Paco Kelly load

[Flinchrock]

As I was drifting the web the other day, I ran across a load by Paco Kelly for the .45 Colt in rifles that used Re7 starting around 25gr, under 250-300gr bullets.

Just out of curiosity, I ran the loads through QL and they seemed to be fairly high velocity from fairly low pressures.

Has anyone else tried this for real??. I dunno if I exactly trust everything Mr. Kelly says...

[jmort]

He has survived to tell about it. He does take some loads to the Red-line. That article about the "Long Colt" is a good one.

[seaboltm]

Makes sense. I have been toying with slower burning rifle powders in 357 magnum rifles, and yes, in rifles you take advantage of the barrel length and use slower powders. Think about this, it is almost impossible to put too much IMR 4350 (slow rifle powder) in most cases. I have 375 H&H that I literally fill almost to the very top, shake the powder down, and seat a bullet for a compressed load. No signs of over pressure. You can just about do the same with 243 and 270 winchester cases.

[.45colt]

It's been around 12 years now I tried to duplicate Paco's load with Re7. I even bought a primer pocket reamer and set a dozen brass aside for large rifle primers. I never was able to reach His claimed top speed. I went as far as trying some compressed loads.
now with 296 things changed in a hurry and a hardcast Keith/Lyman 265gr bullet was punching very nice holes in 3/8 steel plate all the time. just my .02. Good Luck.

[seaboltm]

It's been around 12 years now I tried to duplicate Paco's load with Re7. I even bought a primer pocket reamer and set a dozen brass aside for large rifle primers. I never was able to reach His claimed top speed. I went as far as trying some compressed loads.
now with 296 things changed in a hurry and a hardcast Keith/Lyman 265gr bullet was punching very nice holes in 3/8 steel plate all the time. just my .02. Good Luck.

Actually, that was my experience too in the moderate rifle powder/357 magnum experiment. You simply can't get enough moderate burn rate rifle powder in the case to do much good. H110 on the other hand did the trick. I hear Lil' Gun is better than H110/296 by almost 200fps, but I have not tried it.

[CPL Lou]

I too would love to hear about experiences using RX7 in 45 Colt rifles.
It's my go to powder in 45-70 these days so I have some on hand.
Because of my health I'm not able to spend as much time as I would like on load research.
If RX7 is viable in the Colt, I'd love to give it a whirl.

CPL Lou

[Flinchrock]

Well,,I loaded 25gr under a 452664 and "gave it a whirl".
No excessive recoil or other weirdness, recoil was healthy but not more so than 2400.
I'm recovering from leg surgery so it will be a little while before I get to more testing and chrono work.

I don't think I can get more than 27-28gr in my Starline cases, so we will see.

QL shows 1483 fps at 17414 psi with 27.5gr and 1327 at 13024 psi with 25.0gr, in 20" bbl, so it would be hard to overcharge the case with this stuff, or so it seems.

Bear in mind, QL is not God, esp. in straight wall pistol cartridges.

[CPL Lou]

Thanks Flinchrock !

CPL Lou

[geargnasher]

I've used RX7 to good effect in an NEF .45 Colt carbine under 340-grain boolits. IIRC I was near 25 grains and slightly compressed. Standard CCI LP primers lit it up just fine for 1320 fps, no idea what the pressures were but I suspect pretty mild compared to the hot-rod "Ruger-Only" loads that totally flatten primers and leave chamber machine marks on the brass. I wasn't sure it was a good idea but Wiljen and Felix coached me through it here.

Gear

[CPL Lou]

Since my Marlin has a 1 in 38 twist, I've decided to stick with boolits around 280 grains or less.
I may be able to do some testing this coming week. I have some 255 grain SWC to tinker with.
RX7 is definitely on the list, along with A2400 and Unique.
Thanks for sharing your experience, saves me a lot of worry over safety.

