45 colt 185 gr JHP load?

bugaiho · February 7, 2008, 12:13 PM

Hello, new to the forum, hope I am posting properly.

I need a load for my uberti mod. 1875 army 45, here is the catch, I am trying to use my existing stock as I have cancer, and want to try to use what I have without buying anything else. nuff said.

I have 1000 185 gr JHP (.451) which I originally bought for my gold cup, before I realized I only need the 200 gr lead swc (have 1000+ of those too) for IPSC shooting.

Also, trying to use up my 225 gr LRN (.454). (have about 200)

I have Fed No.150 and Win WLP primers.

Powder:
Green dot
Unique
IMR 4320, 4831
Accurate 2230, 3100
Hodgdon HP38, HS-7, H380
Win 540, 748
(yep, I know some of these are rifle powders but thought I would list it all just in case)

Could someone please post a recipe? I dont need it to be "hot" as I am only plinking with this.
I really would like to use up those 185 gr bullets first (and the 225 LRN) as I use the 200 gr LSWC for my 45 acp.

Thanks to all!
Mike

bugaiho · February 7, 2008, 04:14 PM

maybe i should just leave out the Uberti part,,,and just say...45 long colt.

tplumeri · February 7, 2008, 04:24 PM

Mike,
I dont have any advice, just wanted to welcome you to TFL.

bugaiho · February 7, 2008, 06:02 PM

thanks!

ligonierbill · February 7, 2008, 09:59 PM

I haven't used any of your listed powders in my .45, but I can tell you lots of folks on this forum like Unique.

bugaiho · February 7, 2008, 10:25 PM

Would it be safe to just start with 6 grains of unique and just move up to get fps of around 900?? Or am I asking for trouble with a risk of detonation with having small amounts of powder in a large case?

Dr. A · February 7, 2008, 10:53 PM

I'd be trying 8.0gr. to 9.5gr. of Unique

or

8 or 9gr. of HP38 for your 185gr. JHP.

These are somewhat interpretive from lead data for Colt SAA and its clones.

Use at your own risk, and good luck!

The chances of sticking a 185gr. JHP are fairly great if you go to low. (6gr.) Unique is a moderate speed, and is best used at a little higher pressure than 6gr.

bugaiho · February 7, 2008, 11:05 PM

super.. i will try that.. Thank you

anybody else have some loads with the other powders I listed?

schmellba99 · February 7, 2008, 11:32 PM

I've used some loads for my .45LC lever rifle that were the following:

185gr JHP
10.5gr Unique
~1050 FPS

I wouldn't use them in a revolver, but you could definitely start out with a load of around 7.0gr Unique and build up from there. I would imagine that around the 9.0 - 9.5 grain powder charge in a pistol is probably about as high as you would want to go. That should get you in the 900fps range or so more than likely.

bugaiho · February 8, 2008, 11:29 AM

Thanks! I will try the smaller grains for sure.

Can anyone enlighten me to a phenomenon of detonation? I heard from an old timer buddy of mine that if you put too small amount of powder...like less than 1/4 of the capacity of the case, it is possible to 'detonate' the powder yielding extreme pressures.

Anyone shed light on that?

rwilson452 · February 8, 2008, 11:39 AM

the detonation occurs in bottle necked cases I have never heard of it happening in straight wall cases. I loaded 2.9 gr of bullseye in 38 spl for years with no issues. I suspect this was less than1/4 of the case capacity I have seen the same load in .357 also without issue. I have never tried or expect I will try really light loads in my rifle stuff. Light rifle loads tend to be awful for accuracy.

bugaiho · February 8, 2008, 03:27 PM

Thank you!

I will post the results for sure.

mike,

bugaiho · February 12, 2008, 01:34 PM

As I promised,,,here's the data
45 Long Colt
185 JHP
Federal Large Pistol primer
Unique 8 gr
no crimp 1.580" oal

770 FPS

so, I loaded up 50 more....I like this easy load...I might take it to 900 fps but why start splitting cases...the price of new brass is around $20/100. Not worth splitting cases.

I was next going to try the HP38...and start with 6.5 grains..work up to 7.5,
will post..
Mike

AlaskaMike · February 12, 2008, 03:43 PM

You may want to try crimping over the ogive slightly.

That's a fairly light bullet, and with the load you're using there probably isn't too much concern that it'll pull the bullet. You may want to check though--fire all the rounds in the cylinder except the last one, and see how much the bullet has come out of the case. A slight crimp should help make the loads more consistent too.

Sounds like the Unique load does basically what you want, but I'd bet you'll be happier with HP38. I'll be curious to see what you find.

