45 Colt load ?

SSGCharlie · March 27, 2016, 03:44 PM

I am trying to find load data for 45 colt using Berry's plated bullets 250 FP LC and Winchester 231 powder for my Ruger New Vaquero with Winchester LP primes.

I thank you for your info.

SSGCharlie

sghart3578 · March 27, 2016, 04:19 PM

I load a cast lead 255 gr bullet over 7 gr of W231. It is a good load in my Vaquero and my Rossi '92. For plated bullets you should use data for lead bullets.

Steve in N CA

SSGCharlie · March 27, 2016, 04:32 PM

That's one of the things I needed to know since I couldn't find info on plated bullets.

Thanks for the info

Old Stony · March 27, 2016, 04:33 PM

I've loaded a ton of them with 7 grains....good plinking load.

rodfac · March 28, 2016, 09:30 AM

The following load works well in my NV in .45 LC...and I feel it's a safe load. You should work up to it for your gun, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering all the pressure implications.

Lyman mold #452190 (RNFP: weight = 260 grains) using WW alloy, sized 0.454" and lubed with 50-50 alox/beeswax, 7.2 gr of Winchester 231 gives me 854 fps and an ES of just 27 fps in my NV with 4-5/8" bbl.

I use Winchester LP primers and brass and seat the bullet to 1.600" COL with a stout, roll crimp on the ogive. This load is good for less than 2" at 25 yds from my gun and it's more accurate than the standard old load of 8.0 gr of Unique for me. That Lyman bullet matches the original contour of the .45 bullet, and also for Remington's current lead bullet offering.

HTH's Rod

SSGCharlie · March 28, 2016, 12:11 PM

Thanks to all for the info. I was having trouble finding load info for this combo and I know if I asked here I would get the right info.

thanks again
SSGCharlie

rclark · March 28, 2016, 01:23 PM

Between 7g and 8g inclusive W-231 is what I tested with for 255g SWCs. As above treat plated as lead, so I am in agreement with above load data. My ES was 7.0g - 54, 7.5g - 43, 8.0g - 43 for the loads tested. 15 shots per load. Good enough for 25Y shooting. Hope you find a good load as I didn't mark any of the three loads as 'accurate' in my test revolver. Your revolver may be different though

.

Dave T · March 28, 2016, 01:48 PM

Have any of you shooting that 7g of 231 behind a 250 plated bullet chronographed it from a 4-3/4" barrel? I'm about to set up a new Dillon SDB in 45 Colt and that's one of the loads I'm gonna try first.

I'm looking for the original performance, which I tested years ago in a 1st Gen Colt with that barrel length shooting 40g of black powder under a soft lead bullet. It averaged 865 fps.

Dave

SSGCharlie · March 28, 2016, 02:42 PM

getting set-up to start reloading and checked my once fired brass I been saving and found WW=1.284 avg
CBC=1.273 avg
Winchester=1.279 avg
Hornady=1.225 avg

Is the Hornady cases to short to reload? I wonder why they are so much shorter than the others?

SSGCharlie

rclark · March 28, 2016, 10:13 PM

All my testing is with the same 5 1/2" BH revolver. That way I compare apples to apples between powders. For 7.0g under 255g SWC I got 843fps. Don't even have any 4 5/8" revolvers in .45 Colt.

**44 AMP** · March 29, 2016, 04:26 PM

Be VERY careful charging the powder. MAKE VERY SURE you get one, and only one charge in each case. The .45 Colt case will hold double, maybe even triple the charge weight you are using and a double charge of a fast powder (and 231 is one of the fastest) can wreck even a Ruger!!!

rodfac · April 1, 2016, 07:59 PM

I chrono'd 7.2 gr Win 231 with Starline brass, WLP caps, moderate crimp, wheel weight alloy and sized Lyman's 454190 to 0.453" for 854 fps from my Ruger NV with 4-5/8" bbl. Ex. Spd was 27 fps and the 25 yd group was 1-1/2" according to my notes.

