.45 Colt - looking for low recoil load with same POI as regular load

[Wedge]

Hey everyone, I did some shooting today with my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk, 5.5" barrel. The following load is safe in my gun, but might not be safe in yours. The load I am shooting is 9.0gr Unique, CCI 300 large pistol primer, Laser Cast 255gr LSWC with Winchester brass. I really like this load, it shoots very well out of my revolver...accurate but it lets you know that it is there too.

After shooting about 75 rounds I am just too fatigued to keep shooting...the fun is over and it is time to go home. The Blackhawk is my only handgun, so until I get a .22LR and a 9mm (both on the list, both being saved up for) I need to develop a little softer shooting round.

My problem lies in the fact that I really like shooting the above load, and that even though I have adjustable sights I hate fiddling with them.

So I need to develop another load that will shoot to the same POI out to 15 yards. After that distance I will shoot the heavier loads but at 15 yards, I would like to have the option to shoot something that recoils a bit lighter than the 255gr. Now I realize that this is going to require a bit of experimentation but I would like some input on starting points. I would like to stay with Unique and CCI 300 LPP, so that leaves bullet weight and charge weight.

For the bullet I was thinking Laser Cast 185gr LSWC. I like the bullets, and I like the LSWC since they cut a nice hole in paper. Powder charge I could use a little bit of help where to set as a baseline to window around. My Lyman manual gives 185gr jacketed bullet (so we are already a little different) as 7.5gr Unique going 615 fps and 10gr. Unique as 934 fps. For the 255gr bullet with 6.0gr of Unique it says it will go 590fps. Of course, for the 255gr bullet they don't go up to 9.0gr Unique only 8.5gr. for 845fps (they do go up to 9.0gr but for a contender with a way different barrel length so the speed won't compare.)

Given all that information, can I draw a line between the two 255gr points to get the speed relative to 9.0gr Unique in their test conditions and then compare that to the lighter bullet to pick a powder and speed that would give me the same point of aim as the heavier bullet? And if that was the case, what charge would that be?

Or should I just bite the bullet and load up some 185gr bullets from 7.5gr to 10gr in .5 grain increments and figure out which one shoots the best?

Thanks for the help...I figured what better way to spend the evening than a ballistics problem!

 

[SASS#23149]

since all guns shoot differently,'bit the bullet' and load some up to try out.Isn't that part of the 'fun' of loading our own? :banghead:
I doubt that at 15 yds it will matter all that much unles you[re shooting at aspirin tablets,and the recoil is gonna be soooooooo much lighter.
I find that going heaveir than lighete on the powder 'estimation' usually works the best for me.
go forth and burn powder my son.

 

[zeke]

Might be kinda difficult to get 185 gn bullet to hit to same POI, as 255 gn, even at 15 yds Granted this depends on how close ya want it, might be up to 2 in elevation difference (alos windage difference), even at that range. More than likely you will have to file down the front sight of the Ruger, just to get POA=POI with the 185 grainer.

Better alternative might be to buy Bowen adjustable sight, which is much easeir to get repeatable sight adjustments (well defined and countable clicks). It has a much better chance of being adjusted to same POI, without filing down front site. Have filed down the front site on every Ruger 45 LC owned, except one with Bowen sight.
If ya file down the sight too far, might have difficulty keeping the 255 grainers on taget at 25-50 yds, with heavier loaded heavy bullets.

Favorite plinking load for 45 LC is 7.5 gns hp-38 under 200 gn lrnfp, Fed 150 primer and any decent brass. (tight interference fit bullet and LFC). About 880 fps from 4 5/8 in, and very accurate in every Ruger tried in.

 

[Wedge]

I already have adjustable sights, I just hate fiddling with them so I would rather take the time to get another load that shoots about the same than to have to switch the sights all the time...I guess it wouldn't be that painful to do once I have figured it all out though...

Thanks for the suggestions, I guess it is time to start experimenting and see if I can find a match.

 

[redneck2]

FWIW..I know you wanted to stay with Unique, but if it turns out too dirty, you might switch to Universal Clays. Extremely similar applications as Unique but cleaner. IMO, once you start reducing loads with Unique, it REALLY gets smokey. I used some Unique in minimum loads in my .45 LC Ruger at an indoor range and had some other shooters ask if I was shooting black powder. Titegroup, HP 38 and AA5 among others should also work HTH

 

[Master Blaster]

I have a new vaquero the XR3 griped model with fixed sights 5.5" barrel.

I have tried universal and found it to be just as smokey as unique with the same cast bullets but it was decidedly less accurate, recoil is about the same. My load for plinking is 7.0 grains of unique with a 250gr lrnfp, and a good solid roll crimp, and as little belling of the case mouth as I can get away with and still seat the bullet with no shaving.

8.0 grains of Unique is the accuracy load for .45 colt with the 250 LRNFP.
9.0 is the hunting load for standard pressure.

7.0 grains of Unique gives you a good target load around 700 fps.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Place a ruler on your gun, resting on the front and rear sights. Look at it from the side. You will see the gun barrel actually points well below the line of sight.

Recoil is THE critical factor in handgun zeroes -- the gun points below the target and recoils upward so that it is at the proper position when the bullet exits. For this reason it is very difficult to find two loads with significantly different levels of recoil that shoot to the same point of aim.

The best chance for success is to select a LIGHT bullet with a heavy charge for you "serious" load and a HEAVY bullet with a light charge for the plinking load.

 

[Murphster]

This is from my records and might get you close to what you're looking for. This is the load that I used in my Vaquero with a 5 1/2 in barrel. (I've since lost my mind, apparently, and sold the gun. Someday I'll get another.) My notes show it to be accurate at all plinking distances and low recoil. However, I used 250 grain RNFP lead bullets. Anyway it's:

6.6 grains Unique
and Federal #150 large pistol primers

 

[Wedge]

Hey Master Blaster, I tested both 8.0gr and 9.0gr and found that the 9.0gr Unique was more accurate...but that was for me in my gun. It is not an awful load, just a bit more than I would like to shoot for an hour straight.

I think my only solution is to actually *sigh* use the adjustable sights. I am low on supplies anyways so I guess I will buy up a few different components and see what I can make work.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Murphster, I may try your load. Thanks, it sounds very similar to Master Blasters light load...so I think I will window around that and see if I can make something that is a bit more comfortable to shoot for a long time.

I just really like the way my current load shoots...

 

[zeke]

Wedge-there is a HUGE difference between a Bowen rear adjustable and Ruger's stock one. The range of adjustment is greater, sight picture is better, the sight holds better in place at upper range of adjustment and the steps in adjustment are well defined and easily repeatable. Not to mention it might save ya the grief of possibly filing down your front site for lighter bullets, if ya decide to use them. They are pricey, but well worth it for the purpose you indicated.