Colt SAA .45 colt load recommendations

[IH460]

Regarding Load for Universal, I'm seeing above in the manual at 7.8 Max, and came across this article by Brian Pearce https://www.handloadermagazine.com/the-colt-saa reccomending the following:

When I want a load that delivers a bit more shock to game, the old Keith bullet, Lyman mould 454424, at 255 grains is employed. It can be used with the above powder charges, but if more velocity is desired, 9.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal Clays will achieve around 950 fps from most revolvers and is a respectable hunting load.


This article is written specifically with the Colt SAA in mind. Has anybody had experience at 7.8+ , up to 9g Universal as recommended in this article of Handloader?

[Toolmaker TN]

I've had very good luck with Universal in 45 Colt. My loads are for a 270gr RCBS SAA mold, in a Ruger Bisley. Burns very, very clean.

I've had good luck in most revolver cartridges with Universal. It's also my go-to powder for 2-1/2" 16ga loads.

That would be a shame if it was discontinued. I've got somewhere around 15 pounds of it, so I should be good for a long time. Still a shame, as it's a great powder.

[shooter bob]

There is more than 1 universal in the line up. Be sure to use the correct load data!

[shooter bob]

I was thinking of clays sorry. Bob

[IH460]

I was thinking of clays sorry. Bob

No worries, they didn’t exactly avoid confusion with the names when it was still labeled Universal Clays

[Barry54]

Regarding Load for Universal, I'm seeing above in the manual at 7.8 Max, and came across this article by Brian Pearce https://www.handloadermagazine.com/the-colt-saa reccomending the following:

When I want a load that delivers a bit more shock to game, the old Keith bullet, Lyman mould 454424, at 255 grains is employed. It can be used with the above powder charges, but if more velocity is desired, 9.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal Clays will achieve around 950 fps from most revolvers and is a respectable hunting load.


This article is written specifically with the Colt SAA in mind. Has anybody had experience at 7.8+ , up to 9g Universal as recommended in this article of Handloader?

I’m watching closely to see who, if anyone here tells you to go over max published loads in your 1873 frame.

There’s one active member here who has his own pressure testing equipment. He would know or be able to find out if any powder could exceed the black powder speeds and remain within safe pressure levels for your antique revolver.

If I had pressure testing equipment, I’d want to see how Vihtavuori 3N38, N105, N110, and N120 perform at standard pressure 45 Colt loads. From my understanding, the pressure is so low, it’s not far from where the transducer won’t read, the pressure is so low.

I think all the Vihtavuori powders are extruded. N110 works in the same applications as H110 but I think N110 loads can be reduced more. I also believe people have successfully tried N110 in lighter loads in larger cases in the same manner as 2400 is used.

I’d also like to see what Longshot does at standard pressure 45 Colt loads.

[Larry Gibson]

Pressure testing 6 different powders with a range of "work up loads" using just one selected bullet is a lot of testing reliable data is to be had. Even if only one load is tested per powder it is still a minimum of 60 rounds to be tested. Not only is there the testing but you have to factor in the loading og all the different test loads/cartridges.

Not saying I can't do it but it will take time and money as I only have one of the mentioned powders. I've had some health problems recently that have curtailed my testing, but that situation is improving. I have several tests to complete [apologies for the delay] but am getting better.

[Barry54]

Pressure testing 6 different powders with a range of "work up loads" using just one selected bullet is a lot of testing reliable data is to be had. Even if only one load is tested per powder it is still a minimum of 60 rounds to be tested. Not only is there the testing but you have to factor in the loading og all the different test loads/cartridges.

Not saying I can't do it but it will take time and money as I only have one of the mentioned powders. I've had some health problems recently that have curtailed my testing, but that situation is improving. I have several tests to complete [apologies for the delay] but am getting better.

Precision Reloading has Vihtavuori 3N38, N110 and N120 in stock. They also have Hodgdon Longshot in stock.

I’d be willing to supply two or three pounds of powder if you are interested in testing for higher velocity 45 Colt loads at standard pressure.

Mr Gibson, of the five I’ve mentioned, which ones would you suspect would come closer to achieving the goal?

[quilbilly]

Since my back yard is bear country, I carry my 45 Blackhawk regularly when bear season opens here in a couple weeks. My load for either the Blackhawk or my Henry is the same with a 265 gr RF-pb, 8 gr of Red Dot. In the Henry the mv is 1075 fps measured but haven't checked the MV in the Blackhawk which should be about 920 fps.
A 255 gr + boolit going over 900 fps will certainly ruin a black bears day even if it is 400# (ours average about 250#).

[jonp]

I've not used that boolit in mine but have used Universal with a similar weight. You have access to a Chrono so I'd start the ladder at 5gr.
In that length barrel I've found Unique to shine but 45lc is not fussy. Do not neglect 2400 for rounds as you mentioned bear country.

[jonp]

I've had very good luck with Universal in 45 Colt. My loads are for a 270gr RCBS SAA mold, in a Ruger Bisley. Burns very, very clean.

