45 lc powder issue

[brentf]

I was going to load up some rounds for my dad's 45 long colt. I had some IMR 4227 around and found a load of 17 grains for it. I am using a cast 250 gr. RNFP bullet. I loaded a couple up and the powder wasn't burning completely. I have a large pistol primer in it. Any recommendations for this load or a different powder you have had luck with.

Thanks in advance

 

[rcmodel]

That isn't going to work.

And without knowing what kind of gun you are using, I can't suggest a load with IMR-4227 that will work.

Standard pressure 45 Colt loads do not develop enough pressure to get a good burn with powder that slow.

It could be used with ++P loads, but only in very strong guns able to hold that much pressure.

Unique is the old standby powder for standard pressure .45 Colt loads.
8.5 to 9.0 grains Unique with a 250 grain lead bullet will closely duplicate the old black powder load that made the caliber famous.

rc

 

[RDA 226sig]

I experienced the same problem with IMR 4227 in my 45 lc. Tried a heavier crimp but that didn't solve the problem so I ended up just going to a different powder. It works fine with 300 grain bullets but the 250 just gets moving too quick to get good ignition. A magnum primer might help but I have not experimented with IMR 4227 since I tried lil'gun.

Please note that I have a Ruger chambered in 454 casull and am working with Ruger only loads. Won't work in a standard 45 lc.

 

[brentf]

gun is a taurus revolver with a 3" barrel

I have also heard there is a worry of lead fouling being more probable while shooting a faster load with cast bullets. Is there a recommended FPS for cast bullets?

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, but it is way past the point your Taurus would have already blown up.

Try the Unique load I already suggested. That's as hot as your gun will stand.
Better yet, drop back to 7.5 - 8.0 grains Unique.
I think you will be happy.

rc

 

[brentf]

thanks rc I'll go see if I can find some unique and give it a try. Powder has been a little short in our small town shop along with everything else.

I appreciate the info

 

[tomh1426]

I really like Trail Boss alot, Its the only powder I load in .45Colt, It meters and burns great plus it fills the case pretty good.
5.8 grains of TB behind a 255 grain RNFP from Mike at http://www.mastercastbullets.com/ is my favorite load.
Its a really accurate clean load that your gun can handle.
I would love to know the FPS of this load

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman #49 shows 5.8 Trail Boss giving just over 800 FPS (813 & 833) with two different 250 & 255 grain bullet designs.

That's out of a 7 1/2" barrel.

rc

 

[1858rem]

i chronoed high 790's to low 830's with a full load of trailboss 255g lead bullet, 8"bbl

 

[brentf]

OK
Went down to sporting store, all they had that looked like it would work would be Red Dot or 700-x

Any experience with either of these? Or should I wait until I go someplace that might have one of the others?

Thanks for the input, but as you can see my choices are pretty limited.

Brent

 

[rcmodel]

Of the two, Red-Dot would be a better choice.

But both it and 700-x are a little too fast for optimum velocty and safe pressure.

Either would be far better then IMR-4227 though.

rc

 

[brentf]

ok
Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it.

 

[Bula]

What type Taurus has a 3" barrel in 45 Colt? Sounds interesting...

 

[brentf]

Taurus judge

 

[rcmodel]

All the more reason you don't want to try any hot loads with IMR-4227 in it.

Stay strictly with standard pressure .45 Colt data.

rc

 

[tomh1426]

I thought it would be right around 800fps, good to know.
That load was suggested by Mike, I liked it so much I really havent tried to many other loads, my Blackhawk and Puma 92 lovem!
Last time I ordered some bullets from him he sent me a sample of some 255gr "soft cast" HP's, I havent tried them yet but they look like lead ashtrays!

 

[1858rem]

you will get about two-three times as many loads per lb of red dot as you will the IMR-4227 too, happy shootin'

 

[Walkalong]

700X and Red Dot work just fine for lighter loads. Just don't get carried away with them as they are pretty fast. 700X is more forgiving than Red Dot it seems to me, but both will get you in trouble fast if you exceed safe limits.

Unique & Universal Clays are very good choices for full power standard .45 Colt loads.

4227 is only useful at .44 Mag pressures, and then barely.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Taurus judge

I'm going to be reloading for mine to ... and for the Rossi 454 lever gun I intend to shoot 45 Colt from.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Along with the "Unique" load rcmodel recommended above you can also use W231, Universal, HS-6 and AA#5 in the .45 Colt. (if you have any of those powders on hand) I especially like 7.2gr W231 under a 250gr LRN bullet. It's not the Max charge but it's a good accurate load in my revolver.

 

[zxcvbob]

About 6.5 grains of Red Dot.