.45 Colt muzzle velocity data from Marlin '94 (20") and Ruger Rehawk (4")

[MCMXI]

A few weeks ago I chronographed ten .45 Colt loads shot out of a Marlin 1894 with a 20" barrel. The loads consisted of a 250gr Oregon Trail laser-cast LRNFP bullet, 22.0gr of H110**, Starline brass, WLP primers and a COL of 1.580".

Here's the data for 10 shots from the Marlin (20" barrel):

This afternoon I chronographed forty of the same loads shot out of a Ruger Redhawk with a 4" barrel. I didn't include the one data point of 224 fps but the remaining 39 shots are included in the data. Here's the data for 40 shots from the Ruger (4" barrel):

I was sure that the velocity out of the Ruger would be higher. I was hoping for something along the lines of 1200fps but I'm not even close with an average velocity for all 39 loads of 938fps. The SD and ES are terrible but that may in part be due to my inconsistency with shooting the bullet the same height above the chronograph each time. The chronograph was about 8ft away for the first 30 rounds and then I moved it to about 5ft away for the last 10 rounds. I have to be honest, the loads are fairly punchy out of the Ruger and I don't think I'm going to be pushing the envelope to get to 1200fps. Anyway, the average velocity from the Ruger was about 36% slower than from the average velocity from the Marlin!! Welcome to the real world I guess!

**CAUTION: This load is not intended for Colt SAA revolvers or any SAA clones. It is intended for T/C, Ruger Redhawk and Ruger Blackhawk only.

 

[Walkalong]

Those are big ES & SD numbers. Sounds like you are not getting a consistent "burn" with that load. Even if it is accurate, that big a spread would bother me. That kind of difference will show up at long range as bad vertical stringing.

That powder may be a bit slow for a 4" barrel, although I haven't shot H110 in less than a 5.5" barrel. How is your crimp? It needs to be stout.

 

[1858rem]

check all your batteries too

 

[1858rem]

maybe try a mag primer for the pistol loads also before changing powders

 

[GooseGestapo]

WARNING: THIS DATA EXCEEDS SAAMI STANDARD PRESSURES FOR THE .45COLT. USE ONLY IN THOSE FIREARMS WHICH BY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ARE SUITABLE FOR THEM. (NOT COLT SAA, OR REPLICA'S!!!!)


Ditto the Magum primer.
Also, your charges are a bit on the low side.
H110/Win296 has a narrow pressure range where it gives good consistency. I personally don't use it anymore.
For the ususal applications, I use either Hod Universal, Unique, #2400, and Hod.LilGun.

I'm getting 1,175fps with a 300gr Lee FNGC over 20.0gr of #2400 from my Blackhawk, and 1,600fps from my 24"bbl Win M95.

With the 250gr Hornady XTP, with 20.0gr of #2400, I get 1,250 and 1,750fps respectively. Exceptional accuracy too.

However, for 90%+ of my need for the .45Colt, I prefer the Lee 255gr FN over 8.2gr of Universal for ~1,000fps (5.5"bbl). Gets about 1,200fps and no blow-by from my Winney too. This load drops deer as well as anything inside 100yds. Why would I want/need more. I've got other, better guns for that..........

 

[1858rem]

However, for 90%+ of my need for the .45Colt, I prefer the Lee 255gr FN over 8.2gr of Universal for ~1,000fps (5.5"bbl).

currently im loading 7.8g of universal under a lee 255g cast bullet and have been curious what velocity id get from that load in my 8 inch barrel, was the ~1000 fps in your 5.5 referring to an actual chrono number?


( im currently looking into getting a F1 myself real soon)

 

[MCMXI]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm REALLY new to this chronograph thing and I'm new to the .45 Colt. The Winchester WLP primers say for "standard or magnum loads" so I was thinking that they should be fine but I can certainly look for magnum pistol primers.

Walkalong, I don't know if you remember but I made a post a few months ago about the crimp on my .45 Colt loads ... I was told to back it off since the crimp was supposedly too severe. The numbers from the Marlin are respectable right? Part of the problem is that it's next to impossible to find load data for the bullet, powder, barrel length and twist rate that I'm using.

Also, your charges are a bit on the low side.

22.0gr of H110 is 2.0gr OVER the maximum load in my Speer #11 manual. They list 20.0gr of H110 for a 250gr LSWC at 1245fps from a 7" barrel with a 1:16 twist. That's why I was expecting more velocity from these loads.

1858rem, I think the battery is fine ... it's new ... so I probably need to check my own batteries ... they're not so new.

 

[Walkalong]

OK then, we'll say the crimp is good, but you need a mag primer with H-110, as folks have posted, and Speer #11 shows by the way. H-110 & W-296 need Mag primers and a good crimp. I know Winchester WLP says for standard or mag, but I would go with a real mag primer.

Speer #13 does not show the lead data, but it gives 20.0 Grains of H-110 and a mag primer as max for 260 gr JACKETED. for 1151 FPS. You can safely exceed (somewhat) that 260 Gr jacketed data with 250 Gr lead.

I would change to a mag primer and test it with 20.0 Grains, and work up as needed)

 

[fastbike]

Lose the H110

As folks have said, if you're hot loading these rounds, you'll be better off w/ LilGun or 2400.

 

[MCMXI]

Speer #11 shows by the way. H-110 & W-296 need Mag primers and a good crimp. I know Winchester WLP says for standard or mag, but I would go with a real mag primer.

I'll pick up some CCI magnum primers and save the WLP primers for the Marlin.

you'll be better off w/ LilGun or 2400

When I started loading .45 Colt last year, I did a bunch of research and found John Linebaugh's website and bought the H110 based on his recommendation. Since I have 8lb of the stuff, I'm going to try magnum primers first before switching to another powder. I honestly thought that H110 was "THE" powder for hot magnum type loads.

Thanks.

 

[MCMXI]

By the way, the only thing that bothers me shooting these "hot" loads out of the Ruger is the tip of my trigger finger. The trigger really does a number on my finger ... the rest of the "experience" is fine and I'd be happy to increase the velocity.

 

[zxcvbob]

That one sample that you threw out is trying to tell you something. You're too low. Try 25 grains (and a really good crimp and/or a magnum primer.)

If you only want 1000 fps, use 7.5 grains of Red Dot.

 

[MCMXI]

zxcvbob, is that low value really a valid data point? I thought it was due to something that I did or a brain fart on the part of the chronograph. That particular shot didn't feel any different. However, you may well be right about the amount of powder. I think I'll buy some magnum primers as has been suggested and work up to higher velocities if my finger will take it.