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Thread: 2400 and the 45 Colt?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy lawboy's Avatar
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    2400 and the 45 Colt?

    Is anyone loading 300-grain bullets in the 45 Colt case over 2400 powder? I just got two lbs of it for free and I am wondering if I can make any decent loads for my 45 with it. I know I can use it for 357 loads but it seems like it might work for 45 Colt too. I'll check my manuals when I get home but ... thought someone might have first-hand experience in this area. Thanks.

  2. #2
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    IT depends on what gun your shooting, and the bullet length and loaded length.
    For rugers or strong guns it looks like 18 gns of 2400 might be a reasonable max with a 300 going around 1250fps at 27,000 psi(from quickload guess)(compare to actual load data)

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy lawboy's Avatar
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    Well, I will be using a Bisley Blackhawk. I hope to get a load that will do about 1150fps for hogs and steel plates at 100-200 yards. My current load is 20.0grs of W296 with a 300-grain bullet and that works fine at about 1150fps. But getting two free lbs of 2400 makes me want to work up a load with it!

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I ran some Lee 300 grain GC boolits out of my Bisley Blackhawk atop 15.0 grains of new-series 2400, but didn't chronograph any of them. A buddy of mine and I were able to raise hell with a dinger plate at 100 yards with them offhand, so they were accurate critters. Recoil was approaching the upper end of comfortable. I would take the load hunting, for sure--probably sub-sonic, still weigh 300 grains with a wide meplat in front of that .454" shank, and won't do a deer ANY GOOD AT ALL if placed half-decently.

    There are few better cast boolit powders than 2400, for both revolver and rifle loading.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

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    Moderator Emeritus robertbank's Avatar
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    lawboy

    Did you develop any softer loads using 296 with 300 gr bullets? I also have some 2400 around here as well. I have the Beretta Stampede which is not as strong as your Blackhawks.

    Take Care

    Bob
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  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy lawboy's Avatar
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    You know, I have not downloaded 296 for light loads, I am afraid it might just detonate on me. I am a tradionalist when it comes to downloading the big bores and I stick with Unqiue for that task. I find 6.0grs of Unique in either special or magnum brass to be absolutely satisfactory for light loads in 44 special. I use the same load for light 45 colt as well, don't stick with long colt cases as I haven't had luck using shofield brass. Regards.

  7. #7
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    With the 300 gr and 296, you can go down to 19-19.5 gr's. I would not go lower. My most accurate load is 21.5 gr's of 296 and a fed 150 primer.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I'm not real keen on using the ball powders WW-296, H-110, or AA-9/WC-820 in low density loads that aren't near peak pressure ratings. 2400 and the 4227's are a lot more tractable when downloaded. Unique gets my vote, too.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    I've been fiddling around with 2400 in my 45's for a few years now.
    For the LEE 300 gr bullets my MAX load is 19 grains of 2400. This is an absolute max for me and I WILL NOT push any farther. I've gone to 20 grains in my win 94 and my blackhawk, but recoil is nasty in both. It sheared the magazine tube screw off on my win 94, and makes my hands throb after just 3 shots in my blackhawk. This load is my moose and grizzly load. It's only loaded when we'll be camping in areas where running into something big and nasty is a possibility. I have 12 rounds loaded up to this level, and haven't touched one off in 3 years. Most of my shooting with the 300 grainers and 2400 has been with 15 grains of 2400. It smacks big game animals just as hard as the hotter load does, but it doesn't batter me or my guns nearly as badly.
    My all time favorite load for 45's using the 300 grain bullet is 6.5 grains of red dot. It's what's in my guns 95% of the time I have them with me. This load has proven super accurate in the 4 guns I've shot it in. I've actually killed several DOZEN prairie dogs with it, some at ranges over 50 yards. This is with a 5.5" barreled single action handgun. I also shot 3 marmots with it just yesterday. I've killed blue grouse and a boat load of cottontails with this load too. Hopefully this fall I'll put it to use on a deer or two and maybe a couple antelope.

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    300gr LTC, 19.5 gr 2400, 1,166 fps, Win WLP primer, Data source;Alliant
    Suggested starting load: 17.6 gr
    From the Hodgdon Manual #26
    Pressure: 30,000 CUP

    I've used this load in both my OM Blackhawk .45 and my Win 94AE Trapper.
    It's got a very snappy recoil from both guns. It showed pretty good accuracy potential at 25 yards, but I didn't test it at longer ranges.

