Cast 45 Colt hunting loads

TXGunNut · March 28, 2010, 02:25 AM

May be wrong area, maybe not. My backup while hog hunting is a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. It likes the Hornady 300gr jacketed bullets but I would like to load some heavy flat-point cast bullets for it. I think I'll be using smokeless powder. May play on the range a bit with BP but when I need it I don't want to shoot thru a cloud of smoke for a second shot.
And yes, big hogs do run both ways! Had two close calls last year and only strapped on the Ruger after the first one. Marlin Guide Gun served me well but would have preferred the Ruger over the .45ACP I was packing @ the time.

jmortimer · March 28, 2010, 12:33 PM

A LBT style hard cast bullet in your Blackhawk will shoot through most any creature at modest velocities 1,000 to 1,300 fps. The wide meplat will do the job. I know they are expensive but like anything else you get what you pay for but I would consider either Beartooth Bullets or Penn bullets.
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm
http://www.pennbullets.com/
The Penn Thunderhead looks like a winner and also they make a DEWC 225 grain that would work as well. Can't wait to do some testing with both. I like plain base bullets and most of the Beartooth bullets are gas checked but they do have a devestating 300 grain WFN LBT and a 255 grain WFN hard cast plain base. Since I use Unique powder and Lee powder dippers I use 9.2 grains of Unique for around 950 to 1,000 fps. That would be plenty but you can always load up a hotter round as hogs are nothing to mess around with. Remember with hard cast hunting bullets it is all about the meplat.

herb · March 28, 2010, 04:24 PM

Similar question?? Does anyone know who still makes a 220 gr .456 Conical bullet for ROA's. Buffalo did but has discontinued. Thanks

TXGunNut · March 28, 2010, 05:05 PM

Guess I should mention I'm actually looking for a bullet mold recommendation. I'm new to bulletcasting but my products are already better than anything I've found on a shelf or online. If it doesn't pass visual inspection and a weight check it goes back in the pot. Commercial loaders don't get to be so picky, I guess. I do like the 300 gr Bear Tooth bullet, even has wide grooves suitable for blackpowder lubes.

jmortimer · March 28, 2010, 08:13 PM

These are the best molds you can buy and are made by the man himself, Veral Smith, the inventor of Lead Bullets Technology.
http://lbtmoulds.com/

Hawg · March 28, 2010, 08:25 PM

I like Lee molds. They seldom need sizing and are sprueless. I use them with homemade lube for bp and smokeless and they work very well. Come with handles too. Midway has best prices.

TXGunNut · March 28, 2010, 11:47 PM

Been hearing about LBT. Cool site, will be back. Lee molds seem very popular as well. I have a couple of Lymans so far, very impressive machine work.

Sarge · March 29, 2010, 12:02 AM

Best single source of sane heavy 45 Colt loads, I have seen.

http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...g_the_myth.htm

TXGunNut · March 29, 2010, 12:43 AM

Thanks, Sarge! Haven't given Linebaugh's work a second thought in years. Forgot that so much of his early work was with Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. Wow!

robhof · March 29, 2010, 06:12 PM

I have a couple of LBT molds, none yet for my b/p, but in the near future. They're a dream to cast with and made to you specs. He sells a kit of pure lead slugs that you push through your barrel to get an exact size and either measure or send him the slug. His flat nose ROA mold casts great hunting slugs, a friend has one and I borrow it to cast a batch occasionally, they're as accurate as the balls in my ROA.

March 28, 2010, 02:25 AM	#1
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Cast 45 Colt hunting loads May be wrong area, maybe not. My backup while hog hunting is a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. It likes the Hornady 300gr jacketed bullets but I would like to load some heavy flat-point cast bullets for it. I think I'll be using smokeless powder. May play on the range a bit with BP but when I need it I don't want to shoot thru a cloud of smoke for a second shot. And yes, big hogs do run both ways! Had two close calls last year and only strapped on the Ruger after the first one. Marlin Guide Gun served me well but would have preferred the Ruger over the .45ACP I was packing @ the time. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

March 28, 2010, 05:05 PM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Guess I should mention I'm actually looking for a bullet mold recommendation. I'm new to bulletcasting but my products are already better than anything I've found on a shelf or online. If it doesn't pass visual inspection and a weight check it goes back in the pot. Commercial loaders don't get to be so picky, I guess. I do like the 300 gr Bear Tooth bullet, even has wide grooves suitable for blackpowder lubes. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

March 28, 2010, 11:47 PM	#7
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Been hearing about LBT. Cool site, will be back. Lee molds seem very popular as well. I have a couple of Lymans so far, very impressive machine work. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

March 29, 2010, 12:02 AM	#8
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Best single source of sane heavy 45 Colt loads, I have seen. http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...g_the_myth.htm __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

March 29, 2010, 12:43 AM	#9
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Thanks, Sarge! Haven't given Linebaugh's work a second thought in years. Forgot that so much of his early work was with Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. Wow! __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

March 28, 2010, 12:33 PM	#2
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	A LBT style hard cast bullet in your Blackhawk will shoot through most any creature at modest velocities 1,000 to 1,300 fps. The wide meplat will do the job. I know they are expensive but like anything else you get what you pay for but I would consider either Beartooth Bullets or Penn bullets. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm http://www.pennbullets.com/ The Penn Thunderhead looks like a winner and also they make a DEWC 225 grain that would work as well. Can't wait to do some testing with both. I like plain base bullets and most of the Beartooth bullets are gas checked but they do have a devestating 300 grain WFN LBT and a 255 grain WFN hard cast plain base. Since I use Unique powder and Lee powder dippers I use 9.2 grains of Unique for around 950 to 1,000 fps. That would be plenty but you can always load up a hotter round as hogs are nothing to mess around with. Remember with hard cast hunting bullets it is all about the meplat.

March 28, 2010, 04:24 PM	#3
herb Member Join Date: February 6, 2010 Posts: 56	Similar question?? Does anyone know who still makes a 220 gr .456 Conical bullet for ROA's. Buffalo did but has discontinued. Thanks

March 28, 2010, 08:13 PM	#5
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	These are the best molds you can buy and are made by the man himself, Veral Smith, the inventor of Lead Bullets Technology. http://lbtmoulds.com/

March 28, 2010, 08:25 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I like Lee molds. They seldom need sizing and are sprueless. I use them with homemade lube for bp and smokeless and they work very well. Come with handles too. Midway has best prices.

March 29, 2010, 06:12 PM	#10
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I have a couple of LBT molds, none yet for my b/p, but in the near future. They're a dream to cast with and made to you specs. He sells a kit of pure lead slugs that you push through your barrel to get an exact size and either measure or send him the slug. His flat nose ROA mold casts great hunting slugs, a friend has one and I borrow it to cast a batch occasionally, they're as accurate as the balls in my ROA.