.45 Colt

[BBarrett]

Looking for a good powder for accuracy and velosity for my Ruger New Model Blackhawk stainless in .45 Colt, anyone have some good sugestions to share?

[USSR]

What bullet and how much velocity?

Don

[MattOrgan]

As previously posted you need to specify what you are looking for. The original load of 40 grains of black powder with a +/- 250 grain soft lead bullet was and is a powerful load producing about 900 fps. You can easily reach this with a soft and usually .454 or so diameter 250 grain bullet and any fast to medium burning powder.

You can load the new model Blackhawk to much higher pressures and velocities. You will need to use cast boolits weighing at least 250 grains, usually water dropped WW or equivalent hardness, again usually at .454 diameter because of the largish throats in Rugers. 1000 to 1300+ fps is possible, but loading has to be done very carefully and intelligently. For these maximum loads only WW 296 or H110 will do. My favorite owner and accuracy loads features one of those powders and either 280 or 300 grain bullet at about 1150 fps out of the 4 5/8 Rugers

For some date for your Rugers check the Rugers and T/C only data in any loading manual or on Hogdons website.

I feel any jacketed bullet in a .357 or larger revolver is a waste of time and money. Velocity suffers and accuracy seems to be better on average with a properly hard and sized bullet.

Good Luck, study the manuals and don't believe anyone who tells you that you can load the Rugers new model Blackhawk to .44 Magnum pressures.

[BBarrett]

I forgot to mention, 240 grain.

[stubshaft]

I used to use Unique but have switched to 10.0 AA#5 behind a 255gr boolit for my plinking/hog hunting load.

[TCLouis]

Stubshaf

Any velocities for that AA#5 Load?

[btroj]

I use 10.5 of #105 surplus with a 290 gr group buy cast bullet in one. Gives around 850 fps. Shoots very well in the revolver and my Marlin 1894 CB.

I used to hot rod my 4 5/8 inch BH. Not any more, decided I don't need the elocity and those loads really weren't that fun to shoot.

[Lefty SRH]

I like a 255gr bool it with 13.0gr HS-6. It does about 1050 fps in my Blackhawk. Not for flat tops eiher. That is a Ruger only too!

[VA Shooter]

255 gr Lrnfp 8.0 grs unique, 6.0 grs red dot 8.0 grs powder pistol , 5.0 grs Trail boss

[Wireman134]

Do use the search feature, you will find many...

[9.3X62AL]

.......again usually at .454 diameter because of the largish throats in Rugers.

Rugers with large throats? NICE. My mid-90s BisHawk required throat honing from .448"-.449" to do good work with its .452" grooves. Good to read that Ruger no longer puts their pants on backwards.

You have an AWESOME 45 Colt revolver in that Ruger, as do I once I finished building it. I still like the old standby 9.0-10.0 grains of Unique underneath Lyman #454190 or # 454424 for all around good work.

[USSR]

I like a 255gr bool it with 13.0gr HS-6.

+1. I also use 18.0gr of 2400 in my S&W 25-5.

Don

[Matt_G]

Read this thread:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=130502

[lbaize3]

I prefer Universal Clays for my max loads with a 250 grain cast RF. In my Colt clones I prefer Trail Boss max load. It is clean burning, accurate and almost impossible to double charge the case.

[TXGunNut]

I prefer Universal Clays for my max loads with a 250 grain cast RF. -lbaize3

I like it in a mild BP equivalent load as well.

[oscarflytyer]

As previously posted you need to specify what you are looking for. The original load of 40 grains of black powder with a +/- 250 grain soft lead bullet was and is a powerful load producing about 900 fps. You can easily reach this with a soft and usually .454 or so diameter 250 grain bullet and any fast to medium burning powder.

You can load the new model Blackhawk to much higher pressures and velocities. You will need to use cast boolits weighing at least 250 grains, usually water dropped WW or equivalent hardness, again usually at .454 diameter because of the largish throats in Rugers. 1000 to 1300+ fps is possible, but loading has to be done very carefully and intelligently. For these maximum loads only WW 296 or H110 will do. My favorite owner and accuracy loads features one of those powders and either 280 or 300 grain bullet at about 1150 fps out of the 4 5/8 Rugers

For some date for your Rugers check the Rugers and T/C only data in any loading manual or on Hogdons website.

I feel any jacketed bullet in a .357 or larger revolver is a waste of time and money. Velocity suffers and accuracy seems to be better on average with a properly hard and sized bullet.

Good Luck, study the manuals and don't believe anyone who tells you that you can load the Rugers new model Blackhawk to .44 Magnum pressures.


