My father and I are finally going to take up handgun deer hunting, we will also have shotguns which will be the primary firearm but we both decided to take the handguns out this season. So needless to say I'm all ready to get a deer with my handloads. the only problem is I don't have a clue what powder to use. First off my father will take his new model 6.5in Ruger Blackhawk 357 mag, and I will be taking my new model 4 5/8in Ruger Blackhawk in 45 long colt. I just bought Hornady XTP's in 158grn and 250grn so I'm set there but I'm not sure if the powder I have on hand is adequate for magnum loads. I currently have Hodgdon Clays, Unique, and AA #5. I'm leaning toward H lil' gun but I'm open to suggestions. Also If anyone has loads they would like to share that work good in both calibers with XTP's that would be appreciated as well.
357 mag and Ruger 45 colt powder
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
There are various powders that will work well.
For the .357 Magnum:
H110/W296 for full power loads
AA#9, 2400 and 4227 will also work very well
I would load full power loads with W296/H110 for hunting.
For the 45 Colt:
W231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, AA#5, HS-6 and a few other will work well.
I would use HS-6 with those Hornady XTP bullets. Some will load very heavy loads for the Blackhawk with 2400 and other magnum powders but I don't like the results and feel there is no advantage for loading the 45 Colt hot.
For the .357 Magnum:
H110/W296 for full power loads
AA#9, 2400 and 4227 will also work very well
I would load full power loads with W296/H110 for hunting.
For the 45 Colt:
W231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, AA#5, HS-6 and a few other will work well.
I would use HS-6 with those Hornady XTP bullets. Some will load very heavy loads for the Blackhawk with 2400 and other magnum powders but I don't like the results and feel there is no advantage for loading the 45 Colt hot.
Armored farmer
Member
I load both .357 and .45colt with Unique.
ArchAngel is probably right. I've loaded the 45 Colt to maximum levels just for fun. I'm not a pistol hunter. But here are the loads from John Linebaugh. The 300g XTP's are a handful! http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm
A more sedate load would be 10-12gr Unique with the 250g JHP
A more sedate load would be 10-12gr Unique with the 250g JHP
zxcvbob
Member
I usually don't care much for Blue Dot powder, but it'll work great for both of those.
Hondo 60
Member
357 magnum is just that - a magnum.
45 Colt is NOT a magnum load.
Therefore any powder that works well in one most likely will not give maximum performance in the other.
For 357 I use 2400, for 45 Colt, I use AA5
45 Colt is NOT a magnum load.
Therefore any powder that works well in one most likely will not give maximum performance in the other.
For 357 I use 2400, for 45 Colt, I use AA5
ljnowell
Member
When loaded to ruger only levels the 45 colt sure seems to be. I load it to pretty darned hot as do many others. H110 and 2400 are the most popular, even in load manuals.
I personally use 2400 in both 45 colt and 357 mag as my full bore powder, and it works beautifully in both. OP if you are looking for load data with 2400 I can help you out in both of those chamberings.
This is about the only reason I would take 45 colt deer hunting because I will be using a Blackhawk and only a Blackhawk. Don't get me wrong I understand bullet placement and range are key and I'm sure a SAA level load would take a deer down, but I want to have complete confidence in my load. Not "well I hope this is good enough". So I will be loading the 45 colt to the Ruger, TC, FA only loads.
USSR
Member
It's not about the name of a cartridge. Cartridge manufacturers can tag the word "Magnum" on the end of any new cartridge they may want to develop. In the case of the .357 Magnum and the .45 Colt, they do indeed share a taste for the very same powders. Personally, I have shot deer with both cartridges, and the powder of choice in both cartridges is 2400. Just MHO.
Don
If you want to load each round to the SAMMI pressure levels for those calibers, you really need two powders, but if you have a gun that can handle Ruger Only .45 Colt loads, then you can use the same powder for both, if that is your desire.
squarles67
Member
A hollowpoint is not necessarily the best bullet for deer, especially in .357 mag. I use a 158 JSP or a 180g lead flat point in 357 and a 255 lead SWC in 45 Colt.
