Light .45 colt loads?

Ammo Junky · April 20, 2006, 08:21 PM

I am looking for the lowest recoiling 45 colt load with a jacketed bullet ( the lighter the better) and a mv of 800fps or higher. Most of the bullets I found are all 250gr. I tend to use a lot of HP38 / W231, but I do have a little tight group.
Thanks

Johnny Guest · April 20, 2006, 09:30 PM

Any 230 gr jacketed bullet made for the .45 ACP, with 7.5 gr. of 231 will give you about 800 fps from a 5.5 to 6" barrel.

The Speer 260 gr JHP with 7.2 gr. of 231 should run about 725 fps.

Do you want to use jacketed bullets to avoid leading? If you'll consider lead bullets, the 200 gr. SWC with 7.3 gr. of 231 runs about 850 and is quite mild to shoot.

I've been shooting 230 lead round nose ACP bullets over 8.0 gr. of 231 in my S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt for IDPA style matches. I get around 840 fps in my 4" barrel - - probably similar to the old .45 S&W Scofield load.

What kind of revolver are you shooting? What barrel length?

Best
Johnny

**Unclenick** · April 20, 2006, 09:46 PM

I've never tried it in .45 Colt, but if your primary objective is least recoil at a fixed velocity of 800 fps or so, then you want to start with the lightest bullet and fastest powder for that big case. The most common light jacketed bullet will probably be 185 grain SWC target bullets for the .45 ACP. Tightwad would be the fastest powder you listed. I don't know your barrel length, but try about 5.0 grains to start. If you have a chronometer you can adjust it.

Nick

JoeHatley · April 21, 2006, 10:22 AM

I use 200 grain SWC bullets that are normally used in .45 acp. 7.2 grains Bullseye does right at 900 fps from my 6" 25-5.

Soft shooting and accurate.

Good Luck...

Joe

Ammo Junky · April 21, 2006, 03:59 PM

It is a colt cowboy singel action with a 5.5" bbl or close to it. It was defective and I am waiting to get it back from the factory. I have no idea how long that will be. I am itching to try the gun with a bbl that doesn't wiggle in the frame.

Kelly J · April 30, 2006, 11:07 AM

I have been shooting a load that works really well in my 625 Mountain gun and my Vaquero.

5.1gr Clays Powder
Winchester LP Primer
Range Brass
250GR Hard Cast LRNFP & 250GR HDY HP/XTP
COL 1.600
817 Published Velocity

My 625 is shooting 2inch. groups at 25 Yds. open sights
Not to bad for a 64 Year Old Blind Man.(Joking)

**Unclenick** · April 30, 2006, 12:12 PM

AJ,

In the old days the cowboys used to use the barrels of their Colts to hammer staples loose on wire fences so they could go through. A lot of the barrels are loose and battered from that. I think Colt was just trying for authenticity.

Nick

April 20, 2006, 08:21 PM	#1
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	Light .45 colt loads? I am looking for the lowest recoiling 45 colt load with a jacketed bullet ( the lighter the better) and a mv of 800fps or higher. Most of the bullets I found are all 250gr. I tend to use a lot of HP38 / W231, but I do have a little tight group. Thanks

April 20, 2006, 09:30 PM	#2
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Here's a couple - - Any 230 gr jacketed bullet made for the .45 ACP, with 7.5 gr. of 231 will give you about 800 fps from a 5.5 to 6" barrel. The Speer 260 gr JHP with 7.2 gr. of 231 should run about 725 fps. Do you want to use jacketed bullets to avoid leading? If you'll consider lead bullets, the 200 gr. SWC with 7.3 gr. of 231 runs about 850 and is quite mild to shoot. I've been shooting 230 lead round nose ACP bullets over 8.0 gr. of 231 in my S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt for IDPA style matches. I get around 840 fps in my 4" barrel - - probably similar to the old .45 S&W Scofield load. What kind of revolver are you shooting? What barrel length? Best Johnny

April 20, 2006, 09:46 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I've never tried it in .45 Colt, but if your primary objective is least recoil at a fixed velocity of 800 fps or so, then you want to start with the lightest bullet and fastest powder for that big case. The most common light jacketed bullet will probably be 185 grain SWC target bullets for the .45 ACP. Tightwad would be the fastest powder you listed. I don't know your barrel length, but try about 5.0 grains to start. If you have a chronometer you can adjust it. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 21, 2006, 10:22 AM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	I use 200 grain SWC bullets that are normally used in .45 acp. 7.2 grains Bullseye does right at 900 fps from my 6" 25-5. Soft shooting and accurate. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

April 30, 2006, 11:07 AM	#6
Kelly J Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2006 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 383	Ammo Junky I have been shooting a load that works really well in my 625 Mountain gun and my Vaquero. 5.1gr Clays Powder Winchester LP Primer Range Brass 250GR Hard Cast LRNFP & 250GR HDY HP/XTP COL 1.600 817 Published Velocity My 625 is shooting 2inch. groups at 25 Yds. open sights Not to bad for a 64 Year Old Blind Man.(Joking)

April 21, 2006, 03:59 PM	#5
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	It is a colt cowboy singel action with a 5.5" bbl or close to it. It was defective and I am waiting to get it back from the factory. I have no idea how long that will be. I am itching to try the gun with a bbl that doesn't wiggle in the frame.

April 30, 2006, 12:12 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	AJ, In the old days the cowboys used to use the barrels of their Colts to hammer staples loose on wire fences so they could go through. A lot of the barrels are loose and battered from that. I think Colt was just trying for authenticity. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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