I have shot thousands , if not tens of thousands of 250 LRN/LSWC with 8.5 grains Unique. This load gives me about 850 to 900 fps depending on the conditions.
Now I have turned into an old futz and am shooting 8.0 grains Unique and that chronographs exactly at 800 fps. Back in 1993 I purchased a lot of Unique powder, and most of my data reflects that older version. I did go out and shoot the new stuff and it appears to be faster. I would start with 7.5 grains and work my way up with that stuff.
I am frustrated with Accurate Arms powders. I developed a load in a SAA with 10.5. grs AA#5 and it shot great and was about 825-850 fps. Well, with this different lot of AA#5, 10.5 grs is faster than I want. I don’t want 875 fps, so I am going to retest, and I expect 9.5 grs will give me what I want.
AA#5 is a ball powder, shoots “cleaner” than Unique, though that does not make the slightest difference on paper or in clean up time.
I thought might be of interest is the Wolf primer data. Looks to be a mild primer.
My loads are accurate enough to hit my 12 gong target each shot, standing, shooting one handed, at 50 yards. I don’t always hit each shot. I am very happy if I hit 5/6. The distance is within the range limitations of where I shoot.
The 2400 load is the most powerful I have shot in my 45LC, accurate, powerful, uncomfortable. I don't recommend high doses of it, and I guess this would be the most powerful load you could shoot in the N frame.
I had an old model Vaquero in 45 LC, the velocities were not different and I also believe it could heavier loads than this N frame.
Code:
[SIZE="3"]M625-9 Mountain Gun 4" Barrel
250 JHP 8.5 grs Unique thrown, W-W cases, WLP primers
18-Mar-07 T = 55 °F V, accurate
Ave Vel = 830
Std Dev = 30
ES= 103.5
High= 893.4
Low= 789.8
Number Shots= 12
250 Nosler JHP 17.5 grs 2400 thrown, Master cases, Fed150 primers
18-Mar-07 T = 55 °F V, accurate uncomfortable recoil
Ave Vel = 971
Std Dev = 25
ES= 69.47
High= 1003
Low= 933.5
Number Shots= 11
255 LSWC (.452") 8.0 grs Unique thrown, lot 6/21/1993Starline cases, WLP primers
25-Mar-07 T = 80 °F accurate
Ave Vel = 800
Std Dev = 30
ES 99.02
High 847.2
Low 748.1
Number Shots 11
250 LRN (.452") Valiant 8.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1993 thrown, R-P cases, WLP primers
25-Mar 07 T = 80°F accurate
Ave Vel = 814
Std Dev = 24
ES 72.81
High 847
Low 774.2
Number Shots 11
250 LRN (.454") Valiant 8.5 grs Unique thrown lot 5471, 4/3/06, R-P cases, WLP primers
25-Mar-07 T = 80 °F accurate
Ave Vel = 891
Std Dev = 17
ES 61.31
High 921.1
Low 859.8
Number Shots 27
255 LSWC (.452") 8.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1993 mixed cases WLP (nickel)
23-Sep-07 T = 82 °F
Ave Vel = 802.5
Std Dev = 31.03
ES = 123.5
High = 867.2
Low = 743.6
N = 12
250 LSWC (.452") 10.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 mixed cases WLP (nickel)
23-Sep-07 T = 82 °F
Ave Vel = 875.1
Std Dev = 19.36
ES = 62.64
High = 905.7
Low = 843
N = 12
250 LSWC (.452") 10.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 mixed cases Wolf NCLP
23-Sep-07 T = 82 °F
Ave Vel = 826.2
Std Dev = 20.14
ES = 63.38
High = 862.1
Low = 798.7
N = 12[/SIZE]