.45LC Load help (again)

[The Rabbi]

It seems a lot of folks here load .45LC (maybe the price of new ammo has something to do with it).
I have some 300gr lead bullets I want to use. The only powder I have is Accurate #2, which has worked fine for lighter bullets. Anyone have a good idea what to load for my Smith 25? I dont want anything stressful, just enough to put the bullet downrange.
Thanks.


"Pass S.659 Today!"

 

[Mal H]

Bad combo! AA doesn't even recommend #5 for that heavy a bullet in .45 Colt. #2 is simply too fast for that bullet (any bullet?) in a large case like a .45 Colt.

Time to spring for some new powder? #7 or, better yet, #9 would work well with a 300 grain bullet.

 

[critter]

'Traditional' powders for big bore heavy loads are H110 or W296.

 

[HSMITH]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

In the Smith you want to keep the loads down, they just won't take the pressure the Rugers will. I have shot some 300's through mine with 10 grains of Blue Dot and 21 grains of H110/296. I liked the H110 load better, it was more accurate and more consistent. The Blue Dot load wanted to go hotter to work well and I wasn't willing to do it. 21 grains of H110 should make 1000 fps or so with the 300's and is PLENTY stout for the Smith platform, I would not advise going higher though some do. You can start at 20 and work up in .5 grain increments. Winchester primers, with anything else you need magnum primers with H110/296.

If you are loading 45 Colt quit fooling around and get a can of Unique. You NEED it. With the 300's the only lighter loads I would try are with Unique. I would start at 7 and try 7.5 if I didn't like 7 flat. I would not go over 8.5 with the 300 grain bullets in a Smith. Unique is THE powder for 45colt when used in non-Ruger/rifles. You can probably even find published data for the 300's and Unique if that would make you feel better, it does me.

 

[labgrade]

I dunno.

I've played around with 2400 & a 260 gr JHP in a Contender bbl. First load - light, & have yet to start working up - grouped around 2"/25 yds. Seems to be a decent enough powder & this is a very mild load.

Sorry, but can't even quote it at this time.

2400 seems a decent enough powder for the 45 Colt - got some bulk & meters like a dream.

 

[redneck2]

If you're not familiar

you should go to a source that has a powder burn rate chart and use it to choose a proper powder. If you don't have a good basic reloading manual, I strongly suggest getting one.

I'd suspect the fastest you should use for that large a bullet/case combo would be in the range of Unique, Universal Clays, or AA7 or 9. Look it up for sure. "Power" loads would be 2400, and better yet H110-WW296

Unless your gun is worth less than the $15 powder would cost, I'd suggest a new one (powder). Use mag primers (I use WW)

Unique would be my least favorite. Good performance and wide ranging applications, but very dirty. Universal Clays, AA9 and others are cleaner and meter better.

HTH

 

[The Rabbi]

FWIW, the Hodgdon folks list a recipe of 5.8 grains of Titegroup for 300 grain bullets, without any disclaimers about being only for Rugers etc. I decreased that 10%. This is not a steady diet, just something to try out and get rid of the few 300gr bullets I have.

 

[Mal H]

Titegroup is a very good choice for large cases and relatively low power loads.

 

[Desert Dog]

I love using AA#7 and AA#9 for medium power loads.

 

[TooTaxed]

My favorite .45 LC Load

...is 6.5 gr Win231 behind a 255-gr SWC lead bullet in my Ruger...VERY accurate at 25-yd. Used to use Unique, but found it to be rather dirty...

 

[rvrbraun]

No idea how this would work in your gun, but I like the new Lil Gun powder. Per the articles and reloading guides I've read, it is comparabe to H110, but generates the same velocity with a couple grains less, and slightly lower pressure.
With 300 grain bullets, have seen load data as low as 17 grains. This should be in the neighborhood of the H110 load mentioned by hsmith.

My T/C 45/410 14 inch barrel gives right around 1,300 fps with 21 grains, in front of CCI magnum pistol primers - CAST BULLETS, but YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS IN YOUR GUN

 

[fredj338]

TR, as other have said, you need a bit slower powder for the heavier 300gr bullets. I load 16.5gr H2400 under 300grLFP for just under 1000fps in my 4 5/8"BH.
I used to have a S&WM25 in .45colt & suggest you only feed it target loads for long term use. Standard 45colt will do in that rev. Try 7.5gr Unique under a 225-255grLSWC.