Any 250 to 260 grain load data will be more than sufficient. As always start low and work up
Look at https://www.shootersreference.com/re...gdata/45-colt/
for either 250/255 LSWC or LRNFP
Ball park at those pressures/OALs will be fine.
Thanks, I didnt know about shooters reference site.
The 45LC is the easiest round to load for! Very forgiving due to huge space in the case. It was designed for black powder and with the fast powders today, there is lots of room.
Just about any powder will work. If it burns it will work in a 45! Tons of load data on line & in the many books.
banger![]()
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition is a good reference to keep on your bench ... Cast Boolit data should be used to load conventional lubricated cast boolits , plated bullets and coated cast boolits ... it's like having data for three different types projectiles ... in one Book !
Don't get confused by the name ... 45 Colt is proper but many insistn ocalling it 45 LC but the Long Colt name isn't correct ... Call it 45 Colt.
Gary
Certified Cajun
Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
" Let's Go Brandon !"
Yep, they are even easier with BP or Trailboss, No measuring required, which is what I load for my Ruger SS old army with a Conversion cylinder. These will be for my Ruger Birdshead SS Vaquero and Taurus SS Thunderbolt.
Amen Gary. Also, I dare say if you don’t own any load books then you shouldn’t be loading
My load for the Lee 255gr RNFP bullet: 10.5gr of Vihtavuori 3N37 for 870fps out of a 4-3/4" barrel.
Gil.
These will be for my Ruger Birdshead SS Vaquero and Taurus SS Thunderbolt.
Or you have many like I do, but it's much easier online, as I like to print load data from the web and save all my various load data with an Excel file.
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Pay attention to the max FPS you send them downrange. 1250fps I think is the limit for most but in your 45lc using that weight I don't think that's your aim? As stated, use cast boolits data with plated pistol boolits
I Am Descended From Men Who Would Not Be Ruled
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That is a dangerous assumption, that his gun is an OLD Vaquero built on the Blackhawk frame. Today, Ruger removed the "New" in front of "New Vaquero," so now all recently built Vaqueros are called just that. Especially a stainless Vaquero, which has to be a "recent" of "New" Vaquero, meaning a mid-frame gun that can't take Ruger-only loads.
So, NO, maximum fps is PROBABLY NOT 1250fps, more like 900fps, maybe 1000 at most.
Gil.
1250 fps is usually the limit on plated handgun bullets regardless of the firearm. In fact, I have a box of Berries I think that says 1250fps right on it. Unless specifically listed plated will begin to shed the copper at that point. It is not a dangerous assumption. I'm assuming the poster knows his firearm and can read manual
I Am Descended From Men Who Would Not Be Ruled
Fiat Justitia, Ruat Caelum
Vox Populi, Vox Dei
I understand what you're trying to say, but it is dangerous if the gun can't take the pressure needed to launch the bullet at 1250fps, and his gun is likely not rated for it. The Ruger Vaquero as it is called today can't launch a 255gr bullet at that speed without exceeding maximum .45 Colt pressure. I don't think it would exceed proof cartridges pressure, but do that once too many times, and boom!
Gil.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |