45 Colt in a snub (and another who's tried WST?)

[Upriver]

I'd like to work up some lower end loads in .45 Colt for shooting in a 2" snub (a ported Taurus 450). The only guideline in the Taurus manual is to "keep it under 900 FPS."

I've loaded for a Blackhawk in the past using mostly the well-traveled loads with Unique and 2400. At my disposal I've got Unique, Power Pistol, 2400, and WST; and bullet-wise, some 200 gr LSWC's, 250 gr JFP's (Montana gold), and some 255 gr Keith-style LSWC's. I've thought about trying WST with the 200 gr LSWC's starting with 45 auto data (4.4 - 4.9 gr w/ the Lyman #452630), but am unsure of trying any heavier bullet weights with that powder.

I'm hoping WST might give me a little less flash (Power Pistol) and soot (Unique) in the short barrel - a lot of research turns up a few folks talking about it, but that's about it. I don't reckon 2400 would be a good choice for this application, regardless.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

U

 

[hydraulicman]

can you actually get 900 FPS from a two inch barrel?

 

[Upriver]

I sincerely doubt it. I think what they mean is to stick to loads that run around 900 FPS in the load manuals (or standard pressure stuff). I have no interest in trying to run high pressure loads in this thing, I just want to chuck big hunks of lead at moderate velocities.

 

[hydraulicman]

get yourself some trail boss. I use it for plinking with .38 special

it was designed for uses with lead bullets.

 

[Walkalong]

I have not tried WST in .45 Colt, although I do have some, and like it in .45 ACP. If you have some AA #2, I highly recommend it in .45 Colt.

 

[Upriver]

Walkalong,

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll keep an eye out for a can although all I seem to be able to find locally these days pistol-powder wise is WST, WSF, and Green Dot.

I guess that's the reasoning for trying WST. Mostly I'm curious about trying to run bullets in the 250 gr range with it.

Are you happier with AA#2 than AA#5?

 

[Upriver]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data outside what is currently published for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

So, based on recommendations from some of the cowboy action folks, I gave the following a go:

5.5 gr WST
WLP
255 gr LSWC

6.0 gr WST
WLP
255 gr LSWC

I shot these in comparison to some 250 gr Winchester factory "Cowboy" loads, and some 255 LSWC / 8 gr Unique loads that I'd loaded previously.

The 5.5's felt and patterned similar to the "Cowboy" loads - basically POA @ 7yards. The 6.0's patterned about 6" higher, and felt similar to an 8 gr load of Unique, with a similar POI.

Regards,

U

 

[Walkalong]

Are you happier with AA#2 than AA#5?

I like them both. I have not used AA #5 in .45 Colt, at least not yet, but it is a good all around powder. I use both in .45 ACP, and AA #5 works well for mid range loads in .357, but I prefer N340 there.

 

[mgkdrgn]

6.2gr or so of Green Dot with a 255 grain lead bullet will put you right there.

 

[ace1001]

The Taurus 450 has a .010 thicker outer wall than a Ruger New Vaquero, and the bolt latch is between the chambers (5 shot) and it is MUCH thicker between the chambers. Also the short barrel will reduce pressure on slower powders. So anything the NEW vaquero can handle the stainless Taurus 450 should too. The titanium is strong too but minute scratches can cause a point of shatter. Much like scoring glass. The UL may shoot loose because of the aluminium frame, but your hand will probably give out first. Ace

 

[Navy_Guns]

Great thread!

There should be a support group for those of us with Taurus 450's - mine's the aluminum alloy "ultra light"... I had once seen where Taurus rated it as capable for "+P" use, although there's no official +P standard for .45 LC that I know of. Lately, Taurus has disavowed any +P approval for these pistols so I'm in a quandry as to what pressures I can really use in my pistol. I recently had a thread going (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=468345) regarding speed or mass as the more important factor for non-expanding defensive loads. Anyone else out there who has developed loads for their Taurus 450 without having it come apart, please chime in!

 

[Upriver]

I don't know about Ruger only loads through a 450 - mine's the all stainless version, and even with an 8 gr load of Unique, I don't have as much control as I'd like. Instead, per Walkalong's suggestion above, I've been playing with AA#2.

Last weekend I ran some Saeco 230 gr wadcutters over charges varying between 5.6 - 6.0 grains of AA#2. I didn't get a chance to test them with the 450, but at 10 yds, the 6.0 gr load showed some promise out of a 5.5" Blackhawk, with negligible recoil (10 shots, 10 yds, two hands).

Regards,

U

 

[zxcvbob]

A max charge of Red Dot or Promo will get you just what you want. Green Dot will work almost as good.

 

[FNAUTO5]

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