.45 (Long) Colt loads

[KMAX]

What are some of your best favored loads for 45Colt full power loads? I am not talking about HOT loads, just full power loads. I have a Cowboy load that I am happy with now using Trailboss. I don't remember the exact load at the moment and am on vacation so can't check. Anyway I am using Lasercast 250gr RNFP bullets. I tried IMR 800x, but didn't really like it much. So what do you folks like for full power 45Colt loads?

Forgot to say in original post that I am shooting a Ruger Blackhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel.

[Poindexter]

I have pretty well settled on the 270 gr RCBS SAA bullet for every day.

FWIW I load 230gr truncated cones for steel target, IPDA and so forth.

With the 270s my go to load is 35gr (by volume of course) of FF sized 777 over a standard primer, with a lube cookie at the top of the stack. Gets me about 700-750fps out of a short barrel

I also keep TiteGroup, Universal Clays and HS-6 in stock. I had some trouble with a different un-named powder in colder weather a couple years ago. I have personally tested each of 777, TG, UC and HS6 from +50dF to -35dF in five degree steps and trust each of those four powders completely in any weather I am likely to encounter up here.

For cold weather testing, test loads were locked outdoors in the tool box in my truck bed for minimum 48 hours before test firing.

For 20k psi loads (tier II) I am partial to TG and HS6 with the 270gr bullet.

For Tier III I am comfortable using H-110 when the water is liquid enough for the salmon to swim in it. I don't much care for Lil Gun myself, its a fine powder, I just don't like the feel of it. I did try one Tier III load with a 340gr bullet and TiteGroup aftder having been on the phone with Hodgdon a while. Haven't loaded anymore of those.

I loaded H110 under 270gr bullets for salmon fishing this year and have plenty ofthem left, not in a hurry to change my TierIII load since I hardly ever need it, but open to ideas.

[Wallyl]

Ruger Blackhawk
8.0 Grains Unique
Lyman 255 Keith or Lee 255 RF or Lee 252 SWC...

[zxcvbob]

I *really* like Herco powder in revolvers with cast bullets; my .45 Colt load with it is hotter than you want.

Alliant shows 9.0 grains of Herco is a max standard pressure load (12600 psi) with 250 grain lead bullets @ 910 fps. Since SAAMI max is 14000 psi and CIP (the European standard) max is about 16000, there is still a little headroom. But 12.0 grain of Herco will get you over 25000 psi, so don't go there unless you have a strong gun like a Ruger or a rifle.

Originally Posted by Poindexter

FWIW I load 230gr truncated cones for steel target, IPDA and so forth.

The Lee bullet? That's a great one with 7.5 grains of Red Dot or Promo. A "tier 2" load, it's subsonic but just barely.

[44 AMP]

.45 Colt
250gr bullet
Unique
10.0gr
standard primer
modern solid head cases (do NOT use this load in balloon head brass!!)

1070fps avg from my 7.5" Blackhawk

Listed in the old books as MAX for the Colt SAA (but still safe)

Been shooting that load over 30 years. Does everything I ever asked it to do, and does it well.

Noticeable, enjoyable recoil, not punishing (although I would recommend oversize grips on the Blackhawk. I prefer the Paychmayr over the Hogue)

Some crimp is needed with that load. Unique is a little dirtier than some powders, not as dirty as some others. My gun will take much heavier loads, but I no longer can, nor have any need to.

[chiefr]

After trying many other powders, I use Unique exclusively in 45LC for all weight bullets mild to hot.

[Ozzieman]

I’m a fan of Unique but I have the best accuracy with lead in 44 special and 45 LC with Herco loads.
I can give you my favorite loads but not knowing the gun or length of barrel my loads are useless to you.
With any 45 load it depends on the gun being Ruger or non Ruger loads. All of my single action revolvers are Rugers so I use Ruger only loads of 10.8 gr of Herco. This gave my Blackhawk a measured velocity of 1070 FPS for an average and was very accurate. The Speer #10 list Min 10.3 Max11.

so don't go there unless you have a strong gun like a Ruger or a rifle.
Good advice use it.

