Whats Your Favorite 45LC load?

[Rockchucker]

I haven't had mine long and only loaded and shot a couple boxes of 255 grain rnfp's with 7.5 and 8.0 grains of Unique, but mam o man is it fun!:smile:

[David LaPell]

For my Colt New Service, 7.5 grains of Unique and a 250 grain cast Lyman #452424.

[Rockchucker]

After shooting a couple boxes of the RNFP's I run ran a dry patch thru the bore for an inspection and couldn't believe how shinny it was, like a mirror. Did it ever put a smile on my face.:p

[Bula]

So many loads work so well from my Blackhawk, but 8.5g and the Lee 255 rnfp are tough to beat in the fun dept.

[mellonhead]

A RCBS 45-270-SAA over 13 grains of HS6.

Toby

[44MAG#1]

Not that anyone cares but I like the Mihec 270 SAA bullet over 6.0 gr Bullseye for roughly 775 fps chronoed from a 4/58's inch "New" Vaquero.
Also 18.5 gr 2400 from the same gun with the same bullet and the above mentioned 13 gr HS-6 with the same bullet in the same gun.
The bullseye load duplicates the Winchester 255 gr load velocity wise with a heavier bullet (280 gr) from my Mihec mold.

[Larry Gibson]

I've been using the "standard" 45 Colt load of 8.5 gr Unique under the 454190 and 454424 for many years in numerous 45 Colt revolvers with very good success. Be advised that load runs 18,000 psi, a bit over the SAAMI MAP of 14,000 psi for the 45 Colt but has been a "standard" load from the days of yesteryear......

However, I've gravitated to the 200 gr RNFN as my standard bullet for my two 45 Colt SA revolvers (SA Colts from Cimeron) and my 2 rilfes (M92 24" Rossi and 20" M73 Uberti from Cimeron). My "standard" load of 7.3 gr Bullseye duplicates the original 44-40 ballistics with 944 fps out of the 4 3/4" SA at 13,900 psi (less than the SAAMI MAP). That runs 1150 fps out of the 24" M92 and a bit less out of the M73. Accuracy is very good in all 45 Colts including my Contender Barrel. Another excellent load with the 200 gr RNFP is 8.5 gr of VV N32C Tin Star at 825 fps out of the revolver.

Larry Gibson

[GARCIA]

Another happy camper for the Miha RCBS 270 SAA over 13gr of HS-6.
That is my go to load!!!

Tom

[DeanWinchester]

200g RN boolit cast from a Lee mold that was meant for a cap and ball pistol. I lapped it with valve grinding compound until I opened it up to .454 then lapped it again with Semi-chrome.

I load it over 7g of AA Nitro 100. Easy and light. VERY accurate.

[littlejack]

RC:
I've only been loadin and shootin my Uberti "Evil Roy" saa for a little over a year.
I am very fond of 9 grains of Herco powder. It meters relatively well, (better than Unique)
and takes up a good amount of space in the case. It also burns very clean in my 5.5" barrel.
I usually load and shoot the 255 to 260 grain boolits.
Jack

[joec]

My favorite is 250 - 255 gr RFNP using any ffg black powder. Just find the smokeless powder cowboy loads like a mouse fart compared to them.

[RobS]

Out of Ruger class large frame firearm I would say a 300 grainer such as the second from the right on the bottom row.

Then I think a 230 HP/260 grainer such as the 453640, basically a LFN style bullet, for the lighter side; plan on using it on a new Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 45 Colt (built on the smaller 357 frame)
Forth from the left on the top row:

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/45calbulletsSM.jpg

The 300 behind some 2400 or H110 for upper end and then Unique or Herco for the 230HP/260 grainer.

[lbaize3]

My favorite load is any 255 grain cast boolit pushed by 7.5 grains of Universal Clays...

[Goldstar225]

I settled on 9 grains of unique under a 255 grain Lyman SWC for now. At some point I'll get the mold for the 270 grain RCBS SWC and give it a try.

[Rockchucker]

Out of Ruger class large frame firearm I would say a 300 grainer such as the second from the right on the bottom row.

Then I think a 230 HP/260 grainer such as the 453640, basically a LFN style bullet, for the lighter side; plan on using it on a new Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 45 Colt (built on the smaller 357 frame)
Forth from the left on the top row:

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/45calbulletsSM.jpg

The 300 behind some 2400 or H110 for upper end and then Unique or Herco for the 230HP/260 grainer.

