45 Colt Loads

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums 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.

These are loads not beyond published, but I did make them up.

a) My brother gets great accuracy with his old S&W 1917 with 6 gr Unique and 300 gr cast.

b) I get great recoil in my Uberti Cattleman revolvers and Win 94 Ranger rifle with 24 gr H110 250 gr XTP. That is ~ 1225 fps and 1525 fps and 22kpsi.

 

[41 Mag]

I was going to suggest looking at the following post, but I see you threw in on the end of it.
45 Colt Powder options

This said, I again can only suggest bumping up to the 255gr bullets and giving HS-6 a try. I doubt seriously you will notice much if any difference in recoil from the two loads, and you will probably get a more consistent burn with your powders, and pretty darn good accuracy.

 

[Sport45]

I've tried Tite Group & it smokes a LOT.
So I'm under the impression that faster powders will smoke.

You're shooting cast bullets. The smoke is coming from the bullet lube. Your powder is fine.

 

[huntincowboy]

I was going to suggest looking at the following post, but I see you threw in on the end of it.
45 Colt Powder options

This said, I again can only suggest bumping up to the 255gr bullets and giving HS-6 a try. I doubt seriously you will notice much if any difference in recoil from the two loads, and you will probably get a more consistent burn with your powders, and pretty darn good accuracy.

I was OP on that thread and went with the suggestion of HS-6. I love it! When I got up around max published loads there was no more gas blow by. Great powder for my uses and using published data up to the Linebaugh loads in my blackhawk it's very versatile as well. I'll be keeping this as my 45 Colt powder for standard pressure as well as the low end Ruger only stuff.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was OP on that thread and went with the suggestion of HS-6. I love it! When I got up around max published loads there was no more gas blow by. Great powder for my uses and using published data up to the Linebaugh loads in my blackhawk it's very versatile as well. I'll be keeping this as my 45 Colt powder for standard pressure as well as the low end Ruger only stuff.

huntincowboy,
I posted about HS-6 in that thread and I'm wondering what load you settled on? In that thread I told you I stopped at 10.2gr with a 250/255gr bullet. I'm wondering what load your revolver likes???

Also, are you using a Magnum primer? I use them with HS-6.

 

[gilgsn]

I have tried 8.0gr of Unique with the RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet (weighs about 285gr). It comes out at 838fps out of a 4-3/4" barrel.
I want to try 16.0gr of 2400. It would probably be slightly faster, maybe close to 900fps, which is a bit hot for a regular load..

 

[huntincowboy]

huntincowboy,
I posted about HS-6 in that thread and I'm wondering what load you settled on? In that thread I told you I stopped at 10.2gr with a 250/255gr bullet. I'm wondering what load your revolver likes???

Also, are you using a Magnum primer? I use them with HS-6.

ArchAngelCD I settled on 10.0 grains and then moved up in half grain increments to the Linebaugh load which it also liked. I am using the Lee 255 grain flat points which really come out with my alloy at 260 gr.

As far as the primer goes I'm using WLP so not really magnum per se but they say they are supposed to be good for both standard and magnum loadings. It seems like I saw a list of pressures generated by igniting the same charge with different primers in Handloader. IIRC WLP did not generate as much pressure as a true magnum primer did.

 

[Hondo 60]

If you are shooting grease lubed lead bullets?
What possible difference does it make?

The bullet lube makes 90% of the mess anyway.

rc

Is Liquid Alox cleaner burning?
Or is there another lube that's clean?

 

[zxcvbob]

Or is there another lube that's clean?

There's a lube called "Rooster Jacket" that is clean. I used it on some .38 Special bullets a few years ago and the gun almost looked unfired after shooting a box. Accuracy wasn't as good as with Alox, although maybe I was just having a bad day. The only thing I didn't like about RJ is I can't tell by looking at them whether the bullets are lubed or not -- it dries clear with a matte finish. (someone more organized than me would just label the jar of bullets)

 

[Crazy Carl]

My bud runs LilGun under a 260gr WFN, for 1270fps out of a 4 5/8" BH. Very fun to shoot.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My favorite load is 17 grains of 2400 and a 255 grain bullet. It hits hard but it's not too bad on the wrists. I'm hoping to take a deer this season with that load.

I've been planning to load up some BP loads as well, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[stampedeboss]

6 grains of HS6 with a 240 SWC from Berry's

 

[stampedeboss]

6 grains of HS6 with a 240 SWC from Berry's

Excuse 10.6 grains of HS-6. I have been using that load since 1989.