Not sure the 45 you are loading for. IF it is the new smaller frame Lipsey BH...

Didn't bother to slug mine. Pearce (Dec '11 Handloader) says that Ruger got it right and gun likes .452 sized bullets. Mine sure does.

Be careful - IF yours is the Lipsey, as mine is, you can NOT use the Ruger/T/C ONLY data! Remember, this gun (mine) is built on the smaller flattop frame. It will take the ~+P 45 Colt loads, but not the full house heavy Ruger/T/C Only loads. Again, refer to the Handloader article.

As well, I am simply casting the Lee 255 SWC, alloy of WW + 2% tin, and air cooled. Sizing in Lee push thru .452 sizer and tumble lubed with 45/45/10 lube.

Mine is shooting exceptionally well. Seems to like about all the loads I have tried - 2400, Unique, Power Pistol, HP-38... Nothing is shooting poorly.

[Wolfer]

I have the new vaquero and the measurements were all correct from the factory. 452 cyl, 4515 grove. ( did have to lap out the restriction under the threads )
I shoot the lee 452-255 RF with 8.8 grains unique for 980 fps. With the Lyman 452-424 it takes
9 grs to get to the same velocity. 1 cav of this mold is HP and weighs 245. It takes 10 grs and about 1070 fps to get this boolit to shoot to the sights

[bbs70]

I guess I'm a wuss.
I don't like heavy recoil when I'm doing target practice.
I like 5.5g Titegroup with a 255g slug in my U.S. Firearms Rodeo.
Somewhere around 750fps according to the load chart.
AA#5 at 5.5g works real well too.

[Old Goat Keeper]

As good as W-296 and H-110 are for hot loads they are NOT the only powders that can safely do maximum loads and to state that is not correct information to share with noobies!

T-o-m


[QUOTE=MattOrgan;1549481].....1000 to 1300+ fps is possible, but loading has to be done very carefully and intelligently. For these maximum loads only WW 296 or H110 will do. [QUOTE]

[winelover]

[QUOTE=Old Goat Keeper;1573702]As good as W-296 and H-110 are for hot loads they are NOT the only powders that can safely do maximum loads and to state that is not correct information to share with noobies!

T-o-m

+1 [smilie=s: I'm quite fond of 2400 with RCBS 45-255 SWC for top level Ruger & Contender loads in my wifes 7 1/2" BH.

Winelover

[Outpost75]

The velocity of factory 255-grain lead loads is approximated very closely with 6.5 grains of Bullseye and either the Remington component bullet, Saeco#955 or similar. Velocity is 900 fps from my New Service Colt with 5-1/2" barrel and 1090 fps from my H&R Handi Rifle with 20" barrel. Groups from the Colt sandbagged at 25 yards are 2-1/2", from the H&R 2" at 50 yards. Works for me!

[9.3X62AL]

Colt Firearms got the 45 Colt correct when they introduced it in the 1870s. In its black powder form, it was and remains a VERY DECISIVE goblin stopper or venison maker. Let's remember one of its design specs--the ability to shoot through a cavalry mount and cause injury to a rider taking cover behind said mount. The 45 S&W in the Schofield was not reliably capable of this tasking (though it was GREAT for people-stopping), the 255 grain bullet from the Colt revolver much like a Lyman #454190 at almost 1000 FPS from the 7.5" cavalry revolvers was on another plane above the S&W round--though it was no slouch, either. Its ballistic resemblance to the 45 ACP is VERY close.

I was quite envious of Anaheim PD at the outset of my LEO career in the late 1970s. Many of their officers carried the S&W Model 25-5 in 45 Colt, and I thought such sideiron was head-and-shoulders above the 38 Specials my agency was limited to. I still think very highly of the 45 Colt as a useful, powerful caliber that is manageable by most folks with a bit of practice & diligence. The ThunderGun Ruger loads are nice, but 90% of my 45 Colting these days gets done with either #454190 or #454424 running at 900-1000 FPS. These loads are just too darn good to soup up. With a BruceB Softpointed variant of either of these boolits, venison is assured if the guy or gal steering the ship places the round properly.

[Outpost75]

+1 on the effectiveness of the .45 Colt in standard pressure loadings. As fine an outdoorsman's companion as you could hope for. A 250+ grain bullet at 900 fps has adequate energy and penetration. Higher velocities are unnecessary. I prefer my Colt New Service M1909 .45 DA to any of the modern offerings, although Ruger's New Model Blackhawk. 45 Convertible, 4-5/8" is a worthy choice among current production.

