Recently bought this 2.5 inch snubby revolver and am loving it! I load with a Lee single stage press and use the Lee 4 die set. I don't crimp with the bullet seating die but use the FCD with a light crimp on the bullet crimp groove. My bullets are MBC 250 grain coated 45 Long Colt Cowboy #1. Powder dispensing is with the Lee Pro Auto disk setup.
Titegroup - Disk .53 which drops 6.1 grains. Chrono FPS: high 600s to low 700s.
7625 - Disk .82 which drops 7.7 grains. Chrono FPS: high 600s. Note: this powder is no longer available and was discontinued several years ago. I still have a few pounds.
HP38 - Disk .66 which drops 7.1 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
A#5 - Disk .61 which drops 9.6 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
Bullseye - Disk .66 which drops 6.1 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
Now here's the caveat...the following load is one I worked up with a bit of help from the Enos forum. Alliant never published this for handguns as it is just a shotgun powder. However I have used it in my 9s and 38 specials and thought I'd try it with the 45 Colt. Some folks say it is a lot like Red Dot but use at your own risk: Alliant e3 - Disk .88 which drops 5.7 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s. The e3 burns very clean.
Brass is reclaimed range brass from Northeast Reloading and primers are Federal LPP.
With all these loads recoil is very manageable and accuracy very nice. No tumblers or flyers noted. My main reload guide is Lee 2nd edition. Also used the reload data sheet that comes with the Lee 4 die set. I did try some hotter loads with the above but found those listed above more friendly to my 70 year old shooting hand.
Titegroup - Disk .53 which drops 6.1 grains. Chrono FPS: high 600s to low 700s.
7625 - Disk .82 which drops 7.7 grains. Chrono FPS: high 600s. Note: this powder is no longer available and was discontinued several years ago. I still have a few pounds.
HP38 - Disk .66 which drops 7.1 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
A#5 - Disk .61 which drops 9.6 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
Bullseye - Disk .66 which drops 6.1 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s.
Now here's the caveat...the following load is one I worked up with a bit of help from the Enos forum. Alliant never published this for handguns as it is just a shotgun powder. However I have used it in my 9s and 38 specials and thought I'd try it with the 45 Colt. Some folks say it is a lot like Red Dot but use at your own risk: Alliant e3 - Disk .88 which drops 5.7 grains. Chrono FPS: low 700s. The e3 burns very clean.
Brass is reclaimed range brass from Northeast Reloading and primers are Federal LPP.
With all these loads recoil is very manageable and accuracy very nice. No tumblers or flyers noted. My main reload guide is Lee 2nd edition. Also used the reload data sheet that comes with the Lee 4 die set. I did try some hotter loads with the above but found those listed above more friendly to my 70 year old shooting hand.
