300 gr GC loads for Contender and Ruger Blackhawk?

El Bango · November 16, 2013, 10:34 PM

Anybody have starting load data?

Mike / Tx · November 17, 2013, 06:11 AM

I'm guessing for a 44mag? You didn't mention the caliber...

I have used both the Hodgdon and Accurate data for cast loads. They both list starting loads even if it is for the jacketed. Just bear in mind that the lead bullet WILL be a bit faster than the jacketed with the same weight bullets, as the lead doesn't have as much friction moving down the barrel.

With a GC'ed bullet you should have no issue with start data, but a plain based might be a bit more leading involved, and depending on the powder you might want to drop it a grain or so to start with.

I had a similar issue with my 454 and GC'ed cast loads, but the start data for the same weight jacketed bullets worked out great. My issue has been finding something other than 1500fps + loads for the thing to use with plain based bullets. I am wanting something just above Ruger only Colt loads to use with some cast HP I pour but ain't finding much info on them being used.

ATPBULLETS · November 17, 2013, 11:18 PM

caliber and barrel length please...
i'm guessing 45colt 7.5 and 10inch barrels?

El Bango · November 18, 2013, 10:21 AM

45 Colt in Ruger 7.5" and 10" in Contender.Thans for the info Mike.Michael

AlaskaMike · November 18, 2013, 04:04 PM

The bullet type is probably more important than some of that other stuff. Some bullet styles will have more of the bullet outside of the case, where others will seat more deeply, taking up more case volume.

I'm guessing your bullet is one of the LFN or WFN style, or possibly SWC?

I've got a Ballisticast mold that drops a 325 grain SWC bullet that I use in my Redhawk in .45 Colt, and my full-house load for it is 21 grains of 296, for about 1200 fps with the 7.5" barrel.

Mike

WESHOOT2 · November 18, 2013, 04:23 PM

Start 19.0g W296 / H110
New sized cases only.
CCI350.
Firm crimp into crimp groove (recommend Redding Profile Crimp Die).

El Bango · November 18, 2013, 11:27 PM

This mold is the Lee C452-300RF and I wanted to try a thumper without a ton of velocity.Maybe 800-850fps.I've always been more interested in accuracy and both the Ruger BH and the T/C Contender are very accurate at 25 yards (< 1.00").I killed a bear wit the BH in '77 using a Keith style 255 gr fb bullet in front of 11.5 grains of Unique and a CCi Mag primer and have always thought that penetration could have been better than the 14-15 inches I experienced.Of course the deer I've killed the bullets punch through both sides and the only elk I've killed with it the bullet stopped under the off side skin.I remember reading somewhere that Elmer Keith used 300-350 grain bullets in the 45 Colt handguns and was punching through elk and bears.I'd like to try some of those loads and have cast sized and tumble lubed 200 bullets just to try.Thanks for all the help guys,Michael

57K · November 19, 2013, 04:29 PM

El Bango, you can go to either the Accurate or Ramshot website and download the new #5 load guide as well as request a printed copy. They include 30,000 PSI load data. AA#9 will work well, but I'd use Enforcer or 4100 which are the same powder under 2 different labels. They can all be reduced without the concerns you'd have with H110/W296.

Pathfinder45 · November 22, 2013, 02:03 AM

I would prefer IMR-4227 or AA-9. I'm not entirely satisfied with W-296/H-110 in My 45 Colt experiences. If you insist on those powders, use near maximum loads, heavy crimps, CCI magnum primers and you should be OK. With Winchester Large Pistol primers I had hangfires with those powders. Switching to to CCi magnum primers cured it. I use a lot of Winchester LP primers and like them; just not with that powder.

WESHOOT2 · November 22, 2013, 04:28 PM

Can also work up a soft-recoiling clean-burning wonderful-smelling extreme-accuracy-potential load in the velocity range you're working with using 3N37.
And N350......

Use Federal magnum primer.

QuarterHorse · November 22, 2013, 09:36 PM

I'm running a Linebaugh load of 24gr of H110 under a 325gr LFN bullet. No chrono to shoot through but from what I've read I should be over 1200 through the SBH Hunter it's coming out of and pushing 1700 out of the 20" R92. Again, no chrono to back it up.

AL45 · November 23, 2013, 09:58 PM

I have shot 325 grain LFN bullets from Hunter Supply with 21 grains of H110 with no GC. and 357 grain LFN with 18 grains of H110 with no GC. Didn't have any problem with leading on either. They were fired through a 4 5/8 Blackhawk. Recoil was stout but not unbearable.

November 16, 2013, 10:34 PM	#1
El Bango Member Join Date: December 23, 2012 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 42	300 gr GC loads for Contender and Ruger Blackhawk? Anybody have starting load data?

