.45 CR, a hoot to shoot!!

[Tom Threetoes]

Thanks to Quick I was able to load up a half dozen 45s this afternoon. I had some W296 on hand from my .357 Ruger revolver reloading session. I picked a load recommended as a starter for the Marlin 1894 and some Hornady 250 gr XTPs. That thing made huge holes in my compost pile back stop and didn't kick at all. Mama Threetoes even shot it and she had a big smile after she busted her tin can target.  My cases were kinda sooty, I think I need to bump up the powder another half grain or so as that is a sign that chamber pressure is low and gasses are flowing around the brass. At least that's what I've read. Supposedly I can go up 3 more grains but that is max. Anyway my dies are adjusted and the scope is close enough for paper work now. Two things are certain it's a blast to shoot and the trigger needs work,LOL. Tom 

[quickdtoo]

That's always good news, always glad when they go bang!!  I had some smokey cases too with start loads, so don't be afraid to bump it up, you can  even use the +P TC/Ruger data if you want to, that's all I ever shot in mine before the rechamber,  250gr jacketed bullets at a little over 1900fps. 

Tim

[.375 Hawk]

Took a 1.5 mile trip to the range yesterday and broke in the .45 Colt Classic Carbine.
The first 3 shots cloverleafed at 50 yds. I cleaned with a bore snake after each shot.
After the first 3 shots, dumb me had to walk to the target to look.....and the next 2 opened up a bit.  300gr. Speer with H110 at 1,650 ft/sec.
I really like the Handi. Waiting for a Warne maxima scope rail. I think it will do better with the Burris scope.

Eddie

[Default]

Tommy ,
  The fact that you can run the hottest +P loads in the 45 LC BC is the reason I dont have one yet , Too worried that one of those hotties might accidently find its way into one of the Uberti's I own , Neither would like that very much since they are replicas of the old Colt cattlemen bird head SAA and the Winchester brass receiver lever action and you know I'm partial to them and my hands/face  I'm me funny like that..

 Glad to hear shes a shooter for you , I know I sure like my Old 45s..

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[Chas.]

After the first 3 shots, dumb me had to walk to the target to look.....

I know that feeling.  After I got the new front sight on my BC, I went to the range and shot maybe 5 times.  I then put it away and got out another gun.   Range Officer casually asked me if that's all I was going to shoot the BC.  I told him it didn't make much sense to keep putting bullets through the same hole.

[.375 Hawk]

  The fact that you can run the hottest +P loads in the 45 LC BC is the reason I dont have one yet , Too worried that one of those hotties might accidently find its way into one of the Uberti replicas of the old ColtSAA and the Winchester brass receiver lever action.

 

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This is a very good point!!!!
When using .45 Colt +P or +P+ make sure the OAL. is longer than the cylinder on the Colt SAA.
The 300gr. Speer crimped in the lower grove will not rotate in my Taurus .45 Colt.
The the long and heavy LBT's will not fit in a SAA.

Eddie

[Tom Threetoes]

I don't own a 45 Colt handgun so getting loads mixed up is not a problem for me. My last two shots on my last range session at 50yds. were touching. My W296 powder seems to leave a lot of burnt powder in the barrel but it shoots nice. Do you guys think a little more crimp would help? I also added another half grain of powder to help with the smokey cases. It helped a little but the steel butt plate started getting harder. LOL. Tom

[zoner]

if you are getting the velocity you want and putting them in the same hole,well,I wouldn't worry too much about a little unburned powder

[.375 Hawk]

I don't own a 45 Colt handgun so getting loads mixed up is not a problem for me. My last two shots on my last range session at 50yds. were touching. My W296 powder seems to leave a lot of burnt powder in the barrel but it shoots nice. Do you guys think a little more crimp would help? I also added another half grain of powder to help with the smokey cases. It helped a little but the steel butt plate started getting harder. LOL. Tom

Hi Tom,
W296 and H110 are the same powder but marketed under different names. Both powders are hard to ignite and require magnum primers. Also with W296 and H110 DO NOT Reduce powder charges!
This may create a high pressure spike.
W296 and H110 always burn better at or near the top recommended charge level.  This will help with the smokey cases along with a Heavy Crimp.
Hope this helps,
Eddie