That's the gun I received a few weeks ago and have really been enjoying it. Loaded up 100 rounds of the 255 grain RNFP (only mold I have for the 45colt other than the acp molds). The new flat top frame sure is nice being it's smaller than the SBH which is one of my favorites. Those sure are some purty boolits Rob.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i403/ronthompson5231/RUGERRUKNVB455X.jpg

[RobS]

Yep, looks like the one I have. The 250-260 grain class should work out pretty nicely and this revolver has the ability to work lower end to somewhere in the neighborhood of 1100 fps (20K pressures) on the upper side with this weight of bullet, of course with the right powder.

I plan to get to shooting things here in a month or so and really can't wait.

[btroj]

I shoot more 10.5 gr 105 surplus under a 290 group buy bullet than anything else.
Accurate in both my Marlin and my Ruger. Recoil is very manageable.

[bigboredad]

I'm with rob on the 300gr loping along around 1000 or 1050. Vary comfy to shoot great accuracy and very decent penetration and can go up to 1200 fps just in case you get a rabid squirrel that gets a attitude with you:bigsmyl2:

[tomme boy]

Accurate Molds 45-300F an 26gr H110. Nasty on both ends.

[zxcvbob]

Lee 230 grain TC boolit with 7.5 grains of Promo (Red Dot.) I have some other hotter loads using 255's and slow powder, but i keep coming back to this one because it stays fun to shoot even if I shoot a lot of 'em. The pressure is close to 20000 psi, so don't shoot it in a pre-war Colt, etc.

[Snapping Twig]

I used to shoot 7.5g W231 under a 245g RNFP (Lee mould which is SUPPOSED to throw 255g), but now I like 9g Unique for that original 900fps BP wallop.

Accurate too. :)

[smkummer]

9 grains weighed of Unique and the Lyman 454190 sized to .454 out of all my Colts, (3 3rd gen. SAA, Colt cowboy, 2 New Services and a Anaconda). 900 FPS and smacks any steel plate with authority out to 100 yards. I used to load some anacondna only loads but with this load, there is no reason and I never have to worry about anaconda loads getting in a SAA. Alliant now states 9.5 grains Unique is a max. Colt pressure load with a 255 lead. I will probably never go up and may drop down to 8.5.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I’ve settled on 8.7 gr of Unique topped off with the 454190 sized to .454” and lubed with Alox which Chrony’s at 860 out of my 4 ¾” Colt SAA’s. The same boolit over 15 gr of 2400 clocks at 825 fps and with 9 gr of Herco 885 fps. 6.3 gr of Bullseye does 785 fps. Unique seems to give more consistent velocities in the voluminous case and fill the case appropriately. I’ve shied away from small dose powders like Red Dot and IMR 7625.

In water penetration experiments where a factory .223 penetrates 55 gr Hi-Shok SP penetrated 29” of water, a .270 with 130 gr Core-Lokt at 3068 fps penetrated 15” of water, the Colt 454190 at 850 fps penetrated 68” of water.

[bigboredad]

Alliant now states 9.5 grains Unique is a max

I just saw that on alliants web site as well. I was a bit surprised to see that

[Alan]

All w/ 250-260 gr boolits:
7.5 gr of WW231
6.0 Gr. 0of Red Dot
8.5 Gr of Unique
35 Gr. of Goex 2F - bullets need SPG lube for this one, and the exact load depends on the length of brass/boolit combo. You want a slight compression, but not too much. Trial and error.

Note that the 231 and Unique load are a scootch over SAAMI pressure specs, but perfectly safe in any smokeless frame Colt or Ruger in good condition. Lyman calls 7.3gr of 231 max at 14Kpsi or so.

[TCLouis]

Not mine, but a load for a friend

6.1 grains of Red Dot behind a Lee 255 WSC PB boolit.

He liked the load so I made him a bunch to carry to a plink/play and Bullshoot in Arkansas. He was shocked at himself being able to hit gong type targets "that far away".
I told him that is what one can do with real boolits and wheel guns!

Chronographed out of his 6 inch gun at 780 fps.

[9.3X62AL]

90% of my 45 Colt loads use Lymans #454190 or #454424 atop 9.0 grains of Unique or 10.0 grains of Herco. These go in a Ruger BisHawk. If I was running a Colt SAA or Uberti repro, both loads would be cut back 1.0 grain each. Probably not necessary, but I'll err on the side of caution just the same.

