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March 8, 2012, 11:14 AM | #1 |
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Anyone ever use 165 gr LSWC in .45 Colt
I just picked up an un-opened box of Bear Creek Supply 165 gr LSWC at a yard sale. Has anyone ever used light (165gr.) lead bullets in their .45 Colt?
I have a T/C Contender and have only loaded the 250 gr lswc. I am not finding much data on light bullets for the .45 Colt. Any starting loads/powder suggestions?
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March 8, 2012, 12:04 PM | #2 |
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I use Trail Boss for the 200 grain LSWCs in .45 Colt.
7.0 grains of Trail Boss gives about 90% load density with the 200 LSWC and should be a good place to start for a 165. Lyman has data for a 175 LRN-FP and Hodgdon has data for 160s and 180s. What powders do you have? |
March 8, 2012, 12:32 PM | #3 |
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Those light SWC's are intended for high power factor loads in .45 Auto. Hard to use all the space in the Colt case up with them, but I'd agree that Trail Boss is a good starting point.
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March 8, 2012, 12:46 PM | #4 |
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Unclenick,
The box is stamped ".45 Colt, .454 dia". I was wondering why they would make such light bullets for the .45 colt, but it appears they do. I do have the Hodgdon and Lyman #49 manuals. I will explore the data for the 160's in hodgdon. Hammerhead, I have some Unique, some 231, and some SR4756. Any ideas?
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March 8, 2012, 01:07 PM | #5 |
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look here : http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm
You can substitute Unique for the Universal loads and will be fine. (6.5g to 9.5g) BTW, 200g is as low as I ever went and I prefer 250+ grain bullets for .45 Colt.
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March 8, 2012, 01:10 PM | #6 |
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Well if you don't want to try Trail Boss, I guess Unique would be my next choice.
Lyman lists a 175 grain LRN-FP @ 1.560" COL with 6.0 Unique as a starting load (595 fps) tested in a 7-1/2" Blackhawk. |
March 8, 2012, 01:40 PM | #7 |
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Thanks Hammer. I need to correct something in my OP. I said the bullets were LSWC, but in fact they are LRN. Still 165 gr. I can purchase some Trail Boss, sounds like the best bet. Thanks.
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March 9, 2012, 09:57 AM | #8 |
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If they are .454" LRN's then they are likely intended to be used as light CAS load bullets. A bullet that wide and light will scoot forward pretty easily under pressure, so you might actually do best with your quickest powder, the 231, to have something able to get pressure up quickly to bump the bullet up in the throat and be mostly burned before it clears the barrel/cylinder gap. I'd start at about 6 grains and figure to land on around 8 grains or so. Hodgdon's load data allows that powder to go up to 9 grains with a 160 grain cast bullet, and you could likely approach that, but the velocity will be getting to where you may be seeing leading issues before then. That depends on your bore dimensions, bore surface condition, chamber throat dimensions, etc.
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March 9, 2012, 10:48 AM | #9 |
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Thanks Unclenick, I had accually loaded a few with 6 gr. of 231 last night. Will try them out this weekend. I have a chrony so will let you know.. Thanks again.
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March 9, 2012, 10:59 AM | #10 |
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Hey, I just looked at the box stamp again! These are .452" bullets! Measured some, yep...165 gr 0.452". LRNFP.
No wonder I didn't peel any lead durring seating. Anyhow, I have 5 rounds made with 6.0 gr 231. I'm gonna shoot them over the chrony.
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March 9, 2012, 12:09 PM | #11 |
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Make sure you know where POA and POI are with that bullet. You're chrono will thank you later.
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March 9, 2012, 05:05 PM | #12 |
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They may not fit your chamber throats well, so accuracy and leading may be adversely affected by that. You'll just have to watch and see.
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March 9, 2012, 08:55 PM | #13 |
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Lightest bullets I use are 200 grain LRN hardcast over trailboss
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