My bullet is a Penn 255 semi wad-cutter. VERY accurate.
http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html

[BigMike349]

Originally Posted by Ozzieman

I’m a fan of Unique but I have the best accuracy with lead in 44 special and 45 LC with Herco loads.
I can give you my favorite loads but not knowing the gun or length of barrel my loads are useless to you.
With any 45 load it depends on the gun being Ruger or non Ruger loads. All of my single action revolvers are Rugers so I use Ruger only loads of 10.8 gr of Herco. This gave my Blackhawk a measured velocity of 1070 FPS for an average and was very accurate. The Speer #10 list Min 10.3 Max11.

so don't go there unless you have a strong gun like a Ruger or a rifle.
Good advice use it.

My bullet is a Penn 255 semi wad-cutter. VERY accurate.
http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html

Just for clarification for those that might not know..."ruger only loads" do NOT apply to the ruger new vaquero. Therefore this gun is the exception to the ruger only rule. Some writers have said that the new vaquero can take tier ii loads, but that is still lighter than ruger only loads. The ruger new vaquero is not built to handle the pressures of a ruger only load.

[BigMike349]

the two most popular boolits are 250gr RNFP and 255gr Keith Style SWC. Truncated cone is also a popular style for those with lever guns that have difficulty feeding SWC. the most popular full power (but not hot) powder is always going to be unique. Unique is the best place to start because there are a lot of published and proven loads with unique and those 250gr boolits you have. People have suggested I try AA-9 and IMR 4227 for some full power loads (better out of my 1892). you will also find some people using herco, blue dot and titegroup with success. From what I have read/heard is that H-110 will not work well is light loads, only +P (not safe for SAAs, clones and new vaqueros). I did some research into 2400 but I didn't find any good stats I liked. I had a similar post where you might find useful information.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526937

[GeauxTide]

I'm a fan of Unique and Power Pistol under 255 or 275gr SWC. 9-10 grains usually does it. I've found that 1050-1100fps is more than any deer or hog can stand up to. Full penetration from most any angle to 50 yards. Comfortable to shoot from my 5.5" Bisley, too.

[Mike / Tx]

You might also want to look at the following link which was posted by Handoader Handloader 246 - Wolfe Publishing Company

There is an excellent right up by Brian Pearce on the RCBS 45 270 SAA which list several levels of loads for the 45 Colt.

I pour my own from a MP molds version of this bullet which has a couple of HP options. I can honestly say that this bullet is very well balanced for the 45 Colt. Even with the solid it is great shooting and hard hitting even with the lower velocity and pressure loads.

If that doesn't trip your ticket you might also look up the following,
John Linebaugh's Custom Sixguns

I shoot Redhawks myself but I don't push them to their limits either. I have found John's personal loads, using HS-6 and the 255-260gr bullets, listed down at the bottom of one of his writings to work great for just about everything.

or you might also find some additional info on it here as well,

TAFFIN TESTS: THE .45 COLT

Might find some more info linked from his home page,
John Taffin's Sixguns.com

Also if you look down a bit on that last link you will find another link "Mr. Keith's Corner". Click on it as well and do some reading up on what Mr. Elmer Keith has to say about handgunning. It might be a bit dated but the same principals apply.


Hope this helps

[Revoltella]

I load my .45Colts with 250gr RNFP over 6.7 gr of W231. Chrono's a little over 800 fps.

[Slamfire]

I have shot hundreds, if not thousands of pounds of 250 LRN, LSWC with 8.5 grains Unique. That usually gave me about 850 to 900 fps depending on the conditions.

Now I have turned into an old futz and am shooting 8.0 grains Unique and that chronographs exactly at 800 fps. Back in 1993 I purchased a lot of Unique powder, and most of my data reflects that older version. I did go out and shoot the new stuff and it appears to be faster. I would start with 7.5 grains and work my way up with that stuff.

I am frustrated with the inconsistency I get with Accurate Arms powders. I developed a load in a SAA with 10.5. grs AA#5 and it shot great and was about 825-850 fps. Well, with this different lot of AA#5, 10.5 grs is faster than I want.

AA#5 is a ball powder, shoots “cleaner” than Unique, though that does not make the slightest difference on paper or in clean up time.

I though might be of interest is the Wolf primer data. Looks to be a mild primer.

My loads are accurate enough to hit my 12 gong target each shot, standing, shooting one handed, at 50 yards. I don’t always hit each shot. I am very happy if I hit 5/6. The distance is within the range limitations of where I shoot.

