Seeking load data - 45 Colt

[Sagebrush Burns]

Got a new bullet mold lately and can't find any data for the bullet. It is an RCBS 270 SWC Keith style bullet. Using wheel weights and a bit of tin my bullets weigh 273/274 grains and I've got enough now to start load testing. My "go-to" powder for 45 Colt is Unique and I haven't found any data so far. Checked RCBS and Alliant web sites and no joy. I use 8.5 Unique with 250 grain Lyman SWC for 900 fps in my 5 1/2" Colt New Frontier, so I'm thinking I'll start at 7.0 and work up slowly and see what I get. But in the mean time, has anybody got experience with this bullet/powder combination? Thanks in advance for your help.

[outdoorfan]

www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf

[bigboredad]

with that boolit I've had good luck with 9 grains of unique and 22 grains of 296. the 296 is a great load not at all uncomfortable and zero leading in my gun

[Sagebrush Burns]

Got some loads put together and test fired them today. Loads were Winchester brass, Wolf LP primers and Unique. Used two revolvers for the testing, both with 5 1/2" barrels: Colt New Frontier and Ruger Bisley Blackhawk. 7.0 grains of powder gave a velocity averaging 740 fps and pretty wide extreme spreads; 7.5 grains averaged 800 fps and tighter spreads; 8.0 grains went 850 fps and very tight extreme spreads. Recoil was very controllable and accuracy was in line with how I was shooting today (I've done better, but I've also done worse). Looks like 8.0 may be the sweet spot for this combo. I'll have to load up some more and verify.

[stubshaft]

Good to see tht you have found loads in the neighborhood that you were looking for.

FWIW - I use 9.5 Unique and 21.0 296 behind the 300gr Lee (NMBH) so you are well under the pressure margin at least with the Ruger.

[maddog2020]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii21/b00mer_2008/cid_1_3778709826web110807_mail_gq1_.jpg