load question 45 colt

medic0079 · December 3, 2008, 10:08 AM

so I just cast my own bullets, reloading for 45 long colt, but the problem is now I cannot find any info on how much powder im to use. the closest thing I could fing was for a 250 grain lead round nose bullet 8.0 grains of unique min - 8.0 grains unique max. which in and of itself does not make sense to me... anyway so the cast im using is for a 255 grain round nose bullet, unique, bullseye, or green dot powder (prefer unique as I have the most of it) was wondering if I can still use 8.0 grains. also why the same min and max.
thanks for any help

kraigwy · December 3, 2008, 10:27 AM

I just checked several reloading manuels, all seem to put 8 grns of unique in the mid range of the loading spector for 250 grn lead bullets.

I'd start there and adjust up or down tell you find what shoots best in your gun, being careful to watch for pressure signs.

medic0079 · December 3, 2008, 10:30 AM

this is for a 255 grain is 8 still ok to use? sorry to ask so many questions just dont want it to go boom, err well not too big of a boom anyway

Scorch · December 3, 2008, 01:20 PM

Lyman says:
255 gr cast lead, 1.575" OAL
Unique
Min 6.0 gr @ 590 fps
Max 8.5 gr @ 845 fps.

The minimum load is highlighted as the most accurate load tested.

Jim Watson · December 3, 2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

I can still use 8.0 grains. also why the same min and max.

You have a Lee book, right?
Lee does not test loads, they just print powder company data in their format. Instead of backing off 10% for a starting load like most sources (or even more like Lyman) they show whatever load a Lee Disk throws next lighter than OR THE SAME AS the maximum. They apparently figure that is safe because their Disks nearly always run lighter than the chart says.

Pathfinder45 · December 3, 2008, 04:36 PM

Unique remains the standard by which to judge all other powders in the .45 Colt. It's that good. I use several powders in the .45 and can't resist a great deal on powders' so I'm always trying something new. Never the less, Unique remains one of the best. You did not mention which firearm you are loading for. So I can't recommend warmer loads at this time. 8.0 grains is a fine load if your getting the accuracy you want. Tell us what gun you have and perhaps I can share some loads that work well for me.

gunokie · December 3, 2008, 05:07 PM

I've had real good luck with the new Trailboss "donut type" powder. You can check it out here:
http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html
I also like IMR2400
Good Luck
BT

Gun 4 Fun · December 3, 2008, 08:15 PM

1+for Pathfinder45- We need to know what gun you have. I use 8.5 gr. under all types of 250-255 gr bullets, with complete satisfaction in Blackhawks, Redhawks, and several S&W's. Same goes with 231 powder. Tell us the gun and we can better assist you.

Sport45 · December 3, 2008, 08:41 PM

What does your bullet weigh? Just because the mold says 255gr doesn't mean that's what they'll drop at. Use load data for the closest heavier cast bullet you can find.

The Lyman books seem to have the most data for cast bullets. At least in my library they do. I also like Unique in .45C and you can't hardly go wrong with 8.0gr under just about any bullet. (But find published data to verify.)

zxcvbob · December 3, 2008, 08:45 PM

Unique is perfect for .45 Colt. Red Dot is almost perfect (I shoot lots and lots of 'em using Promo powder, which is interchangable with Red Dot)

Here's an Alliant reloading book. You might want to print out pages 13 and 16–18:
http://www.thehighroad.us/attachment...3&d=1216513445

Pathfinder45 · December 3, 2008, 10:11 PM

fffg back powder,....Red Dot,....Titegroup,.....Win231,....HP-38,....SR4756,......Unique,....Blue Dot,....2400,....HS-7,....IMR-4227,....AA-5,....AA-9,....Win296. I have some AA-7 that I have to try after the AA-5 is gone. Most have been pretty good with a couple of exceptions. If I had to choose only one it would definately be HS-7. If I could choose two more they would be Titegroup and AA-9. Unique would be my second choice if I could only have one powder. For me the losers have been Blue Dot and Win296. We really have been spoiled for choices for good powders over the last several years. Oh, yeah, again, let us know what model and make of gun you are loading for.

