Tried some classic .45 Colt loads

[Thumbcocker]

Looking at some old articles and posts I decided to try some "classic" .45 Colt loads. Gun used was a Bisley 5 1/2" . I have had several. 45 Colt guns over the years and they generally hated me. Got this one used and the cylinder mouths had been reamed.

Loads were 8.5 of Unique and 17.5 of 2400. 17.5 of 2400 is LARGE FRAME RUGER ONLY. I know Elmer went a bit higher but in light of solid case heads I dropped back a bit. Also this is upper end in my manual for LARGE FRAME RUGER ONLY loads.

Started at 16.5 and got unburned powder and a more open group. 17.5 in LARGE FRAME RUGER ONLY had less soot on the case and a tighter group. Recoil was similar to a low end .44 magnum load and was quite manageable. It is a shoot all day load in LARGE FRAME RUGERS ONLY. I did not chronograph it but it felt like it would do for a deer load


Moved the rear sight up a few clicks and tried 8.5 of Unique. I have 5 or 6 pounds of Unique around so what the heck. It was sooty, smokey, and sooted the cases. I can live with that.

Both loads shot close to same point of impact. Interesting. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210813/5047a74d4b5f6b044482ae03733d43ec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210813/38264578e320a467eb5d217261036537.jpg

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[cwtebay]

Nicely done!! Thank you for sharing!!

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[Walks]

I would guess you're using a 240-260gr SWC, sized .454-.455 ?

[Thumbcocker]

I would guess you're using a 240-260gr SWC, sized .454-.455 ?255 grain Keith from Mia mold sized .452 lubed with Ben's red.

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[Froogal]

I use 8.5 grains of Unique under a 200 grain bullet sized to .452. Gun is a Uberti with 7 1/2" barrel. Recoil is very mild and accuracy is good enough for me. If I miss, it is probably MY fault.

[richhodg66]

The .45 Colt is my favorite handgun cartridge to play with. That 8.5 grains of Unique should do anything you need from a pistol. I usually go lighter than that, not because of the gun, just don't like the recoil much anymore.

[hc18flyer]

Two years ago I settled on that same 17.5 grain load of 2400 and the 45-270 SAA ( with a pb aluminum check)bullet for my Ruger Blackhawk for deer hunting. Accurate, plenty of muscle, and still shot comfortably. I have a new 280 grain rnfp gc mold, but haven't got to any serious testing yet. hc18flyer