.45 Colt load help

I use a Big Lub Bullet made by a mold sold by Dick Dastardly, LLC-Black Powder Shooting Supplies

PRS 45 Cal 250 grain Big Lube™

http://www.biglube.com/Images/PRS-1044_WEB_PROFILE.jpg

This bullet drops at .456" and weighs a nominal 250 grains as cast with 20:1 alloy or wheel weight metal. A real pioneer in SASS™ main match conditions for black powder cartridges, this bullet hauls upwards to 2.9 grains of lube. That’s over five times as much as the nearest competitor. Load this bullet over a compressed charge of Black Powder to experience true Old West feeling and performance. A Lyman #649 top punch works perfectly with this bullet.

I would like to try this bullet with some smokeless loads so would like some ideas for powder and if you think it can be used out to 150 yards. It will work to 200 yards when loaded with 30 gr FFFg black powder compressed about 3/16”. Has dropped several deer and 4 hogs over the years. 90% of my reloading is done with black. If needed I will get a different mold.

What kind of revolver are you shooting it out of? Do you want Ruger/Contender loads or normal pressure?

For heavy loads, Unique and 2400. I like Red Dot, Bulleseye etc., for most of my plinking loads.

Hard to beat Unique for all around 45 LC loads.

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Originally Posted by richhodg66

For heavy loads, Unique and 2400. I like Red Dot, Bulleseye etc., for most of my plinking loads.

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You can't go wrong with Unique, the Reds, or 231/HP-38.

Factory loads in the .45 Colt were assembled with Bullseye for over 100 years. 6.5 grains approximates the factory load velocity and is safe in black powder frame original Colts. In modern Colt clones and the medium frame Rugers you can safely load 7.5 grains of Bullseye with a 250-grain bullet.

Attachment 264951

Thanks to Larry Gibson for the pressure test data above.

The lube groove will probably be overkill with smokeless in less than a 24" barrel .
Disclaimer I load everything for the hunt with the idea that I might have to one day kill something one step bigger than I intended .

Unique is a fine all around for the Colts . Loads from a 7.5" revolver gain 200 fps in either a 16 or 20" barreled 92' pattern carbine . Oddly enough it holds true from 250-350 gr bullets and is only slightly faster with 200s .

I'll be trying some Herco soon in 3-4 cartridges . I'm told it lays dead between Unique and Blue Dot in most regards .

Recently I tried some W-231 in my two 45 Colts. It turned in excellent performance. I've been a Unique guy for over 30 years in the 45 Colt but I might have had my mind changed.

I use it in a 24" Marlin 1894 Cowboy that I used in SASS for years. For the rifle I compressed 30 gr FFFg, for the Colt SAA's I compressed 20 gr of FFFg and used filler. My old hands got till they could not take the recoil. My carry pistols are now .32 ACP and my play pistols are Colt Navy 1851's with 20 gr FFFg. I am just moving away from black powder if not for SASS now and have the big lube mold and wanted to use it if fit works ok.

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Originally Posted by sharps4590

Recently I tried some W-231 in my two 45 Colts. It turned in excellent performance. I've been a Unique guy for over 30 years in the 45 Colt but I might have had my mind changed.

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+1 for W231. 8 grains under a 255 gr boolit is hard to beat. For hotter loads go to 2400 or W296.

As a side note after already having used these powders read an article on Linebaugh’s site that he says he has settled on 3 loads for the 45 lc. 8 gr of W231 under a 260 gr cast, 13 gr HS 6 under a 260 or 310 gr cast, and 24 gr of H110 under a 260 or 310 gr cast. Of course this is for his revolvers so take that for what it’s worth.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

Hogdon calls out or did 18-21 gr H110 for Colts . That pushed 452-255 Lee at 265 gr 1240 @19.0 gr in a 7.5 RBH ........ Not a fun load .

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Originally Posted by Harter66

Hogdon calls out or did 18-21 gr H110 for Colts . That pushed 452-255 Lee at 265 gr 1240 @19.0 gr in a 7.5 RBH ........ Not a fun load .

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John Linebaugh calls for a tad more H110. Impressive performance, but NOT fun to shoot!

You mention recoil sensitivity so the H110 and HS6 loads mentioned are not what you'll be interested in. 231, Bullseye, or possibly Unique would be more tolerable and better/safer in the SAA. As to the bullet, you'll have to try it. No harm done trying as you already have it and probably have some ready to go. That much lube isn't necessary as you know for smokeless. Not much doubt you've used one of the so called BP lubes so that won't hurt either other than lots of smoke from the lube (but still only a fraction compared to the BP you've been shooting). If that bullet was accurate using BP, I suspect it'll shoot decent with smokeless.

Others have mentioned amounts of powder to try as I would be no help as my light load is the 13 grain HS6 loads mentioned.

In the late 50's and early 60's Col E H Harrison did a lot of testing with the 38 special and found accuracy went downhill sharply with over lubing. With a really good modern lube many of todays lube grooves are oversize. I don't know what you're shooting it out of but 6.5 gr Red Dot and a 250 gr bullet are accurate in many 45's at just under 1000 fps.

That bullet will be fine. I use to use it over 18gr 2400 in my 24" Marlin. I got around 1400fps out of that load.

CS

Add .004" to that bullet and you'd have a fun target and plinking bullet for a 45-70!

Over 15,000 Ideal 454190 BP reloads developed in the 1800’s shot in a 92 Rossi with complete lubing and zero leading. The Big Lube PRS Slim originated bullet is totally un-necessary. I sold all of my Big Lube molds years ago

I've settled on 18gr 4227 pushing a 255-260 gr mp 454640 through a Rossi 92 20" barrel at 1200 fps

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Originally Posted by warren5421

I use a Big Lub Bullet made by a mold sold by Dick Dastardly, LLC-Black Powder Shooting Supplies

PRS 45 Cal 250 grain Big Lube™

http://www.biglube.com/Images/PRS-1044_WEB_PROFILE.jpg

This bullet drops at .456" and weighs a nominal 250 grains as cast with 20:1 alloy or wheel weight metal.

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I doubt there is any crimp groove visible after sizing down to the usual .452” diameter use in the modern revolvers.

I have a SAECO #955 that drops large for original Colts barrels. When I size this bullet the crimp groove is smeared shut. Still usable but not a good looking cast bullet.
Tried a LEE nose first sizing die but that left huge fins of lead smeared past the bullet base that were too fiddle to slice off without damaging the base edge.
So I moved on to the Lyman 452664 bullet and it’s been casting and shooting fine.