45 long colt rifle loads

larry7293 · May 23, 2019

Loading 45 long colt 200grn cast bullets with Tightgroup.
My Lyman cast book list 5.3grn to 6.7grn for RNFP .
Lee manual for 200grn lead bullet calls for 6.5grn to 7.7grn of Titegroup.
Why the big fluctuation in loads?
Will be loading these for my Henry Big Boy Steel.
Any suggestions on which load to use?

Walkalong · May 23, 2019

Tightgroup is very fast, I would use caution. What type bullets were used in the two loads? Was one seated deeper in the case.

Have any Unique or similar burn rate powder you could use?

Bartojc · May 23, 2019

I agree I might use a different powder if available. Nothing wrong with TG, its just that it is fast and you get large fluctuations with just a little difference in charge.
I use good old Unique, and have used W231 in 45 Colt for a pistol.

-Jeff

Charlie98 · May 23, 2019

I agree with Walkalong... I would find a slower burning powder for that carbine load. I load .45 Colt for my brother's 16" Trapper, Unique is the standard, but any in that burn range would work well. I understand the 200grn bullet is a pretty light bullet, but I would really worry about sticking a bullet with TG.

larry7293 · May 23, 2019

Why do the manuals list such a wide spread in load data? 5. 3grns up to 7.7grn for 200grn lead bullets?
I am using RNFP 200grn cast bullets.
Hodgen rep. suggested Titegroup because 45colt cartridge is large and Titegroup is not case sensitive.
Will be using Rcbs Little Dandy rotor for a more consistent charge.

Curious then what caliber would Titegroup be recommended for in your opinion?
I have used it in 44mag with 357mag in the past.
I have a lot of Titegroup to use.
Thanks for all the input.

the Black Spot · May 23, 2019

I have a marlin in 45 colt. Does well with 2400

Charlie98 · May 23, 2019

Problem with TG is it is a very fast powder, that, combined with the longer barrel of your rifle, are not a good mix. I would have to check my records, but I may have use it in some .45 Colt pistol cartridges... but I would never use it in a rifle.

I've used TG in .44SPC (pistol,) and is a standard powder in a cartridge like 9mm and similar.

Walkalong · May 23, 2019

larry7293 said:
I have a lot of Titegroup to use.

Then use it.

Have you looked at the seating depth/OAL of the two loads you asked about as suggested? That can make a huge difference in the max.

I would go with Lyman data that they developed/tested vs Lee who just collects data from other sources and puts it together.

larry7293 · May 23, 2019

I looked at the Hodgen website for RNFP 200gr cast they show the same OAL as Lee, 1.6 OAL and they suggest 6.5gr to 7.7gr. Lee must get their data from Hodgen.

Lyman OAL is 1.560 and their suggested load is 5.3gr to 6.7gr.Would this explain the difference in powder charges?

45 long colt rifle loads

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