current favorite .45 LC load

[sonoransixgun]

I'm a newbie here...and shooting on a budget...After trying several revolver brands (S&W, Dan Wesson, Taurus), I settled on the Ruger BH. I've spent the most time with a .45 LC. There's just something about it that draws me...maybe the giant hole in the end...Anyway, a fellow shooter lent me his reamer for the throats. I also added a Bowen rear sight and a lighter trigger spring. And I lapped the barrel (fire-lapping). Doing all of that was fun and no doubt just strengthened my attachment to this gun. I tried different bullet/powder combinations and finally settled on the 250 grain SWC Lyman mold with IMR 4227 powder. My lead was just a mix of wheel weights and recovered range bullets. I mostly use Unique powder but a friend gave me some of the IMR to try and I’m glad he did because I never would have tried it otherwise and it has led to my best groups. A slightly heavier WFN bullet with the IMR powder also gave a pretty satisfactory group. Not sure how this compares to what you all are shooting, but I’m open to suggestions and criticisms…

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/58568_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/58568_600x400/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/58567_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/58567_600x400/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/58566_600x400.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/58566_600x400/)

[RedlegEd]

Nice! Welcome to CB. Lot's of folks here shoot .45 Colt, to include me. I've also got a Ruger BH, Henry Original, Rossi M92, and TC G-2 Contender in .45 Colt. Just like a .45-70, you can load them mild to wild and also with Holy Black. The fun never stops! Another powder to try is AA5744 (or Shooter's World Buffalo Rifle.) In the BH, you can get some pretty decent loads using it. Ed

[sonoransixgun]

Thanks, Ed....Next trip to the gun shop, I'll look for AA5744....The Holy Black would be fun to try....I've thought about it...

[Markopolo]

you will love the black... case full, slightly compress that very same bullet... woooo hooo... smoke, fire and brimstone.. whats not to like????

[CastingFool]

Interesting thread, as I have a RBH, 7-1/2" barrel, chambered in 45 colt, as well as a Henry BBS chambered the same. The Henry is very accurate, the RBH not so much, mainly due to my eyesight and the iron sights.

[veeman]

you will love the black... case full, slightly compress that very same bullet... woooo hooo... smoke, fire and brimstone.. whats not to like????

The cleanup! :D

[StrawHat]

The cleanup! :D

Really? 3 minutes with warm water, a brush and patches. Easier than smokeless.

Kevin

[winelover]

I use only two different powders for my 45 LC BH. Unique for moderate loads or 2400 for Ruger only hunting loads.

Winelover.

[sonoransixgun]

Thanks guys.....winelover, I have and use both of those powders. Sometimes I'll load up the 300+ grain bullets with 2400 just for fun, but with my gun, in pursuit of accuracy, the above combination seems to work best. Are you getting more accurate results with Unique? If so, which bullet and how much powder?

[jonp]

Thanks, Ed....Next trip to the gun shop, I'll look for AA5744....The Holy Black would be fun to try....I've thought about it...

Try some Shooters World Buffalo Rifle. Cheaper and will work the same as AA5744. I have not tried it in a 45lc, I mostly use Unique or Red Dot in target and 2400/H110 in full power in my Blackhawks but the 45LC responds to a bunch of powders

[kingrj]

For Ruger only full power hunting loads with any cast bullet from 255 to 300 grain I can find nothing better than WW296/H110....But another favorite is a 255 Keith SWC cast over 14 grains of BlueDot. This is the most accurate combo I have found to date and has good power although I have not chronoed it...This is a RUGER ONLY load and well exceeds standard factory .45 Colt pressures but seems mild in my Rugers.

[hc18flyer]

Interesting thread, as I have a RBH, 7-1/2" barrel, chambered in 45 colt, as well as a Henry BBS chambered the same. The Henry is very accurate, the RBH not so much, mainly due to my eyesight and the iron sights.

A Burris Red Dot fixed 'old eye's for me! Love shootin my Blackhawk!252953

[sonoransixgun]

Appreciate the tip on Shooters World Buffalo Rifle, jon. Never heard of it. Will look into the Blue Dot, kingrj, thanks. Man that Burris Red Dot looks too cool. My eyes ain't near what they used to be....

[scattershot]

Looks like you have found your load. That group with 4227 is outstanding. Welcome to the forum.

