Accurate #9 for Ruger Bisley .45 Colt and Heavy (300 grain) Loads

[Don Purcell]

I have always used Winchester 296 for my Ruger Bisley .45 Colt heavy loads with 300 grain WFN but have some Accurate #9 that I want to try. Anyone use this combo or something close. Looking for 1200 to 1300 f.p.s. loads if possible. Have used WC 820 in .41's and 44's which is similar but not used it in my heavy .45 loads. Suggestions?

[rexherring]

Accurate powder load data is available on line. They show a lead 300 gr using #9 at 18.8 gr max. I load 18.5 grs. of #9 in my blackhawk with an RCBS 255 SWC. even that is stiff recoil and I don't shoot many before putting on the shooting glove. I used that load on a big mule deer doe and it went right through, dropped it in it's tracks.

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf?_ga=2.22 943612.695495052.1613791757-1252558341.1612629877

[rintinglen]

I don't know what your barrel length is, but 1200 FPS is probably out of reach with AA. NO.9, unless you are going to load it to the very top. They list 18.8 grains as a max load for a 300 grain lead boolit with 1,281 fps from a solid 7.5" test barrel. You can just about guarantee the load will shoot at least 100 fps slower from a revolver. Even lower if your barrel length is markedly less.
Accurate has a free PDF with lots of loads listed for their powders. http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/ well worth the time to download if you shoot many of their powders.

[Don Purcell]

The barrel is 5.5 inches, and just asking about potential options. If the #9 powder isn't viable I will just use it in the .41's and .44's saving my 296 for the heavy .45 Colt loads. Until and if the component shortage eases just planning out my options.

[DougGuy]

I will agree 1200 out of a 5.5 is probably barely reachable if at all with that much boolit. I load the 300 which goes 320 checked and lubed over 22.5gr H110 and it barely cracks 1050 - 1080 out of a 4 5/8" barrel. YMMV. I don't know that #9 is capable of H110 velocities before it equals H110 pressures. LilGun on the other hand might get you to 1200 safely.

On second thought, what are you doing with the 300 that you need that much FPS for? At 1050, mine go through over 3 FEET of seasoned oak firewood. If a deer was standing behind an 18" diameter pine, I would aim for where his heart would be and shoot right through the tree and the deer both.

[Don Purcell]

Like I said DougGuy, just checking my options. I also shoot 13 of Hs-6 with that bullet and it goes goes 1070 f.p.s. and is a great all round load.

[P Flados]

I was curious so I played around with Quickload. I used the option that runs a bunch of powders to compare what they will do. I tweaked on the pressure setting (ended up at 29000 psi) to get something close to the 13 gr of HS6 used by the Op. Quickload uses breech to muzzle for barrel length so I estimated 7.3" (5.5" barrel plus an estimated 1.8" for cylinder).

With a Lee 300 gr, it says 1166 fps where the Op reports 1070 fps. So the 100 fps estimate loss for the cylinder gap by rintinglen is pretty darn close in this case. It is probably reasonable to adjust down the estimated velocities of the other powders below by the 100 fps.

The next nugget of "told you so" goes to Doug Guy for pointing to Lil Gun as being top choice for highest velocity (according to QL anyway). However - WARNING - the QL results for the top powders are above the "Ruger only" loads listed in the Hodgdon load data sheet found at https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/45-colt-ruger-only-reload-data-for-h110-lilgun.75519/.

Now for #9, the book load of 18.8 grs is more than the 18.3 shown by Quickload below. So I would guess that the Op could work up to at least 1150 fps or so. Really not that shabby at all.


Cartridge : .45 Colt (SAAMI)
Bullet : .452, 300, LEE C452-300-RF
Useable Case Capaci: 24.799 grain H2O = 1.610 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.566 inch = 39.78 mm
Barrel Length : 7.3 inch = 184.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 29000 psi, or 199 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 100 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon Lil'Gun 99.0 23.5 1.52 1339 87.5 29000 6626 0.729 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 296 97.2 23.9 1.55 1314 76.2 29000 6364 0.740 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H110 97.0 23.8 1.54 1294 80.1 29000 6057 0.747 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Enforcer 86.9 20.3 1.32 1281 88.4 29000 5688 0.750 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N105 *C 89.9 16.1 1.04 1271 99.7 29000 4984 0.747 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant 2400 85.7 18.6 1.21 1265 87.0 29000 5498 0.755 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4100 89.4 21.1 1.37 1256 83.4 29000 5397 0.752 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.7 68.0 16.6 1.08 1251 95.1 29000 5106 0.757 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D037.1 67.5 16.6 1.08 1251 95.1 29000 5106 0.757 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.9 75.5 18.3 1.19 1245 89.8 29000 5162 0.755 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D037.2 Heavy Pistol 74.7 18.3 1.19 1245 89.8 29000 5162 0.755 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6 57.7 13.1 0.85 1166 100.0 29000 3732 0.769 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant HERCO 79.3 11.4 0.74 1152 100.0 29000 3536 0.780 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant UNIQUE 70.1 10.3 0.67 1129 100.0 29000 3290 0.785 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BULLSEYE 60.9 9.2 0.60 1118 100.0 29000 3206 0.778 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4227 100.0 20.9 1.36 1117 66.2 23028 4455 0.834
Hodgdon Universal 64.6 9.5 0.61 1074 100.0 29000 2836 0.804 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 231 55.2 9.5 0.62 1050 100.0 29000 2632 0.804 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant GREEN DOT 66.7 8.5 0.55 1025 100.0 29000 2493 0.818 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT 67.7 7.7 0.50 999 100.0 29000 2342 0.830 ! Near Maximum !

