Heavy 45 Colt loads

ligonierbill · December 13, 2021, 09:51 AM

I am trying to reduce my number of different loads to get some consistency and allow me to stock up on favored bullets when I have the opportunity. I am shooting a 7 1/2" Blackhawk, and I have always favored 255 gr cast at moderate (1,000 fps) velocity. However, I acquired a 44 Special Blackhawk "Flattop", a little handier with a 5 1/2" barrel, and am really enjoying 240 cast at 936 avg. Thinking to focus on the heavies for the 45, and here are my choices:

300 JSP (Speer or Sierra) at about 1,250. Though these are soft points, they are not really designed to expand, rather penetrate.

335 Cast Performance at just under 1,300.

360 Cast Performance at just under 1,200.

All of these are loaded with H110 within published "Ruger only" range.

I welcome your opinions or, even better, experience.

GeauxTide · December 13, 2021, 11:15 AM

After reading Brian Pearce in Handloader #268, I ordered some of the 285gr. RCBS SAA SWC bullets he used to post Tier 1(14k),2(21k), and 3(32k) loads (www.mattsbullets.com). I chose the Tier 2 level to start my tests. I settled on 10gr of Unique, giving 1057 in my 5.5 Blackhawk. The astonishing thing, other than 1.5" groups, was the penetration. My test medium was the soft mud banks of a lake and I was getting a consistent 4.5-5 feet! I gave my youngest a supply for his upcoming hog hunt. He shot a 150# sow, at 20 yards, just below the left eye socket. The bullet exited the right ham in a fist sized exit. He has a large fist. I got a Henry Lever last year and I loaded 300gr Speer Gold Dot with 18gr of 2400 for 1300 (a Ruger load in Hornady X). It shoots 5/8" at 50 yards. Haven't poked anything, yet.

Paul105 · December 13, 2021, 11:36 AM

What is the "heavy" 45 colt load to be used for?

ligonierbill · December 13, 2021, 11:42 AM

Killing large animals.

Paul105 · December 13, 2021, 12:05 PM

Specifically, what kind of large animals?

jackmoser65 · December 13, 2021, 01:15 PM

The 335 grain wide flat nose is a real sweet spot in the 45 colt's performance. Run it 1000-1200ft/sec and it will do nearly anything.

I wouldn't bother with a jacketed bullet that did not expand. The 300 XTP does expand at 45 colt velocities.

black mamba · December 13, 2021, 09:13 PM

I'm with Jack, the 335s @ 1200 fps will do everything you could want. Put an UltraDot 30 on it, sight it dead on at 75 yards, and hunt out to (or beyond) 100.

ligonierbill · December 14, 2021, 03:00 PM

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll probably go with those 335s, but since I need to use them up, I'll practice all of the above to see if one has a distinct accuracy advantage.

rays44 · December 21, 2021, 10:24 PM

A 300gr bullet at 1000fps will kill everything in the lower 48. Anything beyond that is for fun and enjoyment, but not necessity.

rclark · December 22, 2021, 11:49 AM

Might want to read .45 Colt - Dissolving the Myth - John Linebaugh Has some good insight on heavy bullets ... and other things

. I'd point to Ross Seyfried's article, but I see it is no longer there. But John references Seyfried in his article and doing a search will find other references. I mention them as they are ones that actually walked what they talked. Max Prasac has a couple of nice books out on big bores and info on the .45 Colt too. And others... One thing about heavy loads is ... there is nothing new under the sun. Good to read about the experiences of others. Just like history, those that don't learn about it, are doomed to repeat it.

ligonierbill · December 22, 2021, 12:43 PM

Yep, I read Linebaugh's paper long ago. And I have Prasac's Big-Bore Revolvers. An interesting feature of that book is the point/counterpoint articles on jacketed vs. cast bullets. Gary Smith wrote the jacketed side, Max the cast side. Best analyses I've seen.

Mike / Tx · December 26, 2021, 07:23 AM

Several years back I pick up a Redhawk in 45 Colt. Since we were doing a lot of hog control at the time I was anxious to get it up and running. I tried several weight bullets up to 300gr but settled on a 280gr cast from an Accurate mold. 45-280C I went with the Linebaugh load using HS-6 and poured them with a 1-3-96 alloy. They're plenty for anything cruising our woods. They are hard enough to penetrate a 240-260'ish pound boar lengthwise from shoulder to ham, and still give some expansion. They run right at 1100fps out of the 7½" barrel and hit with plenty of authority.

After quite a bit of testing and hunting with them, they have become my go to bullets. If I need more I'll bump up to the 454.

