45LC Revolver & Rifle

[remy3424]

Ok guys, I tried seaching the site a little and didn't quite find what I was looking for. What I would like is to hear opinions on what bullet mold (Lyman or Lee) and load others have used that performs well in both a revolver and rifle. I am getting close on a deal for a OM Vaquero and a Win 94AE Trapper, both in 45LC. My first in this caliber. I'm a beginning lead tech, currently casting for 44 and 357 with WWs. Probably just punch holes in paper for now and who knows what in the future.

[compass will]

I was shooting "store bought" 250 grain bollits, then I started casting with my Lee 255 grain 6 holer.

The Lee boolits seem better then the store bought by a little. Over the last 2 lever gun matches I have gotten 10 pigs in a row with the .255 grainers in my Puma 92. Guess they are doing the job. I been using Clays near the top of the hodgdons chart for revolvers.

[ktw]

I haven't found a cast bullet or load that shoots well in both.

I like the Lyman 454190 (250gr RF) with Unique (or equivalent) in the single action revolvers.

In the Winchester 94 Trapper I have had better luck with the 300gr RFs (Lyman 457191, Lyman 457122HP, Lee C452-300-RF, and others) over H110 or H4227.

Due to the likelihood of dimensional differences between the guns a One-Load-for-Everything-That-Shoots-Well-in-Both is likely to involve a jacketed bullet.

-ktw

[Slogg76]

I've owned two Winchester 94's in 45 Colt (trails end and trapper) and my current accusport Bisley makes the 5th Ruger 45 Colt I have owned including a new model Vaquero at one time.
The Winchesters were exceptional and liked everthing I ran through them. They shot very well with 255 grain bullets dropped from Lee moulds and loaded to standard velocity with numerous different powders. This was my cowboy action load and I took many squirrels with it as well. Yes, VERY accurate.
The Rugers all liked heavy 300+ grain bullets. My Lee 300 grain flat nose dropped at around 315 grains (if I remember right) and was very accurate over a stiff charge of H110. The Winchesters liked it as well. I always had a difficult time getting my Rugers to shoot lighter bullets well or anything loaded to standard 45 Colt velocity. Even after having the Ruger's chamber mouths reamed to proper diemensions they still liked heavy bullets loaded to +P pressures.

[runfiverun]

that lyman 250 rnfp
i have pushed it from 600 in pistols to 1550 in rifles with ww+2% air cooled.
it has never been a problem of any sort, casts nice,shoots nice.
would like to have all that lead in a pile, i have shot at least 15,000 of these.

[High Desert Hunter]

For the 45 Colt my all time favorite bullet is the RCBS 270-SAA, it is a Keith style SWC, so I am unsure of the rifle if it will feed or not. I use this bullet for mild to wild loads, and it just flat shoots great, as a matter of fact I plan on using it a great deal in my new S&W Mtn Gun.

Dave

[454PB]

You don't say how heavy you want to go, but I'll pass along what I've found in my Puma 92. First, it's a .454 Casull, and I don't use the shorter .45 Colt ammo in it, but I use both the previously mention Lee 320 grain FNGC and 330 gr. Lyman 452651 seated to crimp in the front crimp groove. These both shoot equally well in my three .454 revolvers.

[kooz]

I have had very good luck with both the LEE 255gr and RCBS 255 SWC

[remy3424]

Wow...Thanks for all the quick replies. This gives me a better idea where to start. One more thing...What sizers would you all start with??

[Cherokee]

I'll add my comments. I use the RCBS 255 SWC that cast out at 268 gr from WW's. It shoots great in my Win 94 Trapper, Marlin 1894, Ruger Redhawk and several OM Ruger's. I use Blue Dot in that load. For a light load I use a lot of RCBS 230 CM, a rounded flat nose that cast at 230 gr from WW's. It shoots great in the Rugers and Marlin. Never tried in the Win 94.

