45 Colt rifle loads
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Charlie98
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Just a friendly reminder... you are NOT supposed to download H110/W296. Yes, this makes it's usability window quite small. Like LRDGCO suggest, as do I, if you are looking for something that will give you some velocity, just not maximum velocity... IMR4227 or 2400 is probably the answer you are looking for.
Enfielder
Member
I had that same Rossi. I loaded 10.5 of Unique and regretted it with all the split cases. The down range effects were devastating but I wasted a lot of brass. The gun handled it like a champ.
I went with 9.5 and the bullet hit with the same authority as the overload.
Be careful with Unique. It is a daring and dangerous mistress.
I went with 9.5 and the bullet hit with the same authority as the overload.
Be careful with Unique. It is a daring and dangerous mistress.
Blue68f100
Member
Like said your not suppose to download H110/W296. And the reload window is only 3% reduction from max, not the normal 10% like most powders.
As a followup to my previous posts on hot loads for the 1892, and all the excellent input from you guys, I found some good info on how much pressure the 1892's can handle.
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
16in50calNavalRifle
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As I'll be reloading for an 1866/45 Colt in the not too distant future, this thread topic is of interest - though only the parts about revolver loads achieving higher velocities in rifles. 1866 is strictly standard pressures and below, which is fine, as I will only use it for plinking and silhouette work.
I assumed that the revolver loads would achieve higher velocities out of a 20" barrel, which is nice. Given my purposes, exact amount isn't critical. Everything else being equal, however, it might incline me to try the slowest of the various appropriate powders I have on hand for the task.
I assumed that the revolver loads would achieve higher velocities out of a 20" barrel, which is nice. Given my purposes, exact amount isn't critical. Everything else being equal, however, it might incline me to try the slowest of the various appropriate powders I have on hand for the task.
gotboostvr
Member
Well, it's true that slower powders will benefit more from a longer barrel, if it's being downloaded they have their own considerations. 4227 gets REAL dirty, and H110/296 gets a little explodey when downloaded too much. Unique (or similar) is about as slow as I'd go for standard pressure loadings.
Charlie98
Member
'explodey' ...now, that's funny!
That's one of the reasons the can of H110 on the bench will be my last... it's all or nothing with H110 or W296. I've not experimented with IMR4227 much in reduced loads or pistol-length barrels; the one instance I have was some out of my 5.5" barreled Ruger .45 Colt... it left a bunch of crap in the barrel, definitely not the hot setup... but it's excellent in longer barrels. If you were looking for a powder that would work well in both rifle and pistol barrels... like gotboostvr suggests... Unique or the like would be your answer.
16in50calNavalRifle
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As stated, I will stick strictly with standard pressure loads (and probably below max in those, as is my usual practice) for the 1866, from published data. And I don't need any very impressive velocities (paper-punching, and silhouette-knocking). Just musing that I'd certainly try the slowest of the appropriate/published data powders I have for this gun, just to see if I could get a bit more oomph. I don't download below data at all, that I can think of. Certainly wouldn't think of it with H110, which I have but use only for 30 carbine.
Blue68f100
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H110/W296 get very erratic when the pressure is low. The reason for a 3% reduction from max. I've seen pressure signs on primers at lower loads than at max. I also thinks the 3% reduction is for handguns only. For I've only seen this warning in handloads for magnum revolver. I don't recall it on the 30 carbine.
TxRoadDog
Member
I'm pushing a 250gr. XTP over Alliant 2400 at roughly 1250ish from my 20 1894CB in 45 colt. Pressure is just enough to fire-form the brass without causing soot all over the case from the generous chamber. I fiddled around with 296 about 10 years ago but found it to be just a little too much for my liking. If I want to punish myself just like you appeared to have done, I'll just grab a 45-70.
HUH, i didn't see a refernce to the Paco Kelly site anywhere, One thing this site shows you is that you that you can use Unique for colt safe loads all the way up to these heavy rifle loads. So just play with some Unique and figure out how hard you want to be hit back. 
I assume the disclaimers on the website referenced are good enough, but just in case these are not my loads, I always stay under published maximums from recent powder manufacturers publications. I think the writer of this information does a pretty good job of explaining things and how to use the information. Its a long article but worth the read.
https://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
If you accept and apply the informationin this article, and decide your 45 colt rifle of recent manufacture and in good working order is adequate to shoot ruger only loads. Then you open yourself up to a wide range of loads with some very large bullets. Basically near 45-70 loads. But only you can determine if your rifle is up to the task. Read what he has to say.