December 3, 2008, 10:08 AM	#1
medic0079 Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 40	load question 45 colt so I just cast my own bullets, reloading for 45 long colt, but the problem is now I cannot find any info on how much powder im to use. the closest thing I could fing was for a 250 grain lead round nose bullet 8.0 grains of unique min - 8.0 grains unique max. which in and of itself does not make sense to me... anyway so the cast im using is for a 255 grain round nose bullet, unique, bullseye, or green dot powder (prefer unique as I have the most of it) was wondering if I can still use 8.0 grains. also why the same min and max. thanks for any help

December 3, 2008, 10:27 AM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I just checked several reloading manuels, all seem to put 8 grns of unique in the mid range of the loading spector for 250 grn lead bullets. I'd start there and adjust up or down tell you find what shoots best in your gun, being careful to watch for pressure signs. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 3, 2008, 01:20 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Lyman says: 255 gr cast lead, 1.575" OAL Unique Min 6.0 gr @ 590 fps Max 8.5 gr @ 845 fps. The minimum load is highlighted as the most accurate load tested. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 3, 2008, 04:36 PM	#6
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Unique Unique remains the standard by which to judge all other powders in the .45 Colt. It's that good. I use several powders in the .45 and can't resist a great deal on powders' so I'm always trying something new. Never the less, Unique remains one of the best. You did not mention which firearm you are loading for. So I can't recommend warmer loads at this time. 8.0 grains is a fine load if your getting the accuracy you want. Tell us what gun you have and perhaps I can share some loads that work well for me.

December 3, 2008, 08:41 PM	#9
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	What does your bullet weigh? Just because the mold says 255gr doesn't mean that's what they'll drop at. Use load data for the closest heavier cast bullet you can find. The Lyman books seem to have the most data for cast bullets. At least in my library they do. I also like Unique in .45C and you can't hardly go wrong with 8.0gr under just about any bullet. (But find published data to verify.) __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

December 3, 2008, 10:30 AM	#3
medic0079 Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 40	this is for a 255 grain is 8 still ok to use? sorry to ask so many questions just dont want it to go boom, err well not too big of a boom anyway

December 3, 2008, 05:07 PM	#7
gunokie Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2008 Posts: 11	I've had real good luck with the new Trailboss "donut type" powder. You can check it out here: http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html I also like IMR2400 Good Luck BT

December 3, 2008, 08:15 PM	#8
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	1+for Pathfinder45- We need to know what gun you have. I use 8.5 gr. under all types of 250-255 gr bullets, with complete satisfaction in Blackhawks, Redhawks, and several S&W's. Same goes with 231 powder. Tell us the gun and we can better assist you.

December 3, 2008, 08:45 PM	#10
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Unique is perfect for .45 Colt. Red Dot is almost perfect (I shoot lots and lots of 'em using Promo powder, which is interchangable with Red Dot) Here's an Alliant reloading book. You might want to print out pages 13 and 16–18: http://www.thehighroad.us/attachment...3&d=1216513445 __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

December 3, 2008, 10:11 PM	#11
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	List Of Powders I've Tried In .45 Colt fffg back powder,....Red Dot,....Titegroup,.....Win231,....HP-38,....SR4756,......Unique,....Blue Dot,....2400,....HS-7,....IMR-4227,....AA-5,....AA-9,....Win296. I have some AA-7 that I have to try after the AA-5 is gone. Most have been pretty good with a couple of exceptions. If I had to choose only one it would definately be HS-7. If I could choose two more they would be Titegroup and AA-9. Unique would be my second choice if I could only have one powder. For me the losers have been Blue Dot and Win296. We really have been spoiled for choices for good powders over the last several years. Oh, yeah, again, let us know what model and make of gun you are loading for.