45 Colt and Red Dot

EmptyHull · September 3, 2009, 03:38 AM

I have been reloading the 45 with 5.5 gr Red Dot for my SAA revolver ( Gaucho) and would like to know if anybody knows how far I can push this combination safely? The bullet is a cast 250 gr LNFP and primers are Wolf LP. Thanks, Tim

GeauxTide · September 3, 2009, 08:04 AM

Several references list 6.0 at just over 800fps is the limit. If you want to go faster SAFELY, use a slower powder.

dahermit · September 3, 2009, 09:09 AM

What possible reason could you have to "push" this load. If it is accurate, then it is light enough to be pleasant to shoot (not excessive recoil). Hot loads are not as pleasant to shoot as mild ones.

zxcvbob · September 3, 2009, 09:59 AM

6.0 is the limit (I go higher than that, but I'm shooting a Blackhawk.) If you go much below 6, don't use Starline brass unless your gun has unusually tight chambers (the strong brass doesn't expand enough to seal.)

EmptyHull · September 3, 2009, 05:30 PM

I've noticed that I have been seeing some black on my cases,s which are Winchester cases, but the reason I want to push it alittle is that I want to use it as my backup sidearm for hunting this year. We do have some hogs and an ocassional bear....I would rather leave him alone! The reason that I have been using Red Dot ( Promo) is because I have it available for skeet shooting. Maybe a different powder? Tim

zxcvbob · September 3, 2009, 05:42 PM

Got any Herco? 9.0 grains will get you about 950 fps with a 255 grain cast bullet and still be just under SAAMI specs. If you have a modern gun you should be able to push it to 9.5 or 10 grains.

That 6 grains of Promo load is still well over 400 ft/pounds at the muzzle though, and makes a really big hole thru whatever it hits.

Pathfinder45 · September 4, 2009, 12:06 AM

I've used 6.0 grains Red Dot with Lee 252 grain SWC hand cast bullets in a 1902 vintage Colt SAA and Ruger Blackhawk. Very accurate in both. I also used 8.5 grains of Unique which would be very near maximum for Colt-class guns. AA-9 should be able to get you up to 1,000 fps safely. But remember, it's just numbers. Go for accuracy first. AA-9 is really better at pressures that are too high for your gun. Unique is your best bet for power and accuracy at safe pressures. If you can get your hands on some HS-7 you might get a little more velocity safely with good accuracy. But if you've got a lot of Red Dot, use 6 grains and be happy.

velocette · September 4, 2009, 06:04 AM

Hodgdon Universal does a great job of good velocity within acceptable pressure limits. Seems to be even better than Unique. Check your manuals & see how it performs.

Roger

EmptyHull · September 8, 2009, 04:46 AM

I loaded some with 6 grs of Promo (Red Dot) yesterday to try out. The Lyman manuel stated I could go to 6.5 grs but does not give the pressures and I am shooting a Colt SAA clone. Tim

EmptyHull · October 1, 2009, 02:52 AM

I finally shot the loads with 6 grs Promo. Alittle more kick to them is all I noticed. Grouping was the same. I just loaded some with Unique and 8 grs as suggested by the rangemaster. Tim

Slamfire · October 1, 2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

just loaded some with Unique and 8 grs as suggested by the rangemaster.

I started with Unique in the 45 LC, and I have stopped there. Unique works just great in the 45LC.

I would not go higher than 8.5 grains in a replica SAA.

5 1/2" USFA Rodeo

255 LSWC (.454") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, WLP primers
12-May-02 T = 84°F

Ave Vel = 844
Std Dev = 33
ES = 117.8
High = 907.6
Low = 789.8
Number Shots 12

Pistol is of a 5.5" USFA 44 Spl, but my Rodeo looks the same, minus the eye popping case hardening colors.

Pathfinder45 · October 2, 2009, 01:06 AM

....and gobs of Red Dot! But that's a good problem to have.....

EmptyHull · October 4, 2009, 06:27 AM

The "gobs" of Red Dot as just been allocated for strict use in the shotgun. Unique out did it with accuracy. I was surprised. 8 grs of unique has the big feel and the fun factor all wrapped up into one. Actually I was looking for a hog to try them on. Tim

September 3, 2009, 03:38 AM	#1
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	45 Colt and Red Dot I have been reloading the 45 with 5.5 gr Red Dot for my SAA revolver ( Gaucho) and would like to know if anybody knows how far I can push this combination safely? The bullet is a cast 250 gr LNFP and primers are Wolf LP. Thanks, Tim

September 3, 2009, 09:59 AM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	6.0 is the limit (I go higher than that, but I'm shooting a Blackhawk.) If you go much below 6, don't use Starline brass unless your gun has unusually tight chambers (the strong brass doesn't expand enough to seal.) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

September 3, 2009, 05:42 PM	#6
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Got any Herco? 9.0 grains will get you about 950 fps with a 255 grain cast bullet and still be just under SAAMI specs. If you have a modern gun you should be able to push it to 9.5 or 10 grains. That 6 grains of Promo load is still well over 400 ft/pounds at the muzzle though, and makes a really big hole thru whatever it hits. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

September 4, 2009, 12:06 AM	#7
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Red dot I've used 6.0 grains Red Dot with Lee 252 grain SWC hand cast bullets in a 1902 vintage Colt SAA and Ruger Blackhawk. Very accurate in both. I also used 8.5 grains of Unique which would be very near maximum for Colt-class guns. AA-9 should be able to get you up to 1,000 fps safely. But remember, it's just numbers. Go for accuracy first. AA-9 is really better at pressures that are too high for your gun. Unique is your best bet for power and accuracy at safe pressures. If you can get your hands on some HS-7 you might get a little more velocity safely with good accuracy. But if you've got a lot of Red Dot, use 6 grains and be happy.

September 4, 2009, 06:04 AM	#8
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	Hodgdon Universal does a great job of good velocity within acceptable pressure limits. Seems to be even better than Unique. Check your manuals & see how it performs. Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

September 3, 2009, 08:04 AM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Several references list 6.0 at just over 800fps is the limit. If you want to go faster SAFELY, use a slower powder.

September 3, 2009, 09:09 AM	#3
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	What possible reason could you have to "push" this load. If it is accurate, then it is light enough to be pleasant to shoot (not excessive recoil). Hot loads are not as pleasant to shoot as mild ones.

September 3, 2009, 05:30 PM	#5
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	I've noticed that I have been seeing some black on my cases,s which are Winchester cases, but the reason I want to push it alittle is that I want to use it as my backup sidearm for hunting this year. We do have some hogs and an ocassional bear....I would rather leave him alone! The reason that I have been using Red Dot ( Promo) is because I have it available for skeet shooting. Maybe a different powder? Tim

September 8, 2009, 04:46 AM	#9
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	I loaded some with 6 grs of Promo (Red Dot) yesterday to try out. The Lyman manuel stated I could go to 6.5 grs but does not give the pressures and I am shooting a Colt SAA clone. Tim

October 1, 2009, 02:52 AM	#10
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	I finally shot the loads with 6 grs Promo. Alittle more kick to them is all I noticed. Grouping was the same. I just loaded some with Unique and 8 grs as suggested by the rangemaster. Tim

October 2, 2009, 01:06 AM	#12
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	But He's got Gobs..... ....and gobs of Red Dot! But that's a good problem to have.....

October 4, 2009, 06:27 AM	#13
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	The "gobs" of Red Dot as just been allocated for strict use in the shotgun. Unique out did it with accuracy. I was surprised. 8 grs of unique has the big feel and the fun factor all wrapped up into one. Actually I was looking for a hog to try them on. Tim