45LC substituted powder guestion

scat · August 5, 2009, 12:17 AM

I'm out of AA#5, so loading up a couple dozen Hornaday 230gr. XTP, I used the 250gr lead info from my Lee Reloading, 2nd edition and used HS-6 instead. 45LC. I used 9.8grains with a heavy crimp. I noticed recoil was light, accuracy was excellent. Very messy, due to the powder I guess. Has anyone else tried this combination and what were your observations. I was impressed with the accuracy.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 5, 2009, 09:07 AM

I've been doing alot of 45 Colt loading lately from cowboy loads to +P+ hunting loads... but have not tried that powder yet... right now Lil Gun is my favorite for hunting loads... still playing with the light loads yet...

scat · August 5, 2009, 11:25 AM

I haven't had this 45 very long, in fact my son gave it to me for my birthday. I decided to go all in and reload so that I could shoot practice rounds more affordably, and I'm having a lot of fun trying different loads. This has really been a fun hobby. My loads are for fun...Serious carry loads are factory 225gr. Winchester JHP silvertips. I've found they perform the best when it comes to accuracy. That is why I've posted the question, the accuracy was amazing for the load I used. Better than the silvertips. I figure pressure was down, but velocity was way up. I'm shooting a 4410 Judge, despite what others say, I'm having no problem with accuracy, in fact, I'm rather impressed. I'd like to beef this load up to 11 grain but would like some feedback before doing so. I may try calling Hodgdon for reference.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 5, 2009, 11:35 AM

My data shows 11.6 grains of HS-6 as a starting load & 13 grains as a maximum charge in "normal" revolvers

scat · August 5, 2009, 01:20 PM

Is that data for the 230gr XTP?

Magnum Wheel Man · August 5, 2009, 02:08 PM

at 1st glance...I don't see an HS-6 load for 230 grain jacketed bullets... 250 grain cast bullets go from 10.5 grain to 10.5 grain ( minimum load to maximum load )

jacketed bullets are harder to push down the bore... but, the maximum load listed for 250 grain XTP with HS-6 is 10.7 grains...

I'm certainly not recommending even shooting anywhere close to maximum loads in a Taurus ( not trying to bash ), unless shooting through a "Raging" gun, as the "Ragings" are much tougher built than the rest of the line up... however, with the extra freebore a Judge provides ( by also being chambered for .410 ) you are likely to find lower chamber pressures from that freebore than what would be encountered by chambering the same load in a 45 Colt "only" chamber...

scat · August 5, 2009, 02:23 PM

That's why I loaded from the 250gr lead specs, to be sure that pressure was kept down, then played it even more conservative on the charge. The results were just more than I could've imagined. The AA#5 is a good set up but I swear I like the HS-6 better. I just wanted to be sure it was safe to increase since I have no source to give me accurate pressures. I can tell by the recoil that pressure was extremely low. My Judge is the 4410KR 6-1/2, evidently an older model, In checking with the powers to be, I was told not to exceed 14000 CUP and it liked 930-975fps range. 255gr max. Which it handles with no problems at all, sweetest shooting 45 I've ever held in my hands, no matter what the load. Never would've thought it.

NWPilgrim · August 5, 2009, 02:59 PM

HS-6 and several other powder will work well in the .45 Colt. Unique is a long time standard. Universal, Herco, WW231/HP38, AA#5 are all good.

scat · August 5, 2009, 03:05 PM

I'm in South Alabama and don't see a lot of Herco but from what I've read, I like. I'll probably order in some and give it a try. I'm speaking of handguns of course!

AlaskaMike · August 5, 2009, 03:36 PM

You might like Power Pistol as well. It's burn rate is between Unique and Herco, and it's my favorite powder for a lot of revolver loads.

Mike

tomh1426 · August 5, 2009, 03:54 PM

I use Trail Boss in all my lighter .45 Colt loads, 5.8 gr under 255 gr cast bullet, very accurate clean load.

scat · August 5, 2009, 04:12 PM

I've read the firing line a lot in the past and it has proven to be very helpful. I've really enjoyed the feedback thusfar but must signoff for a while. I'm glad I joined up. Be back in a couple of hours, with some research.

Flatbush Harry · August 5, 2009, 04:53 PM

Check with Hodgdon's regarding appropriate loads. All of the ammo companies give ballistic and load assistance free. I don't do anything not in the Lyman or bullet manufacturer's manuals...call me a puzzah, but I've never had a problem in 30 years of reloading following my own advice. And HS-6 is in the manuals.

FH

SwampYankee · August 5, 2009, 05:20 PM

What a coincidence! Today I was shooting my favorite load out of my .45 Clt 4" Redhawk: 9 grains of HS-6 behind a 250 grain cast bullet.

I love this load. Recoil is mild and it is ridiculously accurate. At 25 yards I can keep the groups under 3 inches, double action shooting.

When I bump it up to 11 grains (the max Speer load), recoil is intense and accuracy goes to crap, even if I rest it on a bag or try single action.

The XTP is a jacketed bullet but with the giant hole in the middle of it, 9.8 grains is probably close to my 9 grains with a lead bullet.

Yes, this is a dirty, smoky powder. But that is half the fun!

scat · August 5, 2009, 05:46 PM

Definitely not a puzzah Flatbush! Perfect advice. My problem is that I can't find any publication that gives me the specs for HS-6 and 230gr.XTP for 45 LC. I'd like to find max safe and accurate load. I think it's gonna take a call to hornaday or hodgdon. Like SwampYankee, I like the smoke too!