December 13, 2021, 09:51 AM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,462	Heavy 45 Colt loads I am trying to reduce my number of different loads to get some consistency and allow me to stock up on favored bullets when I have the opportunity. I am shooting a 7 1/2" Blackhawk, and I have always favored 255 gr cast at moderate (1,000 fps) velocity. However, I acquired a 44 Special Blackhawk "Flattop", a little handier with a 5 1/2" barrel, and am really enjoying 240 cast at 936 avg. Thinking to focus on the heavies for the 45, and here are my choices: 300 JSP (Speer or Sierra) at about 1,250. Though these are soft points, they are not really designed to expand, rather penetrate. 335 Cast Performance at just under 1,300. 360 Cast Performance at just under 1,200. All of these are loaded with H110 within published "Ruger only" range. I welcome your opinions or, even better, experience.

December 21, 2021, 10:24 PM	#9
rays44 Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2015 Posts: 5	A 300gr bullet at 1000fps will kill everything in the lower 48. Anything beyond that is for fun and enjoyment, but not necessity. Last edited by rays44; December 21, 2021 at 10:38 PM.

December 22, 2021, 11:49 AM	#10
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,625	Might want to read .45 Colt - Dissolving the Myth - John Linebaugh Has some good insight on heavy bullets ... and other things . I'd point to Ross Seyfried's article, but I see it is no longer there. But John references Seyfried in his article and doing a search will find other references. I mention them as they are ones that actually walked what they talked. Max Prasac has a couple of nice books out on big bores and info on the .45 Colt too. And others... One thing about heavy loads is ... there is nothing new under the sun. Good to read about the experiences of others. Just like history, those that don't learn about it, are doomed to repeat it. __________________ 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. Last edited by rclark; December 22, 2021 at 12:09 PM.

December 26, 2021, 07:23 AM	#12
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,102	Several years back I pick up a Redhawk in 45 Colt. Since we were doing a lot of hog control at the time I was anxious to get it up and running. I tried several weight bullets up to 300gr but settled on a 280gr cast from an Accurate mold. 45-280C I went with the Linebaugh load using HS-6 and poured them with a 1-3-96 alloy. They're plenty for anything cruising our woods. They are hard enough to penetrate a 240-260'ish pound boar lengthwise from shoulder to ham, and still give some expansion. They run right at 1100fps out of the 7½" barrel and hit with plenty of authority. After quite a bit of testing and hunting with them, they have become my go to bullets. If I need more I'll bump up to the 454. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

December 13, 2021, 11:15 AM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,426	After reading Brian Pearce in Handloader #268, I ordered some of the 285gr. RCBS SAA SWC bullets he used to post Tier 1(14k),2(21k), and 3(32k) loads (www.mattsbullets.com). I chose the Tier 2 level to start my tests. I settled on 10gr of Unique, giving 1057 in my 5.5 Blackhawk. The astonishing thing, other than 1.5" groups, was the penetration. My test medium was the soft mud banks of a lake and I was getting a consistent 4.5-5 feet! I gave my youngest a supply for his upcoming hog hunt. He shot a 150# sow, at 20 yards, just below the left eye socket. The bullet exited the right ham in a fist sized exit. He has a large fist. I got a Henry Lever last year and I loaded 300gr Speer Gold Dot with 18gr of 2400 for 1300 (a Ruger load in Hornady X). It shoots 5/8" at 50 yards. Haven't poked anything, yet. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

December 13, 2021, 11:36 AM	#3
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	What is the "heavy" 45 colt load to be used for?

December 13, 2021, 11:42 AM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,462	Killing large animals.

December 13, 2021, 12:05 PM	#5
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	Specifically, what kind of large animals?

December 13, 2021, 01:15 PM	#6
jackmoser65 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Posts: 754	The 335 grain wide flat nose is a real sweet spot in the 45 colt's performance. Run it 1000-1200ft/sec and it will do nearly anything. I wouldn't bother with a jacketed bullet that did not expand. The 300 XTP does expand at 45 colt velocities.

December 13, 2021, 09:13 PM	#7
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	I'm with Jack, the 335s @ 1200 fps will do everything you could want. Put an UltraDot 30 on it, sight it dead on at 75 yards, and hunt out to (or beyond) 100.

December 14, 2021, 03:00 PM	#8
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,462	Thanks for your thoughts. I'll probably go with those 335s, but since I need to use them up, I'll practice all of the above to see if one has a distinct accuracy advantage.

December 22, 2021, 12:43 PM	#11
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,462	Yep, I read Linebaugh's paper long ago. And I have Prasac's Big-Bore Revolvers. An interesting feature of that book is the point/counterpoint articles on jacketed vs. cast bullets. Gary Smith wrote the jacketed side, Max the cast side. Best analyses I've seen.