It is my experience that any standard factory 225 gr colt load should at least make 1000 FPS in a 20in barrel. As will most factory 250s. Heck I have used Buffalo Bore colt safe, low flash, low recoil in my 2" taurus total titainium that makes 820 FPS in the taurus!!! Not hard to imagine that 1000 FPS is attainable in a 20 in rifle. Most Ruger only starting loads will easily make 1300-1400 FPS with all but the really heavy bullets, and be fairly pleasant shooting loads.
The only reason I looked into these rifle loads was to develop a hunting only load for my Marlin 24" 1894. I don't want to put my old body and precious little rifle through a constant diet of these hard hitting loads. I shoot loads from top of the colt loads or the starting ruger only loads for fun. But it is also fun to use a light load that takes a while to ring the steel too.
I have an H110 load that is actually at the starting load of a "ruger only load" with a 240 gr XTP that exceeds 1800 FPS in my 24" Marlin. I have also purchased what appeard to be this exact load from a cutom reloader as well. For me too though, it is the last pound of H110 I will ever buy. It jars my teeth the recoil is so sharp, and I dont like the way it feels in my revolvers either. I am going to try it in my 357s and see if I like it better. Hate to not use it all up.
4227 has become my go to powder for the 45 colt, 401sl, etc.
However, I do have an enforcer 45 load that is a few tenths of a grain under max "Ruger Only" according to the 2020 Edition 8 Western Manual that shoots less than an moa and does 1950 FPS average of 5 rounds in my 24 in marlin 94. So for hunting thats my load. My vernier sight is set to that load at 100, 200, and even the overly optimistic 300 yards. I like to take the little rifle out on bright sunlit days so i get as many hours as possible with my old eyes. A scope is just an abonmination on a 24" octagonal barreled lever action rifle RIGHT?
But yes they HURT. I slip a limpsaver slip on over the but when I shoot these at the range, and it actually helps.
But its a lot more fun to lob 250 grains of lead into that steel and get the ping long after you pulled the trigger anyway. I only looked into these hot rifle loads for hunting, its sometime fun to go out with it, poarticularly during doe/spike season. They do shoot good in my redhawk as well though.
I assume the disclaimers on the website referenced are good enough, but just in case these are not my loads, I always stay under published maximums from recent powder manufacturers publications. I think the writer of this information does a pretty good job of explaining things and how to use the information. Its a long article but worth the read.https://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
If you accept and apply the informationin this article, and decide your 45 colt rifle of recent manufacture and in good working order is adequate to shoot ruger only loads. Then you open yourself up to a wide range of loads with some very large bullets. Basically near 45-70 loads. But only you can determine if your rifle is up to the task. Read what he has to say.
It is my experience that any standard factory 225 gr colt load should at least make 1000 FPS in a 20in barrel. As will most factory 250s. Heck I have used Buffalo Bore colt safe, low flash, low recoil in my 2" taurus total titainium that makes 820 FPS in the taurus!!! Not hard to imagine that 1000 FPS is attainable in a 20 in rifle. Most Ruger only starting loads will easily make 1300-1400 FPS with all but the really heavy bullets, and be fairly pleasant shooting loads.
The only reason I looked into these rifle loads was to develop a hunting only load for my Marlin 24" 1894. I don't want to put my old body and precious little rifle through a constant diet of these hard hitting loads. I shoot loads from top of the colt loads or the starting ruger only loads for fun. But it is also fun to use a light load that takes a while to ring the steel too.
I have an H110 load that is actually at the starting load of a "ruger only load" with a 240 gr XTP that exceeds 1800 FPS in my 24" Marlin. I have also purchased what appeard to be this exact load from a cutom reloader as well. For me too though, it is the last pound of H110 I will ever buy. It jars my teeth the recoil is so sharp, and I dont like the way it feels in my revolvers either. I am going to try it in my 357s and see if I like it better. Hate to not use it all up.
4227 has become my go to powder for the 45 colt, 401sl, etc.
However, I do have an enforcer 45 load that is a few tenths of a grain under max "Ruger Only" according to the 2020 Edition 8 Western Manual that shoots less than an moa and does 1950 FPS average of 5 rounds in my 24 in marlin 94. So for hunting thats my load. My vernier sight is set to that load at 100, 200, and even the overly optimistic 300 yards. I like to take the little rifle out on bright sunlit days so i get as many hours as possible with my old eyes. A scope is just an abonmination on a 24" octagonal barreled lever action rifle RIGHT?
But yes they HURT. I slip a limpsaver slip on over the but when I shoot these at the range, and it actually helps.
But its a lot more fun to lob 250 grains of lead into that steel and get the ping long after you pulled the trigger anyway. I only looked into these hot rifle loads for hunting, its sometime fun to go out with it, poarticularly during doe/spike season. They do shoot good in my redhawk as well though.
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