Gonna take a look at the Alliant load chart. 9.5 x Unique seems a mite warmish for a Pasta Colta.

[littlejack]

9.3:
That 9 grain load of Herco under a 255-260 grain boolit is definately a keeper. It is all
I want in my light Uberti saa. Besides, that boolit will stop a charging bull sage rat dead in his
tracks.
Jack

[9.3X62AL]

There is not one thing wrong with the 45 Colt at blackpowder velocities as a defensive or hunting round. 6/10 oz of heavy metal running at 3 football fields per second will ruin anyone's or anything's day.

Curiously, the latest online Alliant data for 45 Colt shows 9.5 grains as the load weight for both Unique and Herco powders. The Herco load shows higher velocity from a 5.5" barrel than does the Unique load, which is diametrically opposed to my experience in several revolvers. FWIW.

[littlejack]

Theoreticaly, you are correct. Herco is slower in it's burn rate than Unique.
That is a head scratcher.
Jack

[Rockchucker]

I'm not interested in shooting any Ruger only loads thru my BH 45 colt convertible Flat Top in stainless but was curious if this particular gun is strong enough to handle them. 8 rains of unique seems to be the magic load for me with a Lyman 250 grain RNFP.. Love this gun.

[Texantothecore]

There is not one thing wrong with the 45 Colt at blackpowder velocities as a defensive or hunting round. 6/10 oz of heavy metal running at 3 football fields per second will ruin anyone's or anything's day.

Curiously, the latest online Alliant data for 45 Colt shows 9.5 grains as the load weight for both Unique and Herco powders. The Herco load shows higher velocity from a 5.5" barrel than does the Unique load, which is diametrically opposed to my experience in several revolvers. FWIW.

Yep. The slower speed high mass bullets were used for good reason. They work well.

Which is why I own nothing other than .45 cal in my pistols. Very pleasant shooting and effective.

[Wolfer]

I have a new Vaq that I shoot three loads to the same point of aim.
Lee 452-255RF and 8.8 gr unique @ 970 fps
452-424 needs 9.5 gr unique and 1020 fps to get to the sights
452-424 HP @ 250 gr needs 10 gr unique and 1070 fps to get to the sights.

The lee works great on grouse, rabbits, etc and while I've killed several deer with it it doesn't work as well as Elmer's boolit.
I've found all of these loads pleasant to shoot and very potent for anything in MO.

[41mag]

Still playing with my Redhawk in 7.5" Hunter, but so far the results are as follows,

Oregon Trail 200gr RF 10grs Unique
Both Lee - 255RF (actual weight is 260gr) and Oregon Trail 255gr RFN with 10r Unique

MiHec Group Buy- 45-270 SAA cast 275grs in Lg HP 16grs AA-9

Although I have shot quite a few different loads through this particular revolver, I have yet to find anything that one could call unacceptable. That is from the 200gr OT up through the Lee 300gr RF loaded pretty stiff in Ruger Only loads. The thing simply digest everything I have tried and done very well to excellent with them.

Here are groups from a couple of the above mentioned loads,

The initial two loads I tried, were the OT 200gr(top) and the Lee 255gr (bottom) with 10grs of Unique. Shot offhand at 25yds,
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f285/41nag/Shooting/Cast%20Boolit%20Loading%20and%20Shooting/Group1.jpg

I already had the OT boolits for loading up my 45 ACP before I got into casting last year, so they were the obvious choice to try out the new revolver with. Between then and now I have shot several different boolit weights and powders with W-540 turning in some excellent results as well. I just don't have pics of the groups with those. They are right here with these however, and it was my GO TO load until I got the MiHec mold.

This was from about a month ago, the group in the middle is 5 shots with the 45-270 SAA, cast from Iso Core alloy, lubed with 45/45/10, over the AA-9 load Starline cases and Wold LP primers. This was shot rested at 50yds through my chrono,
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f285/41nag/Shooting/Cast%20Boolit%20Loading%20and%20Shooting/0411120923a.jpg

These were also the first 5 shots fired with this particular boolit, needless to say I simply turned around and loaded up another 50 of them. If they can get any better than that I would have to mount a scope on it to do so. So far they have since kept right in there with the group posted above. I can hardly wait to test them out on some decent feral hogs.

