NeroM
Member
45 Colt has been a successful cartridge for almost 150 years now, I've been loading it for the latter 1/3 of that time. Aside from black powder loads there are bullet and powder maker published data for loads at the SAAMI pressure limit of 14k psi and some at approx 28-30k PSI. Appreciate the efforts these makers have invested in developing the data, while i know it is self serving - it is a great benefit to hand loaders. A missing element among 45 Colt data is the so called tier 2 data, pressures above 14k, but well below 30k- something around 20k psi. This is an area where the 45 Colt really becomes a highly effective hunting tool. I know there was a good Handloader article with the 270-280 gr SAA bullet, would like to see data for the more commonly available 255 gr SWC. To be really effective, the SAA bullet needs to be driven at tier 3 levels, as does the CPC 265 gr WFN-CG bullet. The same for 300+ gr bullets.
If we use current on line data for 250-255 LSCW from Alliant and Hodgdon as a starting point:
Alliant lists a Herco load of 9.5 gr for 1021 fps, presume the pressure is around 14k psi. Herco is my default powder for 45 Colt, as it fills a lot of the case. 9.0 gr gives me around 950 fps from a M25. Unique has been sort of a default powder for 45 Colt, my preference is Herco.
Hodgdon (plus Accurate) shows a load of 9.2 gr CFE-P giving 1014 fps for a pressure of 13k; have used this loading when i didn't have Herco.
Accurate [Hodgdon] shows a load of 19.5 gr for 5744 giving 1011 fps at 14k psi. 5744 is a slower very bulky powder, have made some very consistent loads for 45 Colt carbine. Accurate also gives high pressure data for this powder with 28 gr giving 1396 fps at 30k psi for 255 gr LSWC.
I can plot the 5744 data from 17.6 gr at 12.6k to 28 gr at 30k psi and develop a regression projecting a load with 19k psi and corresponding velocity. Plus there are LoadData models available, these are all best estimate calculations.
POWDER MAKERS.........
please work up and publish a few 45 Colt loads at 19k PSI for 255 gr LSWC ?
Thanks in advance for your efforts !
If we use current on line data for 250-255 LSCW from Alliant and Hodgdon as a starting point:
Alliant lists a Herco load of 9.5 gr for 1021 fps, presume the pressure is around 14k psi. Herco is my default powder for 45 Colt, as it fills a lot of the case. 9.0 gr gives me around 950 fps from a M25. Unique has been sort of a default powder for 45 Colt, my preference is Herco.
Hodgdon (plus Accurate) shows a load of 9.2 gr CFE-P giving 1014 fps for a pressure of 13k; have used this loading when i didn't have Herco.
Accurate [Hodgdon] shows a load of 19.5 gr for 5744 giving 1011 fps at 14k psi. 5744 is a slower very bulky powder, have made some very consistent loads for 45 Colt carbine. Accurate also gives high pressure data for this powder with 28 gr giving 1396 fps at 30k psi for 255 gr LSWC.
I can plot the 5744 data from 17.6 gr at 12.6k to 28 gr at 30k psi and develop a regression projecting a load with 19k psi and corresponding velocity. Plus there are LoadData models available, these are all best estimate calculations.
POWDER MAKERS.........
please work up and publish a few 45 Colt loads at 19k PSI for 255 gr LSWC ?
Thanks in advance for your efforts !