Need a load sugestion

[Jim]

I'd like to load a few .45 Colt rounds for this old New Service revolver I picked up. I have a jug of WC820, about a pound of Unique, about 3/4s of a pound of 2400, a box of 230 gr. FMJs and a chrony. Can one of you gurus give me a starting load that might get me close to 800 to 1000 FPS? I'm trying to keep the pressure down as I don't want to damage this fine old revolver. With all due respect, please don't give me data for another powder. I'm not interested in dropping $25 on the counter for a pound of powder when I have 3 types that should work.

Thanks,
Jim

[SharpsShooter]

6.5 to 8.0gr will give you what you want and be easy on the old girl too. 8gr gets you 850fps out of a 5.5" Single Action and a 235gr cast. Use those FMJ's to slick up the bore if it needs it and go with cast. They are the better choice for gentle plinking loads.

SS

[MT Gianni]

My experience with WC820 and the 44 special says do not use for low pressure loads, this likes psi to burn. Gianni.

[mtngunr]

I'd certainly recommend another bullet, cast or swaged 250gr RNL or SWC, as the jacketed will be rougher on the bore.....as already stated, 8-9grs of Unique should cover your velocity requests with 250gr bullets, and perhaps be a bit speedier (and with slightly higher pressure) shooting the jacketed.....the 2400 is erratic in my experience when shooting anything under what would be classed "stout" .45 Colt loads......as for pressures, the Unique loads should run very close to what a case-full of black powder would do....

[9.3X62AL]

I've used very few jacketed bullets in my 45 Colts, and no 230 FMJ's. Don't forget to wrap a crimp around the bullet ogive, I would bet money that the FMJ's will slip forward under recoil without a little "wrap-in".

I don't think you can beat Unique for standard velocity 45 Colt loading. My plans for a prospective NS were to use 8.0 grains of Unique under Lyman #'s 454190 or 454424.

I have long lusted in my heart for a nice Colt NS in 45 Colt. Congrats, sir!

[Jim]

Sharpshooter,
You didn't mention which powder you're reccomending the charge weight for.

Thanks,
Jim

Deputy Al,
If you'll PM me your email addy, I'll send you a few pics. Honestly, I don't know how to load them to the board here.

Jim

[DanWalker]

x2 what Al said.
I've used 8.0 grains of unique and 15.0 grains of 2400 in a Colt SAA with no ill effects.(Under a 250 grain keith boolit)
heck, if you don't want to spend a bunch of money and just want to plink, go to your local sporting goods store and buy some 454 roundballs for muzzleloaders and load them over 7-8 grains of unique. You can lube them with just about anything. This will produce a load with about as much recoil as a 38 shooting wadcutters. it's suprisingly accurate too.
I tried 8-9 grains of unique under a 250 grain hornady jhp, but got indifferent accuracy. 18.5 grains of 2400 produced good groups but this jhp has always been erratic in it's expansion characteristics for me, so I stick with cast.

[Lloyd Smale]

9 grains of unique and a good 250 cast will get you close. I would have to guess that the fmj bullets are sized to 451 and probably wont do that well in your gun.

[Mohillbilly]

My 1909 Colt likes .454 cast and 7.8 gr. unique...