HOG HUNTING WITH 45 COLT: PART 2 TESTING LOADS

[Mr.Revolverguy]

After using the documents I referenced in part 1 of this series along with the quickload software to develop the right loads. I packed up my lever action, chronograph and the 18 rounds I had just loaded. My wife thought I was nuts, I was talking with her on the phone while packing to let her know I was heading out and she said you do realize it is 25 degrees out and snowing right.

With me on the range I had my Rossi 45 Colt, Chronograph, Sand Bag Rest which I would end up not using and 18 rounds of 45 Colt. Loaded in brand new Starline brass with Winchester large pistol primers and HS-6 powder.

I first fired 6 rounds of the 255gr cast SWC from 50 yards from a seated position with my elbow rested on the table. My bags were to low to use and be able to get a good shots through the chronograph screens. Quickload indicates this load should perform at 1290fps from a 16inch barrel. These were very soft shooting in the Rossi but shot high and didn’t group well.

Chronograh Readings: Avg of 6 shots 1254fps, ES43, SD19, Hi 1273, Low 1230

I next loaded 6 rounds of the 250gr Noslers, Starline brass, Winchester large pistol primers. Quickload says this load should perform at 1348fps from a 16inch barrel for some reason quickload was way off from what actually displayed on the chronograph, this could have been because of the cold. This load grouped much better, I did pull the first shot. This is after making a rear sight adjustment.

Chronograh Readings: Avg of 6 shots 1204fps, ES 27, SD 9, Hi 1217, Low 1190

I next loaded 6 rounds of the 260gr Speer, Starline brass, Winchester large pistol primers. Quickload says this load should perform at 1290fps from a 16inch barrel but this load was also off by 100fps from what actually displayed on the chronograph, I now believe this is cold related as the barrel is not even warm to touch after firing 12 rounds. This load grouped about the same as the Noslers, that first cold bore shot tends to be low and out of the group, which is an important fact for me to remember if I plan to get a hog with one shot.

Chronograh Readings: Avg of 6 shots 1181fps, ES 34, SD 14, Hi 1199, Low 1165

I believe I will try some 260gr Cast and 280gr cast from Matts Bullets.

So do you think these will get the job done? Out of these loads I think I would chose the 250gr Nosler’s.

 

[dh1633pm]

I find loading the 45 colt more challenging than a lot of other rounds. The Ruger loads versus the low powered loads for guns like the 1873 Winchester versus even lower powered cowboy loads. I have been using 200 Grain RNFP's and Hornady 250 XTP's. Recently I ordered some 255 grain RNFP's.

Example: The AA Manual Says that with a 250 Grain Hornady XRP, that 11.0 is the max safe load for non Rugers. While another manual says that 10.4 is the maximum and 11.0 is a Ruger only.

I have three rifles in this caliber. A Rossi M92 with a 20 inch barrel, A Uberti 1873, and a Rolling Block No 5 converted to a 16 inch barrel 45 Colt Single Shot. I still haven't found a "go to" round like I have with most everything else.

Now that I said all that, I have read your posts on the round plus this one. I don't consider going out when its 25 degrees to do some testing abnormal. I am going to do the same tomorrow. Max temp is listed to be about 21 with a low of 2 tonight. Keep us posted as to your progress.

 

[BigBore45]

I used a win 94. for a hog hunt. loaded 260 grain cast powder coated SWC with the max load of ruger only H-110. it was more than enough for the hogs at 60ish yards. thinking out of my 20" barrel was around 2000 FPS.

 

[RPRNY]

I would use either of the jacketed hollow points (because I'd want to push them at 1600 -1800 Fps not because cast won't kill hogs dead ) but as per Big Bore's advice, it should at Ruger only levels with H110. I have had great success with a Rossi M92 (your stainless is a stunner ) 16.5" and 250 gr jacketed hollow point at 1650 Fps at 25 - 50 yards walking up hogs. On a flight just now so don't have access to my load data, but your Rossi will handle Ruger loads. And 250+ grs of 45 Colt will kill Sr Porco! Happy hunting.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'll be watching this thread. I bought a 300 grain mold for .45Colt. I need to develop a load too.

 

[Dog Soldier]

The .45 Colt loaded with Black Powder could drop a 1,000 pound cavalry horse. The modern webbed brass and smokeless powder makes the .45 Colt an accurate and powerful handgun load.