45 colt loads in 1100-1200 range

[coop2564]

I have a new model blackhawk 4 5/8 and looking to get a load hotter than standard but not 44 mag level. All the load data I find are just that (standard or Mag level), I'm wanting to use 250gr xtp. Anyone have any info or recommendations? I load for 41 mag and use H110 but I dont know if it would be safe trying to load down to 1100 in 45 starting loads show 1300. Thoughts?

 

[rcmodel]

Well I have a Speer #13 manual that shows a 260 grain with a H110 Start load of 18.5 giving 1,042 FPS.
MAX of 20.0 giving 1,151 FPS if that helps any.

rc

 

[avan47]

Lyman in their #48 manual lists a max load of 25 gr of IMR 4227 under a Sierra 240 gr JHC at 1453 fps in the Contender section. That velocity is out of a 10 inch contender barrel. In my 4 5/8 Blackhawk, I got 1115 fps with 24.3 gr and a CCI 350 primer.

That load kicks hard in a gun with a barrel that short, lots of muzzle flip, and hard to shoot well. I tried keeping my loads at just under 1000 fps. I was able to do that using cast 255 gr SWC and Blue Dot. I also tried WW296 with that bullet, but did not like the results.

If you have a reloading manual with both regular 45 Colt loads, and Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt loads using the same powders, you should be able to work between the two load levels to get what you want.

 

[Hammerdown77]

You'll never get those listed velocities in your 4 5/8" barrel. H110 is probably not the powder you want to use for your application anyway.

I'd look at 2400, AA#9, or IMR4227. Maybe HS-6. My pick would be AA#9.

 

[avan47]

I just checked my Hornady manual and noted two things in the 45 Colt (Ruger and T/C only) data section.

All starting loads are at 1150 fps, which is what you are looking for.

Velocities are from a 10 inch contender barrel. You are not going to get those velocities from a 4 5/8 inch revolver barrel.

Starting load for the 250 gr XTP with 2400 is 19.7 gr. Max load is 20.8 gr at 1250 fps.

 

[mavracer]

H110 wouldnt be my choice for the application. It likes to be run hard I would also say 2400 or 4227 would be a good choice. Unique works very well for medium 45 Colt loads I use 8.5gr for about 950-1000fps and that's safe in a SAA so I know you could push it some more. I'll look in some of my manuels when I get home.

 

[River Dog]

Heavy Loads In 45 Colt

Based on my experience you will never easily get those velocities from jacketed bullets. Too much friction. A jacketed bullet has no advantages in this cartridge that I have ever seen. Cast bullets are the way to go for the 45 Colt especially in the 1000 fps+ range. As far as powders there are two choices H110 and W296. Really one choice they are the same thing. For more information a great read is availalbe on John Linebaugh's web site www.customsixguns.com. he has distilled this process in a way that makes success easy.

1250 fps is relatively easy with a cast 250-255 grain bullet in the short 45 LC Blackhawk, both of mine can do it safetly and accurately. They do bite though. You really need a chronograph to develop these loads, revolvers are so individual that the loading manuals are just a starting point. If your velocity for a given load varies from published material greatly one way or another, something is wrong. Especially magically high velocity. That just means your pressure is too high.

Good luck,

Matt

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Hodgdon Load Data Site has "Ruger Only" loads for the .45 Colt. Their data includes a 250gr XTP bullet and covers a handful of powders. They list Longshot which is reported to generate 1250 fps from a 7.25" barrel which just might get you where you want to be with the shorter barrel. Like said above, H4227 will also get you there.

 

[Sport45]

Pick a powder that has data listed for normal as well as "Ruger Only" loads for your bullet of choice. You can then load anywhere from starting normal to max "Ruger Only". Approach maximum loads with the usual precautions.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Pick a powder that has data listed for normal as well as "Ruger Only" loads for your bullet of choice. You can then load anywhere from starting normal to max "Ruger Only". Approach maximum loads with the usual precautions.

The only crossover on the Hodgdon site is Titegroup and that won't get him where he wants to be but that is very good advice. I'm sure that will work with powders in some of the manuals that list both data.

 

[USSR]

I load for 41 mag and use H110 but I dont know if it would be safe trying to load down to 1100 in 45 starting loads show 1300. Thoughts?

That is precisely the reason I don't use W296/H110, it's simply not a very flexible powder. I have found that anything that requires W296/H110, can just as easily be done with 2400 or 4227.

Don

 

[tx_pistolero]

I am getting 1080fps with 200gr SWC's, from a 6" without pushing it too hard. You should be able to get that with most powders if you step down to 200gr

 

[Doc.Holliday]

My Best mid power 45 colt loads were using Power Pistol powder. Excellent metering, very clean burning, very economical- as I'm sure only 12 to 13 grains under a 250 grain will get you there; and it seems to develop pressures slower than some. Use a regular large pistol primer.
I have had more success with this than 22 grains of 4227 and magnum primers.
I only use 110 or 296 if I want full power 45 colt loads and I run them to MY safe maximum
This Power Pistol is a Ruger; Contender +p load only and use at your own risk as with following any other persons recipes.
Doc

 

[Lost Sheep]

Based on my experience you will never easily get those velocities from jacketed bullets. Too much friction. A jacketed bullet has no advantages in this cartridge that I have ever seen. Cast bullets are the way to go for the 45 Colt especially in the 1000 fps+ range. As far as powders there are two choices H110 and W296. Really one choice they are the same thing.

