What is the best load combo for .45 colt blackhawk and Rossi 92

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Bingo 7

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I am trying to find the best bullet and powder combo that will provide an accurate but economical load that I can shoot in both the blackhawk and in the lever gun.

My expectation is that it will be fairly mild to shoot, be accurate, possibly even huntable, and fairly economical.

I am just starting out in reloading and looking for a good starting point without reinventing the wheel.

It may be a pipe dream, but what do you suggest? Thank you.
 
8.5gr of unique and a 250-255gr hard cast lead SWC is IMHO a great all around load and has been accurate in every 45 colt I own.
 
Bingo 7: I shoot a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 LC and a old Rossi SS 20 in barrel in 45 LC. And the load I use in both is 7.0 grs of WW 231 and a 250 or 255 gr lead rnfp bullet. I use this in both guns for everything I shoot. I have hunted pig`s & deer with it and a bunch of varmints. This load is very mild and comfortable in both guns and very accruate for me. I reload the 45LC and it is cheap to shoot. The Lead RNFP bullets feed much smother in the Rossi than Lead SWC`s do. I have used this load for several years now and it is all I reload now. Good Luck To You:
ken
 
I agree, 7.0gr W231 under a 250/255gr bullet will be great for both handgun and levergun. You will love that load IMO. If not you can always give HS-6 a try, it's also a great 45 Colt powder...
 
Like mavracer, my go-to load for .45 colt is 8.5gr Unique and a 255gr cast RNFP or SWC. For the Rossi I'd stick with the RNFP for sure.
 
For general loads it's hard to beat a 250'ish grain cast sitting atop either Unique or HS-6.

For deeper penetration "if" needed the 45 270 SAA is an awesome combination as well. Here is a great write up about them, just keep in mind the pressures you need to stick with for your firearm(s) and you should be fine.
Handloader Magazine - RCBS 45-270-SAA

If you ever feel like getting into casting your own, I highly suggest picking up one of the Lee 452 255 RF molds. It will take care of just about anything you need to do.

Here is another good read on the 45 Colt as well,
John Linebaugh's - "The .45 Colt - Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Potential"
 
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I have been trying to find Unique everywhere but to no avail. So I really like the other powder suggestions.

My game plan is to start casting as well. It looks like a lot of fun. It was a little more complicated than I initially thought. But I am getting my head wrapped around it. I think the biggest challenge if finding cheap lead. I have hit all the tire places and the response I am getting is. " We re use almost all the old wheel weights ourselves." Apparently the cost of wheel weights has went up dramatically and they aren't throwing as much away.

I am going to check my local range, but I suspect that it will have been picked clean. Any other sources of cheaper lead would be appreciated. Thanks, again.
 
For light loads you can try 5.5 grains of Trail Boss with the above recommended 250 grain bullets. I have used Unique, Trail Boss, and 231/HP-38 with assorted 230-250 grain lead RNFP or SWC bullets with great results myself.
 
My load manual (Lyman) does not give me load data for HP-38. I know it is similar (same?) as W231 and the manual lists them together as have a similar burn rate. Would it be safe to use the same load data?

My manual does not give me data on Trail Boss. I will have to do some Google Fu to see if I can get some data.

Thanks.
 
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I have had excellent results with 7.5 grains of Red Dot and 250 RNFP cast bullets in 3 Colt 45 chambered rifles. All 16 inch barrels Chronies at 1085 +- in all. No recoil, clean, economical.
Wouldn't hesitate to use as a hunting round at ethical ranges.
I am thinking of trying a Magma mold 45-235 RNFP which has a plain base( one of the few).
I have been told countless times that plain base flies truer and gives better bore seal I believe the word is obturation ( spelled probably wrong - so don't bother to correct me as I own up to my errors)
I have also sent the 250 grainer down range with 11.1 grains of Power Pistol and 12.3 grains of 3N37. Around 1440 fps with both. Both very clean accurate and save for the cost of Vihtavouri powders economical.

Doc.
 
If you want a hunting load try 20.0 gr. of 2400 and a s.p. 250 gr. bullet. (Do not use this load in a pistol unless your .45 Colt is a Ruger Blackhawk or T/C Contender.)
 
Personally, I go with 9.1gr of a surplus powder that is a lot like Unique, under any lead bullet I cast, 250gr to 285gr, for use in my Puma rifle and my Ruger 45 convertible when the 45 Colt cylinder is in it.

Also, I have used John Linebaugh's loads, and they are heavy to say the least, in both of those firearms.

Everyone that loads for the 45Colt needs to read Brian Pearce's article on it in Handloader #246 though. That is the BEST piece of work on the subject for modern times.

He breaks it down into three basic types of loadings: 14,000psi (standard 45 Colt firearms and Peacemaker clones), 20,000psi ("N" frame Smith and Wesson's and the like), 32,000psi loads (for Ruger revolvers, single and double action as well as Smith "N" frames).

It is THE BEST article on the subject in any time up till now, in my opinion. Using those upper end loads, in tough action firearms makes me wonder why there is a 44Mag! ;)
 
45 Long Colt Loads

My Cowboy Action Recipe For Smokeless For 45 Long Colt
5.5 Gr of American Select With 200 Gr Cast Bullets
Ruger New Vaqueros and Uberti Long Guns

00
 
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