly better than my cast bullets, especially after opening up cylinder holes to .45225. At that time, I used 8.0 of Unique in all my loads. I never thought to pack their bases with lube but something I might try one day.

GC45

[Tackleberry41]

I keep seeing red dot loads, but none for green dot. I have a lbs of green dot on the shelf but no red dot. Was testing some loads over the weekend and found my rossi and single shot pistol really like the lee 300gr. I was just using standard pressure data from the lyman book, so they were not moving very good. Was wanting to avoid any sort of slow burning magnum powder and stick with Unique or maybe even tightgroup since I have some of that to. But a green dot load would be nice. The rossi can handle the heavier loads.

[w5pv]

I have been reloading since the early 60's and came upon a load that I just never tried before and fell for it like a hunk of lead.I ran out of 255 grain boolits that I usually shoot and had some 230 grain LRN on the table and loaded them up with 5.8 to 6.3 grains of titegroup and all the loads were very accruate to I backed down to 5.8 grains of titegroup under the 230 grain LRN and shot about a box of them.No heavy recoil and very accurate.This will be my plinking and small game round.It shoots straighter than this old man can aim,love it.

[SPRINGFIELDM141972]

I like 8.5 gr. of Herco under a 330 gr. Lee 45/70 boolit sized to .452. It shoots as well as I can hold out of my SRH chambered for 454 Casull.

[Rompin Ruger]

I see some recent posts, so I will throw out my loads I'd worked up for my NMBH in 45 colt. I got into the RCBS-270-SAA mold and cast up some AC COWW slugs that came in at 272, sized 452 with a Lee push thru. I used the Hi-Tec Copper coating and got zero leading. A friend introduced me to the Li'l Gun powder and I played around with varied loads.

I settled on 19.0 grains of Li'l Gun and got good accuracy for a old blind guy...153706 The yellow C-me target is the 19.0 grains.

I find with the NMBH grip frame, I smack the middle finger knucke pretty hard, which doesn't happen with the heavier loads in my SBH frame, but so it goes...

I also tried Longshot powder with varied loads behind 45-45-10 lube but the lube came out yucky for me and that powder leaded significantly so I stuck with Li'l Gun loads!

[gc45]

I'm thinking 900fps with 300 grain Boolits would be about all anyone would need, unless shooting bears?
I will try this load, see how my two BH's like it. Think it works with hard cast as well, or just soft stuff?

GC45

[Rompin Ruger]

Couple Questions If you don't mind?

1) What mold are you using for the 300 gr Boolit?
2) Is it a Keith style or the type without the front band?
3) Is there a significant difference between such a 300 gr. and my RCBS 270 SAA that is falling out with COWW at 272gr-274?

[rondog]

I see some recent posts, so I will throw out my loads I'd worked up for my NMBH in 45 colt. I got into the RCBS-270-SAA mold and cast up some AC COWW slugs that came in at 272, sized 452 with a Lee push thru. I used the Hi-Tec Copper coating and got zero leading. A friend introduced me to the Li'l Gun powder and I played around with varied loads.

I settled on 19.0 grains of Li'l Gun and got good accuracy for a old blind guy...153706 The yellow C-me target is the 19.0 grains.

I find with the NMBH grip frame, I smack the middle finger knucke pretty hard, which doesn't happen with the heavier loads in my SBH frame, but so it goes...

I also tried Longshot powder with varied loads behind 45-45-10 lube but the lube came out yucky for me and that powder leaded significantly so I stuck with Li'l Gun loads!

Wow, I can't shoot that good with a scoped rifle!

[Rompin Ruger]

Rondog,

OK...sorry if I mislead... That c-me target was a SS 7.5" NMBH wearing a 2x scope, at 25yrds...so were the others... Those other loads may have been just as accurate, for others, but my middle finger big knuckle was so sore as I worked up thru... I wasn't concentrating well.

If I can get that good at 50, I'll be proud!

I rested a while, shot a .22 for a while, then shot the 20.5 and it got better...

Been putting two bandaids on the knuckle, then a light leather glove... Why that knuckle gets pounded on the rear of the trigger guard for the NMBH but not SBH I don't know.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Rompin Ruger (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?36079-Rompin-Ruger)

That's exactly why got rid of my BH in both 45LC and 357Mag! Not pleasant to shoot heavy loads after your knuckle is broke open and bleeding! Never had that problem with my RH 45LC nor the SRH 454 and now GP100 357Mag. As you can tell love my Rugers but in the BH even through they were great guns that was a killer for me. If you compare both side by side it's the curve of the butt stock . That little extra tight curve of the BH is what cause some folks to rap the knuckle. :shock:

[gunauthor]

Anyone have any luck using 700X powder in a 45 Colt? I am looking for an accurate plinking and paper target load.

[Rompin Ruger]

Rompin Ruger (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?36079-Rompin-Ruger)

That's exactly why got rid of my BH in both 45LC and 357Mag! Not pleasant to shoot heavy loads after your knuckle is broke open and bleeding! Never had that problem with my SRH 45LC nor the SRH 454 and now GP100 357Mag. As you can tell love my Rugers but in the BH even through they were great guns that was a killer for me. If you compare both side by side it's the curve of the butt stock . That little extra tight curve of the BH is what cause some folks to rap the knuckle. :shock:

I have a Redhawk in .44 and a SBH in 44. Never had the knuckle issue, but arty ritis might have made my knuckles bigger since I shot either of the .44's regularly...

I could never shoot a regular BH... the grip wasn't long enough and my li'l finger was hanging out in mid air...I just couldn't get a consistent grip that way for some stupid reason!

The NMBH is closer to the SBH in length, but I still think it's less gap on the NMBH then SBH tween grip and trigger guard... I've not measured it, but all perception...And we all know t hat perception can be flawed a lot...

I never shot the SRH...just the regular RH. Totally different grip design for double action vs. the SA that is to rotate up to recock to fire again...or so I've heard it explained...

Thanks for posting!

[Gunnut 45/454]

Rompin Ruger (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?36079-Rompin-Ruger)

Yep the single action grip is made to help for quick follow up second shot cocking. Correction to first post my 45 LC is the RH not SRH. I no longer have the SRH 454 and just recently got the RH 45LC. I just missed my big bore.:bigsmyl2:

[Rompin Ruger]

Did you get the RH used? I heard somewhere, GN that they're no longer making the RH in 45 colt? There was a smith that advertised converting the .44 RH to 45Colt...but he'd not touch one that had anything done to it and I'd done a trigger job and had it magnaported...so he'dnot do mine...

So I bought the 2nd NMBH...first was a 5.5" combo with 45acp cylinder... the short bbl is a real pill for my older eyes.

The 2nd NMBH I bought was the SS 7.5" used with scope mounts, so I slapped a 2x I had on it and aside from it leading like crazy with some commercial slugs I had, and shooting filthy dirty with Unique, I've liked the Hi-Tec coated w/ the copper, size 452 pushed by the li'l gun. DougGuy wrote PM that he gets that stretch stuff they now put on your arm when you get blood drawn and wraps it around his knuckle and shoots without problems!

Have to try that...