Matt, Matt, Matt,

The O.P. was asking for 1100 fps. Would you recommend H110 or W296 for that velocity? I wouldn't download it that far. Not even for jacketed.

For more information a great read is availalbe on John Linebaugh's web site www.customsixguns.com. he has distilled this process in a way that makes success easy.

Excellent resource. Linebaugh is one of the grand masters of large calibers.

1250 fps is relatively easy with a cast 250-255 grain bullet in the short 45 LC Blackhawk, both of mine can do it safetly and accurately. They do bite though. You really need a chronograph to develop these loads, revolvers are so individual that the loading manuals are just a starting point.

A chronograph was my first thought. I don't know the O.P. doesn't have one, though.

Matt (Riverdog),

Do you have any thoughts on or experience with 2400? It is a bit more flexible than H110/W296 in my opinion.

My Speer manual mentions HS6 as being able to give 1019 to 1131 fps. Same manual says Unique can deliver that kind of velocities, too, but I have a suspicion that the pressure would be higher than 2400

Lost Sheep

 

[Old Scratch]

I will respectfully disagree that H110 is the only game in town. I have a 4 5/8 Blackhawk and never liked the huge blinding yellow flash and muzzle blast from H110. Years ago I started experimenting with faster, lower flash powders, and found VV330 to do a great job. Using a non-magnum primer, I can push a 300gr cast bullet at a chronographed velocity of 1120fps. I started low, at around 9gr, and worked up slowly.

 

[Old Scratch]

Forgot to add my caveat:

Caution, do not try this load yourself. The above data was provided for purely entertainment purposes; it may cause excessive pressure, loose morals and/or too much cowbell in anything other that a Ruger Blackhawk in excellent condition.

 

[MEHavey]

Fired 2 April`06
Ruger 7" 3-screw BH
HN250HP/XTP/2400/21.0gr/RPCase/CCI300/OAL:1.600"
Oehler Chrono: 1,260fps

QuickLoad tells me that the 1,260fps in the 7" barrel drops to 1,100 in the OP's 4-5/8", but it gets the job into the ballpark.

NOTE: This load exceeds Hornady 8th's Max by 0.2gr, but fired shells fall out of cylinder by weight alone on my 1973-vintage Ruger
Work up.....

 

[coop2564]

I went and shot some loads I worked up Saturday. 1st up was H110 26gr with 250gr xtp. Wow the lady next to me actually let out a little screem...quite a handful. She said she could shoot while I was testing that one. accuracy was good ( for me anyway) about about 4" freehand at 20yds. Next up 23.5 lil gun same round and pretty much same results, very powerful with plenty of kick and about 3.5'' group avg. 24gr of lil gun about 4" group. Then 21gr of IMR 4227 and bingo 2.5'' group very manageable, then 21gr 4227 with a LBT 265gr hardcast 2.750" avg for 6 shots. Not real sure what my velocity is but really enjoyed shooting both loads using 4227. Came home and loaded some more at 21.5 and 22 to try this week. any guesses on what my velocity would have been? What little bit of data I have found I'm guessing in mid 1000 out of my 4 5/8". For whitetail and hog that should be deadly using that LBT hardcast.

 

[USSR]

Not real sure what my velocity is but really enjoyed shooting both loads using 4227.

I would estimate that with a 265gr lead bullet, you're probably in the neighborhood of 1,000fps with your 4 5/8" barrel. I have shot up to 22gr of 4227 with 265gr SWC's in my S&W 25-5, and have always found accurate loads with 4227 powder. However, I mostly use 2400 for heavy .45LC loads, as I simply have more of that powder.

Don

 

[Clark]

For the OP app, H110/W296 is the best.

But 4227, AA#9, LIL'GUN, and 2400 are good.

Power Pistol and Blue Dot are just ok.

But you gotta roll crimp that case mouth into the bullet to get H110 to work right.

 

[Doc.Holliday]

Loaded some 45 colt rounds with both Red Dot and Imr 4227 powders.
was using my Rossi 92 rifle with 16 inch barrel
With 250 gr RNFP #2 cast boolits
7.5 gr of Red Dot averaged 1105 fps
24.0 gr of IMR 4227 mag primers averaged 1425 fps..
Looks like I was gaining about 200fps over my 51/2 inch barrel in the rifle
Doc

 

[rcmodel]

7.5 Red Dot/250 bullet sounds about like hitting a bowling ball with your fist.

A little too fast burning powder for +P .45 Colt loads IMO!

rc

 

[zxcvbob]

12 grains of Herco should get you there, and it's an economical load.

Is there any particular reason you're using jacketed bullets?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

7.5 Red Dot/250 bullet sounds about like hitting a bowling ball with your fist.

A little too fast burning powder for +P .45 Colt loads IMO!

rc

I totally agree. When I want to build a slightly hotter .45 Colt load (but not +P) I use HS-6. I find HS-6 to be very accurate in the .45 Colt but if you don't have any available to you, you can give AA#5 a try too. I've heard Herco also works well but I have never tried it so I can't personally recommend it but I have used HS-6 and AA#5, with HS-6 being my favorite .45 Colt powder. (even more than w231)

 

[zxcvbob]

7.5 Red Dot/250 bullet sounds about like hitting a bowling ball with your fist.

It is if you go any higher. 7.5 grains of Promo with a 230 grain cast bullet is my favorite .45 Colt load. It's "+P" but just barely. At about 8 grains, the recoil starts getting harsh totally out of proportion to the velocity.