Load for Henry 45 colt

Prof Young · June 28, 2012, 06:28 PM

Loaders:

I started reloading to save money and then continued to expand just cause it's fun. Now I'm finally to the point of trying to create a load to increase accuracy. I recently purchased a Henry Big Boy lever action chambered for 45 colt. At first I thought the gun was simply inaccurate. Was shooting foot wide groups off a rest at 50 yards. Then I let my military trained son in law shoot it and he got groups of a couple inches at 50 yards but he really had to work at it. So the gun is good. So my question is, to anyone out there with the same gun, what's your best most accurate load? I suspect I'll eventually want to shoot a jacketed bullet for deer hunting.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

CrackerJim · June 28, 2012, 08:27 PM

I'm using 19.5gr 2400 behind a hard cast 250gr rnfp at 1500 fps. Shoots nice and is accurate.

Jim

Prof Young · June 28, 2012, 10:00 PM

Jim:
Thanks. I'll give that a try. I've read about 2400 in a couple of posts. Must be some good stuff?

Live well be safe
Prof Young

crowbeaner · June 29, 2012, 08:53 PM

You might want to slug the bore; it may be oversized causing the inaccuracy. Lead bullets should be sized .001 to .002" larger than jacketed depending on the particular firearm. My load is the Lee 452-255-RF sized .452" over 10.5 of AA#5 with a CCI 300 primer.

Ralph Allen · June 29, 2012, 10:41 PM

I have a Marlin in 45 Colt. It shoots the original lead bullets best. I bought a couple of boxes of 300 grain jacketed bullets, as I too thought they would be better for hunting. Groups like you mentioned in your post. The lead bullets are .454 while the jacketed are .451. I bought a box of Cor-Bon 335 grain lead factory loaded ammo that also shoots very well in my Marlin. I am useing Blue Dot as my powder of choice in the 45 Colt.
Ralph

CrackerJim · July 6, 2012, 07:03 AM

My bore slugged at .451 and the hardcast are at .452 - no leading has been observed.

I've read that 2400 needs to run at magnum pressures to get accurate. I would tend to believe that based on my work up for this cartridge. I started at 17.5 gr and went to 20.5 in .5 gr increments. It didn't start getting accurate until 19gr. The increase in velocity/increase in charge fell off at 20gr.

With 19.5 gr running a little over 1500 fps, accuracy was good, and pressure signs were well below "pushing it", I chose that load as the sweet spot.

As always, work up loads in your gun based on loading manuals information (not mine).

Jim

Nathan · July 6, 2012, 11:42 AM

H4227 looks a bit slower and might be a better rifle powder.

2400, longshot and HS-6 are good pistol powders.

H110 slides right in this range, but I try to use it when other powders aren't quite right like hot 45 LC and 44 mag loads. Probably should give 2400 a look.

June 28, 2012, 06:28 PM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	Load for Henry 45 colt Loaders: I started reloading to save money and then continued to expand just cause it's fun. Now I'm finally to the point of trying to create a load to increase accuracy. I recently purchased a Henry Big Boy lever action chambered for 45 colt. At first I thought the gun was simply inaccurate. Was shooting foot wide groups off a rest at 50 yards. Then I let my military trained son in law shoot it and he got groups of a couple inches at 50 yards but he really had to work at it. So the gun is good. So my question is, to anyone out there with the same gun, what's your best most accurate load? I suspect I'll eventually want to shoot a jacketed bullet for deer hunting. Live well, be safe Prof Young

June 28, 2012, 10:00 PM	#3
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	Thanks Jim: Thanks. I'll give that a try. I've read about 2400 in a couple of posts. Must be some good stuff? Live well be safe Prof Young

June 29, 2012, 08:53 PM	#4
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	You might want to slug the bore; it may be oversized causing the inaccuracy. Lead bullets should be sized .001 to .002" larger than jacketed depending on the particular firearm. My load is the Lee 452-255-RF sized .452" over 10.5 of AA#5 with a CCI 300 primer. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

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June 28, 2012, 08:27 PM	#2
CrackerJim Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 39	I'm using 19.5gr 2400 behind a hard cast 250gr rnfp at 1500 fps. Shoots nice and is accurate. Jim

June 29, 2012, 10:41 PM	#5
Ralph Allen Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2007 Posts: 436	I have a Marlin in 45 Colt. It shoots the original lead bullets best. I bought a couple of boxes of 300 grain jacketed bullets, as I too thought they would be better for hunting. Groups like you mentioned in your post. The lead bullets are .454 while the jacketed are .451. I bought a box of Cor-Bon 335 grain lead factory loaded ammo that also shoots very well in my Marlin. I am useing Blue Dot as my powder of choice in the 45 Colt. Ralph

July 6, 2012, 07:03 AM	#6
CrackerJim Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 39	My bore slugged at .451 and the hardcast are at .452 - no leading has been observed. I've read that 2400 needs to run at magnum pressures to get accurate. I would tend to believe that based on my work up for this cartridge. I started at 17.5 gr and went to 20.5 in .5 gr increments. It didn't start getting accurate until 19gr. The increase in velocity/increase in charge fell off at 20gr. With 19.5 gr running a little over 1500 fps, accuracy was good, and pressure signs were well below "pushing it", I chose that load as the sweet spot. As always, work up loads in your gun based on loading manuals information (not mine). Jim

July 6, 2012, 11:42 AM	#7
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,325	H4227 looks a bit slower and might be a better rifle powder. 2400, longshot and HS-6 are good pistol powders. H110 slides right in this range, but I try to use it when other powders aren't quite right like hot 45 LC and 44 mag loads. Probably should give 2400 a look.