I use Win296 for deer loads in both calibers (Ruger only loads in 45 Colt)
I use Win296 for deer loads in both calibers (Ruger only loads in 45 Colt)
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Again, I see no need to hot-load a .45 Colt. It's a very good round as designed IMO. It's been reported the Blackpowder 45 Colt load could shoot a horse right out from under it's rider. If that's true, and I think it is, no Deer is safe when on the wrong end of the 45 Colt. A deer is nowhere near as tough as horse.
If I was going to load the 2 calibers with the bullets you have chosen the powder I would select would be 2400. No real need to push velocity to maximum but a good factory equivalent .357 mag load around 1,240 fps will work as would any of the .45 LC Ruger only loads at about 1,100 fps with the 250gr. Its more important to get something you can put into the kill zone at the distances you likely will be shooting.
Thank you for all the suggestions, it was almost a tossup because everyone used something different, I was torn between H110 and 2400 but I decided to go with H110 because researching on this and other sites 110 seemed to be the go to powder for magnum and heavy loads. If anyone has any input or stories whit this combo I'd be very interested because I plan to load some of each up tomorrow night so we can get or revolvers sighted in this weekend.
ljnowell
Member
I agree with steve that I would rather have 2400 than h110. I think h110 will squeek out a touch more velocity, but 2400 has a nicer recoil impulse and I find it to load it more accurate.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
BTW, H110 and W296 are the same exact powders and that's directly from Hodgdon so buy the one that's available and costs less...
I also suggest using Magnum primers with H110/W296 but if you're using Winchester LPP in the 45 Colt, those are fine since they are rated for standard and magnum loads. I use CCI-550 primers in the .357 Magnum with H110/W296.
I still feel H110 is too slow a powder for use in the .45 Colt. HS-6 on the other hand is a very good powder in the .45 Colt and will deliver higher velocities and pressures than standard loads if that's what you're looking for.
I also suggest using Magnum primers with H110/W296 but if you're using Winchester LPP in the 45 Colt, those are fine since they are rated for standard and magnum loads. I use CCI-550 primers in the .357 Magnum with H110/W296.
I still feel H110 is too slow a powder for use in the .45 Colt. HS-6 on the other hand is a very good powder in the .45 Colt and will deliver higher velocities and pressures than standard loads if that's what you're looking for.
I know there are better powders out there for each caliber but I already have quite a bit wraped up in all the other components so I wanted a powder that would work in both fairly well. This is Hodgdons load date right from thier web site for each caliber.
357magnum-
158 GR. HDY XTP
Hodgdon H110
1.580" OAL
15.0grns 1418fps 28,600 CUP 16.7grns 1591fps 40,700 CUP
I was thinking I would load some at 15.8 or 16 grains
45 Long Colt Ruger FA TC only
250 GR. HDY XTP
Hodgdon H110
1.600"OAL
25.7grns 1398fps 27,000 CUP 26.5grns 1455fps 29,800 CUP
I was thinking I would load some at 26 grains
My question is can I use the primers I have on hand, which are wolf small pistol standard and fed 150 which are standard large pistol?
357magnum-
158 GR. HDY XTP
Hodgdon H110
1.580" OAL
15.0grns 1418fps 28,600 CUP 16.7grns 1591fps 40,700 CUP
I was thinking I would load some at 15.8 or 16 grains
45 Long Colt Ruger FA TC only
250 GR. HDY XTP
Hodgdon H110
1.600"OAL
25.7grns 1398fps 27,000 CUP 26.5grns 1455fps 29,800 CUP
I was thinking I would load some at 26 grains
My question is can I use the primers I have on hand, which are wolf small pistol standard and fed 150 which are standard large pistol?
squarles67
Member
H110 - W296 needs a magnum primer, especially in the cold weather during deer season
zxcvbob
Member
With a heavy crimp you might get away with it. In cold weather, it gets worse.
Do you have any small rifle primers?
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Magnum is just a word. Some .45Colt guns are WAY stronger than original iron frame Colt's and can be loaded much heavier. It is up to the user to decide and there's no reason not to, in proper guns.
Problem solved, I found a hardware store close by that actually has sone powder primers and such. So I picked up some small pistol magnum primers, and after doing some research I found out that fed primers are among the hottest you can get so I should be set in the colt.
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