Suggestions for 45 Colt - new purchase

[Cheesemaker]

I will be picking up a new Ruger New Model Blackhawk 5.5" in the next day or so.

I reload 45 Colt already for my Rossi M92 - and, for very seldom use, Super Redhawk 454 Casull and S&W 460 XVR.

Suggestions for a load?
Got lots of brass and Unique on hand. And a bunch of 250/255gr lead pills. I typically load 8.0gr Unique for the M92 - a good place to start? Or drop it down a tad?

I did post a thread in the Revolver forum: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=810056

 

[USSR]

Cheesemaker,

8.0gr of Unique with a 255gr bullet is an extremely mild .45 Colt load, so I don't know why you want to go even lower. If you've got any fast burning powder (bullseye, 700X, red dot, etc.), you can use 6.0gr of that powder.

Don

 

[Cheesemaker]

Appreciate the input Don.

I have a fair number of rounds loaded @ 8.0gr Unique - I will start with them.

 

[cfullgraf]

Another vote for 8.0 grains of Unique and 250-255 grain bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just a note, Alliant lists the max charge with Unique and a 250gr LSWC @9.5gr which would put the starting charge @8.5gr Unique. I wouldn't drop below your 8.0gr load.

Good luck with your new revolver.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I shoot more standard loads of 8.5 grains of Unique and a 255 grain Keith style SWC than anything.

If I want a slightly warmer load, I like 17 grains of 2400 with the same bullet.
I take this one in the woods. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out on a deer this season.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

John Taffin has a good read on the 45 Colt.
www.sixguns.com/tests/tt45lc.htm

 

[JohnnyFlake]

I shoot more standard loads of 8.5 grains of Unique and a 255 grain Keith style SWC than anything.

If I want a slightly warmer load, I like 17 grains of 2400 with the same bullet.
I take this one in the woods. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out on a deer this season.

My standard load with the same bullet you mentioned is 9.0gn of Unique, it give me an average of about 860fps out of my two guns.

That 17.0gn load of 2400 sounds interesting. Do you know what velocity it is giving you? Is there much more felt recoil, with that load over your 8.5gn of Unique?

 

[cfullgraf]

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows 45 Colt Unique loads for the 255 SWC (Mold #452424) ranging from 6.0 to 8.5 grains. Other cast bullets in the 250-255 grain range have similar data.

The current Speer book also lists Unique loads for 250-255 grain bullets starting less than 8.0 grains.

8.0 grains of Unique with a 250-255 grain bullets works well in my 45 Colt revolvers.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My standard load with the same bullet you mentioned is 9.0gn of Unique, it give me an average of about 860fps out of my two guns.

That 17.0gn load of 2400 sounds interesting. Do you know what velocity it is giving you? Is there much more felt recoil, with that load over your 8.5gn of Unique?

I have not chronographed the 2400 load. The recoil difference is noticeable but is not uncomfortable to shoot. Nothing like a full throttle .44 mag or anything like that.

I would estimate the velocity to be in the 1k - 1050 fps range, but a guess is all that is. I have no evidence to support it other than a somewhat educated guess.

 

[USSR]

I would estimate the velocity to be in the 1k - 1050 fps range, but a guess is all that is. I have no evidence to support it other than a somewhat educated guess.

Agree with your velocity estimation. I shoot 18.0gr of 2400, and everything points to 1050 - 1100fps.

Don