[Mike / Tx]

If you do an internet search for the following, "45 270 SAA load data" it will bring up a link to a PDF which has an excellent write up by Brian Pearce on that particular bullet. It has three different load levels listed which cover just about any 45 Colt pressure you would or should need. The bullet referenced in this is an EXCELLENT bullet for the 45 Colt and shoots awesome from my Redhawk.

For your purpose I would stick to the Table 1 and 2 loads, and these can also be used with bullet ranging in the 250 - 260gr territory as well. Follow what your reloading manual says, but you will find that they are very close and in most cases are on the lighter end of the data being the bullets are in the 250-260gr range. Most anything in this range with a wide flat nose or SWC profile is going to shoot pretty good. Just remember fit is king with cast. If your looking at jacketed, I HIGHLY suggest the 250gr Gold Dot if you can get hold of some. Those are some AWESOME bullets in the Colt, as well as the lighter 200 and 230gr ones for the ACP. Also since you ARE loading for a revolver, there is also data out there using the 250gr bullets in the ACP cases. Most are listed as Bowling Pin, or Pin Buster loads, but they run the 250gr RFN out at about 750'ish FPS from an auto loader so they aren't low loaded for sure. There are plenty of loads on the net, but as usual don't trust anything unless verified with published data. The advantage with the heavy bullets are you can use the same one for the Colt and ACP loads. Still though the lighter bullets for the ACP would be the way to go.

Also while your poking around with the search engine, look up John Linebaugh, "The 45 Colt, Dissolving the Myth". Another excellent sorce of info for you to dive into. It will show you that you really don't need to exceed the standard range loads to have plenty of accuracy or penetration even at extended ranges, as he references his wife's hunting. Just remember while your reading this that quite a bit of it is "TEST" data, but on the bottom and referenced in the upper portion for his wifes hunting load are some good loads.

To be honest there are a ton of bullets in many styles and shapes from 185grs up to over 300 which will shoot through the Colt. Personally I would say leave everything under 250grs for the ACP, and stay below 300grs with the Colt loads. My most accurate loads use the 250 thru 280gr bullets. I load within the Table 2 data listed in that PDF, and within what is listed at the bottom of the artical written by Mr. Linebaugh. They will drive straight through a 6 gallon bucket of fine sand at 35yds and penetrate to within about 4" or so of the bottom at 50yds. There isn't much in the lower 48 that you should have any issue driving one through both sides of.

For powders, and I know they are hard to come by nowadays, but I have found Unique, Universal, and HS-6 to be the top performers in mine, with the latter getting the most use. Just like described in the Linebaugh write up, between 850 and 1000fps they just work, and work really well. You will also note that in the bottom table the HS-6 load is used for weights of 260 through 320grs. I use mine for deer and hog hunting, and with the accuracy and penetration of even the light weight bullets they deliver a very good punch upon impact.

I have had my eye on one of the convertible BH's for a while now. I want it so my wife can have something that actually fits her hand, and she can manage a bit easier than the weight of the RH. I had found just the one I wanted but didn't have the cash on hand and before I got back it was gone. I am looking at the SS version myself as I think witht he black grips it just pops. That's me though and everyone has their own thing.

Hope this helps.