August 5, 2009, 12:17 AM	#1
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	45LC substituted powder guestion I'm out of AA#5, so loading up a couple dozen Hornaday 230gr. XTP, I used the 250gr lead info from my Lee Reloading, 2nd edition and used HS-6 instead. 45LC. I used 9.8grains with a heavy crimp. I noticed recoil was light, accuracy was excellent. Very messy, due to the powder I guess. Has anyone else tried this combination and what were your observations. I was impressed with the accuracy.

August 5, 2009, 09:07 AM	#2
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I've been doing alot of 45 Colt loading lately from cowboy loads to +P+ hunting loads... but have not tried that powder yet... right now Lil Gun is my favorite for hunting loads... still playing with the light loads yet... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 5, 2009, 11:35 AM	#4
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	My data shows 11.6 grains of HS-6 as a starting load & 13 grains as a maximum charge in "normal" revolvers __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 5, 2009, 02:08 PM	#6
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	at 1st glance...I don't see an HS-6 load for 230 grain jacketed bullets... 250 grain cast bullets go from 10.5 grain to 10.5 grain ( minimum load to maximum load ) jacketed bullets are harder to push down the bore... but, the maximum load listed for 250 grain XTP with HS-6 is 10.7 grains... I'm certainly not recommending even shooting anywhere close to maximum loads in a Taurus ( not trying to bash ), unless shooting through a "Raging" gun, as the "Ragings" are much tougher built than the rest of the line up... however, with the extra freebore a Judge provides ( by also being chambered for .410 ) you are likely to find lower chamber pressures from that freebore than what would be encountered by chambering the same load in a 45 Colt "only" chamber... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 5, 2009, 02:59 PM	#8
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	HS-6 and several other powder will work well in the .45 Colt. Unique is a long time standard. Universal, Herco, WW231/HP38, AA#5 are all good. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

August 5, 2009, 11:25 AM	#3
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	I haven't had this 45 very long, in fact my son gave it to me for my birthday. I decided to go all in and reload so that I could shoot practice rounds more affordably, and I'm having a lot of fun trying different loads. This has really been a fun hobby. My loads are for fun...Serious carry loads are factory 225gr. Winchester JHP silvertips. I've found they perform the best when it comes to accuracy. That is why I've posted the question, the accuracy was amazing for the load I used. Better than the silvertips. I figure pressure was down, but velocity was way up. I'm shooting a 4410 Judge, despite what others say, I'm having no problem with accuracy, in fact, I'm rather impressed. I'd like to beef this load up to 11 grain but would like some feedback before doing so. I may try calling Hodgdon for reference.

August 5, 2009, 01:20 PM	#5
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	Is that data for the 230gr XTP?

August 5, 2009, 02:23 PM	#7
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	That's why I loaded from the 250gr lead specs, to be sure that pressure was kept down, then played it even more conservative on the charge. The results were just more than I could've imagined. The AA#5 is a good set up but I swear I like the HS-6 better. I just wanted to be sure it was safe to increase since I have no source to give me accurate pressures. I can tell by the recoil that pressure was extremely low. My Judge is the 4410KR 6-1/2, evidently an older model, In checking with the powers to be, I was told not to exceed 14000 CUP and it liked 930-975fps range. 255gr max. Which it handles with no problems at all, sweetest shooting 45 I've ever held in my hands, no matter what the load. Never would've thought it.

August 5, 2009, 03:05 PM	#9
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	I'm in South Alabama and don't see a lot of Herco but from what I've read, I like. I'll probably order in some and give it a try. I'm speaking of handguns of course!

August 5, 2009, 03:36 PM	#10
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	You might like Power Pistol as well. It's burn rate is between Unique and Herco, and it's my favorite powder for a lot of revolver loads. Mike

August 5, 2009, 03:54 PM	#11
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	I use Trail Boss in all my lighter .45 Colt loads, 5.8 gr under 255 gr cast bullet, very accurate clean load. Last edited by tomh1426; August 5, 2009 at 05:34 PM.

August 5, 2009, 04:12 PM	#12
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	I've read the firing line a lot in the past and it has proven to be very helpful. I've really enjoyed the feedback thusfar but must signoff for a while. I'm glad I joined up. Be back in a couple of hours, with some research.

August 5, 2009, 04:53 PM	#13
Flatbush Harry Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 417	Check with Hodgdon's regarding appropriate loads. All of the ammo companies give ballistic and load assistance free. I don't do anything not in the Lyman or bullet manufacturer's manuals...call me a puzzah, but I've never had a problem in 30 years of reloading following my own advice. And HS-6 is in the manuals. FH

August 5, 2009, 05:20 PM	#14
SwampYankee Registration in progress Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: I can be found on a number of other forums. Posts: 1,333	What a coincidence! Today I was shooting my favorite load out of my .45 Clt 4" Redhawk: 9 grains of HS-6 behind a 250 grain cast bullet. I love this load. Recoil is mild and it is ridiculously accurate. At 25 yards I can keep the groups under 3 inches, double action shooting. When I bump it up to 11 grains (the max Speer load), recoil is intense and accuracy goes to crap, even if I rest it on a bag or try single action. The XTP is a jacketed bullet but with the giant hole in the middle of it, 9.8 grains is probably close to my 9 grains with a lead bullet. Yes, this is a dirty, smoky powder. But that is half the fun!

August 5, 2009, 05:46 PM	#15
scat Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: South Alabama Posts: 27	Definitely not a puzzah Flatbush! Perfect advice. My problem is that I can't find any publication that gives me the specs for HS-6 and 230gr.XTP for 45 LC. I'd like to find max safe and accurate load. I think it's gonna take a call to hornaday or hodgdon. Like SwampYankee, I like the smoke too!