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February 7, 2013, 07:37 PM | #1 |
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Powder Choice for loading .45 Colt
I want to load some .45 Colt this weekend using a 200 gr Cast RNFP bullet and a Hornady 230 gr FMJ-RN Encapsulated. What powder does everyone recommend? The only powder I currently have is Clays. I will be loading them on a Dillon SDB press.
Last edited by FloridaGuy; February 7, 2013 at 07:49 PM. |
February 7, 2013, 08:34 PM | #2 |
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In these days of shortages.....
If you can't be with the powder you love; love the powder you're with. I've used a lot of powders in 45 Colt. There are a lot of good ones, several great ones, and others not so good. I've never used Clays but according to some here, it's a good one. Nowadays with the current run on components it's good to know what will work well as a substitute for your favorite powder when it's out of stock. My favorite powder for a certain performance level is Hodgdon HS-7; a powder that has been discontinued. My other favorites are Titegroup; Unique; and AA-9. Those four powder cover the spectrum of performance levels I want out of the 45 Colt. Here's a partial list of other powders that have worked well for me: Red Dot; W-231/HP-38; Green Dot; AA-5; IMR-4227. An interesting powder that every owner of a 45 Colt should try at least once in their life is the original black-powder. I used as much fffG black-powder as I could pack under a 255 grain cast lead bullet and it was impressive. It's not a light target load by any means. It's the load that built the 45 Colt's reputation as a powerful weapon.
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February 7, 2013, 08:51 PM | #3 |
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For general shooting it is hard to beat W231/HP-38. It meters beautifully, shoots accurately and is clean burning. However, if you can find load data for the Clays you have, it should work just fine.
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February 7, 2013, 08:54 PM | #4 |
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Unique works well...but I mostly us 231.
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February 7, 2013, 10:04 PM | #5 |
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For 250 grain and under I have had good results with Unique, Trail Boss and Universal. All were a little dirty though.
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February 7, 2013, 10:08 PM | #6 |
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Trail Boss and HP38/Win 231 is what I use
Ike |
February 7, 2013, 10:23 PM | #7 |
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I like Promo (bargain basement Red Dot.) Clays is pretty close; you should try that since you have it already.
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February 7, 2013, 10:43 PM | #8 |
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I too enjoy using fffg black powder in 45 colt. Man,,,what a boom.
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February 7, 2013, 11:58 PM | #9 | |
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Black-powder in 45 Colt
Quote:
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February 8, 2013, 09:20 AM | #10 |
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I use Trailboss for target shooting and Unique for hunting/defensive loads. The bullets I load for target are either 200 grain or 250 grain RNFP lead. For hunting/defensive I use 250 grain Speer Deep-Curl HP
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February 8, 2013, 10:39 PM | #11 |
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I have used Unique, W231 and Green Dot with equal success.
That is for 200 gr lead SWCs up to 255-265 Keith style lead. |
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