45 LC ROUND BALL LOAD

[WD45]

Any of you guys load RB's in 45LC to plink with and such for your lever gun? If so, what size RB are you using  ?  what type powder and charge ?
How far in do you seat the ball and do you need to crimp ? :-)

[340wby]

one of the guys I reload for, likes a plinking load we worked up, for his 7.5" super blackhawk, that uses two hard cast .454 dia. round balls, lube is pariffin.50%/alox 50%, the balls just dipped in,THEY ACTUALLY MEASURE .453 out of the mold but seem to resize slightly as they seat in the case,
I load 10 grains of blue dot powder  I then seat a 45 cal. gas check into the case, over the powder,but under the two balls, I seat them so the top ball has the case crimped into is edge at the largest diameter, I don,t know pressure or velocity but it appears to be very mild and he just uses it to plink with, as two ball increase the chances of hits with his single action ruger when hes doing his clint eastwood/bob mulden shoot the beer can off the post at 20 feet  from the fast draw routine. Im reasonably sure that you could increase the powder charge a good bit with no problem, but he likes the low recoil and noise

what we did was look at the 45 colt 300 grain reload data,and since two 45 cal round balls weigh less and have less surface area touching the barrel, we figured to start there, it probably needs to use more powder as its very mild but like I said its for plinking,

http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=pistolrevolver&step=3&cartridgeID=1031&bulletID=111&powderID=10

P.S. it works very well for rabbit hunting,(ACCORDING TO HIM ANYWAY) :roll:

[Blackhawk44]

For single balls, about 4-5 gr Bullseye works better.  You can buy .454 swaged balls for cap & ball pistols without casting.  A little Liquid Alox dried onto the balls first will help a bunch.  Two balls works well too, but be careful because some powders require a minimum sized combustion chamber, ESPECIALLY 5744.  As in a 45-70 with three balls, load for 520gr bullet, 2400, Unique, 4227 work fine but 5744 goes thru the roof because of reduced air space.  Most all Alliant powders will be OK within reason.  Remember if using a loose gas check, card or felt wad, BE SURE that these remain firmly against the base of the bullet (ball) not down against the powder with an air space between it and the ball.

[WD45]

Thanks for the info. :-)  I was only thinking of loading one ball. I was thinking it would be quick and easy to load especially if I didnt have to crimp for killing pop cans and such. Blackhawk44 , do you use a crimp ?

[bubba15301]

i use 9 grns univeral clays and 454 rb

[Blackhawk44]

While some push the ball farther into the case to reduce capacity(reduce charge), I have always found better consistancy by using some crimp at the waist of the ball.  By crimping, it remains in place and neither reduces or enlarges the combustion chamber.

[WD45]

Thanks blackhawk, Thats the answer I was looking for on the crimp question.
Thanks to the other replies also. The info is much appreciated. :grin:

[Blackhawk44]

Muy bueno'!  BOL. BH44