Uberti .45 Colt with Brass Grip Frame: Looking for Effective Woods Load

Southern Shooter · September 18, 2014, 01:19 PM

I have a 4 3/4" Uberti 1873 Cattleman Millennium in .45 Colt. It has the brass grip frame. I have a Lee 452-255-RF mold that drops boolits at 265 grains. Powders that I have available are Triple 7 fffg, HS-6, Unique, Trail Boss.

QUESTION:
I want an effective woods load for the Southeastern U.S.. But, one that will not damage the revolver with regular use/target practice. **What load would ya'll put together with this boolit and these powders that would meet the stated need?

Thanks

GeauxTide · September 18, 2014, 01:35 PM

Start at 8gr of Unique, Std primers, and good roll crimp. If your piece can handle the 357 Blackhawk frame loads (20k), then 9 gr. will put you close to 1000.

Clark · September 18, 2014, 01:44 PM

I have been shooting the same Uberti revolver at 1225 fps 250 XTP with H110 for 10 years. The recoil is heavy and I think the cylinder is loosening up. Not as loose as a new Ruger Blackhawk, but getting looser. I welded some material onto the front sight to correct for the heavy recoil loads.

WESHOOT2 · September 18, 2014, 03:06 PM

Most highly recommend you investigate HS6. Suggest a 255--280g lead bullet. Standard primer.
Firm crimp.

reloader28 · September 18, 2014, 11:29 PM

I've been getting good results with 7 gr Green Dot and 255gr RF.
Not a screamer, about 800fps, but with a RF cast boolit, you'll still get excellent penetration.
Your meplat will be even bigger than my NOE so you should get excellent performance as well.

WIL TERRY · September 19, 2014, 04:05 PM

I just gotta ask...just how big a woods are you figerin' on shootin' ?

LivewireBlanco · September 19, 2014, 10:21 PM

I've used 8.5 gr Unique with that bullet. That's max of what I'm comfortable with shooting in my Uberti. Now my Blackhawk on the other hand...

Hunter Customs · September 20, 2014, 07:50 AM

I have a Cimarron Uberti 1873 model, mine is the steel frame 4 3/4 inch barrel in 45 Colt.

In the short time I've had the gun the round count is up to 5600 give or take a few.
The gun has held up very well, I actually like the gun better then my Rugers.

Because of the powder situation I've shot all kinds of loads through it, some pretty hot ,some what I call average, no powder puff loads.

As for now I'm loading what I consider an average load, 9.5 grains of Herco topped off with a 255 gr SWC for a velocity of 922 FPS.

Of the powders you listed I would load HS6 or Unique and work up a load in the 850 to 900 FPS range.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Hunter Customs · September 23, 2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

I have been shooting the same Uberti revolver at 1225 fps 250 XTP with H110 for 10 years. The recoil is heavy and I think the cylinder is loosening up. Not as loose as a new Ruger Blackhawk, but getting looser.

Clark, that's a pretty stout load, I could understand the cylinder starting to loosen some.

After 5600 plus rounds of some tier 1 & 2 loads my Uberti is still tight in the lock-up department, it's much tighter then all the new unfired Ruger SA guns I've had in the shop.

The grip frame on the 5.5 inch barrel gun in the picture looks longer, is it longer then the grip frame on the 4.75 inch barrel gun?

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Jim Watson · September 23, 2014, 07:45 PM

Yes, it has an 1860 grip frame.
A variant sold by EMF as the Alchimista.

TimSr · September 25, 2014, 12:16 PM

What is a "woods load"?

Clark · September 26, 2014, 01:12 PM

I am about to drive 900 miles to go hunting.
I get there a few weeks early for long range target practice, handloading in the field, and wringing out the problems with whatever rifles I have built that year.
I target practice 5 miles from town, and know the spot well.
I got a pic from there this morning.

pic above same as link below

wachtelhund1 · October 13, 2014, 11:45 AM

Try RL-7. I load 26.5 grains of RL-7 behind Nosler 250 grain JHP bullet for 1,160 to 1,200 fps. Recoil is mild as this is a rifle powder and pressure peaks slower the pistol powders.

September 18, 2014, 01:19 PM	#1
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 469	Uberti .45 Colt with Brass Grip Frame: Looking for Effective Woods Load I have a 4 3/4" Uberti 1873 Cattleman Millennium in .45 Colt. It has the brass grip frame. I have a Lee 452-255-RF mold that drops boolits at 265 grains. Powders that I have available are Triple 7 fffg, HS-6, Unique, Trail Boss. QUESTION: I want an effective woods load for the Southeastern U.S.. But, one that will not damage the revolver with regular use/target practice. **What load would ya'll put together with this boolit and these powders that would meet the stated need? Thanks __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley

September 18, 2014, 03:06 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Most highly recommend you investigate HS6. Suggest a 255--280g lead bullet. Standard primer. Firm crimp. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 18, 2014, 01:35 PM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Start at 8gr of Unique, Std primers, and good roll crimp. If your piece can handle the 357 Blackhawk frame loads (20k), then 9 gr. will put you close to 1000.

September 18, 2014, 11:29 PM	#5
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	I've been getting good results with 7 gr Green Dot and 255gr RF. Not a screamer, about 800fps, but with a RF cast boolit, you'll still get excellent penetration. Your meplat will be even bigger than my NOE so you should get excellent performance as well.

September 19, 2014, 04:05 PM	#6
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	I just gotta ask...just how big a woods are you figerin' on shootin' ?

September 19, 2014, 10:21 PM	#7
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	I've used 8.5 gr Unique with that bullet. That's max of what I'm comfortable with shooting in my Uberti. Now my Blackhawk on the other hand...

September 20, 2014, 07:50 AM	#8
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I have a Cimarron Uberti 1873 model, mine is the steel frame 4 3/4 inch barrel in 45 Colt. In the short time I've had the gun the round count is up to 5600 give or take a few. The gun has held up very well, I actually like the gun better then my Rugers. Because of the powder situation I've shot all kinds of loads through it, some pretty hot ,some what I call average, no powder puff loads. As for now I'm loading what I consider an average load, 9.5 grains of Herco topped off with a 255 gr SWC for a velocity of 922 FPS. Of the powders you listed I would load HS6 or Unique and work up a load in the 850 to 900 FPS range. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

September 23, 2014, 07:45 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Yes, it has an 1860 grip frame. A variant sold by EMF as the Alchimista.

September 25, 2014, 12:16 PM	#11
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	What is a "woods load"?

October 13, 2014, 11:45 AM	#13
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 414	Try RL-7. I load 26.5 grains of RL-7 behind Nosler 250 grain JHP bullet for 1,160 to 1,200 fps. Recoil is mild as this is a rifle powder and pressure peaks slower the pistol powders.