Another 45 colt question

[Pigboat]

I’ve never loaded for 45 colt and I need some input from the experts.


I have a Ruger Vaquero (old model with 4.5” barrel) and a Rossi 92 with a 24” barrel that I would like to load a common round for. The powder I plan on using is Unique and the Lyman manual left me with some questions.


I’m not too concerned about the Vaquero as I’m not planning on getting into the Ruger only loads but the rifle data is where I’m concerned. The loads are 6.0-8.5grs with vel. of 836-1110 fps. This is based on a 16” test barrel. What difference am I going to see with a 24” barrel?


Both guns slugged at .452 and my boolits are sized to .454, weight 254grs. and are plain based RNFP. To prevent leading, what velocity should I shoot for?


I might not ever get out hunting again, but would like to be able to take a deer at 50-75 yards if I do.

[huntrick64]

I have both of the guns you mentioned and tried to load for both with one recipe. I had impressive results with HS-6. I will not give you my loads because they are over standard 45 colt but under max "ruger only". My problem is with that huge chamber in my Rossi vs the standard chamber in my Vaquero. If I resize the brass shot out of the Rossi then I am working it too much right in front of the web. I fear that I will eventually blow out at that location and you can't very effectively anneal that close to the web. So, I keep them separate and wish the Rossi chamber was the same as my Rugers. I have found one load of HS-6 and a 260 grain RNFP boolit that shoots great out of both guns. My 24" Rossi will shoot 3/4" at 60 yds (Skinner barrel mounted peep), and the Vaquero will do around 1.5" @ 25 yds with the same load. The brass is my only issue. You will also run into OAL issues with the lever gun. My most accurate OAL with the Vaquero and that boolit is 1.70, but that will not feed through the Rossi.

Good Luck

[DougGuy]

Might not be doing much good to size to .454" in the Vaquero, unless the cylinder throats have already been reamed they are likely less than .452" in diameter. Try pushing a .452" through the throats from the front and see if it will let you do this with finger pressure.

[Pipefitter]

Try keeping the brass for the Rossi seperate from the Ruger brass, and only size the first 1/2" or so of the Rossi brass. This should lessen any problems with over working the brass in front of the web.
A 250gn bullet started at 950 fps from a 45lc will have no problems going through 2 deer (at least the short way) at 75 yards.

[Larry Gibson]

I've loaded a considerable number of 45 Colt "common round"s for use in revolvers (Colts, Colt replica's and Rugers) and rifles of 20 - 24" (Uberti, Marlin and Rossi's).

You will find with the heavier 245 gr cast bullet loads lighter than 8 gr of Unique will probably give gas blow back into your face because the psi is not high enough to obturate newer 45 Colt brass. I suggest you just use the tried and true load of 8.5 gr Unique under your 254 gr cast bullet. That gave 1000 fps out of my Rossi 24" rifle with excellent accuracy using the Lyman 454190 bullet. It also is the most accurate load in my own SSA's giving 825 fps in my own 4 3/4" barreled Uberti. This load will reliably take deer from either the rifle or handgun given proper bullet placement.

If you want lighter loads or use a lighter weight bullet I suggest using Bullseye powder or VV Tin Star (N32C) to avoid the blow back with your Rossi. In any event wear glasses.

I use a soft 50/50 lube and have not had any leading issues. I suggest Lar's White Label 50/50 or BAC lubes.

Larry Gibson

132729

[Harter66]

I just ran some standard loads of 8.0 U with the 452-255 RNFP Lee with a slightly tweeked Darrs lube . The 7.5 RBH turned in 875 and the 16.5 R92 gave 1255. The swollen cases are the real issue between the 2 but you can face that with any 2 guns so it becomes a matter of 1 load,1boolit,2 head stamps . I have been neck sizing only for the 45s since I saw loaded ammo jump from 18.99 to 36.99/50 .
I have a load that is into the low end of the Ruger loads that is great in the RBH bur tumbles and sprays in the R92' I think it is a product of 1400 fps and the Lee 452-252 SWC. The 1200 fps standard load with the SWC is fine giving 2-3" off hand groups and at 50 yd has no problem cutting through both sides of the shield and hide of a 145lb hog and at 17 will break ribs under the shield and exit behind the elbow of a 165# hog . There was a 135 # suicide hog also that was shot just inside the front right leg breaking 3 ribs ,wrecking the boiler room eventually exiting the left ham just above the knee,32" in all. Except for the big 1 on the run all fell in 2 or 3 steps the big guy had pumped himself dry about 200 yd from the shot but looked like a greyhound before the shot.
I think you will see the low 1300s with the top standard loads in the longer bbl and will have plenty of authority for whitetail.

[Noah Mercy]

The '92 is a very strong design. It is chambered in 454 Casull, so even "Ruger only" 45 Colt loads are safe.

I run a Lee 255 RNFP grain bullet (actual weight is 260 grains lubed, ready-to-load) over 6.0 grains of Titegroup in my Vaqueros and my Rossi '92. Accuracy is excellent, especially from the '92. Bullets are straight WW and lube is relatively soft (stick alox) and I get zero leading in any of the various 45s I shoot them through, which vary from 3 1/4" Birdshead Vaqueros to a 24 inch Marlin Cowboy. Velocity from the Marlin averages right at 990 fps. Alas, the 45 Colt is not a legal round for big game here in Wyoming, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this load on whitetails were it allowed.

[w5pv]

The case head bulge is cut way back if you lubricate the cases even with carbide dies.I use Marvel Mystery oil.I think the bulge is created from the downard pressure of the die pushing on the case and size no more than half case.

My molds and alloy drop 255 RFP at about 261 to 263 grains.I shoot this in both my Uberti 1873 cattleman and Rossi 92 over 10.2 grains of HS6 with about 1 inch groups with the Rossi at 75 yards.I shoot the Uberti with about 2 inch groups at 25 yards.

[doc1876]

I know you are planning on Unique, but as I can't find it here, I tried IMR 4227, and I love it. 13-18g behind a 255g SWC is right on the money for me in my Colts.
It is shooting cleaner, and case expansion is perfect with little or no blowback. Accuracy is excellent. I don't have a lever gun in .45, so I have no experience there, however I am running 10-13g in my 44-40 Uberti Henry, and It is doing quite well.