[Bacardi151]

Ok, so I have reloaded 50 rounds for my 9mm and w/o having shot them I am working on 45 LC for a Ruger Blackhawk w/ 7.5" barrel.

I bought 500 255gr 0.452" LSWC with a Brinell of 12 (Cowboy #9) from www.missouribullet.com

I weighed them to the nearest 2/10ths:
Quantity Weight
39 261.2 or more high was 264.6
7 261
20 260.8
24 260.6
19 260.4
31 260.2
36 260
21 259.8
37 259.6
34 259.4
29 259.2
21 259
15 258.8
71 258.6 or less - Low was 256.0

1) if you total that its only 404 bullets not 500. :confused: (never mind...rechecked website and these were only 400....missed it when I ordered. I did ask for 500 though, you would think they wold have commented on it.)

2) Is it normal to have that much deviation and all be from 1 (256.0) to 9.6 gr higher than stated with an average of about 4.5 to 5 gr?

3) I am workign up loads for paper punching accuracy only. Which group of weights shoul I use to work up a load?

4) Should I use the heavier ones for actual target shooting and the light ones for warming up/plinking?

5) After I work up the load, should I adjust the powder at all based on the load weight after working it up?

I have trail boss powder, but the closest IMR load listed is:
Bullet: 250 GR. Cast LRNFP Dia. .452" COL: 1.600"
Starting 4.5gr 606fps 8,800PSI
Max 5.8gr 727fps 12,700PSI

I could also use Bullseye Powder, the closest alliant lists is:
250L
Minimum OAL 1.55
Barrel: 7.3"
Primer: Win WLP
Powder: Bullseye
Grains: 5.4
Velocity: 805
c.u.p.: 11,800
(My Lee Reloading Manual matches this exactly. It also lists a 255gr Lead and a 260gr jacked, but has no load for either powder.)

I also have Alliant Blue Dot the closest is:
250L
Minimum OAL 1.55
Barrel: 7.3"
Primer: Win WLP
Powder: Blue Dot
Grains: 11.5
Velocity: 890
c.u.p.: 12,200

6) Suggestions on starting and max loads for these bullets and powders?

7) Any other comments?

[Canuck-IL]

I don't think that's excessive variation for run of the mill bullets. If they were for Bullseye match shooting (50 yards), I'd select out a narrower range of weights to use but for plinking and cowboy type shooting, just load them all up the same.

A lot of the variation you're seeing is really the amount of lube on them ... plus, your brass is going to have a range of weight as well. I'd just use them as one large batch - no differentiation.

I don't really get your #5.

As to loads, I'd start with 20 rounds at 10% under the max 255 loads you've found and then increase by .2 grains, make another 20, etc. See how they perform as you get closer to the max listings. You rarely need to be at a max pressure for good accuracy.
/Bryan

[Grumulkin]

First I must say, you have too much time on your hands. I have never in my life weighed all my bullets.

1. A Ruger Blackhawk isn't what I would consider a very precise instrument. Also cast bullets aren't that precise either compared to jacketed bullets. Even if all the bullets were of exactly the same weight, it's doubtful that you would see a significant difference in accuracy on paper. There is an easy way to tell; take whatever weight of bullet you have the most of, shoot them off the bench and compare the accuracy to loads with unsorted bullets. If it really makes a significant difference, by all means, weigh all your bullets.

2. It doesn't matter which weight range you pick; just pick the range in which you have the most bullets for accuracy testing.

3. A revolver action isn't as strong as say a bolt action or a T/C break open action. That said, the Ruger Blackhawk is one of the stronger revolver actions. In fact, consider that the Ruger Blackhawk is also chambered for the 44 Remington Magnum; those loads will generate significantly more pressure than the 45 LC. You should adjust your loads within the range listed in the manual for best accuracy.

4. Since your bullets are about 5 grains heavier than those with which the loads you intend to use were worked up, you should stay a bit below the published maximums. The starting loads can be the same as those published for 250 gr. bullets.

5. If you push cast bullets too fast, you will get barrel leading which you won't like. This will likely be the factor that limits your loads rather than pressure.

[MMCSRET]

45 Colt performs best in the bullet range you have (250-260) and the old tried and true load is 8.0-8.5 gr. unique powder. That said, if you are shooting for supremely accurate loads you would do well to mike your chamber mouths. Ruger is notorious for widely varying sizes, mostly severely under sized. Mine ran .446-.451, I reamed all 6 to .4525 and sized my bullets not smaller than .452, using bhn 12 or less, that way they slug up and are very accurate.

[mkl]

I've got one of the older "3-screw" Blackhawks with the 7 1/2 inch barrel in 45 Colt.

My favorite load is 7.5 grains of Unique behind any bullet from 225 to 250 grains. This is somwhat below the published minimums, but it is very accurate in my revolver with low recoil.

Great paper, rabbit, squirrel, falling steel plate load. I use other powders for heavy loads, but it's hard to beat Unique for a mild to medium load in the 45 Colt.