Interesting range day with the .45LC

[petemi]

I had an interesting and satisfying morning with the .45 BC shooting at 50 yards.  I started with Reeds Ammunition 250 gr. XTP over 8 gr. Unique (recipe as per their package).  I couldn't get them to group.  In addition, while shooting about 15 rounds, I had two shots that went 6 - 8 inches low fairly centered!! (not pilot error).

Next I tried Federal red box 225 gr. JSPs.  These were a major improvement over the Reeds, but still not up to what I wanted.

Finally I shot my own handloaded 250 gr. XTPs over 22 gr. H110.  BINGO!!  I did a couple of minor windage and elevation changes and ended up with three 3 shot groups cloverleafing dead center and one inch high at 50 yards.  Two of them a quarter covered easily.  Ohhhh happy day!!!!  Any hunting with that rifle is going to be inside 100 yards.

Pete

[Dinny]

Pete,
  It sounds like you have found a winner! My 45LC Handi has always preferred heavier bullets. In fact, it shoots cast bullets over 300gr with extreme accuracy and that's using 2400 powder.




Thanks, Dinny

[Doublebass73]

I've had good luck with the 250 XTP's both with Unique and 2400. With Unique I had to go into the Ruger-T/C loads to get good accuracy.

I still have to work up a hunting load for my son's 45 LC.

[Old Fart]

Those cloverleafs will make a feller grin.     

[tacklebury]

Nice Pete.    Mine also likes the 300 gr. XTP Magnums.  I load the carbine loads with RL7 and get good groups and a good bit more velocity without the recoil of the H110.  Last pound of H110 hasn't gotten much use from me of late.  When I use Unique I to jump up to 10 gr. which is in the Ruger level loads with good luck accuracy wise. 

[44 Man]

Yup!  You have to have high enough pressure loads to upset the bullets into the rifling.  That don't work with 8 gr Unique and jacketed bullets, you need more pressure with jacketed bullets.  If you ever get a chance, read Dave Scovill's book; Loading the Peacemakes, Colt's model P.  There's a wealth of information in there on how to get bullets to shoot accurately and that often means matching the hardness of the bullet to the powder charge.  I'd be lost without that book!  Glad you found a load and are enjoying that gun.  The .45 colt carbine is a fun one!  I love mine!  44 Man

[petemi]

Thanks guys.  I have H110, RL7 and 2400, but I don't have Unique.  Last time I was over to Tony's Gun Shop in Pickford, He didn't have any.  That's when I bought Patty's 7mm-08.  It's the only place within an hour and a half that has any selection....better yet, has any reloading stuff at all.  I'm going out that way next week to do some preseason turkey scouting in the Munuscong forest and I'll go right past his front door, so I'll  just HAVE to stop by Tony's again    I hate that place.  Tony always manages to rupture my budget.    He's a great little old man....still in the store every day at age 93.

Lewis, remind me next Summer to try those sights on your .45.  I must have had my brain in neutral at the shoot.

Pete

[cwlongshot]

Good to read Pete!!

Now try some 300's!!! I have long ago gone to them exclusively when hunting with the long colts.

Again H110/296 are top choices. I have excellent reaults with Speer 300G plated soft points, Sierra 300G soft points and of coarse the 300 XTP. NOT the magnums. I have shot end to end thru whitetails and always get lightning quick experations on broad side shots with quarter sized exit holes.

I have also used AA#9 powder with good results. I don't much use 2400 anylonger its too dirty and Lil' gun hasn't worked nearly as well accuracy wise.

Magnum primers always all these powders.

Another excellent powder is 4227. I use both IMR and Hodgdons just NOT interchangably. GREAT at med loadings!!!

Ranger rick makes a couple very nice 300 lead GC slugs too!!

Good luck,
CW

[petemi]

Thanks CW.  I have IMR 4227, but I'm running low on it....need to put it on the grocery list.

Pete

[Doublebass73]

Pete,

I've also had great luck with IMR-4227 and 300 grain Sierra JSP's. I have had excellent luck with 2400 also, especially with 250 XTP's and 250 LRNFP bullets. I have an older can of 2400, I haven't tried any of the newer stuff so that might be why I haven't had the "dirty" problems that CW speaks of. Even with standard pressure loadings my 2400 still burns clean. Unique on the other hand has been very dirty for me but it works so well I deal with it.

[44 Man]

I only still use Unique because I bought a BIG keg of it years ago and I haven't used it up yet.  It works great!  But it's the 'old' formula which is dirtier then the 'new' Unique.  I could also use Universal when this is gone, we'll see.  Pete, you don't need Unique when you are only working with rifle loads, unless you want some mid-range loads.  I use H4227 in my favorite rifle .45 colt loads.  20 gr under most any SWC bullet is very satisfying.  The H110 that the guys are recommending is good also, I just am not going quite that heavy in my loads.  More buck and roar than I need.  44 Man

[petemi]

Lewis, I think the 4227s give more of a shove than the whack ya get out of 110 or 296.  I've been using it quite a bit and am down to the bottom of the jug.  It's IMR and I don't know if I should stick with it or go to the H.  Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Pete

[dpe.ahoy]

Might not find any more H 4227, they have dropped it in favor of the IMR 4227, Pete.  DP

[Jimbo47]

I was using IMR4227 way back when I first got my .357 mag. and now I use it with great results in my 45LC/454 Casull, and thought about maybe trying the 110 or 296 just to see what it would do, but after reading this post and others I'm pretty much inclined to just go with what works and that is the IMR4227.
 
I'm old school and believe if it ain't broke, don't fix it!