M625-9 Mountain Gun 4" Barrel


250 JHP 8.5 grs Unique thrown, W-W cases, WLP primers
18-Mar-07 T = 55 °F V, accurate
Ave Vel = 830
Std Dev = 30
ES= 103.5
High= 893.4
Low= 789.8
Number Shots= 12

255 LSWC (.452") 8.0 grs Unique thrown, lot 6/21/1993Starline cases, WLP primers
25-Mar-07 T = 80 °F accurate
Ave Vel = 800
Std Dev = 30
ES 99.02
High 847.2
Low 748.1
Number Shots 11


250 LRN (.454") Valiant 8.5 grs Unique thrown lot 5471, 4/3/06, R-P cases, WLP primers

25-Mar-07 T = 80 °F accurate
Ave Vel = 891
Std Dev = 17
ES 61.31
High 921.1
Low 859.8
Number Shots 27


250 LSWC (.452") 10.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 mixed cases WLP (nickel)

23-Sep-07 T = 82 °F

Ave Vel = 875.1
Std Dev = 19.36
ES = 62.64
High = 905.7
Low = 843
N = 12


250 LSWC (.452") 10.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 mixed cases Wolf NCLP

23-Sep-07 T = 82 °F

Ave Vel = 826.2
Std Dev = 20.14
ES = 63.38
High = 862.1
Low = 798.7
N = 12

[cjwils]

I like Unique for standard velocity loads in many different handgun calibers, including Colt 45. You can buy one powder and reload to your heart's content.

[ljnowell]

I always liked the 255gr SWC loaded over 18gr of 2400. I have loaded them as hot as 21-22 gr and it was safe in my blackhawk, but a bit more than I want to shoot.

[grisbald]

In my Ruger Blackhawk 7.5" barrel I've been using 8.5 grains of Powder Pistol for 250 grain jacketed bullets.

[stevelyn]

I like Unique for plinking loads, but all of my working loads are loaded with either H-110 or Lil Gun and 335gr CP WFNGC bullets. I tend to lean more toward Lil Gun in the cold months.

[rclark]

My goto all around load is 7.0g of Green Dot under 250g RNFP. 900fps
My woods load is 13.0g of HS-6 under 255g SWC. 1100fps.

Both loads are safe in all my Ruger .45s (medium frame or large frame).

Many other loads too I like but these are the two current favorites. I've never loaded a bullet below 250 grains in .45 Colt. Don't see the point.

Should mention True Blue as well 10g under 250g RNFP is a nice load too. This powder meters very well. 960fps load.

Above mentioned AA#5. It wasn't until I loaded 11.0g under 255g Bullet that it started to perform. When using AA#5 11.0g is what I use. 960fps.

Unique ... You can buy one powder and reload to your heart's content.

The big question is IF you can buy the powder. Unique has always been 'the' powder for .45 Colt. I liked 8 and 8.5g when loading it.... Now I've got enough for awhile to load in my .44s (goto powder there), but I haven't seen it on the shelf in some time now. One of the reasons I did a lot of testing of other powders. Have a lot to pick from now in times of scarcity without having to test!

[Brutus]

Also a big fan of Unique, if you can find it, Haven't seen any around here for a year. Universal clays makes an excellent substitute, same burn rate, seems to meter better and is cleaner burning. I've also noticed that 8.0gr. seems a bit hotter than the same load of Unique but I haven't had a chance to Chorno them.
May actually replace Unique with this powder as it also serves in my favorite 12 gauge shotgun loads.

[Mike Irwin]

The only powder I use for my .45 Long is Universal. It's quite excellent.

[David Bachelder]

215 grain Cast Flat Point Bullet
LPP Primer (I use what ever brand I can get), mostly CCI for now.
HP-38 @ 7.8 grains

Nice feeling loads, not too heavy on recoil and shoot accurately.

[rclark]

. I've also noticed that 8.0gr. {Universal} seems a bit hotter than the same load of Unique but I haven't had a chance to Chorno them.

250g RNFP

8.0g Universal 894fps
8.0g Unique __922fps

8.5g Universal 984fps
8.5g Unique __970fps

9.0g Universal 1021fps
9.0g Unique __1013fps

Universal does seem to meter better. I use Unique/Universal interchangably.

[Brutus]

rclark,
Thanks for posting your velocity findings. I find it interesting that the 8gr. load is a little slower then surpasses Unique as the powder charge increases.
May I ask, what revolver your shooting and the barrel length?
Which load provides the best accuracy? I'm assuming the use of lead bullets.
I'm shooting a Smith 625 mountain gun and have kept my loads to about 900fps. max.