Filler material for .45 Colt

steelbird · June 3, 2013, 03:36 PM

I'm considering using Unique loads for my .45 Colt Uberti Chisolm ( it's a Cattleman type ). But I suspect that it will not ignite evenly, due to it's not filling the case. Would using a filler be a problem? I have had success using Spanish moss with my BP '58 Remmy, and I'm thinking of using it for filler.
For those who don't know about Spanish moss, it's a kind of air plant that can be found here in NE Florida. It's soft, stringy, and very pliable. It can be compressed when you roll up some strands of it into a ball, and spreads out to fill whatever you stuff it into. The nice feature of it is that it acts as a kind of mild abrasive - it helps keep the bore from fouling up. The Spanish used it here regularly back in the 16th and 17th centuries for their weapons. And the best part of all - it's completely free for the taking. Those of you in NE Florida who are looking for some wadding material for BP shooting might want to try it.
Anyway, sorry for the detour, back to the original question - filler material OK for cartridge loads of Unique in .45 Colt?

TATER · June 3, 2013, 03:47 PM

Unique in .45 Colt does not require a filler..though, I don't see any harm with Poly-fill either. (wast of time)

With spanish moss, I don't think long term storage would be a good idea though..

huntinaz · June 3, 2013, 04:05 PM

Unique is probably THE most popular powder used to load 45 Colt. I believe you may be the first person to bring up using a filler with it.

It isn't needed (it ignites just fine)

zippy13 · June 3, 2013, 04:16 PM

I load light wad cutters for a .44 Rem Mag revolver and have been using poly fill in the void. With the moss you never know what you'll get: Are the density and moisture content consistent? Could foreign objects (grit), in the moss, do more than help keep your barrel clean? With enough moss, you might eventually be shooting a smooth bore.

g.willikers · June 3, 2013, 05:03 PM

When I first started reloading, way back when, it was for .44 Mag.
To be as stingy with powder as possible, some of the loads were very small in that case.
Using filler for light loads was supposed to be a given.
Single sheet toilet paper worked about as good as anything.
Whether it was actually necessary....??

rclark · June 3, 2013, 05:13 PM

Just load up 8.0g or 8.5g of Unique under your 250-260g bullet and forget about filler. Not necessary with Unique/Universal or any other powder that I am aware of for that matter! If you want a powder than fills the case, go with Trail Boss.

twobit · June 3, 2013, 05:18 PM

I use Unique in mine without filler. I also use Trailboss which is fluffier and fills the case so much that it is impossible to double charge it. Either powder works well. I use the Trailboss mostly for target loads and the Unique for the warmer stuff for hunting / protective loads close to maximum.

jag2 · June 3, 2013, 08:45 PM

JMO, but I just don't think its a problem. That said I have no evidence either way. I think a lot of reloaders are just a tad anal and go looking for problems to be solved. I have heard of people using clothes dryer lint to fill up some cases, that may be better as far as shelf life is concerned compared to moss.

bluetopper · June 3, 2013, 10:35 PM

Fillers are for skinny teenage girls.

chiefr · June 3, 2013, 10:44 PM

I have been blasting away many rounds of 45LC. I use Unique exclusively from light to heavy. Never used a filler and never heard of anybody doing so.

WESHOOT2 · June 4, 2013, 06:11 AM

If insisting on a filler, might I suggest Titegroup, or TrailBoss?

Then the only filler you'd require is Titegroup, or TrailBoss

Ozzieman · June 4, 2013, 06:30 PM

Spanish moss with my BP '58 Remmy, and I'm thinking of using it for filler.
I shoot a lot of 45C and never found the need for filler. Also the fact that you’re not going to get each one packed the same could cause accuracy issues.
What I would like to ask is why you do for the Remmy. I shoot a lot of Colt replica BP and all get 32 Gr of BP and the ball shoved in as far as it will go with a little grease on top.

arch308 · June 4, 2013, 07:47 PM

Like everybody else has said, you don't need filler. Especially with Unique.

Sport45 · June 5, 2013, 08:28 PM

As many have said, no filler is necessary for the powders that work well in the cartridge. That includes Titegroup, Unique, Universal, Trail Boss and many others.

I haven't tried it yet, but have read of good experiences with Cream of Wheat over a reduced charge of powder being used with cast bullets to effectively "clean" the barrel by shooting a cylinder full at the end of a range trip.

TXGunNut · June 5, 2013, 09:41 PM

Filler? Black Powder requires compression in a proper 45 Colt load. I don't even bother with a wad.

Unique and Universal don't need filler, I don't think 296 or 2400 do either. Most powders aren't position sensitive and don't need fillers but some folks see it differently. Other folks think fillers are dangerous. YMMV.

steelbird · June 6, 2013, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the replies, all.

Generally I've been using 3F Goex for my Uberti - history buff and all that, the original 45 Colt was meant for BP. I've been using Unique for my 1911. In both examples, the cases are full, so I was unsure if a less than full case would be a problem. I just got my hands on a bunch of Unique, my BP stock is a bit low, so I thought I'd run some Unique for my Uberti until I restocked my BP suppply.
As to using Spanish moss, this was suggested by a friend who shoots a matchlock replica. I figured, why not give it a try, and it does reduce fouling in the barrell quite well, and accuracy did improve with my Remmy ( I'm not hung up on super tight groups, I just shoot for the fun of it, and to sort of quote Col. Kilgore, I love the smell of black powder in the morning - smells like history ). Long term storage is not an issue, since even if it doesn't last, it's as common here as dirt. Easilly replaced, and completely free. I drop it in boiling water to kill anything in it - an old trick the local Native Americans here used before doing anything with it.
Thanks again for all the replies.