[farmbif]

one thing I really like about western/accurate/ramshot powder is they actually test the powder with many different cast bullet loads
#9 is excellent powder for heavy magnum handgun loads

[Don Purcell]

P Flados, very interesting chart and thank you for posting. The Hs-6 load at 13 grains is a favorite and cutting the chart velocity by 100 f.p.s. matches my own results. Cases extract easily and accuracy is excellent and wish I had a couple of kegs of it. Even though I'm somewhat comfortable with my supply of components right now I was just seeing what #9 would do and it isn't the best option obviously but in a pinch would just use it in the smaller calibers. Thank you again.

[bluejay75]

AA9 i process in my mind as ball 2400. Same goes for HS6 as ball Unique. AA9 will serve you well for your purposes. Wide charge range gives you versatility. But I’m with Dougguy. Why do you need that much speed. Hurts my hand thinking about it.

[Don Purcell]

Actually out of my Bisley it hasn't been an issue. I'm 66 years old and started shooting .44 Mags when I was 9 out of a Super Blackhawk.

[454PB]

What's wrong with WC 820?

My batch is in the fast burn category, faster than #9, and actually closer to Alliant 2400, but it works great for ,45 Colt, .44 magnum, .357 magnum, and even 454 Casull.

[P Flados]

Don,

Right now it is not a bad idea at all to have a "mental shopping list" just in case you stumble into an opportunity.

Looking at the chart there are some pretty good choices just a tad faster than HS-6. You will not loose much velocity at all and you will use less powder per charge. Herco, Unique and Bullseye should be able to get you real close to your HS-6 velocity.

And if you want to stock up for a bargain, Redeye just got in something they are calling "MP-190". Based on their load data for 9mm, 40 & 45 ACP, it looks real close to Autocomp which is the Hodgdon powder just one notch faster than HS-6. The 12 lbs for $250 and 6 lbs for $150 with shipping & hazmat included are both very tempting.

https://redeyereloading.com/product-category/powder/pistol-powder/

[Don Purcell]

Thanks P Lado, will check it out. With the hazmat and shipping it indeed is tempting.

[DougGuy]

Herco, Unique and Bullseye should be able to get you real close to your HS-6 velocity.

BE? Under a 300gr boolit? NEVER!

You CANNOT make magnum velocities with a heavy boolit and fast powder. It is AGAINST the laws of physics for one thing, and is why you NEVER SEE published load data for a 300gr boolit and Unique or BE.

If it were that easy the Girl Scouts would be making ammo and we would all be sellling cookies. JS....

[Don Purcell]

Yes, Hs-6 is the fastest I would use with this bullet. The other powders for standard weight slugs.

[44MAG#1]

My 5th edition of Sierras manual lists Unique in Ruger, Dan Wesson and FA revolvers for their 300 grain JSP.

[DougGuy]

My 5th edition of Sierras manual lists Unique in Ruger, Dan Wesson and FA revolvers for their 300 grain JSP.

What charge, what COA, what velocity and what kind of pressure listed?

[44MAG#1]

What charge, what COA, what velocity and what kind of pressure listed?

10.5 1.650" 1000fps PSI is safe in guns listed is what one needs to know

[DougGuy]

10.5 1.650" 1000fps PSI is safe in guns listed is what one needs to know

Ok, granted, I knew that one of the figures had to be less than magnum level loads, can't have all 3, fast powder, heavy for caliber boolit, and magnum velocities.

The scary thing about Unique is that in 45 Colt, over 10.0 grains, pressure can be spiky and unpredictable. And this is with the standard 255ish weight for the caliber. Adding that 300gr boolit on a 10.5gr charge wouldn't be something I would ever do or advise anyone else to do. I don't know if it's the specific case volume/load density that lends the 45 Colt to this inconsistent behavior, b/c 44 magnum and 454 Casull both list fairly heavy Unique charge weights. And I also am aware that 10.0gr Unique is pretty much the across the board accepted rifle load in LOTS of calibers.

[44MAG#1]

Don't tell Hodgdons they list Titegroup with the Sierra 300 gr JSP. at 28500 CUP's