Light 45 Colt Loads: challenge of the DAY

[junkpile]

So, I've got a newer-to-me original Vaquero in 45 colt. I've got some Titegroup, Red Dot, Unique, and Lil Gun sitting on my desk. The projectiles will be Berry's plated in 185 grain, and I have Winchester LP/LPM primers. I'm currently disabled (temp), and have to do this with what I've got. I'm happy with 800-1000 fps, and I only have 50 empty cases. Just want to have some fun tomorrow, and not scare my 4-year old, who will be going with me. I haven't gotten to shoot this gun yet, but would really like to. My hands hurt too much for heavy loads, and my 45 auto cylinder doesn't fit.

I am having a hard time finding the data I need - I've located one or two loads, but not much. I was hoping to head out with 3 or so loads that had room left to play around with. So far I've got 2. Using a 2 year old Speer manual, an older Lee manual, the Accurate online page, and Hodgdon's online manual.

Any other ideas? I'm borderline on ready to go, but usually like to pick from a larger handful of choices. It's just been too hard to get around for too long, though.

[daniel lawecki]

Titegroup works fine start at 5.8 max of 6.9 918 - 1020 fps out a 7.5 in barrel.

[DougGuy]

8.0gr Unique is a light load under a 255gr boolit and often gives sooty cases, I'd be thinking that a lighter booit is only going to make that worse.

Here is a thread on Red Dot in the .45 Colt: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?115068-45-Colt-Red-Dot

[John Boy]

185 grain Berry's HBRN (Hollow base round nose) Plated bullet designed for .45 ACP
ZIP 7.0 gr. 587 Hi=670, Lo=521, ES=148 (too slow, wide spread)
ZIP 7.5 gr. 628 Hi=677, Lo=594, ES=8.3 (too slow, but good spread)
Nitro 100 6.5 gr. 625 Hi=673, Lo=594, ES=80 (too slow)(old formulation)
Universal 8.8 gr. 759 Hi=790, Lo=734, ES=56
Titegroup 7.0 gr. 824 Hi=876, Lo=759, ES=117
Competition 5.5 gr. 596 Hi=649, Lo=564, ES=85 (too slow)
Bullseye 6.8 gr. 890 Hi=912, Lo=858, ES=55 (good load)
Silhouette 9.5 gr. 685 Hi=740, Lo=647, ES=93

[Vann]

I've got the perfect load for you, they shoot light and you have two of the powders on hand.1st load is 5.6 grains of Titegroup.2nd load is 5.0 grains of Red Dot.You can safely take your bullet with Titegroup up to 6.8 grains and the Red Dot load can go up to 6.9 grains.I actually load both powders up a bit hotter when I need something special but you wanted a light load and both of those loads at the top are very light and a pleasure to shoot. The Titegroup load will be a little more dirty so I usually load Red Dot.

[Vann]

Not sure why but for some reason my post got cramped together and it won't let me edit it. Sorry.

[jcren]

Unique is nice and mellow at 9grains with 200 grain bullets. Not mentioned, but you can't beat black powder or 777 for mild fun in those big old cases. Fill em about 1/4" short of full and seat a bullet.

[TMenezes]

Vann is right about Tightgroup and Red Dot being your best bets for ultralight loads. My buddy and I used Tightgroup for our light cowboy loads which is essentially what your making. I used 5 grains under a 200 grain lead bullet. My buddy used 4.5! I was a bit concerned his load was too light but to my knowledge he never stuck a bullet and he used that load in both his revolvers and his lever action rifles. I didn't compete in SAS like he did so I guess he knew what he was doing. I would try 5.5 grains of either of your 2 powders and see how you like it. You can go up or down based upon your results.

[35remington]

With many powders if not most, shallowly seated light bullets give enormous velocity variation in the 45 Colt case. If you doubt that, try with powder near primer and powder near bullet and check velocity.

If you know it's happening, you can avoid it by positioning the gun before shooting or trying a different powder. If you don't, you may wonder why some loads pop and others bang.

[Vann]

Titegroup and Red Dot are not affected by position in a 45 Colt size case near as much as some of the slower powders.On reducing the loads further, I know at around 4.3 grains Red Dot will get a little iffy in a rifle Never had a problem with a pistol though. Be careful with Titegroup, at 5.0 grains it is possible to put 4 to 5 charges in the 45 Colt case with out it spilling over.