+P .45 Colt Ruger loads?

[velocette]

I have the Ruger Bisley Vaquero .45 Colt.
This revolver is built with the Blackhawk frame and is
suitable for much heavier than standard .45 Colt loads.
All of the +P loads in the several modern manuals I have do
not list Hodgdon Universal Clays or Alliant Unique propellant for +P loads.
I am not seeking .44 maggie level loads, but a load using 250 / 260 grain
JHP or LSWC bullet using Universal Clays or Unique that is above the standard .45 Colt
level.
Any experience with these powders in loads above standard for .45 Colt?
Or suggestions using Universal or Unique?

Roger

 

[jstein650]

Well, I do have experience for that bullet weight in a 4 5/8" Blackhawk. I'm not sure what you're asking as you're not looking for .44 mag levels, but something hotter that standard .45 LC loads. Powders' as fast as Unique and Clays will give a peak pressure very quickly in respective terms compared to a slower powder, like 2400 or H110. The fact is, you can max them out, even plus a grain or two, and never be in trouble with the Blackhawk/Vaquero like you've mentioned. AA #5, #7, #9, or BlueDot will give better results for 'pretty hot' loads before you get to something like 2400 or H110 and the like, IMO.

 

[gamestalker]

Those fast burning powders do not work for the type of load you are trying to build. +P in 45 Colt (Ruger / TC ) type loads use slower burning powders to accomplish full power loads, or Ruger / TC loads as you are referring to.
H110 / 296, Longshot, H4227, Lil Gun, Tite Group, and a few other published slower burning powders are what you need to build full powder 45 colt loads.

GS

 

[ljnowell]

Universal clays is the wrong powder for that application. Unique is better, but not optimum. 2400 is about perfect for Ruger only loads in 45 colt. Its all I use for that and many others I know are the same. 296/110works also, but I dont care for it.

 

[zxcvbob]

12 grains of Herco with a 250 or 255 grain cast bullet is a good load in my Bisley. 10 grains of Unique and the same bullet is supposed to also be a classic "+P" load, but I haven't tried it. You can load to higher power (arguably the same as .44 Magnum) by using a slower powder like Blue Dot or 2400 or H-110, and these would be the ones for your jacketed bullets.

Do not try to load to the same *pressure* as .44 Magnum. Those .45 cylinder walls are awfully thin.

I tried 9.5 grains of Universal with a cast 255 and didn't like it. I don't remember what I didn't like.

 

[35 Whelen]

My old Speer #10 manual has what you need for 45 Colt Ruger and Contender ONLY:

250 gr. SWC:
9.8 grs. Unique- 1053 fps
10.5 grs. Unique- 1136 fps

260 gr. HP:
9.5 grs. Unique- 987 fps
10.5 grs. Unique- 1079 fps

From the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual Number 1:

255 gr. SWC

9.1 grs. Unique- 1050 fps
10.0 grs. Unique- 1166 fps

I've used Unique in my Blackhawk for .44 Special +P loads quite a bit. Works fine for running a 260 gr. SWC well over 1000 fps.

Good luck!
35W

 

[kludge]

I will also recommend 2400 for .45 Colt +P, but here's some Data for Unique.

CAUTION!!! RUGER-T/C ONLY

Note: More than 9.0-9.5 gr of Unique behind a 250-255gr bullet is very hard on lesser guns, and realistically, a 250-255gr LSWC in a standard pressure .45 Colt will give you 2 to 3 feet of penetration in deer, will still be sub-sonic (except maybe in rifles), and much more pleasant to the ears.

Lyman's 47th, T/C 10" data (don't expect these velocities in your Bisley)

240gr JHP COL:1.580"
Unique: 9.5gr 1096fps/12.5gr 1354fps

250gr JHP COL:1.586"
Unique: 9.3gr 1027fps/12.2gr 1324fps

250gr #454190 COL:1.655"
Unique: 9.5gr 1145fps/11.5gr 1278fps

255gr #452424 COL:1.630"
Unique: 8.5gr 1013fps/102gr 1162fps

 

[FROGO207]

I will second or is that third, the comment that you should use a slower propellant to get best results there. Unless you just want a sharp recoil with lower velocity results.

 

[SDGlock23]

My kick around load for my Bisley Blackhawk is 10.0gr Unique under a 250/255gr hardcast (either RNFP or keith style SWC) load to around 1.600". The velocity form the 5.5" barrel hovers around 1080 fps. Not really magnum class power but it's no lightweight either, you can tell it packs a solid punch.

 

[velocette]

Thanks gentlemen; you have offered exactly what I was looking for.
It appears that ~ ~ 10 grains of Unique behind a 250 LSWC or JHP will be warm enough to suit my needs without making it a wrist breaking blaster.

Thanks again

Roger

 

[gamestalker]

I used to run an HS6 load that really worked well back in the day. I think I recall having to use a dacron filler to prevent the powder charge from experiencing a position sensitive burn issue. I'll take a look at my old notes and see what else I have to offer, as I don't load much in the way of fast burning powder any more for the 45 LC.
GS

 

[Jim Watson]

In the good old days, 10 gr Unique and a 250-255 gr bullet was a common heavy load for .45 Colt, pressure tested at 15,000 for Phil Sharpe by Hercules. The bullet was seated shallow, though. A deeper seat reached the same pressure at 8.9 gr, which is likely why 8.0 was considered factory equivalent for a long time.

 

[au_prospector]

Not trying to Hijack here but

Can I expand on this thread and ask what you would load a 300 grain Hornady XTP for 45 COLT using Unique? I found some Alliant data that says 6.1 to 6.8 grains Unique pressure 12,600 for standard loads.

Not looking for 1000 fps, just want to do the 7.5 inch Ruger Blackhawk Convertible justice is all.

I asked Hornady and they sent me data for TC Thompson using various slower powders like 2400 at speeds from 1050 to 1200+ apparently from the Hornady reloading manual. I have 2400 available to me, but I have A LOT of Unique. I would rather not beat up my revolver, but want more than a cowboy load.