I have Lyman 450 and Star sizer. For big bullets, my experience is use the Lyman or RCBS. Others will disagre with me but my Star has problems sizing down bullets with a lot of bearing surface. YMMV

[Ron in PA]

In my OM Vaquero and Puma 92, Iused the RCBS 250 FN And WW231 Powder

[kooz]

I have a Star sizer and have been using a .453 die for the majority of my 45's, this leaves the bullets just the right diameter so that they are a snug fit in the cyl throats. I am getting excellent accuracy with both bullets. I have been using Lars BAC lube and casting with strait WW's-air cooled and get no leading. Good luck

[GabbyM]

If you like Saeco moulds.
Saeco #954 230 grain rnfp. Traditional style for Cowboy Action and shaped to feed well in a lever gun. Also heavy enough even for deer and such. Saeco makes it in a 255gr if you think you need the extra lead for hogs or bear hunting. If you want a large meplat the Saeco #458 swc 255gr is that. Not sure how it would feed in the Win 94. I could send you a few of either or both to try out. The 230gr #954 will also shoot through a 45 auto. Or at least I've heard that it will.

[Boomer Mikey]

Welcome to the addiction remy,

These are standard revolver loads suitable for Cowboy Action Shooting and general use.

A rifle with a groove diameter the same as your revolvers really helps the situation.

Lyman 452424, Lyman 454190, RCBS 45-255 SWC sized to 0.454" are the standard weight boolits for the 45 Colt.
Bump a flat nose on the 454190 for use in the lever action magazine.

Don't be afraid to try 45 ACP 200 grain SWC and 230 grain boolits if your groove diameters are close to 0.452".

All boolits should be crimped to prevent setback in lever actions and boolits pulling in revolvers, locking the cylinder.

7-8 grains of Unique, 6-7.5 grains of WW231 (you can go both higher and lower with your Vaquero & Trapper.)

Unique and Universal have similar burning rates. Titegroup is very popular with CAS shooters and one of my favorite powders for pistol cartridges. I have found suitable revolver/lever loads for 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, and 44 Magnum combinations. I don't own a 45 Colt revolver yet.

Lever action velocity will typically increase 100-200 fps.

45 Colt Pistol/Rifle Load Data (Hodgdon) Regular SAAMI Pistol/Rifle pressure levels

250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR 800-X .452" 1.600" 6.5 778 9,100 PSI 8.0 911 13,300 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR SR 4756 .452" 1.600" 8.2 786 10,600 PSI 9.0 864 12,200 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Hodgdon HS-6 .452" 1.600" 9.0 787 7,800 CUP 10.5 946 13,300 CUP
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Hodgdon Universal .452" 1.600" 6.5 742 9,200 CUP 7.8 941 13,000 CUP
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Winchester 231 .452" 1.600" 5.8 785 9,100 CUP 7.1 916 13,900 CUP
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Hodgdon HP-38 .452" 1.600" 5.8 785 9,100 CUP 7.1 916 13,900 CUP
250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR SR 7625 .452" 1.600" 7.0 768 9,600 PSI 8.2 890 13,000 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR PB .452" 1.600" 5.8 746 10,200 PSI 6.8 875 12,700 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR Trail Boss .452" 1.600" 4.5 606 8,800 PSI 5.8 727 12,700 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Hodgdon Titegroup .452" 1.600" 5.0 716 7600 CUP 6.2 881 13,000 CUP
250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR 700-X .452" 1.600" 4.8 765 11,300 PSI 5.7 856 13,200 PSI
250 GR. CAST LRNFP Hodgdon Clays .452" 1.600" 4.2 713 8,500 CUP 5.1 817 13,400 CUP

Stay safe and have fun,

Boomer :Fire:

[remy3424]

Great info guys, Thanks for all the replies. I will be looking for a 45 mold or 2 if I can get this deal done!

[Boerrancher]

Wow...Thanks for all the quick replies. This gives me a better idea where to start. One more thing...What sizers would you all start with??

