45LC and W231?

[BUGUDY]

Just purchased the rifle, Marlin 1894CB,never loaded for 45lc. I have alot of 231, and I picked up some 250 lead bullets. Anyone used the 231 powder with 45lc? I was going to get Unique, but only had 8lbs at the gun store.

 

[loadedround]

231 can be used in the 45 Colt with lead bullets but in my opinion it is a little too fast for large bore firearms with heavy bullets and pressures can jump very quickly if you are not extremly careful of your charges.. Unique and the 45 Colt are almost made for each other and that would be my powder of choice. It is more bulkier than 231 and a lot easier to watch for double charges. Find a can of Unique somewhere.

 

[FROGO207]

I have been using Trail Boss with the lead bullets in my 45LC to great results. It may be easier to find also.

 

[orionengnr]

I do not own a .45LC rifle, but I do load .45LC for revolvers.
For 250 gr SWC, I use 7.2-8.0 gr 231.
For 255 gr SWC, I use 6.1-7.0 gr 231.
I don't recall where I got those loads, and I'd encourage you to do your own homework.

 

[NHSHTR]

I've used 231 for my 45LC revolver using 200 gr LSWC. Shoots fine, but loaded for less than 1000 fps.

I find that Bullseye and Trail Boss shoot better groups for that bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use 3 powders for reloading the .45 Colt, W231, HS-6 and Trail Boss.

When I use W231 I charge 7.2gr under a 250/255gr lead bullet. That makes a great all around load that's easy to shoot and accurate too. That charge will produce ~800 fps from a 5.5" barrel. (maybe a little more on tight revolvers) I use more HS-6 than W231 with the .45 Colt because the slower powder performs better with those heavy lumps of lead... lol

 

[BUGUDY]

They did have some Trail Boss in stock not sure about the HS-6. I still have to round up a couple of more pieces, (die set) before I start trying some loads. Thanks for the input, I will try the 231 until I can get some different powderr.

 

[chriske]

One of my favorite .45Colt loads consist of a 250 gr LSWC propelled by 7.5 Gr of W-231.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

While I like the way 231 shoots in the 45 revolver, I would be concerned about using it in a carbine.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=513183

 

[NHSHTR]

Jesse Heywood Wrote: While I like the way 231 shoots in the 45 revolver, I would be concerned about using it in a carbine.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=513183

Good point. I noticed that the Lyman Reloading Manual doesn't show 231 used for any load on .44 Mag rifle data, nor on .357 Mag rifle data. (Seems like the load used in the 357 rifle was a bit wimpy [4.4 gr of 231] to begin with).