June 3, 2013, 03:36 PM	#1
steelbird Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2010 Posts: 180	Filler material for .45 Colt I'm considering using Unique loads for my .45 Colt Uberti Chisolm ( it's a Cattleman type ). But I suspect that it will not ignite evenly, due to it's not filling the case. Would using a filler be a problem? I have had success using Spanish moss with my BP '58 Remmy, and I'm thinking of using it for filler. For those who don't know about Spanish moss, it's a kind of air plant that can be found here in NE Florida. It's soft, stringy, and very pliable. It can be compressed when you roll up some strands of it into a ball, and spreads out to fill whatever you stuff it into. The nice feature of it is that it acts as a kind of mild abrasive - it helps keep the bore from fouling up. The Spanish used it here regularly back in the 16th and 17th centuries for their weapons. And the best part of all - it's completely free for the taking. Those of you in NE Florida who are looking for some wadding material for BP shooting might want to try it. Anyway, sorry for the detour, back to the original question - filler material OK for cartridge loads of Unique in .45 Colt?

June 3, 2013, 04:05 PM	#3
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	Unique is probably THE most popular powder used to load 45 Colt. I believe you may be the first person to bring up using a filler with it. It isn't needed (it ignites just fine) __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

June 3, 2013, 05:03 PM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	When I first started reloading, way back when, it was for .44 Mag. To be as stingy with powder as possible, some of the loads were very small in that case. Using filler for light loads was supposed to be a given. Single sheet toilet paper worked about as good as anything. Whether it was actually necessary....?? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

June 3, 2013, 05:13 PM	#6
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Just load up 8.0g or 8.5g of Unique under your 250-260g bullet and forget about filler. Not necessary with Unique/Universal or any other powder that I am aware of for that matter! If you want a powder than fills the case, go with Trail Boss. __________________ 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.

June 3, 2013, 05:18 PM	#7
twobit Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2010 Location: Coyote Creak, SW Texas Posts: 597	I use Unique in mine without filler. I also use Trailboss which is fluffier and fills the case so much that it is impossible to double charge it. Either powder works well. I use the Trailboss mostly for target loads and the Unique for the warmer stuff for hunting / protective loads close to maximum. __________________ Twobit, Strive to live up to the opinion that your dog has of you.

June 3, 2013, 03:47 PM	#2
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Unique in .45 Colt does not require a filler..though, I don't see any harm with Poly-fill either. (wast of time) With spanish moss, I don't think long term storage would be a good idea though..

June 3, 2013, 04:16 PM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I load light wad cutters for a .44 Rem Mag revolver and have been using poly fill in the void. With the moss you never know what you'll get: Are the density and moisture content consistent? Could foreign objects (grit), in the moss, do more than help keep your barrel clean? With enough moss, you might eventually be shooting a smooth bore.

June 3, 2013, 08:45 PM	#8
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	JMO, but I just don't think its a problem. That said I have no evidence either way. I think a lot of reloaders are just a tad anal and go looking for problems to be solved. I have heard of people using clothes dryer lint to fill up some cases, that may be better as far as shelf life is concerned compared to moss.

June 3, 2013, 10:35 PM	#9
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Fillers are for skinny teenage girls.

June 3, 2013, 10:44 PM	#10
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I have been blasting away many rounds of 45LC. I use Unique exclusively from light to heavy. Never used a filler and never heard of anybody doing so.

June 4, 2013, 06:11 AM	#11
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	appropriate packaging If insisting on a filler, might I suggest Titegroup, or TrailBoss? Then the only filler you'd require is Titegroup, or TrailBoss __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 4, 2013, 06:30 PM	#12
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Spanish moss with my BP '58 Remmy, and I'm thinking of using it for filler. I shoot a lot of 45C and never found the need for filler. Also the fact that you’re not going to get each one packed the same could cause accuracy issues. What I would like to ask is why you do for the Remmy. I shoot a lot of Colt replica BP and all get 32 Gr of BP and the ball shoved in as far as it will go with a little grease on top. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

June 4, 2013, 07:47 PM	#13
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	Like everybody else has said, you don't need filler. Especially with Unique.

June 5, 2013, 08:28 PM	#14
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	As many have said, no filler is necessary for the powders that work well in the cartridge. That includes Titegroup, Unique, Universal, Trail Boss and many others. I haven't tried it yet, but have read of good experiences with Cream of Wheat over a reduced charge of powder being used with cast bullets to effectively "clean" the barrel by shooting a cylinder full at the end of a range trip. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

June 5, 2013, 09:41 PM	#15
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Filler? Black Powder requires compression in a proper 45 Colt load. I don't even bother with a wad. Unique and Universal don't need filler, I don't think 296 or 2400 do either. Most powders aren't position sensitive and don't need fillers but some folks see it differently. Other folks think fillers are dangerous. YMMV. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

June 6, 2013, 07:10 PM	#16
steelbird Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2010 Posts: 180	Thanks for the replies, all. Generally I've been using 3F Goex for my Uberti - history buff and all that, the original 45 Colt was meant for BP. I've been using Unique for my 1911. In both examples, the cases are full, so I was unsure if a less than full case would be a problem. I just got my hands on a bunch of Unique, my BP stock is a bit low, so I thought I'd run some Unique for my Uberti until I restocked my BP suppply. As to using Spanish moss, this was suggested by a friend who shoots a matchlock replica. I figured, why not give it a try, and it does reduce fouling in the barrell quite well, and accuracy did improve with my Remmy ( I'm not hung up on super tight groups, I just shoot for the fun of it, and to sort of quote Col. Kilgore, I love the smell of black powder in the morning - smells like history ). Long term storage is not an issue, since even if it doesn't last, it's as common here as dirt. Easilly replaced, and completely free. I drop it in boiling water to kill anything in it - an old trick the local Native Americans here used before doing anything with it. Thanks again for all the replies.