Loading a 280 grain Beartooth for my 45LC

[Vacek]

I am getting a delivery of the Beartooth Cast Boolit called the Midweight Sledgehammer. It is a 45 caliber 280 grain WFNGC. Beartooth has suggested loads using the following powders...AA#5, WW231; Unique; 800X; H4227; ww296.

1. Do any of you have any experience with this bullet?

2. I have Unique, but also Red Dot and Green Dot. Any thoughts or suggestions using RD or GD????

3. I am reloading for an early model Vaquero.

I want to develop a load for deer and wild hogs.

Your humble opinions as always will be highly and humbly regarded.

 

[huntershooter]

I've used this bullet in a couple Ruger Bisley's and a FA's 97.
Performance on hogs is impressive. Incredible penetration.
Depending on firearm and accuracy, I run at 1100-1300 fps.
The powders you mention are NOT optimal for this bullet/velocity. May be fine for "original" ,45 Colt loads @ 800-900 fps. However, why would you use this bullet for this power range?
Best luck I've had (re. powder), has been with 2400, H110 and AA#9. These are regarded as "magnum" pistol propellants.

 

[Vacek]

OK, thank you. I have 2400 and will start with that. I am also considering Blue Dot as I here it is pretty good for this type of load. Any comments?

 

[zxcvbob]

I have a pound of Blue Dot, and I'm not going to replace it when I use it up. I get better performance with Herco and use less powder.

Red Dot is great loaded kind-of-hot for cheap plinking loads that bark with authority. But I think it'll top out before you get the velocity you want for hunting. Plus the recoil gets particularly unpleasant at the very high end.

Green Dot is good in .38 Specials and 9mm. I never tried it in a .45.

I'd use the Unique and start at about 8.5 and work up towards about 10 or 10.5 grains. (do not use more than 8.5 if this is a new model Vaquero)

2400 and 296 are good powders if you're going to be hunting buffalo, or just need to teach some .44 Magnums who's boss. Of the two, 2400 is more useful.

 

[Vacek]

OK, good insight on the Blue Dot. I will work with the 2400. I am looking for a load at around 1100 which is the velocity recommended in a BearTooth Bullet Tech document. By the way, if you have visited this sight www.beartoothbullets.com it will surpirse you with the great information. I just received my first shipment form them some 280 grain Sledgehammers and 265 g Keiths. They look awesome and I can't wait to take them out on a little date at the range.