[RedlegEd]

Thanks, Ed....Next trip to the gun shop, I'll look for AA5744....The Holy Black would be fun to try....I've thought about it...
As I mentioned, and others as well, Shooter's World Buffalo Rifle is basically the same powder as AA5744 (I understand it's actually the previous formulation of 5744,) but much cheaper. Here are example groups using AA5744 and Blue Dot at 50 yds. It's out of a TC G2 Contender, but should work equally as well in a RBH. The only negative for AA5744/Buffalo Rifle is the powder tends to not burn completely, leaving some grains in the barrel. It doesn't affect accuracy, but some folks don't like it. The Gould HP is actually a rifle bullet (.458) that I sized down to .452. It's a little heavy for a RBH, but I wanted to show you how well the powder works.[/I]Ed

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[sonoransixgun]

Thanks, Scattershot!....That is very impressive, Ed!

[jonp]

As I mentioned, and others as well, Shooter's World Buffalo Rifle is basically the same powder as AA5744 (I understand it's actually the previous formulation of 5744,) but much cheaper. Here are example groups using AA5744 and Blue Dot at 50 yds. It's out of a TC G2 Contender, but should work equally as well in a RBH. The only negative for AA5744/Buffalo Rifle is the powder tends to not burn completely, leaving some grains in the barrel. It doesn't affect accuracy, but some folks don't like it. The Gould HP is actually a rifle bullet (.458) that I sized down to .452. It's a little heavy for a RBH, but I wanted to show you how well the powder works.[/I]Ed

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I'm working reduced cast loads for my 416 Ruger using Buffalo Rifle and 5744 data. I am finding unburnt powder but the groups seem ok and a little powder to clean doesn't bother me. The recoil is easier on my shoulder than the 400gr solid Buffalo Stompers

[onelight]

Welcome and good shooting , you will find a folks here that really like the 45 colt and Rugers

[winelover]

Thanks guys.....winelover, I have and use both of those powders. Sometimes I'll load up the 300+ grain bullets with 2400 just for fun, but with my gun, in pursuit of accuracy, the above combination seems to work best. Are you getting more accurate results with Unique? If so, which bullet and how much powder?

I don't load 300 grain bullets in 45 LC..............heavy for caliber bullets shoot much too high, for my use. I have exactly two moulds for that caliber. RCBS 255 SWC and MP's clone of the RCBS 270 SAA.

Hunting loads with both bullets will be stoked with 2400 powder.

Moderate loads will get Unique under the 255 SWC.

RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 data for Ruger BH and Contender Only:

45-255-SWC with Unique has starting load of 9.1 grains for 1050 fps......maximum of 10.1 grains for 1166 fps.

Speer Reloading Manual Number Nine data for standard/moderate loadings in 45 Colt:

250 SWC with Unique has starting load of 8.0 grains for 813 fps..........maximum of 8.5 grains for 876 fps.


What my guns prefer, may not preform, as well in yours. Start low and work up paying attention to accuracy and pressure signs.

Winelover

[FLINTNFIRE]

Is the red dot base drilled and tapped , saw a ruger blackhawk for sale as ruger declared it a unsafe to shoot firearm with 1 hole drilled and tapped in top strap. I use unique in most of my 45 colt loads , ruger blackhawks a pair , picking up some uberti 45 colt this month .

[hc18flyer]

FnF- It is drilled and tapped. It is the large frame Ruger and I have no intention to shoot anything close to max. I will take my chances, hc18flyer

[FLINTNFIRE]

I was just mentioning a auction and the included information , I did not think the drilled and tapped hurt a thing , lawyers and the sue mentality makes ruger policy in my opinion overboard, I really doubt it would even cause any loss of strength , I would have bought the ruger but without another 3 screw old model I could never have got it repaired or replacement parts , I used to load ruger only loads but those are quite a bit stiffer then needed am starting to load for some uberti 45 colts so am only going to load to regular levels which is enough anyway . Enjoy shooting the 45 colt one of my favorites

[hc18flyer]

For my whitetail load, I went up close to 'Tier 2' . 17.5 grains of Alliant 2400 behind a 260 grain hp, which was plenty. Hc18flyer

[Love Life]

I’ll just leave this here, lol.

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