heavy projectiles for the 45Colt and 44Mag?

[hans g./UpS]

Is anyone loading heavy projectiles[>270gr] in the 45Colt and 44Mag?
I'll be loading for Ruger Redhawks[44Mag- and no misprint re 45Colt] and a Blackhawk;44Mag in Virginian Dragoon.
All of these are strong revolvers,and the RHs have sufficient chamber length to seat out long projectiles.
Blackbears are in western NY,moving up from PA.
If we get a "close encounter of the worse kind"....

THanks.

[KN]

I load a 300 gr Sierra JFP for my Super Redhawk 44mag using 21grs H-110. Very accurate.   KN

[hans g./UpS]

I'm using Hornady 300gr XTPs in my 9.5"SRH[19.6gr 296] for 4"group@100 yards,but am now looking for heavy projectile weight loadings in the 45Colt.

[Lone Star]

I've used 300 LFN cast bullets in my .45LCs for years, shot IHMSA silhouette with an 8" Dan and never rang a ram at 200 meters.  Over 23 grains of W680 that was a very accurate yet mild load (1100 fps).  In my short-barreled Blackhawk the 300s over BlueDot shot well and accounted for two Kodiak Island blacktails.  But for deer I prefer an expanding bullet.

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[Castaway]

I have trouble shooting 300 grain bullets from my 45 Colt Blackhawk.  At 50 yards, the bullet impact is 15" higher than my rear sight can adjust for.  Others though don't seem to have this problem.  I'd try a few first and see if you can get the sights regulated before I'd invest in a thousand bullets or a mould.

[Lone Star]

Your 300s shoot high because you are shooting them with either too high a recoil, or too low a velocity.  Low velocity means a longer barrel time so the muzzle is pointed higher when the bullet exits - and higher recoil also means the muzzle is higher when the bullet exits.  Balancing recoil and velocity will help get the POI down where your sights can see it.  That is one reason I use BlueDot - the recoil is less yet velocity is relatively high.

[jpsmith1]

Castaway, I had the same problem with my Bisley.  I sent it back to Ruger, along with an explanation.  Got a new set of sights and the old ones back.  Now it hits dead-bang on.

As far as projectiles, I shoot 270gr Thunderheads, 300 gr SSK, and 325 LFN from Cast Performance.  I've also loaded 300gr SSKs in a .44 mag with pretty good results.

[Castaway]

Lone Star, these were close to full house Ruger loads with a generous amount of 4227 under them.  Not as quick as Blue dot, but not as slow as H110.  I wouldn't even try them at lower velocities, I'm sure they would be too high to even hit the top of the target frame.

[Lone Star]

Castaway, those loads are among the worst to cause hitting high....a large charge of slow-burning powder with the heaviest recoil.  By using a faster powder the recoil is reduced substantially yet velocity and barrel time can remain about the same.  Thus the bullet lands lower on the target.  Reducing the charge of your current powder won't do it.  If you don't want to experiment with different powders etc. then do what jpsmith1 suggests, that will make your revolver more versatile.

If interested, in Lyman #48 - 4" .44 Magnum with 300SP:
13.5 grains BlueDot = 923 fps @ 36,800 cup
20.8 grains H4227 = 985 fps @ 38,600 cup
No animal or target would see any difference downrange between the two loads, but the BlueDot load has notably less recoil.


.

[Castaway]

Decided a few years ago I don't need to go above 255 grains anyway.  I've got an accurate hunting load that suits both my Trapper and pistol at around 1200 f/s from the pistol and 1525 from the carbine so sending the pistol back isn't likely to happen.  I'll keep Blue Dot in mind if I decide to try heavier bullets again but one of my other goals was to reduce the types of powder I keep at the bench.