45 Colt FMJ Options

[627PCFan]

Over the past few months Ive run through just about every powder within reason to get set up for bulk reload batch of 45 Colt utility ammo and I have come up with nothing. The gun is a new Redhawk and shoots quality JHP's just great. Lead and Powder Coated, nothing. AA#2, AA5, HP38, Trail boss, Bullseye, 700x, clays. I've come to the determination that the barrel just wont shoot lead. Forcing cone on the cylinders mic out at .4515. What exactly are my options for 45 Colt FMJ? I see a lot of ACP bullets by they are .451 and 20 grains lighter so the POI is low, not ideal

 

[gunlaw]

For 45 Colt velocities try plated bullets. I use the 255 g from Berry’s with great results in my Blackhawk. Also try Unique. Goes with 45 Colt like peas and carrots.

 

[Walkalong]

Measure the throats on the Redhawk.

 

[Walkalong]

The X-Treme 255 Gr TrFP shoots well at .45 Colt velocities using a firm taper crimp.

 

[627PCFan]

Measure the throats on the Redhawk.

.4515

 

[Walkalong]

Have a gunsmith ream them .001 over the barrels groove diameter for you.

 

[edwardware]

Forcing cone on the cylinders mic out at .4515.

Chambers have throats, barrels have forcing cones.

Your throats are likely the problem, undersizing lead bullets for the barrel. Jacketed bullets are much less sensitive. You'd ned to measure, correctly (slugging, not mic'ing) the throats and barrel to be sure.

Then you can fix it.

 

[Walkalong]

Using pin gauges to check the throats is much more accurate than trying to get an inside measurement with dial calipers. Or slug them and measure, which is what you need to do with the barrel.

https://www.amazon.com/Vermont-Gage-Steel-Tolerance-Diameter/dp/B004THAVKY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1544308832&sr=8-10&keywords=.452+pin+gauge&th=1

 

[627PCFan]

Pin gauges from Vermont gauges arrived today. .451 was loose, however .452 fit perfectly and evenly though the throats on all 6 chambers. The .452 pin had very little but even resistance. Any suggestions?

 

[Walkalong]

new Redhawk and shoots quality JHP's just great. Lead and Powder Coated, nothing. AA#2, AA5, HP38, Trail boss, Bullseye, 700x, clays. I've come to the determination that the barrel just wont shoot lead.

So, no leading but doesn't group well?

 

[627PCFan]

Correct. No leading of any kind.

 

[Walkalong]

Dang. I had a revolver that was similar, shot jacketed great, but plated horribly, and I never bothered to try lead. Traded it at a gun show.

 

[FROGO207]

The problem might be the lock up of the cylinder to the barrel. If it is off center the bullet will inter the barrel not centered and cause problems. A FMJ has a thicker jacket and will be less affected by this and therefore shoot better.

 

[fxvr5]

All of Sierra's 45 bullets are listed as .4515. They might be worth a try.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/products/bullets/handgun.cfm

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/8815/4515-dia-45-cal-230-gr-FMJ

 

[Charlie98]

Another issue... and I don't know if this is a problem with Redhawks as much as Blackhawks... is a torque bulge in the barrel. Run a very, very tight fitting patch down the barrel, if you feel a restriction right where the barrel threads to the frame... you have a torque bulge. I've had quite a few .45 Ruger SA revolvers, none shot worth a darn. Back when I didn't know, I just traded them off for another 45 Ruger that didn't shoot well. Then I bought a .44SPC Flattop... not only were the cylinder throats all over the map (I had them reamed) but there was a decided torque bulge in the barrel that caused it to shoot very high left. The cylinder ream made the pistol group better, but it still shot high left. By that time I was done with the pistol and traded it off. My single remaining .45 Colt Vaquero finally, after 15 years, shoots almost POA... after considerable effort and load development.... and money thrown at it.

 

[cheygriz]

I've used Rainier plated 255 grain bullets in my Colt Anaconda for years with great results. Remington LPP and 8.0 of Unique.

 

[Bartojc]

I've used plated 55 gr Berry's with some success using Unique. Lately I've been using MBC Cowboy #1 255 gr coated for general plinking.

-Jeff

 

[627PCFan]

Update: Gun still shoots lead worth crap but I have decent measurements now. The chambers are all .452 verified by a Vermont pin gauge. Slugged the barrel and it shows an outside groove/lands of .452. It took some work to get the lead started from the muzzle, clear sailing in the middle and tight where the barrel meets the frame. Maybe open the throats up to .453 and shoot 453 or 454 sized bullets?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Don't touch the chamber throats if they're all a consistent .452" in diameter. That's about as perfect as you're going to get (well, .4525" is perfect). Just shoot lead bullets that are .453", or even .454", but you will have to work on the barrel constriction. If it's not real bad, it can be lapped out by shooting some lead bullets through it that have been rolled in lapping compound. Do a search for the instructions and sources. There are lapping kits available, and that may be the simplest route to take.

Also check the forcing cone for roughness. That sometimes causes the issues you're encountering, but eliminate one problem at a time.

Hope this helps.

Fred