Advice on .45 colt loading and powder choice

RevoRick · December 26, 2006, 01:15 PM

I recently picked up a Uberti Cattleman. Along with it I bought some .45 colt dies, titegroup powder(the very knowledgable salesman suggested Clays but they were out), some 200g lasercast RNFP bullets, starline brass, and Winchester large primers. I checked three manuals and decided on a load of 7.4g of Titegroup as a starting load. At the range the accuracy was very good for a new pistol and a new shooter of cowboy guns. Here is my question. The amount of smoke produced was incredible. Actually felt like I was in a cowboy shootout. The brass cases, which were new, were very dirty on the outside. Is this normal for Titegroup and/or the .45 colt. Should I try a different powder (never used TG before)? Trail Boss? Clays? Currently I have on hand the following: Unique, PowerPistol, 800x and now TiteGroup.
Please share your vast info with me so I can work up a great load.

robertbank · December 26, 2006, 07:09 PM

Titegroup powder exhibits the same characteristics no matter the caliber ie dirty brass on the outside. A poster on another forum suggested it was due to the fact titegroup is a low pressure powder. As a result the cse does not seal the chamber before the gases burn back into the chamber. In any event I get hte same results in my Beretta Stampede.

Take Care

Bob

HSMITH · December 26, 2006, 08:06 PM

TiteGroup and lead bullets makes for an INCREDIBLE amount of smoke, I can't stand it. The high burn temperature of TG burns a lot more of the bullet lube than some cooler burning powders, and this is why it smokes so badly. TG is also VERY prone to leading barrels due to this high burn temperature.

Unique is a MUCH better choice in 45 Colt with lead bullets. Less smoke, less position sensitivity, less heat, less leading, and less temperature sensitivity than TG. I have tried a dozen or so powders in 45 Colt and cannot find anything that works better with lead bullets than Unique.

Power Pistol will also work well, I prefer it to TG in just about all cases.

Try 8 grains of Unique, will be a light load in the 800 fps range. Get down around 6.5 and they are extremely soft shooting, and a lot of fun.

jsflagstad · December 26, 2006, 08:23 PM

I see quite a bit of smoke out of Power Pistol as well when shooting lead.

JSF

robertbank · December 26, 2006, 10:36 PM

Two points I should have added. First is Titegroup is temperature sensitive and not recommended below 32F. Last time I checked that might be an issue in Minnisota if you intend to shoot in the winter. Most of the smoke you are getting is from the lube and I am not sure changing powders will do much for that issue. I have gone back to Unique as suggested above and also use 231 for really light Cowboy loads.

Take Care

Bob

December 26, 2006, 01:15 PM	#1
RevoRick Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 201	Advice on .45 colt loading and powder choice I recently picked up a Uberti Cattleman. Along with it I bought some .45 colt dies, titegroup powder(the very knowledgable salesman suggested Clays but they were out), some 200g lasercast RNFP bullets, starline brass, and Winchester large primers. I checked three manuals and decided on a load of 7.4g of Titegroup as a starting load. At the range the accuracy was very good for a new pistol and a new shooter of cowboy guns. Here is my question. The amount of smoke produced was incredible. Actually felt like I was in a cowboy shootout. The brass cases, which were new, were very dirty on the outside. Is this normal for Titegroup and/or the .45 colt. Should I try a different powder (never used TG before)? Trail Boss? Clays? Currently I have on hand the following: Unique, PowerPistol, 800x and now TiteGroup. Please share your vast info with me so I can work up a great load.

December 26, 2006, 07:09 PM	#2
robertbank Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Terrace, B.C. Canada Posts: 97	Titegroup powder exhibits the same characteristics no matter the caliber ie dirty brass on the outside. A poster on another forum suggested it was due to the fact titegroup is a low pressure powder. As a result the cse does not seal the chamber before the gases burn back into the chamber. In any event I get hte same results in my Beretta Stampede. Take Care Bob

December 26, 2006, 08:06 PM	#3
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Posts: 2,019	TiteGroup and lead bullets makes for an INCREDIBLE amount of smoke, I can't stand it. The high burn temperature of TG burns a lot more of the bullet lube than some cooler burning powders, and this is why it smokes so badly. TG is also VERY prone to leading barrels due to this high burn temperature. Unique is a MUCH better choice in 45 Colt with lead bullets. Less smoke, less position sensitivity, less heat, less leading, and less temperature sensitivity than TG. I have tried a dozen or so powders in 45 Colt and cannot find anything that works better with lead bullets than Unique. Power Pistol will also work well, I prefer it to TG in just about all cases. Try 8 grains of Unique, will be a light load in the 800 fps range. Get down around 6.5 and they are extremely soft shooting, and a lot of fun.

December 26, 2006, 08:23 PM	#4
jsflagstad Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Up Nort Posts: 419	I see quite a bit of smoke out of Power Pistol as well when shooting lead. JSF

December 26, 2006, 10:36 PM	#5
robertbank Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Terrace, B.C. Canada Posts: 97	Two points I should have added. First is Titegroup is temperature sensitive and not recommended below 32F. Last time I checked that might be an issue in Minnisota if you intend to shoot in the winter. Most of the smoke you are getting is from the lube and I am not sure changing powders will do much for that issue. I have gone back to Unique as suggested above and also use 231 for really light Cowboy loads. Take Care Bob