Unique load for 45 colt?

[Will52100]

I've been using 7 grains of unique with a cci standard primmer and 250 grain cast lead RNFP bullet.  That's a fairly mild round at if I remember rite 800ish FPS, my black powder loads with the same bullet push close to a 1000fps.

I am shooting the loads in a Uberti 73 reproduction cattleman, smokless frame revolver with 5.5" barrel.  I'd like to up the velocity a bit but don't want to over stress the gun.  7 grains on Unique's web site is close to max for cowboy loads, but thats the only place I can find info on pressures and such for the 250 grain bullet.  I don't want to blow the gun up, but I'd like to get closer to black powder performance without the clean-up.  Not that it's a big hassle, but I'd like the option.

[quickdtoo]

Here's Aliant's data.

Tim

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Pistols%20and%20Revolvers&gtypeid=1&weight=250&shellid=1031&bulletid=110

[Will52100]

It showes a max of 8 grains, and 11,800 cup.   Even at that it's only showing an estamated 850 fps.  Any body know the factory loads cup standard?  or what a modern replica single action army is rated for?  I guess that's what I'm asking, what is the Uberti cattle rated for?

Call it a mental exercise, but rite now for woods packing I'm using black powder loaded rounds and soft lead.  With a 1000 fps there plenty to stop anything short of a grizly, but I'm intertaining the idea of using smokless for that situatiation.

Thanks

[quickdtoo]

Hodgdon's 250gr cast bullet loads are a little faster, and they do show pressures, still not quite as fast as your goal tho.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

[Mikey]

My Winchester load data shows a pressure limit of 13K CUP for the 45 Colt with a 255 gn slug.  My older Lyman reloading data shows a minimum charge of 7.5 gn Unique behind the 250 gn slug you mentioned and puts that load at 790'/sec from a 5.5" Colt SAA.  The accuracy load for that bullet is 8 gn Unique at 830'/sec.  The factory duplication load is 7.5 gn Unique. 

Possibly some of the cowboy loads are purposely loaded down for shooting in the older, original guns.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Will52100]

Thanks, they show the cowboy data as 7.5 max.  I think I'll made up a few with 8 grains and see how they do.  I have noticed with the 7 grain loads every once in a while I'll get one that is a lot lower powered than the rest.

[Evil Dog]

I've always liked 7.9gr Unique with a 250gr lead round nose bullet.  I normally cast from straight wheelweight.

[Will52100]

Thanks, I haven't had time to work up any loads, still finishing up a batch of 44 colts, and have to head out to the rig tonight.  Soon as I get in I'll work them up and see how they work.  I primarily shoot black powder, but every now and then like the convience of smokless.

[warrior1]

i shot some of those 8 grs of  unique in one of my 45s last winter nice shootin load.

[Will52100]

Thanks, can't wait to give it a try.