The 45 Colt and Unique Powder - conflicting publications

[whatnickname]

I’ve long been a fan of the 45 Colt. With the manufacture of the Ruger Blackhawk and the Redhawk, revolvers, along with the improvement of 45 Colt brass, the Ruger revolvers in this caliber exceed the capabilities of the 44 Magnum. The reloading manuals publish separate and heavier load data for the Thompson Contender and the Ruger Blackhawk in support of this fact. I still enjoy my Smith & Wesson revolvers and Peacemaker clones in 45 Colt but stick with the lower end loads published for these guns. The practice loads used in the Rugers consist of the 255 grain Keith Type, powder coated bullet manufactured by the Missouri Bullet Company using Winchester Large Pistol primers and 8.5 grains of Unique. Unique has been my powder of choice for cast bullets in the 45 Colt because it’s a bit bulkier and leaves less empty space in the case. I’ve had good results with this load and it’s pleasant to shoot.

Where the Smith & Wesson and Colt clones are concerned there seems to be conflicting load data for 255 grain bullets and Unique powder. The Lee Loading manual says not to exceed 8.0 grains of Unique whereas the current and older Lyman manuals show 8.5 grains as the max for the 255 grain cast bullets. Some of the forums post data running all the way up to 10 grains of Unique. Likewise, several other manuals suggest as much as 9.5 to 10.0 grains of Unique as a maximum load using swaged lead bullets. So here is the question: Is 8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain, hard cast, Keith Type bullet, using Winchester primers, safe to use in the N frame Smith & Wesson and Colt Peacemaker clones? I believe it is but would welcome the comments of others on this question.

 

[Charlie98]

The general threshold for .45 Colt in SAA's and it's clones is 14K psi, I think the 8.5grn Unique/255grn cast load meets that, although it is likely right at the top. The next step is 'Modern' load data, which generally tops out at 20K psi... Unique at 10grn with a 255grn cast would put you close to it... for modern pistols like your S&W. I don't know where the cutoff would be... I don't personally own one... for the SAA clones... is it 14K or 20K, although it is probably spelled out in the manufacturer's manual for that particular firearm.

Personally, I load either 8.5grn or 9.0grn Unique for my Ruger Vaquero... that's plenty. I load higher pressure loads for my H&R Handi, which can actually make use of it, but I don't get stupid with it.

 

[Rule3]

here is oodles of information which may or may not answer your question.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

 

[Rule3]

[QUOTE="whatnickname, post: 12193587, member: 74694 So here is the question: Is 8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain, hard cast, Keith Type bullet, using Winchester primers, safe to use in the N frame Smith & Wesson and Colt Peacemaker clones? I believe it is but would welcome the comments of others on this question.[/QUOTE]


I shoot 8grs in My SW Mt Gun (new type) all the time,

 

[whatnickname]

here is oodles of information which may or may not answer your question.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

Excellent article. Thank you!

 

[25-20 WCF]

It should not be a surprise that .45 LC data varies from source to source. Reasons include different barrels, powder lots, bullet seating depths, as well as different pressure measuring equipment - or the lack thereof.

Take Speer data for example. In 1979 their top standard-pressure load under a 250-grain lead bullet was 8.5 grains of Unique. That load did not exceed 15,900 cup. But in 2018 their top load was 9.5 grains, which did not exceed 14,000 psi. The exact pressures were not disclosed, as is the norm for most all load data.

Many data “sources” like the internet and Lee do not have pressure measuring equipment and simply copy what someone else has written, or just quote loads which didn’t blow up their gun. FWIW for over 45 years my standard load for 250-255 grain cast bullets has been 9.0 grains of Unique or Universal in Blackhawks, T/Cs and rifles. Is it safe in weaker firearms? I don’t know and don’t care, it shoots great in mine. Handloading is both art and science. Those who forget that are prone to potential problems.


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[GeoDudeFlorida]

The only thing I can think of which hasn’t already been discussed is a reminder to look at seating depth, bullet design and construction. Lyman’s typically list #2 Alloy or Linotype. Both are significantly harder than MBC’s core lead. That hardness difference can make a big difference in pressure. I don’t see any load within 1/2gr of max for a significantly harder bullet being dangerous. If you were using a softer bullets max load for a Linotype bullet the opposite would apply.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I stick to 8 grains of unique in my 45 colt loads from 200-250 grain bullets. With 44 mag i run 10 grains from 180-240 grains. Good enough for range play. If i want hotter in the 44 ill run with ramshot enforcer or blue dot.