I like stay within handbook recommendations
-the ones designated for Ruger /TC. My standard goofing around load is 250 gr with 8.5 Unique and I will go as high as 10 grains- a charge that used to be considered the ideal hunting load in Colt SA's. (Just history-not a recommendation as I consider this a bit much for the traditional SAs)
I use the hornady handbook maximum charge of 296 (Ruger only) for 300 grain xtps.
There seems to be a religious prohibition in the gun industry against optimizing the chamber /barrel throats for this cartridge. In my Ruger, I generally use .452 bullets for accuracy in the 1.5"/25 yards range. I did try some Hornady 250 grain swaged lead bullets over 8.5 unique and got the same 1.5" five shot average. My revolver has a 9.5" barrel and does 945 with the magma designed 250 grain cowboy bullets over 8.5 Unique.
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