CPL Lou

[CPL Lou]

Well, I tried this out. I started at 25.0 grs and worked up to 27.0 grs. a half grain at a time.
I used a 265 gr. Cast Performance WFNGC and a 250 gr Horn XTP (I know). Groups at 100 yds ranged from 2" (25.0 grs) to bug hole size (27.0 grs). Will post pix of the targets next update.
I used CCI 350 Mag primers and new Starline brass.
Noticed unburnt powder that declined when powder charges increased.
All these were fired from my 24" Marlin Cowboy using a 2-7x scope.
Thanks for all the help getting this experiment off the ground ! [smilie=s:

CPL Lou
I'll try to chrono the top loads next time I make it to the range.

[JesterGrin_1]

CPL Lou the Marlins in .44 Mag require a BIG BOOLIT and it helps to move them fast. The best I could get out of my Marlin 1894SS in .44 Mag was about 2 1/2" at 100 yards with a scope. And that was with the Lee 310Gr RNFP/GC.

[Nrut]

I too would love to hear about experiences using RX7 in 45 Colt rifles.
It's my go to powder in 45-70 these days so I have some on hand.
Because of my health I'm not able to spend as much time as I would like on load research.
If RX7 is viable in the Colt, I'd love to give it a whirl.

CPL Lou
CPL Lou here is a link to Kelly's Levergun Articles:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/

[CPL Lou]

Thanks Nrut !
I cast 250 boolits with Mihec's clone of RCBS 270 SAA to test out too.
Just need to let 'em set up for a bit first.
Promised pix of last range session still pending (camera needs batteries).

CPL Lou

[CPL Lou]

As promised, PIX !

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d131/CPL_Lou1/RX7-3_zps33fc95d8.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/CPL_Lou1/media/RX7-3_zps33fc95d8.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d131/CPL_Lou1/RX7-2_zps22476000.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/CPL_Lou1/media/RX7-2_zps22476000.jpg.html)

Will be trying this powder out using a heavier boolit sometime next week.

CPL Lou

[CPL Lou]

Well tried Rx7 with the RCBS 270 boolit.
Accuracy was not very good with this boolit.
3 - 3.5" group at 100 yards. Some unburnt powder fouling the length of the bore.
No leading whatsoever though.
I think Reloder 7 would really shine using boolits weighing 300+ grains.
Will try heavier boolits in my Ruger Bisley sometime in the future.

CPL Lou

[Geobru]

A few years ago, I was doing some load development for an 1886 Winchester in 40-82. I tried Re7 and got really good results in that rifle. It had a 1:28 twist and a 26" barrel. For comparative purposes, I thought some might be interested in seeing the chrony info that I got with a different caliber, but similar loads.
I used formed 45-90 Starline brass, CCI LR primers, and cornmeal filler under a 272 gr. .410 FNGC cast bullet.
The loads and velocity were:
29 gr - 1498 fps
30 gr - 1561 fps
31 gr - 1614 fps.

[w30wcf]

Lou,
Those are some fine 100 yard groups with the good 'ole .45 Colt.:D

A 320 gr RCBS over 28 grs. RL7 settled in W-W brass and ignited by a Fed 155 mag primer = 1,416 f.p.s. average in my .45 Colt Marlin Cowboy rifle (24"). Those ballistics are equal to the vintage .45-70-330 factory loading of yesteryear......

w30wcf

[CPL Lou]

W30wcf, is this the mold you're referring to ?
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/376357/rcbs-2-cavity-bullet-mold-45-300-swc-45-caliber-452-diameter-300-grain-semi-wadcutter-gas-check?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Thanks !
CPL Lou
BTW, I live in Meadville. Just south of you.

[CPL Lou]

Haven't been able to do any follow up work on this experiment as I had a heart attack on the 25th. All fixed up now but it did cause me to take a break for a bit.
I shot the 27gr/265 rngc load in my Bisley Blackhawk with great results before my health put a hold on things. Group was about 2" at 50 yards. Will post pics when I get a chance.
I do cheat a bit as I use a lead sled to shoot my rifle groups and a pistol rest for my handguns. My MS makes shooting groups difficult without help.

CPL Lou

[TXGunNut]

Glad to hear you're on the mend, best wishes on a continued recovery.
Thanks for reviving this thread; somehow missed it earlier. Nice shooting, hope you get some range time in soon. I have a 45 Colt M94 safe queen and this thread may have inspired a project for me.