Help me pick the next box of 500 for my Ruger 45 Colt!

Nathan · May 7, 2012, 08:33 PM

Help me decide my next box of bullets to playwith. I'm loading a 5.5" SA 45 Colt. My last box was 300gr cast FP bullets. They shot well, but max loads were stout! Like base pin backs out stout!

I'm looking for a Ruger only hard hitting round for deer to 75 yards and target shooting fun.

I'm thinking either a Keith style 255 SWC or a ~300gr bullet. What should I get? What does your Ruger like?

Ole 5 hole group · May 7, 2012, 10:19 PM

Remove your base pin and take a round file to your groove or catch in the base pin and widen it just a tad, as it's not locking in properly - should cure your base pin from walking about.

Sport45 · May 8, 2012, 05:44 AM

I just ordered a box (of 400) 255gr Elmer Keith style SWC from Missouri Bullet for my Redhawk. I've heard great things about Brad's bullets and decided to give them a try.

I got mine from Graf's but Powder Valley Inc has them as well.

Nathan · May 8, 2012, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the tip. I replaced it with a set screw type and an xtra power base pin spring. It works.

255 SWC is a possible choice.

dickttx · May 8, 2012, 08:16 PM

I like the MBC 250gn RNFP in my Blackhawk. Evil looking bullet

bfoosh006 · May 8, 2012, 08:44 PM

While they don't have a website, they are dang good bullets. The "Moly-Coating works very well, less smoke, less fouling, less cleaning.

Phone in an order only.

Do a Google search for info on them... don't be surprised, you won't find a website.

Edward429451 · May 8, 2012, 11:18 PM

Get the 255s. That's the standard weight for the 45 Colt and can be loaded mild to wild. Slightly more versatile than the 300gr + boolits in my opinion, and certainly more fun to shoot.

Para Cassatt · May 9, 2012, 09:43 PM

I have been a huge fan of Lead Head Bullets' 270 gr. Keith style plain base.

Nathan · May 11, 2012, 04:50 PM

bfoosh. . .Thanks for the price list. The price is right and they are something I would like to try running through my 45 Colt.

My throat and groove diameter are a matching 0.4507", so I think this softer lead should obturate better in the bore to seal bettter than the hard cast I have been using.

I ordered the 265 SWC's in 0.452 diameter. This should hold in the case and fill the bore. I'll have to throw some pics up when I get them and some results when I load them. Great. . .a new hobby!

The guy on the phone was super friendly and knowledgable. They definately know bullets.

Lots of good reviews online too. I will be calling again, if they shoot!

Nathan · May 20, 2012, 09:12 PM

I received the bullets. Should I post pics. They are basically a 255gr Keith SWC with a crimp groove and no lube groove, so they are 265gr. They are covered in a dark grey coating which doesn't seem to come off or chip easily.

I took some data:Bullet

Bullet Length Dia Weight
1 .702 .4522 268.0
2 .701 .4522 267.7
3 .701 .4522 267.5
4 .705 .4523 267.9
5 .703 .4522 268.6

Looks reasonable, except the last bullet's weight seems out of range.

Now, I'm trying to find load data. Here is what I've found to make 45 Colt Ruger SA loads with H110.

Source Start Max Note
Linebaugh 25.5 27 260gr Cast
2009 Hodgden 23.5 24 260gr JHP Nos 1.650"
Handloads.com 24 27 265gr cast 1.600"

Since these are 265gr bullets, I guess I'm going to start at 23.5gr and work until I see ~1400 fps or so. In my experience over pressure causes my primers to flatten, accuracy to go bad and my SD on the velocities to become whacked. So, I should have some indication this is getting hot. I'm more worried that Hodgden's data might be low.

How can Hodgden and Linebaugh data be similar in pressure, but so different in charge weight?

Sport45 · May 21, 2012, 04:25 AM

Quote:

How can Hodgden and Linebaugh data be similar in pressure, but so different in charge weight?

One is a cast bullet and the other is jacketed. Data insn't interchangeable.

