.45 Colt Loads

Bob C · January 23, 2001, 07:35 PM

I just bought, but have not yet fired, a stainless 4 5/8" stainless Vaquero.

I am hoping to find/develop a load which is close to the sights, with a 255 grain bullet in the 1000-1200 fps.

Any comments or suggestions? I am using NBC plated 255's in a .45 Mountaiun Gun and in a SRH .454 now with good results.

JoeHatley · January 23, 2001, 09:55 PM

Bob,

Here are a few loads from The RCBS Cast Bullet Manual. None are max loads, but ALL are intended for Ruger's only. They are listed for a 255 grain SWC cast bullet, but I think that may be similar to your NBC. You'll have to decide.

Powder Charge FPS
296 18.0 1069 (mag primer)
H110 17.5 1123 (mag primer)
2400 15.9 1126 (mag primer)
HS6 12.0 1137 (mag primer)
Unique 9.1 1050
SR7625 8.2 966

I'm just guessing, but based on my short barrelled Rugers, you may have to back some of these loads off to get them to hit point of aim without messing with the front sight.
_____

The load I've found that hits very close to point of aim in both my short barreled Rugers is:

200 grain cast SWC, or Rainier plated
7.2 grains Bullseye
Federal 150 primer (std)

It's going to be about 900 fps in most short barrels, but I've never had to fiddle with the sights.
BTW: That load is a tack driver in my 25-5.

Good Luck...

Joe

RugerNo3 · January 24, 2001, 12:46 PM

The faster you shoot those bullets, the higher they are going to hit. Find the load you want and file the front sight down to get the sight picture you like. You might want to open the rear notch a little as well.

WESHOOT2 · January 24, 2001, 07:59 PM

Actually, the faster they go the lower they hit. Dwell time, you know.

Johnny Guest · January 24, 2001, 08:27 PM

Try 8.0 gr. Universal with the 255 SWC--Well over 800 in my 4" Mountain Gun. It is said to pretty well duplicate the old 40 gr. of black powder "civilian load" from the olden days. It hits pretty close to point of aim with most fixed sight revolvers.

Best,
Johnny
MOLON LABE!

RugerNo3 · January 26, 2001, 02:05 PM

Recoil and dwell time enter into the whole ball of wax. Maybe less noticeable in a 4 5/8 barrel. I guarantee a higher hit with a longer barrel. Espicially with the Vaquero grip which rolls upward in the hand.

Bob C · January 27, 2001, 03:37 PM

In my experience, with the same weight bullet, slower powders give a lower POI than faster powders.

The amount of powder is less a factor as more powder give less dwell time, but more recoil, which offset each other.

Fired my Vaquero today, and got the best results for accuracy and for closeness to sights with HS-6 and a 255 SWC at about 950 fps. Universal Clays with a 25 SWC at about 825 were accurate but not as close to sights. 4227 was almost as good as the HS 6 at 900 fps, but my groups opened up when I went to 1000+ fps.

January 23, 2001, 09:55 PM	#2
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Bob, Here are a few loads from The RCBS Cast Bullet Manual. None are max loads, but ALL are intended for Ruger's only. They are listed for a 255 grain SWC cast bullet, but I think that may be similar to your NBC. You'll have to decide. Powder Charge FPS 296 18.0 1069 (mag primer) H110 17.5 1123 (mag primer) 2400 15.9 1126 (mag primer) HS6 12.0 1137 (mag primer) Unique 9.1 1050 SR7625 8.2 966 I'm just guessing, but based on my short barrelled Rugers, you may have to back some of these loads off to get them to hit point of aim without messing with the front sight. _____ The load I've found that hits very close to point of aim in both my short barreled Rugers is: 200 grain cast SWC, or Rainier plated 7.2 grains Bullseye Federal 150 primer (std) It's going to be about 900 fps in most short barrels, but I've never had to fiddle with the sights. BTW: That load is a tack driver in my 25-5. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

January 24, 2001, 07:59 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Actually, the faster they go the lower they hit. Dwell time, you know. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

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January 23, 2001, 07:35 PM	#1
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	I just bought, but have not yet fired, a stainless 4 5/8" stainless Vaquero. I am hoping to find/develop a load which is close to the sights, with a 255 grain bullet in the 1000-1200 fps. Any comments or suggestions? I am using NBC plated 255's in a .45 Mountaiun Gun and in a SRH .454 now with good results.

January 24, 2001, 12:46 PM	#3
RugerNo3 Member Join Date: December 19, 2000 Location: Salem, OH Posts: 97	The faster you shoot those bullets, the higher they are going to hit. Find the load you want and file the front sight down to get the sight picture you like. You might want to open the rear notch a little as well.

January 24, 2001, 08:27 PM	#5
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Try 8.0 gr. Universal with the 255 SWC--Well over 800 in my 4" Mountain Gun. It is said to pretty well duplicate the old 40 gr. of black powder "civilian load" from the olden days. It hits pretty close to point of aim with most fixed sight revolvers. Best, Johnny MOLON LABE!

January 26, 2001, 02:05 PM	#6
RugerNo3 Member Join Date: December 19, 2000 Location: Salem, OH Posts: 97	Recoil and dwell time enter into the whole ball of wax. Maybe less noticeable in a 4 5/8 barrel. I guarantee a higher hit with a longer barrel. Espicially with the Vaquero grip which rolls upward in the hand.

January 27, 2001, 03:37 PM	#7
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	In my experience, with the same weight bullet, slower powders give a lower POI than faster powders. The amount of powder is less a factor as more powder give less dwell time, but more recoil, which offset each other. Fired my Vaquero today, and got the best results for accuracy and for closeness to sights with HS-6 and a 255 SWC at about 950 fps. Universal Clays with a 25 SWC at about 825 were accurate but not as close to sights. 4227 was almost as good as the HS 6 at 900 fps, but my groups opened up when I went to 1000+ fps.