Tallinar
Member
I’ve loaded .45 Colt almost exclusively now for the last 4 years or so. My pet, all purpose load has historically been a 250 grain Missouri Bullet RNFP or 255 grain SWC over 8.5 grains of Unique. This is a pretty traditional load with a well-documented love throughout the forum over the years. It approximates the performance of an original black powder load, if not backed off just slightly.
During the most recent component shortage a few years ago, Missouri Bullet appeared to have temporarily simplified their product line in order to keep up with demand, and the only bullets I could order at the time were 200 grain RNFP with the black coating. I’d never used bullets under 250 grain before, nor had I used the coated bullets, but I was grateful to be able to order some.
I loaded up a handful using Unique (I don’t remember what charge), and found myself extremely disappointed with them. They were the filthiest burning load I’d ever created. Unique is already a fairly dirty powder, but this was excessive even for Unique. I was sure I had done something wrong. I upped the charge a bit and gave it a better crimp, tried a few more. Still horribly sooty. Wasn’t sure if it was the coating, the powder, the crimp, or what. I ended up just putting those bullets on the shelf, and figured I’d use them when I had completely exhausted everything else.
Fortunately, the component shortage started to let up, and I was able to buy my normal 250 grain RNFP.
Over time, I’ve come to desire a lighter round for shooting my smaller .45 Colts. My normal load is far from anemic, and takes a toll on the hand and, as a result, my accuracy composure. So I decided to give the 200 grain bullets another try — this time using 6.0 grains of Red Dot, another favorite powder of mine for .45 Colt (historically kept on hand for when I am out of Unique).
Shooting these has been just about perfect for me. Burns clean. Accurate. Easy to shoot. These will probably now be my go-to general load.
Anyway, I know I’m late to the party, but I’m now a big fan of these 200 grainers, and Red Dot is moving to the front of the powder cabinet.
During the most recent component shortage a few years ago, Missouri Bullet appeared to have temporarily simplified their product line in order to keep up with demand, and the only bullets I could order at the time were 200 grain RNFP with the black coating. I’d never used bullets under 250 grain before, nor had I used the coated bullets, but I was grateful to be able to order some.
I loaded up a handful using Unique (I don’t remember what charge), and found myself extremely disappointed with them. They were the filthiest burning load I’d ever created. Unique is already a fairly dirty powder, but this was excessive even for Unique. I was sure I had done something wrong. I upped the charge a bit and gave it a better crimp, tried a few more. Still horribly sooty. Wasn’t sure if it was the coating, the powder, the crimp, or what. I ended up just putting those bullets on the shelf, and figured I’d use them when I had completely exhausted everything else.
Fortunately, the component shortage started to let up, and I was able to buy my normal 250 grain RNFP.
Over time, I’ve come to desire a lighter round for shooting my smaller .45 Colts. My normal load is far from anemic, and takes a toll on the hand and, as a result, my accuracy composure. So I decided to give the 200 grain bullets another try — this time using 6.0 grains of Red Dot, another favorite powder of mine for .45 Colt (historically kept on hand for when I am out of Unique).
Shooting these has been just about perfect for me. Burns clean. Accurate. Easy to shoot. These will probably now be my go-to general load.
Anyway, I know I’m late to the party, but I’m now a big fan of these 200 grainers, and Red Dot is moving to the front of the powder cabinet.
