RCBS 45-325-FNU for 45 Colt & 454 Casull HELP!

[PBruske234]

Ok so I bought a RCBS 45-325-FNU mold knowing it was primarily used for the 45/70 with a .458" diameter. I found a few sites online where guys mention that this is a good bullet for the 45 colt and the 454 as well, but they do not include any load data. I am not sure where to start with acquiring safe load data. The bullets end up weighing about 338 grains after being sized to .452" and lubed.

For the 454 Casull - Hodgdon's website provides the following data:

454 Casull
335 GR. CPB LFN GC
Hodgdon H4227: 23.0gr @ 1,306 =30,000 CUP - 25.5gr @ 1,460 =42,80 CUP
Hodgdon H110: 23.0gr @ 1,321 = 22,200 CUP - 26.0gr @ 1,531 =41,600 CUP
Hodgdon Lil'Gun: 21.0gr @ 1,377 =34,000 CUP - 24.0gr@ 1,517 =44,200CUP
IMR Trail Boss: 4.8gr @ 618 =15,500 CUP - 6.8gr @778 =25,600 CUP

325 GR. CPB LFN PB
Hodgdon H4227: 24.7gr @1,389 =30,300 CUP - 25.5C gr @1,452 =36,900 CUP
Hodgdon H110: 25.2gr @1,345 =19,700 CUP - 26.0gr @1,511 =34,300 CUP
Hodgdon Lil'Gun: 23.2gr @1,468 =33,200 CUP - 24.0gr @1,526 =38,900 CUP
IMR Trail Boss: 5.0gr @636 =13,600 CUP - 7.0gr @798 =23,700 CUP

45 Colt
Nothing for bullets this heavy.


I cannot find any load data for the 45 colt (especially S&W safe), and Hodgdon's does not mention what type of primer to use. I would like to work up a load for the 45 colt that would be safe in a Smith & Wesson 45 Colt Revolver. I'd also like a safe load for the 454 Casull in a Ruger Super Redhawk. I have H4227, Blue Dot, and Trailboss on hand but any safe load data will do, as I will look for the powder needed. I am using Starline brass.

1) Does anyone know if the load data provided by Hodgdon's is safe for this mold?
2) If so, should I be using 325gr load data or 335gr?
3) What primers should I use?
4) Does anyone know where I can get safe load data for this setup? (Can I call Hodgdons or IMR? Would they be able to provide me with data)
5) Does anyone have any data for this mold or any ideas?
6) Should I just use these bullets in the 454 Casull and cast lighter bullets for the 45 Colt?


Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

[DougGuy]

If you are going to use standard pressure (14,000psi) .45 Colt loads in the S&W it won't make much sense to work up a load that will be doing at best 700-ish fps, best to stick with 255-280gr boolits for that. You will find a lot of S&W safe load data for boolits in this weight range.

Normally where you see a void in load data for a certain boolit, is because it isn't recommended for that caliber.

For Ruger large frame revolvers, leverguns, and T/C barrels there are a lot of loads for a 325gr boolit in the non-standard pressure range which tops out around 30,000psi.