What's your recipe for 45 Long Colt Cowboy action reloads?

Status
Not open for further replies.
If you elect to use red dot these are safe loads to use in your conversion, but make absolutely sure that your scales are calibrated correctly!

160 grn lead rnfp bullet 6.7 grn start 7.8 grn max red dot

180 grn lead rnfp bullet 5.9 start 7.6 max red dot

200 grn lead rnfp bullet 6.0 start 7.0 max red dot

225 grn lead rnfp bullet 5.5 start 6.5 max red dot

250 grn lead bullet 5.0 start 6.0 max red dot
 
Red dot is not as forgiving when it comes to position sensitivity as unique is, but it is not a problem at all. Those loads listed were recommended several years ago by alliant for acceptable pressure cowboy loads. I have personally used them. I believe it was MR. C.E Harris that praised red dot in years past for use in the big 45 colt case as the large flakes take up as much space in the case as a heavier charge of unique would. Start with the starting loads given and determine your overall length by seating to the crimp groove..
 
By the way I have seen guys shoot one hole ragged groups with light loads o red dot in 45 colt at 25 yards off hand so don't be at all concerned about position sensitivity and accuracy with red dot.
 
If you can get the Red Dot I think it would be worth a try. (Only buy 1 lb to start...No 8 lb jugs!)
No reason to wait......what could be a long time for Trail Boss or Unique.

Others have recommended 4.5 - 5 grains of Red Dot.

Note .5 grain of Red Dot can make a big difference so weigh, wiegh and way again to make sure of your charge.
(the spelling was on purpose this part is important!)

Cabelas add is misleading if you don't know powder names.
Unique is the name of an Alliant pistol/shotgun powder only one flavor of Unique currently made.
 
Last edited:
Not in .45 Colt but in other calibers.
I would think you want to stay on the light side of any powders load because of your conversion cylinder.
Yes Red Dot is a faster powder and won't give top velocities but that's not what you are after.

I have never shot Black powder or a substitue like Pyrodex but those might be an option for you as well.

See post 2, 36, 53, 54.
Note post 36 was under a light 165gr bullet.

My favorite powder for 9mm was Universal Clays, but because it was not available I have used 7625, 4756, AutoComp, Unique, Bullseye, Lonshot and others for this cartridge.
Red Dot/Promo is not popular in 9mm but have worked for me. Also used in .45 APC.
Sometimes you have to use what is available as long as you can find loads for it. (again I think you want/need light loads)
What works with one bullet/pistol best for one person might be different for a different bullet or pistol.

Does the maker of your conversion cylinder reccomend any loads?
 
Last edited:
The cylinders are capable of handling standard pressure loads, but you are limited to low pressure loads by the gun. Take a file and run it across the frame of your pistol and you'll see why. The bp revolvers are made of a much softer steel than those of cartridge design.
 
Electrahog,
Just a note, in the link you provided to Cabela's and Unique the label is orange. A year or two ago Alliant updated all their labels and logos and Unique now has a Black label. Even though the labels are different colors they are both the same Unique. The advertizing department at Cabela's didn't update their stock graphic art photos.
 
A pound of red dot will get you 1400 loads using 5.0 grains under a 250 grain bullet. So yes I would say it's plenty enough to get you started. Pick up a copy of the Lyman manual or their pistol/revolver handbook when you pick up your powder. Gander mountain should have them. Another good book for beginners is the ABC's of reloading.
 
Good luck, hope it works out well for you.

I don't know what you are using for bullets but I have had good luck with bullets from Missouri Bullet works. They are great people to do business with and have reasonable shipping, 2000 .45 bullets for $14.
They offer THR members a 5% discount as well.

Please let us know how things go.
 
Just to show yourself what it lools like in the case put two 5 grain charges in a fired case and see if it over flows. A double charge would be BAD thing. If it overflows good if not be extra careful because 2 (or more) will fit.

DO NOT LOAD this!!!!! Use a fired case with an expended primer.

Yes, the .44 mag in a strong Single Action would be/have been a easier place to start.
One nice thing is you can use the Red Dot to load up some nice light .44 Mag loads.:)
 
Last edited:
Impossible to answer.

.1 grain over could be to much, usually .1 won't hurt. *(thats 1/10 for a grain not one grain.) unless you are right on the edge to begin with.
A listed "Max" load might be over the safe maximum in any given firearm, thats why you start low and work up if you want "Max" loads.
Just because a load is less than a listed "max" does not mean it is safe in your firearm.


Remember "The straw that broke the camels back" it was one straw to many, just 1 straw.....
If you are using starting loads you usually have some "wiggle" room.

I have loaded Unique in 9mm. My powder measure tends thow + or - .2 (worst) when metering Unique. Usually it is less that .2 off.
I dumped those and tried again (and again and again) until I decided for that load, for that use I could accept the swing. ( not happy with it but accepted it)
I load 4.3 or 4.6 grains depending on the load. I know that 5 grains is safe so I have .4 wiggle room on the 4.6 load so if it goes to 4.8 I am ok.
(one reason Unique is not one of my favorites even if it shoots well)
With another load combination .2 + might be really bad it's all a matter of not exceeding a safe pressure level.

About my above post I did not mean to imply in any way that if the charge fits in the case it is safe, It was to point out how easy it might be to miss a double charge if you are not careful and it does fit.
 
Last edited:
Electrahog, red dot is actually a better choice than bullseye for the 45 colt case, but since you have it go ahead and use it! Use the max load of bullseye for the 230 grn bullet with your 200 grn bullets and work up in . 2 grn increments if you need more pressure.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
45 Long Colt - How do you reload it?
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
Potatohead
Potatohead
B
  • Locked
.45 Long Colt/Cowboy Action
Replies
3
Views
437
griz
G
L
  • Locked
45 long colt - cowboy action loads vs home defense loads vs the original load?
2
Replies
27
Views
11K
Sport45
S
TBOATS
  • Locked
Need powder suggestions for 45 Colt
2
Replies
38
Views
1K
Grumpy_old_Fart
Grumpy_old_Fart
1KPerDay
  • Locked
what constitutes a "cowboy" load in .45 Colt?
2
Replies
32
Views
21K
1KPerDay
1KPerDay
Back
Top