Source for .45 Colt +P loads

[Peakbagger46]

Can anyone recommend a good reloading book or reputable on line sorce for hot "Ruger only" loads for hard-cast bullets? My Speer guide only has data for jacketed rounds. I am looking to load Oregon Trail 250g LRNFP bullets to higher speed than the standard factory rounds.

Also, is this bullet of good design to take big game, or should I go with a SWC?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

All the hot loads are for jacketed bullets...I have Hornady, Speer, and Sierra books.

Lots of people like the Hornady XTP's for big game.

 

[Shoney]

There are only 4 SAAMI designations of +P and NO +P+ exist

Cartridge and Maximum Average Pressure (PSI)

9mm Luger 35,000
9mm Luger +P 38,500

38 Special 17,000
38 Special +P 18,500

38 Super Auto +P 36,500

45 Auto 21,000
45 Auto +P 23,000

The maximum listed load for any 45LC should not be exceeded.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Shoney,

Most loading manuals have the 45 Colt loads sorted by firearm type...these are +P+ loads, most people refer to the T/C Contender and Ruger Blackhawk only loads as "field howitzer" loads, and they certainly qualify... 300 grain bullets at 1,200 fps...these loads are in the manuals and are sure to disassemble any firearm besides T/C's and Blackhawks.

 

[Shoney]

Ridgerunner
I am aware of over pressure loads for TC's, as I have experimented with several cartridges in Contenders. I am also aware of several ammunition manufacturers who advertise +P and +P+ loads in cartridges other than those 4 I listed above.

The designation of + loads, other than those 4 listed above, is a misnomer, not designated nor sanctionand by SAAMI. The concept of being able to load +P loads in any cartridge can lead novice reloaders into believing that exceeding max pressure limits is acceptable. It is not.

Lord knows I have exceeded many listed max pressure loads in rifle cartridges, but it was done with minimal increments, under controled conditions, watching for pressure signs. There are no reliable pressure signs to look for in pistols.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Understood...just making sure.

I push the envelope quite a bit myself...but always with extreme caution. I edited my previous post to make it more accurate (+P+ instead of +P)

 

[Ridgerunner665]

One thing I'm not sure of though...concerning the OP's question.

How hot can you load hard cast lead bullets in the 45 Colt, provided you have a firearm that can handle it???

I always use XTP's.

 

[Shoney]

Over the years I have seen guys post various velocities that they push Lazzer Cast bullets. IIRC one guy claimed well over 1250fps with a 45Colt, with "very little leading".

If you e-mail or call Oregon Trails, they can tell you exacatly how fast you can push any of thier Lazer Cast.

 

[redneck2]

You could use gas checked cast bullets.

to answer the question, the Lyman books have load sections dedicated to "Ruger/TC" only loads

I load my .45LC for my Ruger Bisley above the old .45's but below the Ruger loads. Mild to shoot, superbly accurate, and will kill anything I'm after.

 

[Walkalong]

My Speer guide only has data for jacketed rounds

Same here, but I used that jacketed data as a guide to work up a load using heat treated cast 240 Gr bullets when I had a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. A healthy dose of W-296 and a good crimp. (Think Speer #13's max 260 Gr W296 jacketed data)

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt45lc.htm

http://www.sixguns.com/range/rugervaquero.htm

http://www.sixguns.com/range/big_bore_bisleys.htm

rc

 

[GooseGestapo]

The Lee #2 Manual, has some heavier than standard .45Colt loads. These are reprints from the various powder manufacturer manuals, with some Lee powder measure recommendations added.

The best "single source" of heavier loads are the Lyman #48 and or #49, as well as the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook.

However, from experience, I can tell you that a original black powder (40gr) duplication load is more than enough for the .45Colt. I load a 255gr RFN to ~975fps (5.5"bbl) and it's enough..... Completely penetrates deer with a body hit. two good, "short", blood trails.

I've gotten 1,200fps from my Ruger Redhawk with a 310gr WFN-GC, but, it's not pleasant, or necessary; though be it very, very accurate....(5-shot one-hole at 25yds...)

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks gentlemen. Would using jacketed data for hard cast bullets cause dangerous pressure, or just a chance of barrel leading? Also, what exactly is a "gas check"? I read this term often and don't quite understand it.

 

[Walkalong]

Probably not.

As a norm, it generally takes less powder to get the same velocity with lead vs jacketed. Lead is more slippery and is easier to push down the bore.

A gas check is a thin copper disc attached to the base of the bullet. It protects the base of the bullet as well as sealing the bore stopping gas leakage and flame cutting/leading.

 

[zxcvbob]

How hot can you load hard cast lead bullets in the 45 Colt, provided you have a firearm that can handle it???

I like to limit mine to about 25000 psi. Some people push it to 30000 or even higher, but that steel is awfully thin where the index notch is cut into the cylinders (unless you have a 5-shot custom cylinder.) At 25000, the .45 Colt pretty much matches a .44 Magnum loaded to 35000.

You can find load data in the back of Lyman's Reloading Handbook At least it's in my copy of Lyman's 48th. Or if you have Quickload software you can roll your own load data. (that's another reason I try to stay below 25000 -- in case my calculations are off.)

A 255 grain bullet at 1300 fps is pretty easy to achieve with a 7.5" barrel, and the Oregon Trails bullets will do that with only slight leading.


My favorite load is only about 20000 psi, using a very fast powder (Promo.) The stomper loads are fun to shoot, but they make me start flinching if I shoot more than a handful at a range session.

 

[jim147]

My favorite load is only about 20000 psi, using a very fast powder (Promo.)

You don't have to tell everyone how well that works.
We'll have trouble finding powder.

jim

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, the Lyman manuals have the data you're looking for. The current Lyman #49 has .45 Colt TC Contender/Encore data for a 255gr and 325gr lead bullet. They have an entire section for that data in most calibers.

 

[Sunray]

Hodgdon's site has 'Ruger Only' loads. No 250 grain cast loads though. Their manual might.
Load for the bullet weight. Who made the bullet or its shape doesn't matter.
"...My Speer guide only has..." It only has data for Speer bullets. All bullet and powder makers manuals are like that.
"...a thin copper disc..." Usually a wee cup. The bullet will have a place for it to go on.
I have 250 grain cast 'Ruger and T/C Contender Only' loads in my Lyman Pistol and Revolver book. No pressures given for any .45 Colt loads. E-Mail me if you want it. [email protected]

 

[campbell]

The Taffin loads linked above have some good material. Also,

http://www.loadswap.com/

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=3

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=5

http://www.realguns.com/loads/45coltr.htm

http://www.realguns.com/loads/45colt.htm

The Accurate Arms data has loads for cast, but they're not real hot, only up to about 20,000 PSI. You can wind those quite a bit hotter. I personally like AA#9, and it's also hard to go wrong with 296.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/reloading.htm

For hunting with cast bullets, an LBT design is the way to go. Check out something like the gas checked 265 grain from Beartooth or the 250 gas check wide flat nose from Montana Bullet Works. A gas check is a copper disc fitted to the base of a cast bullet. Can provide a more uniform base to the bullet and gives a cast bullet a base with more heat and pressure resistance.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/wst_page6.html

 

[campbell]

BTW, what are you planning to hunt? If you're going after something bigger than deer you might consider bumping up the bullet weight to a 300 or even a bit higher.