45 Long Colt and Black Powder substitutes

[10mmreloader]

Have a couple old model Ruger Blackhawks in 45 cal. Was at the range the other day and there was this old coot out there hand loading 200 grain RNFP loads with a black powder substiitute. Said he was filling them up with Go-X and filling to just short of where he was seating the bullet.

I know the cartridge was originally created for black powder and see no reason a substitute could not be used, but unable to locate any load manual information from Hodgdon.com and elsewhere.

Anyone want to help me out about this?
I currently shoot smokeless titegroup powder for target loads in the 45.

 

[hancjamk]

Blackpowder grains are measured by VOLUME not WEIGHT. Use a manual Brass Measure and not a regular Powder Measure. Also be aware of static electricity around the reloading bench! Pyrodex "P" powder can be used as substitute. 35 to 40 gr.

 

[Border Hopper]

The "go-x" is phonetic for Goex.

Be careful about calling a Dark-Sider an old coot. He may have been around long enough to have become quite a good shot who might take umbrage at the term.

I agree, TiteGroup is a good powder for the target 45 Colt loads. My best accuracy came at 6.3 grains for a 200 gr. RNFP bullet in my Cowboy lever gun. The chrono says 1088 fps. Your results may vary.

Best wishes from a "Seasoned Senior Shooter".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Shooting the .45 Colt using Black Powder or a substitute is a lot of fun. I've used both Goex and Pyrodex, I like the Goex loads better. Shooting the 45-70 is also fun with BP.

 

[rogn]

But please dont forget that you need to clean very thoroughly with a water based cleaning solvent every time you fire black powder or most of the substitutes. Unless you want "rusthawks".

 

[10mmreloader]

The "go-x" is phonetic for Goex.

Be careful about calling a Dark-Sider an old coot. He may have been around long enough to have become quite a good shot who might take umbrage at the term.

I agree, TiteGroup is a good powder for the target 45 Colt loads. My best accuracy came at 6.3 grains for a 200 gr. RNFP bullet in my Cowboy lever gun. The chrono says 1088 fps. Your results may vary.

Best wishes from a "Seasoned Senior Shooter".

saw the same "old coot" out at the range last night. You are right on your analysis. He and I went head to head and he consistently beat me on 50 yard pistol range. He kicked my ass. I even at one point asked if he wanted to shoot my handloads and he said sure. He then proceeded to rerally wipe up the floor with me. 1" at 50 yards with his S&W consistently. He is a great shot and I learned a lot from talking to him.

 

[Jim Watson]

If you load one of the fake powders, the best thing to do is to read the instructions. They are available. They all have their own individual requirements which may differ from real black powder.

 

[243winxb]

Goex is Black Powder

http://www.goexpowder.com/ At this link you will find many loadings for different calibers. 45 colt, 255gr bullet powder charge measure setting-40gr. of FF giving 770 fps. But is very dirty, clean well.

 

[Remo-99]

Said he was filling them up with Go-X and filling to just short of where he was seating the bullet.

Blackpowder is normally loaded to the bullet base (often with a very slight crush) and filler material is used to take up the case volume void when reduced loads are used.

 

[Afy]

Just use Swiss and enjoy it.

 

[Hondo 60]

Every now & then I'll buy a box of Goex black powder cartridges
my nephew thinks they're a hoot.


http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=244344

 

[Uniquedot]

Original 45 colts were loaded using the ffg grades of powder. I have used blackpowder and almost all the bp substitutes and have used fffg and ffg. The triple f gives a bit more velocity and recoil but the double f grades are generally more accurate. It is very important that the firearm be completely disassembled after shooting black powder and thoroughly cleaned with a good blackpowder cleaner (warm soapy water followed by hot clean water is the best cleaner i found) in a humid environment a gun will rust in only a few hours after shooting... I know from experience! been shooting these loads for twenty years.

 

[10mmreloader]

Thanks to all for your informative posts!