Fellow Loaders....Opinions Please

LAH · August 9, 2005, 01:19 PM

Preparing to move from Dry Creek has lots of things going through my head. For one there will be a period in which loading ammo won't happen and a longer period when casting won't either.

Be all that as it may. I've decided to narrow my shooting irons and the loads I use. The ones who know me will say "this isn't a big job 'cause Creeker don't got many guns and he shoots the same ole garbage all the time anywho."

While this is true I'm going to narrow even more if possible. For now let's just talk sixguns. I'll be shooting a 1973 Ruger Single Six. This is the one that's never shot a 25 yard group smaller than 2½". Well I finally had it re-barreled with a 10/22 barrel. Now it's way better than Creeker so this will be my 22LR.

I'll use two center fires, the 38 Special and 45 Colt. I have a
K-38, 1951 vintage and two Ruger NMBH in 45 Colt. A 7 ½" from 1974 and a Liberty Model 4 5/8". The longer will see most all the shooting.

I'm casting a supply of two bullets. The Saeco #928 which we sold under the name DC 38-147-RN. I like this bullet because it is deadly accurate and works great with speed loaders. I'm hoping the County Law Enforcement circle will take me in and most this shooting will be double action, require speed, accuracy, and reloads. If I need WC bullets I'll buy them though I have an excellent button nose mould.

The 45 will get the Ballisti-Cast #1101, our DC 45-255-K. I have two of these 4 cavity moulds and it won't take long to cast several thousand of these. All bullets will be cast from straight WW's and lubed with LBT Blue.

I'll use Bullseye powder and one other. The other powder needs to move the 45-255 at 1100-1200 fps. and work in two rifles, a 30-30 with a 190 grain cast for at least 1600 fps and a 45-70 with a 420 grain cast at 1200-1300 fps. Suggestions???????? I'm thinking 2400 or AA 5744?????? Load suggestions??????? Am I dreaming????????

**Mike Irwin** · August 9, 2005, 06:49 PM

You're dreaming.

As far as I know, there is no single powder that will suitably cover the applications you've stated.

LAH · August 10, 2005, 06:20 AM

I'm using the 5744 in my 45-70 now. I was hoping to get a hunting load for the 45 Colt/Ruger and maybe a 1600 fps load for the 30-30/190-FN. Maybe I'll have to keep more than two powders out of storeage.

Jim Watson · August 10, 2005, 07:47 AM

For some reason the current AA free booklet does not show 5744 in .45 Colt. I have a 1999 edition from when it was just back on the market that does.
.45 LC w. 255 gr Lyman SWC + 17.8 gr 5744 = 860 fps MAXIMUM
.45 LC w. 250 gr Hornady XTP + 18 gr 5744 = 929 fps MAXIMUM
Is that enough?

.30-30 and .45-70 data are in current literature and probably on www.

LAH · August 10, 2005, 07:57 AM

Thanks Jim, I'll check it out.

August 9, 2005, 01:19 PM	#1
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	Fellow Loaders....Opinions Please Preparing to move from Dry Creek has lots of things going through my head. For one there will be a period in which loading ammo won't happen and a longer period when casting won't either. Be all that as it may. I've decided to narrow my shooting irons and the loads I use. The ones who know me will say "this isn't a big job 'cause Creeker don't got many guns and he shoots the same ole garbage all the time anywho." While this is true I'm going to narrow even more if possible. For now let's just talk sixguns. I'll be shooting a 1973 Ruger Single Six. This is the one that's never shot a 25 yard group smaller than 2½". Well I finally had it re-barreled with a 10/22 barrel. Now it's way better than Creeker so this will be my 22LR. I'll use two center fires, the 38 Special and 45 Colt. I have a K-38, 1951 vintage and two Ruger NMBH in 45 Colt. A 7 ½" from 1974 and a Liberty Model 4 5/8". The longer will see most all the shooting. I'm casting a supply of two bullets. The Saeco #928 which we sold under the name DC 38-147-RN. I like this bullet because it is deadly accurate and works great with speed loaders. I'm hoping the County Law Enforcement circle will take me in and most this shooting will be double action, require speed, accuracy, and reloads. If I need WC bullets I'll buy them though I have an excellent button nose mould. The 45 will get the Ballisti-Cast #1101, our DC 45-255-K. I have two of these 4 cavity moulds and it won't take long to cast several thousand of these. All bullets will be cast from straight WW's and lubed with LBT Blue. I'll use Bullseye powder and one other. The other powder needs to move the 45-255 at 1100-1200 fps. and work in two rifles, a 30-30 with a 190 grain cast for at least 1600 fps and a 45-70 with a 420 grain cast at 1200-1300 fps. Suggestions???????? I'm thinking 2400 or AA 5744?????? Load suggestions??????? Am I dreaming????????

August 9, 2005, 06:49 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	You're dreaming. As far as I know, there is no single powder that will suitably cover the applications you've stated.

August 10, 2005, 06:20 AM	#3
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	I'm using the 5744 in my 45-70 now. I was hoping to get a hunting load for the 45 Colt/Ruger and maybe a 1600 fps load for the 30-30/190-FN. Maybe I'll have to keep more than two powders out of storeage.

August 10, 2005, 07:47 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	For some reason the current AA free booklet does not show 5744 in .45 Colt. I have a 1999 edition from when it was just back on the market that does. .45 LC w. 255 gr Lyman SWC + 17.8 gr 5744 = 860 fps MAXIMUM .45 LC w. 250 gr Hornady XTP + 18 gr 5744 = 929 fps MAXIMUM Is that enough? .30-30 and .45-70 data are in current literature and probably on www.

August 10, 2005, 07:57 AM	#5
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	Thanks Jim, I'll check it out.