200 Gr. .45 Colt Load

I am looking to load up some lighter 200 grain .45 colt loads over Unique. I would plan on using the Missouri Bullet semi-wadcutter or similar bullet. The data I have seen lists a starting load of 8.6gr, and a velocity of 900ish fps.

They would be used for plinking loads in a pietta and in a bond arms derringer with a 4.25" barrel, so I would prefer a velocity somewhere in the 750fps range. I am guessing somewhere in the 7-7.5 grain range would get me that, but I am curious if others have had decent luck with that or if there is another powder that might be a better fit (assuming it is a powder that one can obtain these days).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, experiences, etc. you may have to share.

 

Lyman's 50th Edition, the starting load predicts 918fps with 8.6gr Unique out of a 7.5" test barrel. The BallisticsByTheInch guys recorded a standard pressure Federal SWC 225gr load at 925fps from 7" barrel and 757fps from a 4" barrel. http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45colt.html

Based on those two data points, the starting load of 8.6gr will likely be in the 750fps neighborhood from a 4.25" barrel.

 

Do you have any Red Dot? Actually, what powders do you have on hand? Unique will certainly work tho. I also have a Pietta 1873 replica that dotes on 8.0gr Unique or 7.2gr Universal.
Have loaded Red Dot, just haven't shot it yet.

 

Is that 8.0gr over a 200 grain bullet, or 250? I might just need to load some up at 7.5, 8 and 8.5 and see what works best.

I have bullseye as well, but was thinking that unique would be a better fit (and wouldn't mind reserving the bullseye for loading .38s).

 

high country, that 8.0gr Ubique is with a 250gr rnfp bullet, coated. But, have used it with 200gr rnfp as well. Pretty much same results.
Save the Bullseye for the .38's. Good call.
Edit: With 7.5gr Unique, I got a lot of soot on the cases. Perhaps a slightly stronger crimp.

 

Remember, Unique is a slower powder, relatively speaking, and particularly when used with lighter bullets it will be a bit untidy with lighter charges. Bullseye would be a better fit... but you got to use what you have these days.

 

What is it you really want rather than chasing a specific velocity? "Light recoil" could result below 750 using some of the cowboy loads. One source I have in print came from reloadammo.com. Loads for 200 gr are not so common in the usual sources. True Blue should work great, if you can get it, and I don't doubt that your Unique could work at some level.

 

I've loaded RedDot in .45 Colt, it actually worked out pretty well... certainly better than TiteGroup. I think it would make a good light bullet powder in the .45 Colt, although I used it with 250's.

 

That is what I loaded up; 250gr rnfp and 6.0gr RD. Seems like it will be a pleasant load.

 

8gr of unique and a 250 grain RNFP has been my go to for the pietta, and I don't plan to change that.

Mostly I am just messing around with options for fun, but I guess the goal is finding for a good round for the bond arms that is a little more comfortable when I want to shoot more than a few rounds through it.

I was concerned that the Unique would start to get dirty (or dirtier) downloading too far. I'll give 8 and 8.5 grains a try and will keep an eye out for a pound of red dot. Always up to try a new powder when I can find one.

Thanks all for the recommendations!

 

It will, and particularly in the short barreled Bond... but it doesn't hurt anything.

FWIW... depending on what you load in .38SPC, you might consider using Unique there, and the Bullseye in your light .45 loads. One of the most accurate loads I ever came up with was 4grn Unique under a 158grn cast semi wadcutter... and that out of a 3" J-frame!

 

That is a good point, I should give both of those combos a try - light bullseye load with a lighter bullet in the .45 and a unique load in the .38. My current go-to .38 load is a 148gr DEWC over 3.5 gr. bullseye. It looks like I could work up to 4.2 grains of unique for a similar load. I tried unique in a light HBWC loads but had better results with bullseye, but I haven't tried unique in the standard pressure DEWC loads I have been using lately.

Any reason to load up a few more options to see what works is a good thing

 

I usually use Herco in mine. Fixing to load up @500 tomorrow with 250 gr cast over 8 gr Herco. also going to do a few with N340 at 9gr to start.


Unique does quite well too!!! Used 9.3gr over a 255 cast.
Also have used W231 6.8 gr over that 255 gr Bullet
And 6.0 gr Titegroup over the same Bullet.
May be just My Gun. But I swear I could stick whatever powder there is available over whatever Bullet I pick up and it will shoot just fine. I love My Colt 45!!!!
Very versatile!!!

 

I have also used Herco (like Unique). 8.5 grains Herco with cast 200 grain LFN, and 8 grains Herco with a 250 grain lead RN.

I did run up to 9 grains of Herco with the 250 lead RN but thought I was starting to see a little pressure on the primers, still extracted easily from the chambers in a Ruger Vaquero small frame (may be a stronger frame than a Pietta - be safe).