November 17, 2013, 06:11 AM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I'm guessing for a 44mag? You didn't mention the caliber... I have used both the Hodgdon and Accurate data for cast loads. They both list starting loads even if it is for the jacketed. Just bear in mind that the lead bullet WILL be a bit faster than the jacketed with the same weight bullets, as the lead doesn't have as much friction moving down the barrel. With a GC'ed bullet you should have no issue with start data, but a plain based might be a bit more leading involved, and depending on the powder you might want to drop it a grain or so to start with. I had a similar issue with my 454 and GC'ed cast loads, but the start data for the same weight jacketed bullets worked out great. My issue has been finding something other than 1500fps + loads for the thing to use with plain based bullets. I am wanting something just above Ruger only Colt loads to use with some cast HP I pour but ain't finding much info on them being used. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

November 17, 2013, 11:18 PM	#3
ATPBULLETS Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2012 Location: Land between the Lakes Posts: 267	caliber and barrel length please... i'm guessing 45colt 7.5 and 10inch barrels? __________________ http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/photo-25.jpg

November 18, 2013, 04:23 PM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Start 19.0g W296 / H110 New sized cases only. CCI350. Firm crimp into crimp groove (recommend Redding Profile Crimp Die). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 22, 2013, 04:28 PM	#10
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Can also work up a soft-recoiling clean-burning wonderful-smelling extreme-accuracy-potential load in the velocity range you're working with using 3N37. And N350...... Use Federal magnum primer. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 18, 2013, 10:21 AM	#4
El Bango Member Join Date: December 23, 2012 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 42	45 Colt in Ruger 7.5" and 10" in Contender.Thans for the info Mike.Michael

November 18, 2013, 04:04 PM	#5
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	The bullet type is probably more important than some of that other stuff. Some bullet styles will have more of the bullet outside of the case, where others will seat more deeply, taking up more case volume. I'm guessing your bullet is one of the LFN or WFN style, or possibly SWC? I've got a Ballisticast mold that drops a 325 grain SWC bullet that I use in my Redhawk in .45 Colt, and my full-house load for it is 21 grains of 296, for about 1200 fps with the 7.5" barrel. Mike

November 18, 2013, 11:27 PM	#7
El Bango Member Join Date: December 23, 2012 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 42	This mold is the Lee C452-300RF and I wanted to try a thumper without a ton of velocity.Maybe 800-850fps.I've always been more interested in accuracy and both the Ruger BH and the T/C Contender are very accurate at 25 yards (< 1.00").I killed a bear wit the BH in '77 using a Keith style 255 gr fb bullet in front of 11.5 grains of Unique and a CCi Mag primer and have always thought that penetration could have been better than the 14-15 inches I experienced.Of course the deer I've killed the bullets punch through both sides and the only elk I've killed with it the bullet stopped under the off side skin.I remember reading somewhere that Elmer Keith used 300-350 grain bullets in the 45 Colt handguns and was punching through elk and bears.I'd like to try some of those loads and have cast sized and tumble lubed 200 bullets just to try.Thanks for all the help guys,Michael

November 19, 2013, 04:29 PM	#8
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	El Bango, you can go to either the Accurate or Ramshot website and download the new #5 load guide as well as request a printed copy. They include 30,000 PSI load data. AA#9 will work well, but I'd use Enforcer or 4100 which are the same powder under 2 different labels. They can all be reduced without the concerns you'd have with H110/W296.

November 22, 2013, 02:03 AM	#9
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Powder preference.... I would prefer IMR-4227 or AA-9. I'm not entirely satisfied with W-296/H-110 in My 45 Colt experiences. If you insist on those powders, use near maximum loads, heavy crimps, CCI magnum primers and you should be OK. With Winchester Large Pistol primers I had hangfires with those powders. Switching to to CCi magnum primers cured it. I use a lot of Winchester LP primers and like them; just not with that powder.

November 22, 2013, 09:36 PM	#11
QuarterHorse Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2010 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 421	I'm running a Linebaugh load of 24gr of H110 under a 325gr LFN bullet. No chrono to shoot through but from what I've read I should be over 1200 through the SBH Hunter it's coming out of and pushing 1700 out of the 20" R92. Again, no chrono to back it up. __________________ Never enough toys

November 23, 2013, 09:58 PM	#12
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 754	I have shot 325 grain LFN bullets from Hunter Supply with 21 grains of H110 with no GC. and 357 grain LFN with 18 grains of H110 with no GC. Didn't have any problem with leading on either. They were fired through a 4 5/8 Blackhawk. Recoil was stout but not unbearable.