    Personally I think IMR 4227 or something else a bit slower would be a better choice than 2400 for this heavy of a bullet.

    Joe

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    Using WC820, that is extremely close to 2400 in powder charges and a Win 94/16".

    285 gr Applegate WFNGC, 17.5 gr wc820, win. LP primers = 1380 fps

    290 gr Mount Mould LFPGC, 17.5 gr wc820, win. LP primers = 1360 fps

    Good sturdy crimp on both. Don't use mag primers.

    You should expect similar results with 2400.

    The MM bullet is extremely accurate with this load.

    For the 300 gr, drop the charge approx 1 gr.

    Jeff

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    +1 on the 6.5gr of red dot load-very accurate in several of my .45's. I would suggest extreme caution with old 2400 load data--say, from the 1970's. My unshakeable belief is that the 2400 we buy now is substantially faster than that we used in the '70's.

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    longhorn,

    It's not your belief sir, it's a fact. The newer 2400 is definately faster burning. I not only noticed it, but some gun wriiters have mentioned it too and in particular don't start off with the old famous Elmer Keith 44mag load of 22 grs of 2400 with a 240 cast bullet. That's too hot for today's 2400 powder. Although I tried that in a 629 Smith, and it shot it fine, it's hot and not necessary to subject the revolver to that level of punishment.

    Joe

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy DEVERS454's Avatar
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    14-16gr of 2400 makes for a nice load using Lee 300gr gc bullets.

    Starline brass is what I use for this, though. I have had serious case extraction issues with Winchester brass and this load.

    Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8"
    Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2"
    Taurus Raging Bull
    Winchester 94ae Trapper (REALLY good groups with the rifle and the heavier loads)

    I am not a big fan of H4227 and pistols.

  15. #15
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    Devers,

    I noticed you said you're not a big fan of 4227 and pistols. Well one of Hank Williams Jr's favorite 45 Colt load is 18 grs of 4227 and 255 gr lead slug. Anyways I found that for the 7.62x25 Tokarev semi-pistol round (yeah believe it or not, Deputy al was shocked) that I found a dynamite load using 4227. Tad dirty, but still a great load. Don't sell 4227 too short.

    By the way, my 94 Trapper in 45 Colt shoots really great too. I use to hunt groundhogs with it in fact. Notice I call the 45 Long Colt the 45 Colt, because that is it's correct name. The Long Colt moniker only came along when that dang 45 Schofield round happen. The 45 auto round is correctly called the 45 acp.

    Joe

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    Boolit Bub Poppaclutch's Avatar
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    Here I am, 10 years in the future, saying, Thanks, that's what I was looking for...
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    Here I am, 10 years in the future, saying, Thanks, Dan Walker, that's what I was looking for...
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    When I had a 5.5" RedHawk, I used 20.0gr under the Lee 300fngc. It was the most accurate load I ever shot through it . Once got a 5-shot 1-hole group ~1.5" at 25yds.
    Recoil however was vicious. Bullet over 16.5 gr will do same thing, with more tolerable recoil. My "heavy" load now through a 625 Mountain Gun is 11.0gr of LongShot under RCBS 270gr SAA SWC. Gets near 1,100fps and meets Wyoming's minimum energy. Otherwise, I use 9.2gr for for ~900fps. No Georgia whitetail or pig will stop it.

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy

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    Ruger Blackhawk 1st year production , 4 5/8" bbl. 18.5 gr 2400, Win. or CCI primer. RCBS 270saa boolit weights about 285 gr ACWW= 1060 fps. FWIW

  20. #20
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    If you want to get into the 75% ~ 90% powerband in the .45 Colt with a heavy for caliber boolit, 2400 and LilGun are definitely two good choices of powder. Loading 296/H110 to this level is not advised as it is below published minimum starting weights.

    I don't have an exact load for the 300RF in .45 Colt but I trust Dan Walker's 19.5gr as absolute max. What crimp groove did you use Dan? I would think to want to crimp into the bottom groove for the longer COA.

    My .44 SBH really likes 17.0gr 2400 under the Lee 315gr RF boolit, this gives me 1180-1200fps from a 7 1/2" SBH. Pleasant to shoot, well.... Sorta.. Great hunting load, accurate.
    Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6° 30min chamfer? Click here to send me a PM You can also find me on Facebook Click Here.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
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