No need to resize .45 Colt cases after firing?

[revolverman357]

I'm with rcmodel and Teddy, I've been loading 45 Colt for a long time, and I'm not an expert, but I've never experienced the problems described here. Follow their advice and stick with the velocities under 1000 fps. The 45 Colt cartridge very much exceeds it''s paper ballistics on small and large game alike. I've given up on the next wonder bullet or the new hot load in all the calibers I shoot. Shot placement is key whether on targets or critters.

 

[Walkalong]

Nothing wrong with hot loading the .45 Colt for the right guns. My two loads from years ago when I had a Ruger Blackhawk was 22.5 Grs W-296 and the 250 Gr Ranier plated TrFP (back when they had a cannelure and were plated thick) & 20 Grs W-296 with a 255 Gr Durocast heat treated cast SWC. I also used some 4227.

I had no brass problems with those loads.

These loads were safe in my guns, but they are off the charts. Do not use them.

 

[MCMXI]

revolverman357, I respectfully disagree. Ruger makes the Blackhawk and Redhawk specifically to withstand "hot" loads. I don't see the point of owning a BH/RH and only shooting CAS type loads in it ... kind of like owning a Porsche C4 and never driving over 50mph. When I want to "plink" I'll shoot the Rodeos which are excellent for that. I'm sure they're good working revolvers too with velocities around 900fps. However, when the SHTF, I want as much KO power as is reasonably possible.

Now for the range report. I made the following loads yesterday (shot today).

For the Ruger Redhawk:

250gr OT RNFP
H110
10 @ 21.0gr*
10 @ 23.0gr*
10 @ 25.0gr*

300gr OT FP
H110
10 @ 21.0gr*
10 @ 22.0gr*

For the Marlin 1894:

250gr OT RNFP
H110
10 @ 18.0gr**
10 @ 19.0gr**
10 @ 20.0gr**

I only resized the top 1/3 of each case and had to use my .45-70 resizing die to pop the spent primer out of the cases. The Redding decapping rod/pin couldn't reach the primer with the die backed out. I think that may be a design flaw.

At the range, all rounds chambered/ejected well with NO LEADING in the Ruger or Marlin barrel. Also, none of the cases split at the mouth or the base. rcmodel and Walkalong, you both nailed it ... the W231 just isn't suited to hot .45 Colt loads although it may be a good choice for lighter loads. I did back off the crimp by at least 50% but completely forgot to check if the bullets were backing out due to recoil when I was at the range ... I was having too much fun ... but I don't think they were.

After firing 50 hot loads in the Ruger my hand felt fine. The recoil is very manageable and my best group was 2-1/2" at 25 yards (off hand, two-hand hold, SA) with the 21.0 gr of H110 and the 250gr OT bullet. This is a good thing since the muzzle velocity of that load is around 1300 fps and the 20.0 gr load with the same bullet (1245 fps) shot well in the Marlin with a 2-1/4" group at 50 yards (ghost ring sights). My objective has always been to find a load that I can shoot in either the Marlin or the Ruger that is accurate, has A LOT of KO power, and is fun to shoot. This is still early days but I think I have a really good combination in the '94, Redhawk, OT and H110. The hotter loads really make the Marlin come alive compared to the Trail Boss and light 231 loads I've been shooting. The extra muzzle velocity will help the bullet out at 100 yards plus.

Both the Ruger and the Marlin held up well to the "abuse".




WARNING: These loads are NOT intended for Colt SAA revolvers or their clones. These are intended for Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk and the modern Marlin 1894**

 

[MCMXI]

Nothing wrong with hot loading the .45 Colt for the right guns.

+1

That's why I bought the Redhawk after buying the Rodeos. I realized that I liked the .45 Colt so much that I wanted to have the choice of going from "mild to wild".

The Marlin is an amazing rifle too since it can be paired with a SAA revolver or a BH/RH revolver. It shoots 6.0gr of Trail Boss with a 200gr bullet just as accurately as it shoots 20.0gr of H110 with a 250gr bullet. I can't imagine a better rifle to learn to shoot with and keep shooting your whole life. It'd make a great first rifle for a teenager (or younger).