Favorite Loads for 45 Colt in H&R

[vacek]

Just like the title says, I am curious as to your favorite loads for the H&R 45 Colt.  Also do you still use large pistol primers on these loads?

[dpe.ahoy]

Grab your favorite reloading manual and go to the Ruger/TC level page.  Use those loads and you should find one your rifle likes.  I like H-110 or LilGun in my heavy 45 Colt loads.  At those speeds, consider using bullets intended for the 454 Casull or gas checked cast bullets.  The H&R is stronger than the T/C, but you will get good results with loads listed.  Normal 45 Colt loads are pleasant to shoot and are pretty effective out of the 20" barrel.  Good luck and enjoy!  DP

[Jimbo47]

There has been a lot of interest in the 45 Colt as of late, and several posts similar to yours asking for loads.
 
Do a search by typing in 45 Colt, and you'll get more reading, and information than you could imagine.
 
There is a lot of information on loads in the loading manuals and also doing the search, and you'll find that the 45 Colt is a fun gun to load for and to shoot.

[yukondog]

Mine realy likes #9 and 2400 both at about 1350 fps. with a 250 hp/xtp.

[vacek]

Thanks for the replies.
 
Since my rifle in mind is a 45/410 Survivor with an SB1 Frame I think I am going to land on 8.0 grains Unique behind a 255 grain Keith, 230 grain RFN and a 200 grain RFN.  That should be adequate for most shooting.

[dpe.ahoy]

With the S-1 frame, I would caution you NOT to exceed normal 45 Colt loads.  I apologize, I should have made sure which frame you had the barrel mounted on.  With the long chamber, you should be fine with loads at the upper end of normal load data.  I do not recommend any heavier loads.  DP

[rockshooter]

I've been playing with the 200gr Hornady
Flex-tip .452 with 19.0 grains of 2400- so far at 50 yards, 3 holes touching is the norm from a bench. I got a bunch of these on sale from Midway. They are meant for the .460, thus hard-based, and are a little too long for a revolver but are fun to shoot in the Handi.
Loren

[srussell]

mine likes .300 grain lbt,s with 110/296

[revbc]

Been experimenting with imr4198, cast loads and the 200gr flex tips.  Loading around 27-28 grains.  Shows some real promise.

[yukondog]

Just started working up loads with the 200 flex tips useing H-110,W-296 and 2400, so far mine does'nt seem to like them.

[LONGTOM]

I use 12.5gr of Hodgdon HS6 with a 255gr LSWC hardness of about 15BH with great accuracy.
This load is found in their silloette loads chapter.
I would suggest using these loads only in a SB2 frame.
Never checked it out of my Handi rifles but it gives me right on 1040 fps out of my 5.5" Custom Blackhawk.
I, along with others have used this load in a variety of rifles and Ruger handguns and we have yet to find one that didn't like this load.
My Handi rifles shoot about 1.25" to 2" three shot groups at 100 with them.
Great deer load and will go clear through both shoulders with little meat loss.
A little hard for smaller game.
Just pokes a hole straight through things like yotes and groundhogs.
 
 
 
LONGTOM

[Doublebass73]

300 Grain Sierra JSP, IMR-4227 and WLP primer.

[cwlongshot]

I have a number of favorite 45COLT loadings…
 
Plinking LEAD:  I have shot up all my WW630 powder but it was a wonderful powder in the long colt with a 200-225G lead slug at about 900 fps with a LP primer.
 
Plinking jacketed:  IMR 4227 and a 250Gr plated bullet sparked with a LP primer.
 
CLOSE light recoiling big game hunting load: When my littlest sister tired deer hunting with us boys. I shortened a stock for my 45 Colt Marlin rifle. I loaded up the old Speer 200Gr HP “Flying ach tray” bullet. Using the same IMR4227 powder to about 1200 fps. With a LP primer. She never did shoot a deer with the loading.
 
PISTOL big game loading: XTP or GOLD DOT 250Gr bullet and WW296 powder to about 1400 fps from a 7.5” Ruger barrel. I got a bit more from my 10” Contender. Deer where dropped with authority. Exit wounds where large.
 
RIFLE loadings: I use this loading now for 99% of the hunting I do with the 45 COLT. A 300Gr SP like the Speer or Sierra or the excellent std XTP HP bullet. Near max loading of WW296 powder and a LPM primer. I have chronographed this loading at almost 1300 from my 7.5” Bisley, 1400+ from a 10” Contender and 1600+ from a 16” Marlin barrel! I have shot dozens of animals with it from small game to deer always thru and thru penetration. One deer was shot at about 80 yards from behind, walking away form me. The bullet went completely thru the animal from stern to brisket. She made one or two steps and piled up.
 
Its one of my all time favorites. Mostly because its so perfectly matched for how and where I hunt. Here in CT we don’t have such huge expances of property. The largest parcels are state and we are shotgun only on them. So private persons with more than 10 acres can hunt with a “hi powered” rifle. But hauling out a 30-06 where you can almost see a house just bothers me. Besides the noise generated. The pistol calibers just seemed a natural choice. The 357 Mag never seemed big enough. The 41 worked well but not many guns so chambered. The 44 would work just as well but I never cared for it. The 45COLT had a real draw for me… as a cowboy movie lover it seemed right. (I realize the 44-40 was MUCH more common) I also like the oddities, things others pass buy, different, not so popular calibers. (Remember I’m going back over 25 years here)The 45 COLT was it for me. Once I experienced what it did I was hooked for life.
 
CW

[Jimbo47]

300 Grain Sierra JSP, IMR-4227 and WLP primer.

Same here!