Alliant "American Select" for .45lc?

[JCT]

I'm just about out of my Unique and I think I'd like to try something else for a change. I load BP cartridges primarily, but like the cleaner powders sometimes too. I typically load 8 grains of Unique.
Has anyone used American Select for .45 colt? I haven't found load data for it yet. It looks to be faster than Unique, but is supposed to be much cleaner too! I may just pick up a pound to try, but I'm not sure on starting loads for it.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is popular in CAS for light loads of big cases like .45 Colt. SASS won't let members post load data on the Wire, so you will just have to look it up. Does Alliant have any data?

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Trailboss makes a nice clean load for 45colt.

 

[JCT]

I don't know how I missed that, I found some data right on the Alliant site. I'll just give it a try soon.


Recipe(s) for...
.45 Colt(start over with Cowboy Load)
• 250 gr RNFP lead

Recipes
Barrel
Length Minimum OAL
(inches) Powder Min. Weight
(grains) Velocity
(fps) Max. Weight
(grains) Velocity
(fps) Notes Print
5.5 1.58 American Select 5.00 650 6.50 767 - Print this recipe
5.5 1.58 Unique 6.00 650 7.50 750 - Print this recipe
5.5 1.58 Red Dot 5.00 680 6.00 757 - Print this recipe

 

[Walkalong]

Works fine in the .45 Colt

It is good for downloading big cases. Red Dot is similar in this area, bulky, fast, clean burning.

 

[JCT]

Really? So the American Select should occupy more space in the case? That's something I was looking for actually. That's why I haven't used clays, 5 grains can't even be seen in the case!
Unique is still surprisingly dirty. It's a greasy fouling that allows the action to stay smooth, but it's messy. My BP isn't much dirtier than Unique.
I'm going to pick up some American Select when the Unique runs out.

 

[Walkalong]

Nothing is going to "fill" the .45 Colt case. Red Dot and American Select are bulky and will fill it enough to see fairly easily and a double charge would be easily detected.

Trail Boss is bulkier still. I had no luck with it and plated bullets in the .45 Colt, but it is supposed to be the cats meow with lead in the .45 Colt.

Alliant Cowboy Data

 

[JCT]

Well, I haven't even seen trailboss anywhere local, so I'm not worried about trying it yet. Unique is the only powder I've ever used besides BP.
So far the American Select looks good, if it's marginally cleaner than Unique, accurate and loads well, I'll stick with it.
I don't load light cowboy loads, but prefer a moderate multi purpose load. Also, light loads are know to be position sensitive, something I'd rather avoid.
I do fill the case when I load BP, but that's a different thing altogether. Lot's of fun and smoke, but slower to reload and clean.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't load light cowboy loads, but prefer a moderate multi purpose load.

Try Universal Clays.

It is similar to Unique in performance, burns much cleaner, is bulky, light colored and easy to see in the case, and does very well in the .45 Colt at mid to upper range sammi pressure loads.

If you want to hot rod it, that's another story.