24.0gr of H-110 under a 260gr SWC lit with a Winchester LP primer works well in my Redhawk.

454PB · May 22, 2012, 10:09 PM

From your description, those sound like swaged, not cast, bullets. If so, they are not going to perform well at 1400 FPS because they are basically pure lead.

Sport45 · May 23, 2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfoosh006

While they don't have a website, they are dang good bullets.

I wonder what website they suggest checking for new offerings?

At least that's what it says on the bottom of the flyer.

TXGunNut · May 23, 2012, 11:17 PM

255 Keith is the gold standard of versatility for the 45 Colt, IMHO. It's capable of shooting tighter than I can hold and anchoring anything I'm likely to.....aggravate.

Since I cast I can tweak the alloy to suit my needs. Gas checks not necessary for the loads I like but if I wanted my RBH to perform like a 45-70 I'd get a GC version of that Keith mould.
Quite honestly my new 255 Keith 45 Colt load is about 26 grs of KIK FFFg. has more "thump" than my go-to hunting (backup) load, is very accurate and loads of fun to shoot.
JMHO, of course.

Nathan · May 26, 2012, 03:13 PM

OK, so I have thrown some ammo down range and here are my results. I loaded the 265 gr Bear Creek's up with my H110. BTW, these are cast 255gr SWC's without the lube groove, then coated with the hard moly coating.

I shot loads from 24gr - 27 gr. Linebaugh's max velocity is like 1450. I didn't quite get there. I got to 1396 fps. 26gr(9.48) was my best SD, but 27gr(13.34) wasn't far behind. No pressure signs other than recoil! This load was good in my gun, but YMMV. I may still try to get 1450, but I need to figure out the crimp first.

Accuracy at 27gr was 2.4" at 50', but I think 1 was a flyer making it more like 1.5" at 50'. I can see some practice getting this load under 1.25" at 50'. We'll see.

I did notice I had some significant bullet movement under recoil. So, crimp is where I need to go next.

Now, the bullets. . .Wow, the bore is cleaner now than before I went shooting, I think! The moly coating keeps the bore clean. This is better than I saw with straight cast bullets. Thanks for the flyer.

May 7, 2012, 08:33 PM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	Help me pick the next box of 500 for my Ruger 45 Colt! Help me decide my next box of bullets to playwith. I'm loading a 5.5" SA 45 Colt. My last box was 300gr cast FP bullets. They shot well, but max loads were stout! Like base pin backs out stout! I'm looking for a Ruger only hard hitting round for deer to 75 yards and target shooting fun. I'm thinking either a Keith style 255 SWC or a ~300gr bullet. What should I get? What does your Ruger like?

May 8, 2012, 05:44 AM	#3
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I just ordered a box (of 400) 255gr Elmer Keith style SWC from Missouri Bullet for my Redhawk. I've heard great things about Brad's bullets and decided to give them a try. I got mine from Graf's but Powder Valley Inc has them as well. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 8, 2012, 08:16 PM	#5
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	I like the MBC 250gn RNFP in my Blackhawk. Evil looking bullet __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

May 9, 2012, 09:43 PM	#8
Para Cassatt Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 117	I have been a huge fan of Lead Head Bullets' 270 gr. Keith style plain base. __________________ Have you taken someone shooting lately?

May 11, 2012, 04:50 PM	#9
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	bfoosh. . .Thanks for the price list. The price is right and they are something I would like to try running through my 45 Colt. My throat and groove diameter are a matching 0.4507", so I think this softer lead should obturate better in the bore to seal bettter than the hard cast I have been using. I ordered the 265 SWC's in 0.452 diameter. This should hold in the case and fill the bore. I'll have to throw some pics up when I get them and some results when I load them. Great. . .a new hobby! The guy on the phone was super friendly and knowledgable. They definately know bullets. Lots of good reviews online too. I will be calling again, if they shoot! Last edited by Nathan; May 11, 2012 at 07:48 PM.

