Need suggested load for 45 LC

[grandpawj]

At the risk of getting the classic response, "Buy yourself a good reloading manual," I need a suggested load for my 45 LC. I have loaded hundreds of rounds using 7 gr Unique to push a 250 gr cast flat end round from MBC with great success. I just reloaded my last batch but have 500 ea. cast RNL weighing 235 gr. I have searched Lyman, Hornaday, Sierra, LoadData.com, and a couple other but can't find it. The powders I have on hand are, Unique, 2400, IMR 800-X, and approx. 1/2 lb of Bullseye. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Willie

 

[rcmodel]

Well, if you like 7.0 Unique, it will work as well with a 230 as a 250.

I'd probably up it to 8.0 or 8.5 for cleaner burning though.

rc

 

[Winchester 70]

For the 230 gr (10 to 1 Alloy) 1.575 OAL RCBS #452-230-CM the Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook calls for 7.4 Starting Grains of Unique and 9.3 is the suggested max.

hth!

 

[FROGO207]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook from 1973 lists a 235 grain lead bullet with Unique at 6.0 grains start for a VEL of 570 FPS and a MAX of 9.5 grains for a VEL of 915 FPS. Other propellants they used were Red Dot, Green Dot, 700-X, PB and SR 7625. These days I like Trail Boss and use it almost exclusively with the 45 Colt. Nice slow easy shooting load that is really accurate.

 

[grandpawj]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. I have been reloading for only a couple years and have learned from reading the published load data that a small change in bullet weight can greatly affect the projectile velocity and chamber pressure. Also there is one phrase I recall reading in a couple of the manuals when first beginning, "If you can't follow a recipe exactly, reloading is not for you." So I always proceed with an abundance of caution. Now I feel comfortable enough to start my loads at 8gr of Unique.

Willie

 

[FROGO207]

Let us know how your loads turn out. Also what you settle on in the end. It will help someone else in the future for sure.

If you can't find the data for your weight bullet use the data for the next heavier bullet of the same type. The pressure will be less and still be safe to shoot. This has been stated in Mordern Reloading II.

 

[USSR]

grandpawj,

Cannot/will not give you load data without knowing what make and model revolver you are talking about.

Don

 

[TfflHndn]

Lee 2nd shows loads for a 230 grain lead bullet, but not 235. Start load is 6.2 for 800-x, and goes to 9.0. I would load down from the max due to a slightly heavier bullet, but there's certainly plenty of room to do that. It also has loads for a 230 grain XTP round and Unique and Bullseye, but someone more experienced than me would have to tell you how to adjust for lead, if it's possible to safely adjust data from XTP to lead.

 

[Rule3]

Well have that "good manual" is well good But Alliant also has online data.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=250&shellid=36&bulletid=67

It you do not have data for 230 you can use data for the next higher weight bullet.

As USSR stated is is also good to know what make model of gun as some Revolver say Rugers can withstand a lot more than the older ones.

The lower charges of Unique should be fine.

 

[grandpawj]

Thanks again. USSR good point, I am shooting a 5 1/2 inch New BlackHawk with two cylinders 1.) 45 Colt, or 2.) 45 acp. Before I got the BlackHawk I used the 45 acp's in my Colt Gold Cup Trophy. For it I use 5.7 gr of Unique to push a 230 grain cast from MBC.

 

[USSR]

Okay, strong Ruger. For a light load I would suggest 6.5gr of Bullseye, a medium load 9.0 - 10.0gr of Unique, and a heavy load of 20.0 - 21.0gr of 2400. Have never used 800X, so cannot comment.

Don

 

[Jesse Heywood]

With lead you can use load data from heavier bullets. I would try 8.0-9.0 gr. Unique and 9.0-9.5 gr. 800-X.
With 250 gr., one of my favorite loads is 9.0 gr. 800-X.

 

[heycods]

just finished loading 150 45 LCs for my blackhawk. 7.7gr Unique 230gr cast RN , Mild load in the 800fps range by my book, pleasant to shoot and recoil managble for my wife. Accuracy acceptable by my standards, 2 1/2" off hand ant 20yds.