45 Colt

[badboyparamedic]

Anyone using 160 grain boolits in a 45 Colt Single Action Revolver?

Just got a new Ruger, been using 255 gr rfn in lever action but looking for something lighter to use in revolver.

Likes/dislikes?

[rexherring]

I've never shot that light but have used quite a few 185 SWC in mine. The .45LC likes heavy boolits in my Blackhawk. But, it seems to shoot the Lee 200 RNFP well too so that's what I shoot for plinking.

[jmsj]

I agree with rexherring. I have always gotten my best accuracy in 45 Colt with bullets weighing 255 grains or more. I have gotten fair grouping with 200 grain bullets but the heavier bullets have usually grouped much better.
But hey, give it a shot. You just never know until you try. You might just find that your gun likes lighter bullets
Good luck, jmsj

[opos]

I shoot 200 grain lrnfp in my Blackhawks and in my Pietta Millenium ....nice light loads with Trail Boss...boolits are about a 12 hardness....super accurate and a shoot all day loading. I don't quote "recipes" but they are all over the IMR web site and like that....your mileage may vary.

[SOFMatchstaff]

I have a lite target load that uses a 185 gr acp short nose wad cutter seated upside down, flush with the case mouth, over a suitable charge of red dot or Promo. I was concerned with the large case volume under a light bullet, but the reverse seating took care of that to a degree, shoots very accurate. My boattail wadcutter paper puncher.

[NVScouter]

I had sample packs of 140, 160, 180 RNFP and the 140/160 load is a tiny little disk with a laughable bearing surface. I'm told they work for 300-500fps shooting but I never got them to work over that. My supplier told me trick shooters like them but they arent worth it even for plinking.
The 180s were pretty bad too since they have less bearing surface then standard 180g HPs. For a 45LC you really need a minimum of 200g but the 6 banger 255 from LEE is the way to go. It uses a bit more lead but it shoot from 500fps too well over 1500fps.

[Heavy lead]

IMO the best boolit weight in the 45 starts with a 3, even with slower loads. My light loads use a 260.

[Hyphenated]

The Lee 200gr RF is fine in my Vaquero out to 25yds at 750fps. Not a tack driver, but fun to shoot.

[TXGunNut]

I like the 255's and I'm looking forward to casting some of RD's 290's. For a light load the 200gr H&G 68 clones actually shoot quite well in my RBH.

[cowboy]

howdy- sorry about the late reply, but could not sit on this one- I have had MUCH better results in my 45 Colt Vaqueros ( original size, not the "New" Vaquero ) using light bullets as you describe in .45 S&W Schofield brass, with Bear Creek moly coated 200s and 185s shooting to the same point of aim, 165s going a BIT lower. Use enough crimp when you load. Have good success with Trail Boss powder, 4.6 grs with the 165s have proven VERY accurate in MY guns. DO NOT use such a small charge in .45 COLT cases- you shall be more than disappointed. I started with minimum loads in the smaller Schofield brass, increased until I found consistent performance. Too light in the charge proved very erratic, with lots of unburned powder spewed upon firing, until the charge was big enough to generate great combustion and adequate pressure to perform well.
I still use the 45 Colt cases in my 1873 Rifle, ( and S&W Mountain gun, and with heavy bullets and Other Rugers that I DOT NOT use in Cowboy Action shooting) Good Luck, and ALL handloading precautions apply!

[superior]

You might want to take advantage of the BH's fast twist rate. The heavy boolits are extremely accurate in my 7.5. It loves 300 grainers!

[tacklebury]

200 gr. RNFP for plinking over 6.5 gr. Unique - 255 gr. RNFP for more knock-down over 8 gr. Unique - 300 gr. GC'd over 10.5 gr. Unique in my .45 LC blackhawk. 8)

[Gee_Wizz01]

I have used the Lee 160 gr RNFP with 231 in my Blackhawks and Uberti pistol. I get excellent accuracy out of my Blackhawks and very good accuracy out of the Uberti. The only is the sights have to be adjusted differently for the light boolits, 7 1/2 BH hits about 8" low and the 5 1/2" BH shoots about 6" low. The pistols have a sharp crack with these boolits, but I am very happy with their performance. Overall the Lee 255 gr RNFP and the Lyman 454190 are the best shooters in all of my 45 Colts. The down side is the 160 gr does not shoot well out of my rifles.

G

[flaherty08]

I am looking at some reload data posted on a page called MD Smiths reloading pages. Does anyone know if this is a reliable and safe source for data and reload recipes? In particular I am looking for a good powder for 200 lrnfp .45colt (cowboy action shooting) that is available, as Trailboss and clays are impossible to find.

[Love Life]

I just checked the winchester reloading data center and they have data for a 200gr LRNFP. I highly recommend you use a powdre manufacturer's website or a reloading manual.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[PS Paul]

My avatar pic is from my BH in 45 Colt shooting 185 gr. Lyman 452389 button-nose wad cutters with 20 gr 4227 offhand at 50'.
Yeah, the heavy boolits are a tad more accurate, but the lighter-weight boolits can be a lot of fun, too!