Author Topic: CR 45lc (Read 1071 times)

Oldjohn · « **on:** January 21, 2011, 03:28:10 PM »

I purchase a new CR 45LC today. I reload but have never reloaded pistole cartridges before. I am going to get a 357 mag barrel to make into a 357 maxie.
I would like some good loads for the 45lc if some one could help me.
Thanks, Oldjohn

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2011, 04:13:23 PM »

Are you looking for plinking loads or hunting loads? Have you bought any 45 Colt components yet?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2011, 05:33:58 PM »

Get ONLY carbide dies!

Oldjohn · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2011, 06:15:58 PM »

No I have not yet purchased any componets yet. I would like to have plinking and hunting loads. I have never reloaded cast bullets. I guess I need to get the learning hat on. Thanks for the replies.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2011, 02:48:12 AM »

I'll go down to gun room and get my load for the .45 for you. Yes Get a good carbide die set. One thing I DON"T do with the pistol calibers is load plinking and hunting loads. I load only serious loads because POI is always different between the two and I don't like to waste time and ammo cranking the sights up and down. I suppose you could index both and just change your sight setting when you change loads. The other thing is I shoot the Maxi and the .445 and I know where they're going with the .38s, .44s, etc. I'll be back with the load data in a bit.

Pete

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2011, 04:34:42 AM »

Been to the gun room.....guess what

The Yankee Dumbass didn't write it down. I was duplicating Blue Star's 250 gr. Hornady XTP-HP over H110 or W296.....can't remember which or how much. Sorry about that.

Pete

dovehunter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2011, 04:39:53 AM »

I worked up a deer load from Hodgdon's web site for my son's Ruger Blackhawk which consisted of a commercial hard-cast 255 gr. LSWC over 20 gr. of Hodgdon's Lil'Gun powder in Remington cases with CCI-LP primers. This is a hot load - though not the absoulte maximum. I would certainly think that the Handi could handle it. It is very accurate in my son's Blackhawk out to 50 yds. with the factory open sights.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2011, 05:10:58 AM »

Do yourself a favor, buy a manual or two.

Taking loads off a forum can be a recipe for disaster. None of the guys here would knowingly post dangerous data, but none of us are getting younger and memory, factual safe data and typed text can be very different. Not to mention the possibility of your miss quoting it...

I recommend a LYMAN manual if you have none. If you have some, once you decide on a bullet or powder, get that manufacturers book.

Ruger level loads are very good for big game hunting, I recommend the 300 gr bullets and stay away from hollow points for big game. They are designed to rapidly expand, NOT over penetrate. I don't know about you, but i PREFER two holes in the game I shoot. Thinking one hole and "energy dump" into the critter is better for killing is a fallacy. Physics dictate that no more "energy" is put into the game than what hits your shoulder. Energy and velocity figures are nice and impressive to look at on paper, but I'll take the reality of a large diameter, heavy for caliber projectile every time. That's why I recommend the 300 gr and get it going about 1200-1300 from a vented pistol barrel. This will net you at least 1600fps from your longer NON-vented handi barrel. IMHO, more than enough for the majority of game on this continent with in acceptable distances.

Welcome and SAFE loading,
CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2011, 05:36:17 AM »

Online data from the powder manufactures is also a good reference. For instance,search for the Hodgdon Reloading Center website and follow the prompts and icons to a very comprehensive bunch of data.
FWIW, Lee makes inexpensive moulds to 'get your feet wet' in the cast bullet thing, and, although some dont like their products, Ive had very good luck with them for something like 30yrs.
Midway USA has lots of reloading stuff, fairly priced, to choose from too.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2011, 06:33:40 AM »

I have been running 315 gr SWC's over a max load of H-110 and LilGun with very good results. Hodgdons Annual Manual is a good one that has Ruger/ T/C loads listed. If you are running heavy loads and want to use jacketed bullets, go for the ones listed for use in the 454 Casull, they will stand up to the higher velocities you will get out of the rifle barrel. Good luck with your new CR, I know you will enjoy it, just be aware you will know when it goes off with heavy loads. I always get a "fecal material consuming grin"

when shooting mine. DP

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2011, 06:38:07 AM »

Aww Jeeze, fergot my manners, Welcome to one of the best place to pull up a chair and chat with friends!!

Listen to what the rest of the guys here said as well on the dies ect. DP

gomerdog · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2011, 12:52:40 PM »

I have tentatively found a load that looks promising. I just haven't had time to fully develop more testing yet. But here is a pic that shows its potential.

Like CW says, don't trust loads taken off forums from the internet. The load written on the target was safe in my rifle...and maybe only my rifle.

Good luck!

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2011, 01:22:16 PM »

I just purchased a CR 45 LC also this past week and I'm in the process of putting my components together and working up some plinking and hunting loads as well.

Most of the stuff out there in manufactored ammo with the exception of a few like Buffalo Bore is pretty mild stuff because of the older pistols that are everywhere and can't take the pressures.

I've got IMR4227 which I used in my .357 maximum and it's one of the powders for loading a hot hunting load for the 45 Colt, so if you get that powder you could also us it with the .357 once you get it.

I've also got some Trailboss powder that I really like and it's used Cowboy Action Shooting, and is pretty mild and perfect for plinking, burns clean and is fluffy powder that you can load the case full as long as you don't compress it, and even if you did you would still be in safe pressures, but it tends to spike if compressed so you don't want to do that.