Mike

bugaiho · February 12, 2008, 03:56 PM

Thanks much! I will try that..those are good tips. I agree with you on the crimp thing..

I do have lots of HP38, maybe 12 pounds. but only 1 or 2 pounds of Unique left. And after that is gone...not buying anymore of anything.

zxcvbob · February 12, 2008, 03:58 PM

With that light bullet, I think Green Dot might be a better choice -- say, 8.0 grains. According to Alliant, that gives 940 fps with a 200 grain jacketed bullet. I haven't tried Green Dot in a .45, but I have used lots of Red Dot and it works very well.

W. C. Quantrill · February 12, 2008, 04:05 PM

We load a lot of .45 Colt. Sierras handbook suggests the starting load of Unique at 9 gr for the 185gr HP for about 900 fps. This is for Colt and replica revolvers.

We run Rugers and load a bit hotter. We use nothing but Unique.

Poked it too quick. This loading manual does not mention HP38.

Smith mentions HP38 at 6 gr minimum to 8.2 gr maximum for the .45
http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm

bugaiho · February 12, 2008, 04:55 PM

PERFECT!

I have so much Green Dot...2 large kegs!! I used to do trap and skeet...300-400 rounds a day! So that will be great to use that with this gun too.

Thanks,,,and I still will try the HP-38

Data to follow...

Mike

bugaiho · February 17, 2008, 12:19 PM

Data as promised,,,

HP38...6 gr. all other components remained the same...

504 fps...avg and deviation was close to that as well...

I am going to raise it to 7.5 gr and see if I can get close to 750-800 fps...

it is possible that this powder I have is sour...it is old but I have stored it in a cool dry dark place...according to the manufacturer, this practice can preserve the power a long time. plus, i heard it it smells like vinegar, it might be bad,,(it doesnt smell like vinegar)

bugaiho · February 19, 2008, 01:54 PM

Okay final data....

230 gr LRN HP38 6.4 grns.......780 fps avg

only have about 50 bullets to load so wont need to experiment anymore with this bullet...I loaded about 100 of this one..

185gr JHP...8 grs of HP38 is avg of 800....and on another day,,,,865 avg... (wonder what accounted for the big difference...

anyway,,I like the loads, and will go with them till the bullets run out...then give the weapons to my kids..

cheers all,,,(end of thread)

February 7, 2008, 12:13 PM	#1
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	45 colt 185 gr JHP load? Hello, new to the forum, hope I am posting properly. I need a load for my uberti mod. 1875 army 45, here is the catch, I am trying to use my existing stock as I have cancer, and want to try to use what I have without buying anything else. nuff said. I have 1000 185 gr JHP (.451) which I originally bought for my gold cup, before I realized I only need the 200 gr lead swc (have 1000+ of those too) for IPSC shooting. Also, trying to use up my 225 gr LRN (.454). (have about 200) I have Fed No.150 and Win WLP primers. Powder: Green dot Unique IMR 4320, 4831 Accurate 2230, 3100 Hodgdon HP38, HS-7, H380 Win 540, 748 (yep, I know some of these are rifle powders but thought I would list it all just in case) Could someone please post a recipe? I dont need it to be "hot" as I am only plinking with this. I really would like to use up those 185 gr bullets first (and the 225 LRN) as I use the 200 gr LSWC for my 45 acp. Thanks to all! Mike

February 7, 2008, 04:14 PM	#2
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	clarification maybe i should just leave out the Uberti part,,,and just say...45 long colt.

February 12, 2008, 01:34 PM	#13
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Here's the data As I promised,,,here's the data 45 Long Colt 185 JHP Federal Large Pistol primer Unique 8 gr no crimp 1.580" oal 770 FPS so, I loaded up 50 more....I like this easy load...I might take it to 900 fps but why start splitting cases...the price of new brass is around $20/100. Not worth splitting cases. I was next going to try the HP38...and start with 6.5 grains..work up to 7.5, will post.. Mike

February 12, 2008, 04:05 PM	#17
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	We load a lot of .45 Colt. Sierras handbook suggests the starting load of Unique at 9 gr for the 185gr HP for about 900 fps. This is for Colt and replica revolvers. We run Rugers and load a bit hotter. We use nothing but Unique. Poked it too quick. This loading manual does not mention HP38. Smith mentions HP38 at 6 gr minimum to 8.2 gr maximum for the .45 http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life Last edited by W. C. Quantrill; February 12, 2008 at 04:11 PM. Reason: HP38

February 19, 2008, 01:54 PM	#20
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Thanks guys--end of thread Okay final data.... 230 gr LRN HP38 6.4 grns.......780 fps avg only have about 50 bullets to load so wont need to experiment anymore with this bullet...I loaded about 100 of this one.. 185gr JHP...8 grs of HP38 is avg of 800....and on another day,,,,865 avg... (wonder what accounted for the big difference... anyway,,I like the loads, and will go with them till the bullets run out...then give the weapons to my kids.. cheers all,,,(end of thread)

February 7, 2008, 04:24 PM	#3
tplumeri Junior member Join Date: September 26, 2007 Posts: 1,919	Mike, I dont have any advice, just wanted to welcome you to TFL.