[9.3X62AL]

Mmm hmmm--Colt New Service in 45 Colt. Just right. Bless your heart for not turning that fine Model 1909 into a safe queen/exhibit piece. I wouldn't have, either.

[surfanarchist]

+1 on 18 gr of 2400 behind a 250 gr cast. It jumps a bit in my new model BH because of the small (for my hands) grips but it excells in my BH Bisley

[Outpost75]

Mmm hmmm--Colt New Service in 45 Colt. Just right. Bless your heart for not turning that fine Model 1909 into a safe queen/exhibit piece. I wouldn't have, either.

Some scoundrel years ago reblued it, which destroyed any collector value, but otherwise I couldn't have gotten it so cheap. The Winchester 54 in .30-'06 and the snowshoes came out of the same estate.

....Now for a bullwhip and Fedora 8-)

75772

[DanWalker]

6.5 grains of Red dot under a 250 grain or 300 grain boolit is all a guy could want in a 45.

[RayinNH]

Amen Dan. Anything between 6-6.5 grains of Red Dot under a 250-255 grain boolit is a fine load...Ray

[9.3X62AL]

Outpost, THAT is one hell of a photograph right there! And talk about a pair of firearms made for North America.....land's sake!

I've read a lot of references to the "6.0-6.5 grains of Red Dot" in the 45 Colt being all that and a bag of chips. I don't think I've run that recipe in any of my 45 Colt rollerpistols, though. Seems like a good reason to empty some out through the muzzle to create brass, and give the combo a test-drive. I have lots of both #454190 and #454424 sitting around with nothing to do, too.

[DanWalker]

I've read a lot of references to the "6.0-6.5 grains of Red Dot" in the 45 Colt being all that and a bag of chips.
AL,
Just pour 6.5 grains of Red dot in them 45 cases, and seat 454424's on top, and not only is it all that and a bag of chips, it's a bowl of guacamole' and a cold beer too!

[Outpost75]

......I've read a lot of references to the "6.0-6.5 grains of Red Dot" in the 45 Colt being all that and a bag of chips. I don't think I've run that recipe in any of my 45 Colt rollerpistols, though. Seems like a good reason to empty some out through the muzzle to create brass, and give the combo a test-drive. I have lots of both #454190 and #454424 sitting around with nothing to do, too.

In my experience Bullseye works better than Red Dot in the .45 Colt, because its finer article size measures much more uniformly. There was a reason that Frankford Arsenal selected Bullseye powder for loading the .45 M1909 revolver ammunition and the .45 ACP. Bullseye was very widely used for factory production of the .45 Colt, as well as .38 Special and .44 Special for many years into the post-WW2 era.

Today's loading manuals are far more interested in promoting and selling the latest new powder, and getting people to change to something different, with no long history of satisfactory use behind it. I prefer old established, proven formulas which are known to work splendidly. Bullseye does exactly that.

[9.3X62AL]

AL,
Just pour 6.5 grains of Red dot in them 45 cases, and seat 454424's on top, and not only is it all that and a bag of chips, it's a bowl of guacamole' and a cold beer too!

That good, eh? I'm all over it.

Outpost, my powder cabinet looks like a 1970s retro show. Like you, I haven't seen that many of the new powders have anything to offer that older and better-known fuels don't already produce. I've run LOTS of Bullseye in 45 ACP and 45 Colt, and it left nothing to be desired. Heck, even my "new" powders are old re-hashes......AA-1680 is little more than old Win 680 with new labeling. Call me "unevolved"--my kids do.

[j_dude77]

7-8gr Unique behind a 255gr bullet. Mild recoil and accurate.

[jlchucker]

+1 on the effectiveness of the .45 Colt in standard pressure loadings. As fine an outdoorsman's companion as you could hope for. A 250+ grain bullet at 900 fps has adequate energy and penetration. Higher velocities are unnecessary. I prefer my Colt New Service M1909 .45 DA to any of the modern offerings, although Ruger's New Model Blackhawk. 45 Convertible, 4-5/8" is a worthy choice among current production.

Agreed. If you want to find out for sure, go to a club range that has gravel for target backstops. Put your target up, and shoot a few shots. Then go to the gravel behind your target and try to find your boolits. When a brother of mine got a new 45 Colt Blackhawk, I loaded some rounds for him to try, using a Lyman 454190 at about 850 fps. He thought he was going to dig these rounds out of the backup gravel bank so I could recast them. He didn't bring a shovel, and couldn't find those boolits after digging a bit over a foot into the bank. I doubt if anything you'd shoot with such loads, 850-900 fps would fail you if you were carrying them as your woodsman's companion.