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I got a lb of this from a friend of mine and would like to try it in my 45 Henry using 250 grain laser cast with no gas checks. There are no load data for it as I can see. Not sure how much the Henry can handle but would like to give it a try since I am about out of Unique. Any advise where to find some load data for the 250 grain?
Aliant lists this load:
45 Colt 250 gr Speer LSWC Winchester 1.6 5.5 CCI 300 2400 15.4 972
I've seen +P (ruger only) loads up to 21.5gr (John Taffin load). I'm not sure what that Henry is rated for either but this would be over 30K PSI where the above load from Aliant should be under 15K
Thanks. I'll probably try some but bought some HS-6 today which is first I've found.
My experience with Alliant #2400 in the .45 Colt is that it doesn't produce uniform velocities at standard pressure in the .45 Colt and there are lots better powders. At T/C Contender or "Ruger Only" loads it works well, but I don't know how well your Henry handles hot loads.
IIRC the Henry won't handle Ruger only, T/C Contender loads. I'd stick with the 45 cowboy loads.
http://stevespages.com/451_2_250.htmlQuote:
There are no load data for it as I can see.
I was thinking just the opposite. I'll be back.Quote:
Originally Posted by wizofwas
So far, I found that the Henry can handle the Buffalo Bore +P loads. I am almost positive I read where Henry said it could handle the hot loads. While they will not condone handloads they have said they will hold up. I researched this, as I have the 45c and 357 in steel. Not that I need to push the limits. 10 Gr. of Unique and a 255 cast with a firm crimp cuts holes for me. Very pleasant to shoot also.Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFlatline
Is this a Henry big boy, or the much older version?
10.0 grains of Unique in the Ruger Blackhawk gives a good approximation of the 1873 black-powder ballistics with either Lyman #454190 or #454424 (255 grain bullets). These clock at about 1000-1025 FPS from my Ruger's 7.5" barrel. My Henry Big Boy is a steel-frame in 357 Magnum, and has had no issues with 158 grain bullets that clock @ 1350 FPS from a 4" S&W Model 686. I haven't clocked the 357 loads from the rifle yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFlatline
It's a newer Big Boy Classic with hardened brass frame. All Henry will tell me is that it will handle Buffalo bore ammo rated +p 260 grain and under. Model Hoo6c
I'm not a fan of single-action revolvers and haven't owned one in a long time, but I tried #2400 in the late '70s in a Ruger Blackhawk using either the Lyman #452424 or #454424 bullet. Results were not impressive and I went back to Unique, even if doesn't go through a measure well. I've since found HS-6 works at east at least as well as Unique with regard to accuracy and velocity.
I don't recall ever trying #2400 in my S&W 25-5 guns in .45 Colt.
I bought some hs6 yesterday.
Granted, it's for a heavier bullet, but have you seen Brian Pearce's article on loading the 45-270-saa?
https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazi...246partial.pdf
There is even HS-6 data.
I have a Blackhawk 7 1/2 and a Rossi 92 in 45 Colt. Both are loaded with stout charges of 2400 and the RCBS 255 SWC loaded as cast (about equal to WW + tin). There is a 1 grain difference in loads between the Ruger and Rossi. 2400 likes elevated pressures to burn completely and produce good accuracy. Both loads are in the "Ruger and TC Only" range. But, cases freely drop out of the Ruger and the Rossi shows a little smoking of the case mouths.
Bill
A lot of the data is for pistols, rifles can use a slower powder like 2400 to give higher performance.
Being wendyj is using a plain base lead bullet there is a limit to how much you can increase performance over what efficient pistol powders can give before leading becomes a problem.
The Henry is a strong rifle and don't think your going to have to worry about any " book " load for a 250 gr. cast plain based bullet. Without shooting handloads with different powders in the rifle you will never know what it likes for accuracy. And we all know that only accurate guns are interesting..
Jedman
The Henry will take the loads from what I understand but will become loose and break mim parts with a steady diet. So I wouldn't load them up like that for range shooting. Best to get a 92 or 94
I'm going to be honest about 2400, I've never used it before. For full power magnum loads (ruger only +P 45 Colt loads included) I've always used W296/H110 but I won a case of 2400 at an auction recently and I've been wanting to use it. I had purchased a 1lb container of it a number of years ago but have never gotten around to using it. I like the fact that it down loads where W296/H110 does not.
Jedman is correct on the leading. The Rimrock bullets are the most accurate so far with 9.5 grains of Unique but I've spent a few hours yesterday smelling Butchs bore shine all day and a brush with chore boy copper wrapped around it getting lead out. I was looking at another forum and someone stated 9.5 grains of Unique was in 60-7000k pressure limits. That doesn't seem right to me. I'm thinking 14-15k. Advise if I am wrong. Alliant shows max 9.5 gr using lswc and I've ran most at 8.5 which is a colt only load.
I have the same Ruger BH and RCBS 255 SWC and am working up a whitetail load. How many grains of Alliant 2400 are you loading for the BH? I am working with a slightly softer alloy and aluminum plainbased checks. Thanks, hc18flyerQuote:
Originally Posted by barkerwc4362
I started at 17 grains and went up to 18.0 grains and 18.0 grains shoots good! Better at 18.0gr than 17.0 or 17.5. I've always had good luck with 2400 in 44 mag so I want to be able to use it in 45 Colt too. So far so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by hc18flyer
Ed, you replied to a really old thread! I shot 18 grains of Alliant 2400 with the RCBS 270 SAA and settled back to 17.5 grains for my hunting load, which is plenty for me. I tried some Accurate #9, thought it had a sharper recoil impulse than 2400? hc18flyer
It is an old thread, huh?! I didn't notice lol. I've never used Accurate #9 but I have noticed that 2400 has a very managable recoil impulse with it. I like it. I've been loading 2400 in 44 mag since back in Elmer Ketith days when he was writing. I worked it all the way up to 22.0 grains in my Ruger with Keith boolits and...like you, I thought it was too much so I wound up settling on 18.0 grains in 44 mag and that gives me 1287 fps in my 7.5" barrel. That's enough for almost anything!
That's why it seemed like a good idea for that 45 Colt too. I havent chroney'd the 18.0 gr in 45 colt yet, or 17.5 actually. I will this summer.
I remember attempting to work up some loads for my Colt New Service using 2400 pushing a Lyman 454424. Not very accurate until it got up to more pressure than I wanted to subject the New Service to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward429451
If you have a strong Ruger, then you will likely start finding accuracy once you get up a bit over 16 grains of 2400. Probably not a good choice for guns needing lesser pressures as the powder just will not produce consistent velocities until it has reached the higher pressures.
These are Ruger loads.
Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel
Noe 454 260rf starline brass cci 300 primer
20.5gr 2400
1192avg 26 sd 62 es
Now from 20" barrel rossi 92
1583 avg 15 sd 42 es
22gr 2400
1703 avg 8 sd 23 es.
Ahh, these were fired the same day, same bullet. According to hodgdon 26, around the same pressure.
45 colt starline brass 300 cci primers
Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel
15gr HS-6 1202 avg 13 SD 39 es
13.5gr 800-x 1201 avg 15 SD 43 es
20.5gr 2400 1192 avg 26 SD 62 es
Interesting.
Rifle went
15gr hs6 1536 avg 10 SD 33 es
13.5gr 800x 1545 avg 10 SD 26 es
15.5gr aa5 1555 avg 12 SD 27 es
20.5gr 2400 1583 avg 15 SD 62 es
Quote:
Originally Posted by HamGunner
That does seem to be what is happening for me. I'm up to 18 and need to go test those.