45 Colt Cowboy Loads

[Lone_Gunman]

I am trying to put together some 45 Colt loads to be used for informal shooting in Uberti revolvers. My target would be a 255g bullet moving at 725-750 fps.

I am using 255g LRN Hornady bullets. I made up some loads with 6.1 g of Winchester 231, and according to Hornady's book, this should actually be in the 750-775 fps range, but I only get about 625 fps out of a 5.5" Ruger Blackhawk.

Is this difference from the book to be expected? I would think the book ought to be closer than that... its 150 fps different.

Are there better choices out there than Win 231 for light 45 Colt loads?

Also, how are Hornady lead bullets compared to Oregon trail lead bullets?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well check the barrel length of the gun used in the load data first (if they bother to tell you). If they used a 7.5" barrel, and you're shooting what I have, a 4 & 5/8" barrel, you might lose some velocity. You might also lose a little depending on the brand and model of the sixgun. Some reloading manuals use Ruger Blackhawks, and they tend to have less of a gap between cylinder and forcing cone, than the western repros.

As for the load, check the primers, but I doubt using a different brand of primer would lose you 150 fps. My best SWAG on the matter is you might want to check your crimp. A bit more roll crimp might give your powder a split second to build up a bit more pressure and give you better results. I learned that the hard way with going from loading fora .45 ACP taper crimp to the roll crimp .45 Colt. It didn't take much, and it did make a dif.

The Hornady bullets tend to be a bit softer (imho) than the Oregon trail bullets.

I like Hodgdon Clays, 4.6 grains, with a Remington Large Pistol Primer, 200 gr RNFP(L). I get close to your desired velocity out of my 4&5/8" Ruger Vaqueros with that load. According to the Hodgdon data, you should be real close to the same velocity with a 250 grain lead bullet.

I plan on trying Hodgdon Titegroup next.

LD

 

[SASS#23149]

I don't use my crony much but when I do the resutls I get are about like yours....not ever right on.

 

[highlander 5]

why not go to the 45 Scholfield case you'll have better load density.Check the Speer #13 manual they have Scholfield loads for lead bullets

 

[Lone_Gunman]

If I was going to just use a shorter cartridge, I would load 45 ACP. My Blackhawk has a dual cylinder.

 

[Bula]

Try 8 grains of Unique. I've found it to be a great low to mid velocity powder in the big bore calibers.

 

[fastbike]

Titegroup

I've found 6.4 to 6.5 grains of Titegroup work well w/ Oregon Trail 200 gr LRNFP in an Uberti Cattleman. Mine is the 4 3/4 barrel. Haven't chrono'd the load, but is just a little more than a factory cowboy load (seat of the palm)

 

[Grayrock]

Have not used it myself, but I hear Trailboss is a big bulky powder- designed for low power loads with a high powder volume. Works for a lot of us Cowboy Action shooters. (I use Triple Se7en, myself.)

 

[dodge]

I'm using the same bullet as you are and I'm currently using 5 grs. of Trailboss. I haven't had a chance to put some loads across my chriny yet but with warmer weather coming on I'm sure that I will. From the recoil that I get it is one very pleasent load to shot all day.

 

[BillMcCall]

45 Colt Loads

I'm using 10grs of Unique and a Barrys Bullet 250gr plated, 1.600 OAL, taper crimp. After the frist 5 were gone I checked 6 to see if the crimp was tight enough, looked ok. 10 grains makes a good stout shot. I started at 8grs, I thought it was to mild. Vaquero 7 1/2 barrel.