.45 Colt Powder

[ArchAngelCD]

Which powder is your favorite for reloading the .45 Colt? I know all guns are different but over the years which powder or powders have you found to be the most reliable and accurate when loading a 250/255gr lead bullet?

Thanks...

 

[Snapping Twig]

I started with W231 since that's my go-to non magnum powder. At 7.5g, it's just about right. However, after posting here and other places asking for suggestions, I got the feeling that I should try Unique. Boy am I glad I did!

8 ~ 9 grains was the suggestion, so I did. I'm enjoying 9 grains and the accuracy is amazing! 8 was a little light for me and 8.5 was good, but 9 - now that's a winner.

That siad, if all I had was W231, I wouldn't feel too bad.

 

[MCMXI]

ArchAngelCD, why didn't you include H-110 or Winchester 296 in the poll? Those powders are two of the best around for +P type loads. Also, I wish we could choose more than one powder since I'm using three powders for .45 Colt. I'm currently loading for a pair of USFA Rodeos, a Marlin 1894 Cowboy and a Ruger Redhawk so I'm using Trail Boss for the Rodeos and Marlin (for light CAS type loads) and I'm using 231 and H110 for the Marlin and Redhawk. No one said it would be simple!

Last weekend I loaded 200 grain LRNFP bullets with QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF of 231. I haven't shot them yet but . . . they should be fun. I marked the base of all 50 cases with permanent red marker pen so that I don't accidentally shoot them in the USFA Rodeos.

This evening I loaded 255 grain bullets with QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF H-110. I also loaded 300 grain bullets with QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF H-110. Again, not loads to accidentally shoot in the Rodeos!!

 

[RugerBob]

I prefer to use Unique.I have tried Trailboss and like it. I just like the 8grs Unique over 250-255 gr lead. Some may say its to dirty, but I gotta clean em any way. Bob

 

[Walkalong]

why didn't you include H-110 or Winchester 296 in the poll?

Considering the powder choices, I would assume he is asking about standard pressure .45 Colt loads.

 

[Galil5.56]

For orig style loads, anything else but Unique seems like blasphemy.

 

[Sistema1927]

I voted W231/HP38 in the poll for that weight bullet, but I load a whole lot more .45 Colt using Trail Boss and 200 gr. RNFP.

 

[huntershooter]

2400.

 

[RPCVYemen]

I have used Trail Boss, Unique, and Titegroup. Of those three, I like Titegroup the best. A friend swears that I need to try Win 231.

Mike

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

Unigue 8 1/2 To 9 Grains 250 Gr Swc Awsome Thru A Ruger 3 Screw

 

[rcmodel]

Unique is THE .45 Colt powder in Colt SAA's.

I didn't realize there was anything else even close.

rcmodel

 

[Hunter0924]

I prefer Unique for the .45 Colt as well as most any other calibers.

 

[dwave]

Had to go with other, I load Black Powder in mine.

 

[hotwheelz]

I like Red-Dot 7.5 gr on the 255, 8.0 with the 250

 

[tomh1426]

I like 5.8 gr of Trailboss under a 255gr RNFP
Its a clean light accurate load that workes very well in both my Blackhawk and my 1892.

 

[Harve Curry]

Unique

 

[StrawHat]

Unigue and black are the only two I load with and Unique is not getting much range time.

Thinking on it, I use black for almost all of my reloading. Unless you need something other than origianl ballistics, it is still the best.

 

[Fisherman_48768]

I'm in agreement with hotwheelz:I

like Red-Dot 7.5 gr on the 255, 8.0 with the 250

 

[orionengnr]

Just bought a set of dies, so I have not started reloading yet.

That said, I plan on using W-231.

 

[MCMXI]

I really like the .45 Colt caliber and the fact that it can be loaded for CAS type loads all the way up to Redhawk loads QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF ... what more can one ask for? The only concern with the caliber is the case volume. With QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF H-110 there's no way to double charge it but with QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED PRESSURE DELETED BY STAFF W231 it's quite possible so extra attention is required.

H-110 fills up the case very nicely when making +P type loads with QUANTITY DELETED BY STAFF grains of powder. That may result in more consistent performance (if that's important).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yes, I am asking about standard .45 Colt loads, that's why I didn't include W296/H110 or 2400 in my Poll.

For all those who are choosing Unique, are you doing so because it's the very best choice or doing so because you've been using it so long it's just what you do? Have you tried other powders or are you sticking with Unique because it's what you have always used? (which isn't bad BTW)

I'm leaning on the side of both W231 and HS-6 instead of Unique. Unique just doesn't meter well and both W231 and HS-6 meter very well. Both are much cleaner than Unique too...

 

[Gewehr98]

My choice for the .45 Long Colt?

FFg or even FFFg Goex.

 

[kentucky_smith]

My 2 loads are 5.8 of Trailboss for light and easy, 9gr of Unique for working loads. And, on my Stampede, 9 gr of Unique come out just right with the sights, poa=poi at 15 yards.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Posting heavy loads on this forum

All members are reminded of the forum rule posted at REQUIRED READ for those posting Extra HEAVY LOAD Information.

Postings including loads above posted maximums and which do not include the mandatory warnings will be either heavily redacted or deleted entirely. Friends, it's okay to boast of your barn-burner loads, so long as you follow the rules. Click the link, read, and follow.

Thanks to all
Johnny Guest
H&R Forum Moderator

 

[scrat]

Goex then trail boss