I've had good luck in most revolver cartridges with Universal. It's also my go-to powder for 2-1/2" 16ga loads.

That would be a shame if it was discontinued. I've got somewhere around 15 pounds of it, so I should be good for a long time. Still a shame, as it's a great powder.

I've picked up a few pounds of Universal but never use it for some reason much like the 231 I have. Great results but just not my powder for some reason. I'm just stuck on Promo, Unique, 2400 and H110 for handgun

[ranchman]

Pressure testing 6 different powders with a range of "work up loads" using just one selected bullet is a lot of testing reliable data is to be had. Even if only one load is tested per powder it is still a minimum of 60 rounds to be tested. Not only is there the testing but you have to factor in the loading og all the different test loads/cartridges.

Not saying I can't do it but it will take time and money as I only have one of the mentioned powders. I've had some health problems recently that have curtailed my testing, but that situation is improving. I have several tests to complete [apologies for the delay] but am getting better.

Wish you well Larry, hope things level out soon to keep you goin strong a long time yet..!

And to Barry, N110 is definitely a comparable powder to 2400. Larry's run tests in 44special off my-own provided data with N110 which verifed its equal or better performance at markedly lower pressures than the same (historic) 2400 charges. Historically speaking in that regard, N110 today factually allows a shooter to exceed the 44special Keith performance that the caliber has long been famous for. I'd imagine 45colt numbers will cross in much the same manner. VvN110 is certainly a very much underrated powder that's long been flying under the radar.

As far as the original question to the thread, my own favourite load in a Colt SAA chambered in 45colt is one using 9.0gr Unique and a 250 cast round nose flat point. It's a mild load, someplace a little over 900fps through a Colt, and shoots near 1100fps through a Uberti/Winchester '73... I killed 2 black bears with it through the rifle, one shot a piece through their boiler rooms. It's a good safe load with enough juice to get the job done if it has to.. feeds easy being RNFP through a lever action to boot

[Outpost75]

FWIW my experience has been that best results are produced with the fastest powder which produces the desired velocity at the lowest charge weight. Factory lead .45 Colt loads were loaded with Bullseye powder for over 100 years and Bullseye is still hard to beat for ballistic uniformity and economy.

Factory loads are closely approximated with 6.5 grains of Bullseye and a soft lead 250-255 grain conical similar to #454190. This may be safely increased to 7 grains and remains within standard pressure, as measured by Larry. The charge may be increased to 7.5 grains in post-1920 Colt New Service, Italian clones and the Ruger New Model Vaquero. This slightly exceeds SAAMI MAP, but is safely within design limits for modern revolvers, as measured by Larry.

A low recoil starting load for cowboy action which should not be reduced is 5 grains of Bullseye with soft lead 230-255 grain bullets in .45 Colt brass.

In shorter Schofield brass ballistic uniformity remains good with a 230-grain flatnosed cowboy bullet similar to Saeco #954 and 4.5 grains of Bullseye, approximating service velocity of the 28-grain black powder load with modern smokeless powder.

[hc18flyer]

I worked up hunting loads for my .45 Colt Blackhawk using Accurate #9, Alliant 2400, Longshot, and the RCBS 270SAA boolet. I found that I was happiest with the 2400. Accurate #9 had a sharper recoil impulse and I didn't like the velocity variances I had with Longshot? NOTE- I was in the Tier 2 loads for my large frame Blackhawk. A 280 grain swc at 1100 fps was plenty for whitetail and me!
hc18flyer

[versa-06]

Larry Gibson; Sorry to hear things aren't well but getting better. Prayers sent for you. versa-06

[versa-06]

P.S Glad things are getting better Larry G.

[hc18flyer]

Larry- Happy to hear you are on the mend! Always appreciate your experiences and testing. Thank you, hc18flyer

[IH460]

I’m watching closely to see who, if anyone here tells you to go over max published loads in your 1873 frame.

There’s one active member here who has his own pressure testing equipment. He would know or be able to find out if any powder could exceed the black powder speeds and remain within safe pressure levels for your antique revolver.

If I had pressure testing equipment, I’d want to see how Vihtavuori 3N38, N105, N110, and N120 perform at standard pressure 45 Colt loads. From my understanding, the pressure is so low, it’s not far from where the transducer won’t read, the pressure is so low.

I think all the Vihtavuori powders are extruded. N110 works in the same applications as H110 but I think N110 loads can be reduced more. I also believe people have successfully tried N110 in lighter loads in larger cases in the same manner as 2400 is used.

I’d also like to see what Longshot does at standard pressure 45 Colt loads.

Honestly I was surprised to have seen the load published in Handloader and can only suspect it must have been tested to have been published. For clarity, my Colt is a 3rd gen gun not an 1873 year Gen 1.

[IH460]

Gleaning from all above, I’ll be keeping 2400 in mind if I see any deals pop up, seems to be a crowd favorite.

[Eddie Southgate]

10 grains of Unique with the 454424 .