Reloading 45 Colt

pinestraw · November 2, 2005, 08:00 AM

Purchased Ruger Vacquero in 45 colt yesterday. Many choices of bullets
available for reloading. Anyone have a favorite bullet and reloading receipe?
Can buy other powder, but have lots of Win 231, IMR 700X on hand.

Quantrill · November 2, 2005, 10:03 AM

For moderate loads (such as CAS), I use 5.5gr of 700X with any cast bullet from 200 to 240gr with good results. Quantrill

grizz007 · November 2, 2005, 07:47 PM

I really enjoy this round an for hunting in my state where animals are big and burly, I favor some stout rounds. I shoot a Ruger Bisley .45COLT and put in a Belt Mtn. Basepin for added reliability. But for your handgun I believe shooting mild to moderate loads would work fine say up to 1200fps avg. You should consider acquiring a couple of reloading manuals to assist you in your load development first off and get yourself a chronograph-good cheap ones run about 100 bucks. you could buy some Precision bullets for that in a 230grain with 6.6gr of Winch. 231 that will give you about 785fps with FED 150 primers. I do not know what you plan to shoot but that would suffice for you for starters till you develop some skill. Can be a expensive hobby-enjoy.

HSMITH · November 2, 2005, 10:17 PM

I never found a powder that was more accurate or that leaded barrels less than Unique.

grizz007 · November 3, 2005, 01:48 AM

unique is a good powder an I use it often for loads around 1000fps with bullet weights around 250 -280grn but I never knew it to lead

For my improved rounds in regards to hunting H110 is superior especially with bullets that are 335 or 345 grn in weight and flying 1200fps plus. cheers.

Rico567 · November 3, 2005, 03:23 PM

I use a direct substitution of 8.0 gr. of Hodgdon Universal for the classic same weight of Unique. This was supposed to duplicate the old 40 gr. of black powder in the old balloon-head cases. I find these loads quite clean and accurate.

WESHOOT2 · November 4, 2005, 06:32 AM

Go to the "Cowboy data" section of any of your manuals; there you will find least-expensive fun.

Me? I prefer 6.0--7.0g Universal Clays and a cast 255g LSWC.

maxwayne · November 5, 2005, 08:51 PM

Unique, 231 and 700-X are all good for the Colt. 8.0 of Unique is a good place to start.

November 2, 2005, 08:00 AM	#1
pinestraw Member Join Date: October 24, 2005 Posts: 57	Reloading 45 Colt Purchased Ruger Vacquero in 45 colt yesterday. Many choices of bullets available for reloading. Anyone have a favorite bullet and reloading receipe? Can buy other powder, but have lots of Win 231, IMR 700X on hand.

November 2, 2005, 07:47 PM	#3
grizz007 Member Join Date: April 22, 2005 Posts: 53	.45 colt loads I really enjoy this round an for hunting in my state where animals are big and burly, I favor some stout rounds. I shoot a Ruger Bisley .45COLT and put in a Belt Mtn. Basepin for added reliability. But for your handgun I believe shooting mild to moderate loads would work fine say up to 1200fps avg. You should consider acquiring a couple of reloading manuals to assist you in your load development first off and get yourself a chronograph-good cheap ones run about 100 bucks. you could buy some Precision bullets for that in a 230grain with 6.6gr of Winch. 231 that will give you about 785fps with FED 150 primers. I do not know what you plan to shoot but that would suffice for you for starters till you develop some skill. Can be a expensive hobby-enjoy.

November 3, 2005, 03:23 PM	#6
Rico567 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Posts: 162	I use a direct substitution of 8.0 gr. of Hodgdon Universal for the classic same weight of Unique. This was supposed to duplicate the old 40 gr. of black powder in the old balloon-head cases. I find these loads quite clean and accurate. __________________ "Dear reader, suppose you are a member of Congress. Now, further suppose you are an idiot. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

November 4, 2005, 06:32 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	for easy-shootin' 45 Colt Go to the "Cowboy data" section of any of your manuals; there you will find least-expensive fun. Me? I prefer 6.0--7.0g Universal Clays and a cast 255g LSWC. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 2, 2005, 10:03 AM	#2
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	For moderate loads (such as CAS), I use 5.5gr of 700X with any cast bullet from 200 to 240gr with good results. Quantrill

November 2, 2005, 10:17 PM	#4
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I never found a powder that was more accurate or that leaded barrels less than Unique.

November 3, 2005, 01:48 AM	#5
grizz007 Member Join Date: April 22, 2005 Posts: 53	unique is a good powder an I use it often for loads around 1000fps with bullet weights around 250 -280grn but I never knew it to lead For my improved rounds in regards to hunting H110 is superior especially with bullets that are 335 or 345 grn in weight and flying 1200fps plus. cheers.

November 5, 2005, 08:51 PM	#8
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	Unique, 231 and 700-X are all good for the Colt. 8.0 of Unique is a good place to start.