This of course IS a problem however. I simply cannot afford to keep picking up a new MiHec mold every time I see one pop up in a caliber I have, well except for the one I am on the list for now anyway. But after that.....

[MtGun44]

8 gr of 231 or 23-24 gr of H110 inder a 250-280 Keith.

NOTE: the second load is for Rugers and such only!

Bill

[tek4260]

I'm not interested in shooting any Ruger only loads thru my BH 45 colt convertible Flat Top in stainless but was curious if this particular gun is strong enough to handle them. 8 rains of unique seems to be the magic load for me with a Lyman 250 grain RNFP.. Love this gun.


Rockchucker, the Flat Top convertible is not a large frame, and therefore shouldn't be fed "Ruger Only" loads. I haven't noticed if it has been posted, but here are some loads for that revolver using the RCBS 270 SAA. It is safe with the Level II loads mentioned in the article


http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf

[Rockchucker]

Rockchucker, the Flat Top convertible is not a large frame, and therefore shouldn't be fed "Ruger Only" loads. I haven't noticed if it has been posted, but here are some loads for that revolver using the RCBS 270 SAA. It is safe with the Level II loads mentioned in the article


http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf

Thank you, I was waiting for that reply. As I stated before I'm very satisfied with the loads I'm shooting now with hardly any recoil and accurate as I need. Just wanted to know how strong this gun was. It's my first 45LC and really have been enjoying it. I might be in the market for a 45Colt leaver gun in the near future.

[Rockchucker]

Rockchucker, the Flat Top convertible is not a large frame, and therefore shouldn't be fed "Ruger Only" loads. I haven't noticed if it has been posted, but here are some loads for that revolver using the RCBS 270 SAA. It is safe with the Level II loads mentioned in the article


http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf

Thank you, I was waiting for that reply. As I stated before I'm very satisfied with the loads I'm shooting now with hardly any recoil and accurate as I need. Just wanted to know how strong this gun was. It's my first 45LC and really have been enjoying it. I might be in the market for a 45Colt leaver gun in the near future.

edit: I see in that article on table 11 that 9.0 of unique would be a max load for this gun, I feel good shooting my 8.0 grains of unique but may work it up it to 8.5 and see how accuracy is affected, I just haven't had much time to get to the range and shoot paper targets, it's been plinking at cans mostly.

[jlchucker]

I've been using the "standard" 45 Colt load of 8.5 gr Unique under the 454190 and 454424 for many years in numerous 45 Colt revolvers with very good success. Be advised that load runs 18,000 psi, a bit over the SAAMI MAP of 14,000 psi for the 45 Colt but has been a "standard" load from the days of yesteryear......

However, I've gravitated to the 200 gr RNFN as my standard bullet for my two 45 Colt SA revolvers (SA Colts from Cimeron) and my 2 rilfes (M92 24" Rossi and 20" M73 Uberti from Cimeron). My "standard" load of 7.3 gr Bullseye duplicates the original 44-40 ballistics with 944 fps out of the 4 3/4" SA at 13,900 psi (less than the SAAMI MAP). That runs 1150 fps out of the 24" M92 and a bit less out of the M73. Accuracy is very good in all 45 Colts including my Contender Barrel. Another excellent load with the 200 gr RNFP is 8.5 gr of VV N32C Tin Star at 825 fps out of the revolver.

Larry Gibson

Larry, I was just digging around in my mold stash and found an old 454190 mold that I bought in the mid 1970's and haven't used it but a couple of times. There's no crimp groove on that boolit. If you are loading for 45 Colt these days (assuming smokeless loads like Unique, etc) what method would you favor for crimping that boolit? Lee FCD? Ranchdog version of Lee FCD? Other?

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I use the 454190 exclusively in the 45 Colt and roll crimp with an overall length of 1.6". This places the crimp right on the boolit where the curve acts as a crimping groove. Don't use this boolit in a tubular mag rifle tho.

[Lefty SRH]

I have 2 .45 colt loads I like. For my shorter barrel Bisley Blackhawk I load a 270gr SAA HP (MP Mold) and push it with 13.0gr HS-6 and a magnum primer.

For my SBH Bisley Hunter I like/it likes a MP Mold Ruger ONLY 329gr solid pushed by 22.5gr of H110 and a magnum primer.