May 7, 2012, 10:19 PM	#2
Ole 5 hole group Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2002 Location: Red River Valley of the North Posts: 203	Remove your base pin and take a round file to your groove or catch in the base pin and widen it just a tad, as it's not locking in properly - should cure your base pin from walking about.

May 8, 2012, 05:31 PM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	Thanks for the tip. I replaced it with a set screw type and an xtra power base pin spring. It works. 255 SWC is a possible choice.

May 8, 2012, 08:44 PM	#6
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	While they don't have a website, they are dang good bullets. The "Moly-Coating works very well, less smoke, less fouling, less cleaning. Phone in an order only. Do a Google search for info on them... don't be surprised, you won't find a website.

May 8, 2012, 11:18 PM	#7
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Get the 255s. That's the standard weight for the 45 Colt and can be loaded mild to wild. Slightly more versatile than the 300gr + boolits in my opinion, and certainly more fun to shoot.

May 20, 2012, 09:12 PM	#10
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	I received the bullets. Should I post pics. They are basically a 255gr Keith SWC with a crimp groove and no lube groove, so they are 265gr. They are covered in a dark grey coating which doesn't seem to come off or chip easily. I took some data:Bullet Bullet Length Dia Weight 1 .702 .4522 268.0 2 .701 .4522 267.7 3 .701 .4522 267.5 4 .705 .4523 267.9 5 .703 .4522 268.6 Looks reasonable, except the last bullet's weight seems out of range. Now, I'm trying to find load data. Here is what I've found to make 45 Colt Ruger SA loads with H110. Source Start Max Note Linebaugh 25.5 27 260gr Cast 2009 Hodgden 23.5 24 260gr JHP Nos 1.650" Handloads.com 24 27 265gr cast 1.600" Since these are 265gr bullets, I guess I'm going to start at 23.5gr and work until I see ~1400 fps or so. In my experience over pressure causes my primers to flatten, accuracy to go bad and my SD on the velocities to become whacked. So, I should have some indication this is getting hot. I'm more worried that Hodgden's data might be low. How can Hodgden and Linebaugh data be similar in pressure, but so different in charge weight?

May 22, 2012, 10:09 PM	#12
454PB Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Location: Helena, Mt. Posts: 122	From your description, those sound like swaged, not cast, bullets. If so, they are not going to perform well at 1400 FPS because they are basically pure lead.

May 23, 2012, 11:17 PM	#14
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	255 Keith is the gold standard of versatility for the 45 Colt, IMHO. It's capable of shooting tighter than I can hold and anchoring anything I'm likely to.....aggravate. Since I cast I can tweak the alloy to suit my needs. Gas checks not necessary for the loads I like but if I wanted my RBH to perform like a 45-70 I'd get a GC version of that Keith mould. Quite honestly my new 255 Keith 45 Colt load is about 26 grs of KIK FFFg. has more "thump" than my go-to hunting (backup) load, is very accurate and loads of fun to shoot. JMHO, of course. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights. Last edited by TXGunNut; May 23, 2012 at 11:23 PM.

May 26, 2012, 03:13 PM	#15
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	OK, so I have thrown some ammo down range and here are my results. I loaded the 265 gr Bear Creek's up with my H110. BTW, these are cast 255gr SWC's without the lube groove, then coated with the hard moly coating. I shot loads from 24gr - 27 gr. Linebaugh's max velocity is like 1450. I didn't quite get there. I got to 1396 fps. 26gr(9.48) was my best SD, but 27gr(13.34) wasn't far behind. No pressure signs other than recoil! This load was good in my gun, but YMMV. I may still try to get 1450, but I need to figure out the crimp first. Accuracy at 27gr was 2.4" at 50', but I think 1 was a flyer making it more like 1.5" at 50'. I can see some practice getting this load under 1.25" at 50'. We'll see. I did notice I had some significant bullet movement under recoil. So, crimp is where I need to go next. Now, the bullets. . .Wow, the bore is cleaner now than before I went shooting, I think! The moly coating keeps the bore clean. This is better than I saw with straight cast bullets. Thanks for the flyer.