Wanted:Heavy .45 colt load for rifles

[floridaboy]

I recently got a Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt. I've been shooting my standard load for my Ruger, 8.7grs of Unique with a 255 gr cast. I'd like to find a hunting load using 300 gr Speer hp's at a somewhat higher velocity for a heavy hunting load. It will be my hog hunting rifle. My manual tops out at a 260 gr bullet. Any suggestions?

 

[wcwhitey]

I just checked my Lyman book and it shows 8.5 Grains of Unique as maximum (845 FPS in a 7 1/2" Blackhawk) The same formula listed under rifle data is good for 1110 FPS (16" Model 94). Both rifle and pistol data only go up to 255 Grain Bullets, Speer Manual only 240 Grain Jacketed. There are some interesting 250 Grain Hornady XTP loads that are listed as 1236 FPS using 2400. That is well withing .44 magnum territory. Hope this helps. I know quite a few people that are dead set against hot rodding the .45 Colt, one reason was old revolvers the other was weak brass. I am sure there is someone here that can advise regarding this. Bill

 

[fastbike]

From Sierra

Sierra shows a Ruger load for a 300 grain JSP (1.735 OAL) 19.7 grains of H-110 at 1000 fps (20.5 max @110 fps).

They show a 10 grain Unique load @ 950 (10.5 grain max) CCI 350 primers for the H-110, CCI-300 for the Unique.

Use at your own risk.

 

[redneck2]

The Sixgunner website used to have a whole write up on .45 Colt for rifles. Don't know if it's still there, but worth a try.

 

[Stinger]

I like 2400 for magnum loadings in all handgun calibers. It works great in heavy 45 colt loads as well. These loads are Ruger/TC Only, and I have no idea whether your rifle should use these or not. They are safe in MY guns, and should be worked up cautiously in yours.

Try 16.5g 2400 and a 300g XTP or XTP mag. Work up from there slowly. A maximum of 18g, which shows a velocity of 1150fps from a ten inch barrel. The 16.5g load will net you about 1050fps, from the same barrel. But I can attest that that same load gets 1000fps from my 4 5/8" Blackhawk, so I would expect much more from both with a rifle barrel.

Be safe,

Stinger

 

[floridaboy]

Thanks for the info Stinger. I finally got to try the 16.5 gr load of 2400 with the 300 gr Speer flat nose soft point. Good accuracy, about 2" at 75 yds. Which isn't bad for an old man using iron sights. My Chrony showed an average of 1240fps from my 20" barrel, which isn't bad either. I'm going to try to work up a little and see how she does.

 

[Clark]

I have been shooting 250 gr XTP 24 gr H110, heavy roll crimp into canalure, 16.25" barrel Win94, 1536 fps, 22kpsi

It is a 3moa gun, which might be unacceptable in a .270, but is just fine in a 45Colt.

 

[Stinger]

I would have expected more velocity out of that rifle barrel, but that is still a pretty effective load.