Savage30L
Member
I have a number of firearms in .45 Long Colt, including a Marlin 1895 Cowboy (24" barrel) and a couple of Ruger Vaquero Bisleys. I'd like to try these with Hornady 250 gr. Flex Tips loads for both hunting and defense (hunting loads for the Marlin only). I was thinking along the lines of 10 grains of Unique for the revolvers. Has anyone here tried this? I can't find any load recommendations for the 250-gr FTX in any of the manuals or online load data sites.
There is a lot of discussion about the 225-gr FTX in both revolvers and rifles, much of which centers around trimming the case length. I wonder how much I'd have to trim, for Ruger or Marlin use, with the 250 grainers. If it's a lot for the revolvers, it might not be worth pursuing, as I also to plan to load 250 grain XTP for the Rugers (and any pet load sharing would be appreciated).
For the Marlin, I'd like to push the bullet fast enough to consider it for short range deer hunting (I hunt in the thick stuff, and almost never have a shot opportunity beyond 40 yards). Unfortunately I can't find any load info for that bullet in .45 Colt in a 24" Marlin. I'd like to push the bullet to 1600 fps....is that realistic? I have some uber-hot Buffalo Bore 325-gr LBT-LFN to hunt with, but I'm not certain how much of that I want to use. As short-range as my hunting is, 1400 fps would probably work with the Marlin and the FTX, if I had to go that low.
I'd like to try that rifle in a hunting situation. I used to use it for Cowboy action and loved it. I bought it used, and the previous owner had apparently gotten a competent gunsmith to slick up the action for competition, and it is a very sweet gun. The trigger pull is light and crisp, and it's a joy to shoot.
There is a lot of discussion about the 225-gr FTX in both revolvers and rifles, much of which centers around trimming the case length. I wonder how much I'd have to trim, for Ruger or Marlin use, with the 250 grainers. If it's a lot for the revolvers, it might not be worth pursuing, as I also to plan to load 250 grain XTP for the Rugers (and any pet load sharing would be appreciated).
For the Marlin, I'd like to push the bullet fast enough to consider it for short range deer hunting (I hunt in the thick stuff, and almost never have a shot opportunity beyond 40 yards). Unfortunately I can't find any load info for that bullet in .45 Colt in a 24" Marlin. I'd like to push the bullet to 1600 fps....is that realistic? I have some uber-hot Buffalo Bore 325-gr LBT-LFN to hunt with, but I'm not certain how much of that I want to use. As short-range as my hunting is, 1400 fps would probably work with the Marlin and the FTX, if I had to go that low.
I'd like to try that rifle in a hunting situation. I used to use it for Cowboy action and loved it. I bought it used, and the previous owner had apparently gotten a competent gunsmith to slick up the action for competition, and it is a very sweet gun. The trigger pull is light and crisp, and it's a joy to shoot.