45 LC rifle load

[66gt350]

I just picked up a Cimmaron 1860 Henry in 45LC with a 255 gr LFN, and I'd like to find some nice mild loads to load up. Most of the data that I've been able to find have been for pistol loads. The speer #13 only shows one load for a rifle and that's with a 230 gr bullet.

I'm hoping to keep the velocity less than 1000 fps. I've done some searches here and on other boards and have had little luck.

Anyone got any good pet loads that you can help me out.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Sistema1927]

Those starting pistol loads for powders such as W231 (HP38) and Trail Boss that develop 600-700 for the revolvers should give you less than 1000 in your rifle. In other words, the lighter cowboy loads should be what you are wanting.

 

[SASS#23149]

+1

I use the cowboy pistol loads for rifle and pistol to keep life simple.They work fine in my carbine.Most powder mfgrs. have 'cowboy loads' in their info .
You can view some Hodgdon data here.http://www.hodgdon.com/data/cowboy/spc45lc.php

 

[Clark]

I like hot loads; 24 gr H110 250 gr XTP

My brother likes wimp loads, 250 gr or 300 gr with 6 gr Unique.

 

[SASS#23149]

Hot loads in a Henry

will be the end of a Henry.FYI for 66gt350

 

[66gt350]

SASS#23149, that's why I'm looking for a nice mild load.

I guess if all else fails, I'll just break out the ole black powder and have some fun!!!

 

[dmftoy1]

I'm on the road so I can't check my manuals, but I seem to remember that either the Hornady or Lyman manuals (I think Hornady) has rifle loads for .45LC separated from pistol. I'll try to check when I get back home.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Carl N. Brown]

True Henry replicas with the old toggle joint lockup should stick to
pistol level loads. Leave the hotter rifle loads for 1892 or 1894 actions
with sliding breech block lockup.

 

[calaverasslim]

Stay with the Cowboy Action loads. That replica won't last very long using heavy, hot loads
With a 250gr FP bullet, 8.3gr of Unique. About 800 or a little better, and a pure hoot to shoot. I use my Cimarron M73 for hunting and this load is fine for white tail and feral hogs. The limit is about hundred yards but most shots are around 75 yards.

 

[66gt350]

45 LC load

Hey thanks all.

I've decided to try the new IMR Trailboss in the rifle. I called and talked with a rep at IMR and he said that the loads listed for the 45LC pistol will work perfectly in the rifle.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Father Knows Best]

Stay with the Cowboy Action loads. That replica won't last very long using heavy, hot loads.

Neither will your eyesight. As others have mentioned, the old toggle link action does not have a strong lock-up. Too strong of a load can blow the bolt straight out the back of the receiver, at which point you'd better be wearing God's own safety glasses.

I shoot a Uberti 1866 short rifle (44-40), which is basically the same receiver/action as the Henry but with a loading gate in the side.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I guess if all else fails, I'll just break out the ole black powder and have some fun!!!

Now you're talking! But why wait until all else fails? The Henry was designed for black powder, and nothing is more satisfying than the BOOOOM and sulfurous cloud of white smoke produced by big bore black powder cartridges. They're even more fun to shoot at night!

Be forewarned, though, that the .45 Colt round is not the best choice for black powder cartridges in a rifle. It's a straight sided, thick-walled care that doesn't obturate well, so you will tend to get some fouling back into the action. I love the 44-40 (and 38-40, for that matter) for black powder rifle cartridges, because they bottlenecked, thin-walled case seals the chamber off completely and keeps the action almost completely clean.

You can still use black powder in your .45 Colt Henry, of course. Just load bullets on the heavy side (250-255 grains) and use a heavy crimp. The Henry's action is quite simple and takes down for cleaning pretty easily, too.

 

[JMusic]

Clark do you have a source for the 24 grns of H110? That sounds a little hot to me.