I Try not to size with my 45's, and I pack a Black hawk and a pre-Puma 92 in a 45LC. The mold I use for both is the Lee 452-228-1R. My mold throws an average of a 238 gr boolit with strait WW's. It shoots very well in both the Ruger and the Mod 92 rifle. I generally with all of my loads try to stick to hot loaded 44 mag 240 grain velocities for pistols. This gives me really good results out of the Ruger, and even better results out of the 92. I have killed many a critter trying to harass the live stock with the Lee 453-228-1R, and the up side is it also works in my 1911.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[prs]

I have good harmony with several boolits out of my Rooger BVs and Marln 94's. They have very similar chamber and barrel diameters and can even share fire formed cases, which is good cause it helps reduce blow back in the rifles with lower pressure loads. However, the Rooger revolvers did not shoot any boolit realy well until I opened up those tight throats; went fron pie plate to hen's egg just like that. In heathern smokesless I use Unique and Lee 452-255-RF (actually real close to a 454 boolit). In Holy Black I use my own boolit design (PRS454-250-RF) and molds available from Dick Dastardly. I also like the Ideal 454190 in revolvers, but not rifle. I even get good results with the Lee 452-255-RF using their varnish type lube with Unique. I am unfamiliar with the Winchester 94 in 45 Colt, but the Roogers will need the throats mic'd to make sure they are not too tight.

prs

[remy3424]

I got the deal done on the 45s, the trapper hasn't even been fired, so nice I'm not sure I'll shoot it. The Vaquero will be a good shooter I hope. I gained a pile of brass, a 220 gr. lee mould, a set of RCBS carbo dies and a very nice Triple K belt and holster. I'll probably try to sell or trade the leather rig, it will fit me, but if I had a 34 waist, it would fit me better! The former owner used 28 gr of Pyrodex w/220 gr boolits(220 loaded)...Is that a cowboy load or what???? I do know it made a mess out of the brass, there was about 80 shot empties that are just about black, I'm not sure if a night of dancing with walnut hulls will get them looking new again, it might take more drastic measures.

[Just Duke]

I have had very good luck with both the LEE 255gr
I have the same moulds in 6 cavity 2 each inroute as we speak to feed 4 Vaquero's. I plan on using my sticky-on wheel weights and shooting them around 600 to 650. At least that's the plan.
This is a great thread. :drinks:

[Just Duke]

dies and a very nice Triple K belt and holster. I'll probably try to sell or trade the leather rig, it will fit me, but if I had a 34 waist, it would fit me better! .

IT WOULD FIT ME!!! [smilie=1: :-D



.

[remy3424]

If I have time tomorrow or Sunday, I'll see about putting a post in the Swap section. I don't have a lot of excess shooting supplies except some 7mm Mag dies, ammo brass & bullets I don't anticipate using. The leather rig is Triple K, #110 Wyoming Drop Belt with a Cheyenne Western Holster #114 7 1/2", the OM Vaqureo was stored in it, love to trade the belt for a larger one. I will be needing a 45 mould (250 or bigger) w/ handles, sizer(.453?) and top punch (Lyman). I can alway use Vmax bullets or cash or a quailty front bench rest. I am hoping to get the Vaquero out and shoot the Pyro. smokers this weekend also!! Maybe they will shoot better than I am expecting!

[Heavy lead]

I have several 45's and a 94 trails end. They all get fed the rcbs saa270. Usually I cast it pretty soft (almost pure lead) with unique at about 1000 fps out of revolvers and 1250 out of the 94. The Winchester feeds this bullet just fine-never failed. I do have other molds, but this is the bullet I shoot out of everything excepting a Schofield. I've used other powders too, but Unique just works and it's fluffy enough so I don't have to worry about a double charge.
I've been reading on this sight for awhile, I thought I should finally join. Seems like a lot of good shooters, casters, reloaders and patriots.