Big game loads for 45 Colt

ZFH · July 18, 1999, 09:49 AM

I have a ruger blackhawk in 45 Colt and am looking for some stout loads for big game hunting. I'll be using 300gr XTPs and 300gr cast flat points. I have one load of 10grs of unique with the 300gr ccast bullets that give an average velocity of 1025fps. Do I need any more than that?

Thanks
Chris

Art Eatman · July 18, 1999, 09:54 AM

Ross Seyfried sez use cast bullets with large meplats. (He explained so I would understand that "meplat" is the flat part of the nose of the bullet.)

Various books suggest loads with other, slower powders to get a bit more velocity. I'm 1,400 miles from my "other home", where the info is, but I think you can get another 200 fps or so without problems...

FWIW, Art

swifter... · July 18, 1999, 01:12 PM

You might give Blue Dot a try. I use 13.0 gr. with a 250 gr RFN for around 950 in a 4" barrel S&W. That's right at the bottom of "Ruger & TC only" loads, so I'm sure you could go up some...

------------------
Shoot carefully... swifter...

Grayfox · July 18, 1999, 09:36 PM

The unique load you have is plenty. I've used the same one myself. If you want to get adventurous, you can load the old colt round in the Blackhawk hotter than the .44 mag. The question is do you want too?
I've said before that I've tried experimenting with hot .45 Colt loads and decided against them. If you want .44 mag performance, get a .44 mag. I like the .45 Colt as is.

bfoster · July 18, 1999, 10:40 PM

If you hunt in very cold conditions, you might give IMR 4227, H110, N110 & N120 consideration. Blue Dot does make a good load, but suffers erratic ignition in cold weather far more than the alternate powders I've listed, regardless of primer.

Contender · July 19, 1999, 05:05 PM

If you cast your own, you may want to get an LBT mold for their OWC bullet. You can get it in around 300 grs. wt. I also know of a gent in OHIO that casts them for sale. It's quite a smasher on deer sized game at moderate velocities. It's called "The Flying Beer Keg". It has a very small ogive that only sacrifices 1/32" of frontal diameter. The crimp groove can be placed wherever you want it to fit your guns chamber. This maximizes powder space.

rangerco · July 20, 1999, 04:55 PM

Speer # 9 manual gave some loads using WCF 296 and LEAD BULLETS. HOT. Only 240 grns. but what do you really need any more weight for? Other source is the older Hodgdon free manuals. Got a little warm with some 110 loads. No doubt liability has slow things down alot. good luck.

Paul B. · July 27, 1999, 11:25 AM

ZFH. Go to (www.sixgunner.com). Several very good articles on just what you are looking for. Powders they recommend are W-296 and H-110.
Paul B.

July 18, 1999, 09:49 AM	#1
ZFH Member Join Date: April 20, 1999 Location: here, there, somewhere Posts: 25	I have a ruger blackhawk in 45 Colt and am looking for some stout loads for big game hunting. I'll be using 300gr XTPs and 300gr cast flat points. I have one load of 10grs of unique with the 300gr ccast bullets that give an average velocity of 1025fps. Do I need any more than that? Thanks Chris

July 18, 1999, 09:54 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Ross Seyfried sez use cast bullets with large meplats. (He explained so I would understand that "meplat" is the flat part of the nose of the bullet.) Various books suggest loads with other, slower powders to get a bit more velocity. I'm 1,400 miles from my "other home", where the info is, but I think you can get another 200 fps or so without problems... FWIW, Art

July 18, 1999, 01:12 PM	#3
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	You might give Blue Dot a try. I use 13.0 gr. with a 250 gr RFN for around 950 in a 4" barrel S&W. That's right at the bottom of "Ruger & TC only" loads, so I'm sure you could go up some... ------------------ Shoot carefully... swifter...

July 18, 1999, 09:36 PM	#4
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	The unique load you have is plenty. I've used the same one myself. If you want to get adventurous, you can load the old colt round in the Blackhawk hotter than the .44 mag. The question is do you want too? I've said before that I've tried experimenting with hot .45 Colt loads and decided against them. If you want .44 mag performance, get a .44 mag. I like the .45 Colt as is.

July 18, 1999, 10:40 PM	#5
bfoster Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: N. of Fords Switch, OK, USA Posts: 297	If you hunt in very cold conditions, you might give IMR 4227, H110, N110 & N120 consideration. Blue Dot does make a good load, but suffers erratic ignition in cold weather far more than the alternate powders I've listed, regardless of primer.

July 19, 1999, 05:05 PM	#6
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	If you cast your own, you may want to get an LBT mold for their OWC bullet. You can get it in around 300 grs. wt. I also know of a gent in OHIO that casts them for sale. It's quite a smasher on deer sized game at moderate velocities. It's called "The Flying Beer Keg". It has a very small ogive that only sacrifices 1/32" of frontal diameter. The crimp groove can be placed wherever you want it to fit your guns chamber. This maximizes powder space.

July 20, 1999, 04:55 PM	#7
rangerco Member Join Date: June 18, 1999 Posts: 56	Speer # 9 manual gave some loads using WCF 296 and LEAD BULLETS. HOT. Only 240 grns. but what do you really need any more weight for? Other source is the older Hodgdon free manuals. Got a little warm with some 110 loads. No doubt liability has slow things down alot. good luck.

July 27, 1999, 11:25 AM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,807	ZFH. Go to (www.sixgunner.com). Several very good articles on just what you are looking for. Powders they recommend are W-296 and H-110. Paul B.