February 7, 2008, 06:02 PM	#4
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	thanks!

February 7, 2008, 09:59 PM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	I haven't used any of your listed powders in my .45, but I can tell you lots of folks on this forum like Unique.

February 7, 2008, 10:25 PM	#6
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Would it be safe to just start with 6 grains of unique and just move up to get fps of around 900?? Or am I asking for trouble with a risk of detonation with having small amounts of powder in a large case?

February 7, 2008, 10:53 PM	#7
Dr. A Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2007 Location: Salina, KS. Posts: 215	I'd be trying 8.0gr. to 9.5gr. of Unique or 8 or 9gr. of HP38 for your 185gr. JHP. These are somewhat interpretive from lead data for Colt SAA and its clones. Use at your own risk, and good luck! The chances of sticking a 185gr. JHP are fairly great if you go to low. (6gr.) Unique is a moderate speed, and is best used at a little higher pressure than 6gr.

February 7, 2008, 11:05 PM	#8
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	super.. i will try that.. Thank you anybody else have some loads with the other powders I listed?

February 7, 2008, 11:32 PM	#9
schmellba99 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 803	I've used some loads for my .45LC lever rifle that were the following: 185gr JHP 10.5gr Unique ~1050 FPS I wouldn't use them in a revolver, but you could definitely start out with a load of around 7.0gr Unique and build up from there. I would imagine that around the 9.0 - 9.5 grain powder charge in a pistol is probably about as high as you would want to go. That should get you in the 900fps range or so more than likely.

February 8, 2008, 11:29 AM	#10
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Thanks! I will try the smaller grains for sure. Can anyone enlighten me to a phenomenon of detonation? I heard from an old timer buddy of mine that if you put too small amount of powder...like less than 1/4 of the capacity of the case, it is possible to 'detonate' the powder yielding extreme pressures. Anyone shed light on that?

February 8, 2008, 11:39 AM	#11
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	the detonation occurs in bottle necked cases I have never heard of it happening in straight wall cases. I loaded 2.9 gr of bullseye in 38 spl for years with no issues. I suspect this was less than1/4 of the case capacity I have seen the same load in .357 also without issue. I have never tried or expect I will try really light loads in my rifle stuff. Light rifle loads tend to be awful for accuracy.

February 8, 2008, 03:27 PM	#12
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Thank you! I will post the results for sure. mike,

February 12, 2008, 03:43 PM	#14
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	You may want to try crimping over the ogive slightly. That's a fairly light bullet, and with the load you're using there probably isn't too much concern that it'll pull the bullet. You may want to check though--fire all the rounds in the cylinder except the last one, and see how much the bullet has come out of the case. A slight crimp should help make the loads more consistent too. Sounds like the Unique load does basically what you want, but I'd bet you'll be happier with HP38. I'll be curious to see what you find. Mike

February 12, 2008, 03:56 PM	#15
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Thanks much! I will try that..those are good tips. I agree with you on the crimp thing.. I do have lots of HP38, maybe 12 pounds. but only 1 or 2 pounds of Unique left. And after that is gone...not buying anymore of anything.

February 12, 2008, 03:58 PM	#16
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	With that light bullet, I think Green Dot might be a better choice -- say, 8.0 grains. According to Alliant, that gives 940 fps with a 200 grain jacketed bullet. I haven't tried Green Dot in a .45, but I have used lots of Red Dot and it works very well.

February 12, 2008, 04:55 PM	#18
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	PERFECT! I have so much Green Dot...2 large kegs!! I used to do trap and skeet...300-400 rounds a day! So that will be great to use that with this gun too. Thanks,,,and I still will try the HP-38 Data to follow... Mike

February 17, 2008, 12:19 PM	#19
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Data as promised,,, HP38...6 gr. all other components remained the same... 504 fps...avg and deviation was close to that as well... I am going to raise it to 7.5 gr and see if I can get close to 750-800 fps... it is possible that this powder I have is sour...it is old but I have stored it in a cool dry dark place...according to the manufacturer, this practice can preserve the power a long time. plus, i heard it it smells like vinegar, it might be bad,,(it doesnt smell like vinegar)