.45 Colt Brass Questions

[Wedge]

I have some different .45 Colt brass sitting around and I was wondering what each brand is worth using for...

I have Winchester brass, brass from Cor-bon, and brass from Magtech. The cor-bon brass was from 300 gr @ 1300 fps. The winchester and magtech brass was from cowboy loads. I really liked shooting the Cor-bon loads but I just can't afford them all that much so I know I need to get into reloading...the question is whether or not the brass I have is all capable of launching some Ruger only type loads.

If it isn't all capable of Ruger only is all the brass at least capable of launching some 255 - 300 gr bullets at 1000 fps for a nice woods load?

Thanks in advance...I hope that made sense.

 

[P95Carry]

I don't use much Colt brass at all ... but wow .... that Cor-Bon load sounds VERY hot ..... 300 grainer at 1300?? Haven't checked with Cor-Bon info but sure sounds like a load for only the very toughest guns .... .454's even.

Anyways ... thinking of 300 grain homeloads ... something in the region of 10 grains Blue Dot gives a launch at a modest 725 fps ... and I think that is a top load ...... yep, just checked and in Lee #'2 anyways that is listed max, for XTP's. ( this is NOT a load recommendation BTW )

As I say I'm not a 45LC reloader much at all .. at least not for ages ... and the 1,000 fps you plan sounds heavy, even for ''Rugering''!

May be talkin outa my behind so hopefully some 45LC devotees will give the heads up.

 

[Wedge]

Yeah, the Cor-bon loads are warm, but not too bad. I really like shooting them in my Blackhawk (even if nobody else does, even my .454 buddy). Something about my tiny hands and the Blackhawk gripframe that just works out...

 

[BluesBear]

Ever vigilant be.

The Winchster & Magtech brass should be as strong as the Cor-Bon.
All three should be capable of handling the same pressures. What powder charge it takes to reach that pressure is the question.

When reloading always reduce anything remotely approaching a warm load by at least 10% when changing ANY component.
All 255gr bullets are not created equal. Neither is all brass.

Never take anything for granted when reloading.

 

[HSMITH]

ALL of the brass you mention is strong enough for any sane load in your Ruger. Don't worry about the brass, you'll hurt the gun before the brass is a problem.

 

[Wedge]

Awesome. I don't plan on doing anything crazy.

I just wish someone would commercially produce Keith's .45 Colt load!!!

 

[usp_fan]

300 grn at 1300 is reasonable if you're using the right powder. For loading heavy .45 colt loads, the big 3 powders are Win296, H110, and lil'gun.

Lil'gun is the new kid on the block, but seems to give you great velocity with lower preasure than the the other 2. It should be noted that general consensus is that H110 and win. 296 are the same powder.

I just began working up a load for my ruger bisley that should go about 1230 or so with a 325grn cast bullet.

Any of the heavy bullet / fast loads should never be used in the Colt, clones, or s&w's of course.

--usp_fan

 

[redneck2]

Go to...

http://www.sixgunner.com Look fo..." That will answer your questions HTH

 

[twowheel]

My experience is that Winchester brass is good for reloading, IMI is too brittle for much longevity, Magtech and Starline seem to have the right combination of strength and softness for many reloads.

I like 'lil gun better than H110 in all but 44 mag. Lower pressure and still good velocity. H110 can be dangerous if loaded down. I haven't seen that problem with 'lil gun.

Twowheel

 

[RCL]

Wedge, here's the link to John Linebaugh's web site. Scroll to the bottom and you will find the article that Redneck2 mentioned, along with some others.

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/Default.htm


1300 fps is safely attainable in a .45 Colt RUGER LEVEL load, although it will probably take a near max powder charge (of H110) and standard length barrel (6 1/2 -7 1/2 inches) to do it (I did it with my Bisley).

 

[sitkablacktail]

I been switching to Starline and I like it, I use it for my 41 mag and my 45 colt. The PMC brass for the 45 colt is pretty nice.

 

[Wil Terry]

I HAVE USED 45COLT BRASS FROM R-P, W-W, WIN, FED,

Starline, and Top Brass with loads pushing 300gr bullets at 1300 FPS. ALL of them have worked just fine. My favorites are the Starline, FEd, and Top BRass in that order.
Incidently, the KEITH load of a 255gr SWC bullet over 18.5gr of 2400 flys at 1050 to 1100fps from most sixguns and is a killin' sumbiscuit, I don't mean maybe.
The CORBON 335gr load at 1050 does all the same work just as well as the KEITH load.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

I have been having some problems with PMC brass, because of which I load all my serious loads with winchester or starline brass. The only reloading I do with the PMC stuff is uber light cowboy loads, and I am still having problems.

I have had five or six cases split along the side, from the top about 3/4 down the case when they are fired. Several of these happenned with new factory ammunition, and I have since had a couple split firing cowboy loads with 5.4 or 5.5 gr. of titegroup with a 250 gr. lead bullet.

I have had no problems at all with winchester or starline brass. Or any of the miscelleneous brands I have floating around in smaller numbers (federal, bp, etc.)

 

[Mannlicher]

if I am using range brass, or mixed stuff, then its pretty much cowboy level loads.

With brand new brass, Starline or Federal, I will load my hunting and defense loads. That is the only way you know what you are dealing with.