Cowboy loads..

[bowhnter]

I bought a box of Winchester cowboy action loads in 44 spl.
Some of the softest shooting I've ever done with a 44. It left a smoke cloud like is was a black powder load. Anyone have any ideas what powder they use? I'd like to load up more of these.

 

[griz]

I don't know what powder they use, probably 231 since it's Winchester. It's easy and inexpensive to put together soft shooting Cowboy loads. In 44 I use a 200 grain RNFP and Titegroup.

BTW, Most of the smoke is from the lube on the bullet.

 

[HSMITH]

Winchester cowboy loads have NO lube whatsoever on the bullet in 45 Colt. It is a swaged pure lead bullet, smooth on the sides with no lube grooves and no crimp groove. The bullet is the same in profile as a 45 acp ball 230gr FMJ. Bullet diameter is .451.

The powder is VERY fine grained and the charge weighs exactly 5 grains. I don't have any 231 on hand to compare it to, but that was my guess when I saw it too.

Cases are typical Winchester, and primers are Winchester LP primers.

I know it is not the exact info you are looking for but I would bet a couple of adult beverages that the 44 loads are nearly identical with the exception of caliber.

 

[bowhnter]

The box says cowboy action loads ... lead flat nose 240 grain
I should have saved one and pulled the bullet when I got home.
A little late now:banghead: I'll see if a buddy at work has some 231 to try.
thanks guys

 

[RecoilRob]

This is sort of related...... I worked up a light 45 Colt load with 200gr LSWC and 231 and really liked shooting it until one went BANG!! Holey Cow!! The fellows I was shooting with all were startled by the flash and noise as was I with the gun in hand. It kicked really hard but didn't show any damage, thank goodness.

Since then I have read about big cases with tiny charges of powder sometimes 'detonating' and now I am a believer. Oh, the cartridge in question was loaded on a single stage press and I am absolutely positive that it didn't have a double charge. In fact, I tried a double charged Colt in my 454 SRH and it was unremarkeable and nothing like the 'detonating' round. No muzzle flash on the double charge at all.

So, now I use heavy bullets to take up space in the case along with the relatively bulky Unique in the Colt. Yes, it doesn't meter well so I need to weigh every charge but, for slow, easy shooting rounds it works well. And safely. Rob

 

[HSMITH]

Rob, replace your Unique with Universal, the clean burning good metering version of Unique .

 

[Hutch]

HSMITH, are you absolutely certain about the WW ammo having no lube? Perhaps it has a dry lube, or some other Wunder Loob other than the usual Alox/Beeswax in a groove. No lube at all would seem to make it lead the barrel horrifically, especially with that dead-soft bullet. The smoke described in the original post sure SOUNDS like the lube burning. Most smokeless powder is just that, smokeless, or nearly so. The smoke is coming from somewhere, and it's usually the bullet lube.