As always, work up to this load if interested, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering pressure implications. It's safe in my guns as I loaded it but yours may vary. Be safe.

Quote:

a double charge of a fast powder (and 231 is one of the fastest) can wreck even a Ruger!!!

Words to live by!!

Regards, Rod

March 27, 2016, 03:44 PM	#1
SSGCharlie Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2015 Posts: 7	45 Colt load ? I am trying to find load data for 45 colt using Berry's plated bullets 250 FP LC and Winchester 231 powder for my Ruger New Vaquero with Winchester LP primes. I thank you for your info. SSGCharlie Last edited by SSGCharlie; March 27, 2016 at 04:17 PM.

March 28, 2016, 09:30 AM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	The following load works well in my NV in .45 LC...and I feel it's a safe load. You should work up to it for your gun, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering all the pressure implications. Lyman mold #452190 (RNFP: weight = 260 grains) using WW alloy, sized 0.454" and lubed with 50-50 alox/beeswax, 7.2 gr of Winchester 231 gives me 854 fps and an ES of just 27 fps in my NV with 4-5/8" bbl. I use Winchester LP primers and brass and seat the bullet to 1.600" COL with a stout, roll crimp on the ogive. This load is good for less than 2" at 25 yds from my gun and it's more accurate than the standard old load of 8.0 gr of Unique for me. That Lyman bullet matches the original contour of the .45 bullet, and also for Remington's current lead bullet offering. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

March 28, 2016, 01:23 PM	#7
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Between 7g and 8g inclusive W-231 is what I tested with for 255g SWCs. As above treat plated as lead, so I am in agreement with above load data. My ES was 7.0g - 54, 7.5g - 43, 8.0g - 43 for the loads tested. 15 shots per load. Good enough for 25Y shooting. Hope you find a good load as I didn't mark any of the three loads as 'accurate' in my test revolver. Your revolver may be different though . __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 28, 2016, 01:48 PM	#8
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,456	Have any of you shooting that 7g of 231 behind a 250 plated bullet chronographed it from a 4-3/4" barrel? I'm about to set up a new Dillon SDB in 45 Colt and that's one of the loads I'm gonna try first. I'm looking for the original performance, which I tested years ago in a 1st Gen Colt with that barrel length shooting 40g of black powder under a soft lead bullet. It averaged 865 fps. Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret

March 28, 2016, 10:13 PM	#10
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	All my testing is with the same 5 1/2" BH revolver. That way I compare apples to apples between powders. For 7.0g under 255g SWC I got 843fps. Don't even have any 4 5/8" revolvers in .45 Colt. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 27, 2016, 04:19 PM	#2
sghart3578 Member Join Date: August 30, 2015 Posts: 64	I load a cast lead 255 gr bullet over 7 gr of W231. It is a good load in my Vaquero and my Rossi '92. For plated bullets you should use data for lead bullets. Steve in N CA

March 27, 2016, 04:32 PM	#3
SSGCharlie Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2015 Posts: 7	That's one of the things I needed to know since I couldn't find info on plated bullets. Thanks for the info

March 27, 2016, 04:33 PM	#4
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I've loaded a ton of them with 7 grains....good plinking load.

March 28, 2016, 12:11 PM	#6
SSGCharlie Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2015 Posts: 7	Thanks to all for the info. I was having trouble finding load info for this combo and I know if I asked here I would get the right info. thanks again SSGCharlie

March 28, 2016, 02:42 PM	#9
SSGCharlie Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2015 Posts: 7	getting set-up to start reloading and checked my once fired brass I been saving and found WW=1.284 avg CBC=1.273 avg Winchester=1.279 avg Hornady=1.225 avg Is the Hornady cases to short to reload? I wonder why they are so much shorter than the others? SSGCharlie

March 29, 2016, 04:26 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,835	Be VERY careful charging the powder. MAKE VERY SURE you get one, and only one charge in each case. The .45 Colt case will hold double, maybe even triple the charge weight you are using and a double charge of a fast powder (and 231 is one of the fastest) can wreck even a Ruger!!! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.