It's recommended that you leave a space between the bottom of the seated bullet and the powder, but it's a perfect powder to use for an accurate plinking load and because it's bulky, it's not going to be possible to double charge a round.

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2011, 04:39:19 PM »

Here is a good website to start some research from http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm. You've seen the warnings, take heed and have some fun! I need it to warm up some so I can do some load developement for my BC.

diddlyv · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2011, 09:15:47 PM »

Loading Cast is pretty easy. The biggest thing is to make sure you bell the case just enough to allow seating of the bullet without shaving off any lead. Actually that is a lot more critical in an auto loader than the CR 45lc. In theory for this handi rifle a roll crimp is not necessary as the rounds are never subjected to recoil other than when in your pocket. If you are shooting Moly Coted bullets at high velocities it is critical not to score or shave the moly. Some makers claim you can push moly bullets up to 2000 fps, way to hot (in my opinion) for a 45 colt but well with in reason for a lot of rifle cartridges.

Some bullet weights and with some powders a pretty good roll crimp is necessary for consistent powder burn.

As others have stated get a manual or two and read up. Lyman is a good one. They have a separate manual dedicated to cast bullets as well.

Always remember a load that shoots very accurately is alwas better than one that shoots really fast. Really fast is hard on the gun and can be dangerous and in most cases is not the most accurate. Sierra posts most accurate and best hunting loads in their data. The most accurate is self explanatory, the best hunting load is a mix of higher velocity and accuracy.

One note on loading. It is slower if you charge your cases in batches, but if you use a loading block and charge all the cases before seating bullets it is very easy to look into the cases and see if the powder level looks the same in all of them. Others have spoken about double charges, but equally dangerous can be an uncharged case. If it don't go boom and a second round is fired with a bullet stuck in the barrel things get real interesting real fast. Guns will blow up and steel will go every where including thru the firer's eyes and head.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2011, 03:31:03 AM »

I especially recommend the 'Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook'.
Also, if you are going to use lead bullets, keep in mind that the most accurate will likely be a bit larger dia. than you would use in jacketed. The jacketed bullets grab the rifling and hang on well even if a bit small for the bore, and they dont seem to mind a little gas getting around the base. With lead that gas cuts the critical base, causing inaccuracy and leading.
A good example is my experience with .38Spl. and .357Mag. The bullets sized to .357-.358 were so-so; once I started using .359-.360 BIG improvement in all the so chambered revolvers they have been used in.

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2011, 04:29:37 AM »

I just prepare and prime my cases one at a time and load and seat the bullet the same way. No chance of double charging.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2011, 05:13:19 AM »

Pete, do you roll your own too?

Oldjohn · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2011, 05:54:18 PM »

I would like to thank each and everyone that posted. It did make a fews things clear. I do not push any reloads to the max, ever. I have found a Lee four die set that I will purchase and looking at the 250 gr hornady bullet and h110. Brass I really don't which brand to purchase. I guess I will get some and go from there. I also like the idea of the Rainier bullets. Can anyone tell me about the Rainier bullets.
Thanks again everyone. I am one of you!!!!
Oldjohn

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2011, 07:21:58 PM »

I really like Starline brass, any caliber. If you don't want to run near max might want to not use Win 296/ H-110. Those 2 like to run in a narrow weight range, can get some unexpected results otherwise. Follow what the manuals say and you will be fine. The 250 gr Hornady is made to operate at normal 45 Colt speeds, if running to fast it may not work as expected. Hornady lists it's best operating speed at 800-1600 fps. They list good powders for the 250 as AA #9, H 4227 and IMR 4227 and Alliant 2400. Another is AA 5744, or if you can find it, VV105. John Linebaugh likes HS-6 for everyday use. The 45 has been taking alot of game for a long time at blackpowder speeds of 900-950 FPS with a 250 gr lead bullet. I just may get smarter in my old age and start backing down for normal use.

DP

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2011, 04:04:29 AM »

From what you say, Unique powder will do everything you want to in that cartridge., and provide way more reloads per dollar than those mentioned.
And it really doesnt matter what brass you get; whatever is available will be fine.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2011, 12:11:33 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on January 23, 2011, 07:21:58 PM

I really like Starline brass, any caliber. If you don't want to run near max might want to not use Win 296/ H-110. Those 2 like to run in a narrow weight range, can get some unexpected results otherwise. Follow what the manuals say and you will be fine. The 250 gr Hornady is made to operate at normal 45 Colt speeds, if running to fast it may not work as expected. Hornady lists it's best operating speed at 800-1600 fps. They list good powders for the 250 as AA #9, H 4227 and IMR 4227 and Alliant 2400. Another is AA 5744, or if you can find it, VV105. John Linebaugh likes HS-6 for everyday use. The 45 has been taking alot of game for a long time at blackpowder speeds of 900-950 FPS with a 250 gr lead bullet. I just may get smarter in my old age and start backing down for normal use. DP

This is good advice.

My favorite brass is Federal, with Starline a second choice.

Lite lead loads can be made from many good powders. Trail Boss is a new one. Unique is the origional favorite.

Medium loads jacketed or lead again try Unique and 4227.

Lead slugs from 200 thru 300g are made by most bullet manufacturers. Of coarse the origional is 255g.

Jacketed heavy loadings for game are avalible from most of the manufacturers. 250 and 300g bullets would be a good choice. Powders like 4227, 2400, Lil gun, AA#9, H110 and 296 will easilly get a 250g to 1800+ and a 300g to 1600+fps.

Good luck with it,
CW