296 in a 45lc

[huntswithdogs]

I've got some 296 left over from when I was loading some 270gr WFN and 300gr WFN stuff in my 45(blackhawk). I was looking thru some of my manuals last nite and found a load listed for a 250gr Hornady JHP and 296. This load was listed for use in Colt type revolvers. The velocities weren't over 1000fps at max. I'd like to try this load with some 255LSW that are from a pretty hard mix. 

I know 296 and H110 can be kinda finnicky. I've got a Hogdon book that shows 296 and H110 for 260gr bullets, but it doesn't specify lead or jacketed.

Give me some input on this, please...


HWD

[Lloyd Smale]

probably could be done but even it you throw out the safety problems i doubt if it would burn that well and give much in the way of consistant velocitys and accuracy.

[Graybeard]

It works OK in the .45 Colt at Ruger pressure levels  but not so good at Colt pressure levels really. The twins (H110 and W296) are really for wide open full velocity use and don't really lend themselves well to light loads. I'd suggest either Unique or my favorite 2400.

[blackhawk45]

45 Colt, Short Range Whitetail Medicine.
Win, Brass.
CCI Mag Primers.
Hornady 250gr XTPs.
And a Stout charge of Win 296.


MMMMMMMMM Backstraps.

[GradyL41]

I think all the above are right -- in my .45 Colt I had-- until I got to the right  pressure level-- poor performance but once I got to that -- everything worked fine-- I ended up shooting 25-26 gr of 296 and a 265 Thompson gc bullet - nary a problem -- if you want the 1000 fps you really need a different powder-- oh and I used a magnum primer or wwlp -- I sold everything to a friend -- and he has never changed anything and has done very well on deer

[huntswithdogs]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

The nite I made this post, I went home and rechecked the data...AGAIN! It said what I thought I'd entered here, so I loaded 5 and finally got them to the range last nite, along with some that'd been loaded with LiLGun.

I don't own a Chrono, so I can't give ya'll any velocites. As Lloyd stated, lack of pressure with 296 makes a mess in left over powder. I had to use a brush on the cylinder to load another round. (I was loading it 1 at a time). Varying sounds of report also. Thankfully, these 5 are down range. I won't be doing this again. Accuracy was surprising. 3 of the 5 were under 2''. 2 were called fliers, without even looking. All of my shots last nite were from a bench.


The LilGun was interesting. Accuracy was better than I expected for a "starting off" load. I'd have to check my book for the load. Funny thing was, it shoots same POI as my 231 loads. Recoil seemed different with this powder. Not sharp, just a steady rise. I don't know if ya'll understand that or not, but hope ya do. This powder is gonna get a very close look from me over the next little while.


Thanks again,
HWD 

[dpe.ahoy]

I use LilGun in my 45 colts more than any other powder. 
At less than full power it seems easier to work with than H-110 or 296, and I use to use 110 alot.  Gettin' old, don't need to have max loads anymore.   I really like LilGun in the 357 mag with 158g bullets, works better than the other 2 in my 6 357's.  DP

[Lloyd Smale]

watch your forcing cones. lilgun is hell on forcing cones if you shoot alot of full power rounds.

I use LilGun in my 45 colts more than any other powder. 
At less than full power it seems easier to work with than H-110 or 296, and I use to use 110 alot.  Gettin' old, don't need to have max loads anymore.   I really like LilGun in the 357 mag with 158g bullets, works better than the other 2 in my 6 357's.  DP

[dpe.ahoy]

I'll keep an eye on them, Thanks for the heads up.  The kids use up most of the ammo in rifles, the old man uses the revolvers and long guns.   DP 

[TommyD]

Make sure you have a good crimp on your bullet when using H110 or 296. That can help with consistency.

John Linebaugh has a lot of interesting info including pressure data in his article on loading for the 45 Colt in Rugers. You can find the article at: http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

Tom

[jbquack1]

I have had excellent luck with hs-6 for reduced loads in 45 colt and 475 linebaugh.Very gentle powder.

[blackhawk45]

I have had excellent luck with hs-6 for reduced loads in 45 colt and 475 linebaugh.Very gentle powder.

Me too, 9grs. of HS-6.and a 250 gr LRNFP. very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.

[Autorim]

I am currently testing some different bullets and loads in the .45Colt. My 7.5 inch Bisley is back from Alan Harton with a new patridge front sight and a trigger job with stop. Bullets currently are 270 grain Montana SAA, 270 grain Mt. Baldy SAA, 265 grain Cast Performance WFNGC, 250 grain Montana WFNGC and 255 grain Magnus SWC. All have performed well with no leading. My max load so far is 20.0 grains of IMR 4227 with the 265 or 270. An all around easy shooting load is any of the above bullets and 5.0 grains of Trail Boss. If you just shoot for fun, I highly recommend TB.

Trail Boss and Unique both do very well in my .41 mag with the same Alan Harton treatment and shoot to very nearly the same point of impact at 25 yards which I find unusual.

I doubt that I will go to W296 in the .45 Colt although it performs well in the .44mag rifle for me. IME W296 requires high pressure to burn well.

8.0 to 10.0 grains of Unique also is a really good intermediate load in the .45 Colt.

[zoner]

296 should not be used in reduced power loads...if you are looking for 1000 fps and you said you have 231 on hand,the 231 will work better than 296 in that velocity range...when you reduce 296 or 110 you risk having a squib load,the bullet could get stuck in the barrel. If that happens and you aren't aware the next round will cause you much grief....