45 Colt reloading???

[dks7895]

I have recently acquired a Ruger Vaquero 7.5" and a Rossi 92 16" both in 45 Colt.  I want to start reloading for it, and would like some help with a pet load.

What powder and how much?  Unique or HS6???

What bullets?  225gr JHP or 250gr XTP???

I'd like something that works well for both guns.

Thanks

[Glanceblamm]

You will have to be real careful that you dont get a Ruger load in the Rossi. Three different pages of data exist for the likes of an old sa, modern firearms, or Ruger/TC only.

I have an "old model" Vaquero in a 7.5 also. It really shines with the bullets in the 250gr 265gr class and does very well with the 300gr bullet tayloring the power charge to the poa in this fixed sight.

The very lightest bullets that I tried in the Vaquero were some 185gr Sierra's in a .452  They grouped five into 1.338" on the outside measur @ 25yds but were a good 7" below poa.

[dks7895]

I do not plan on any Ruger only hot loads...just a standard load that works in both.

[Blackhawker]

I use HS-6, 2400, and Unique in "Ruger Only" loads with 250-255 RNFP's or SWC's.  If you're going for light standard loads, you might stick with the Unique as it better fills the case with lighter loads.  There are probably better powders to choose from with lighter loads.  Have you thought of Trail Boss?  I've heard that it works well for lighter loads and it better fills the case than other powders, hence making for more consistent burns and ignitions.

[stimpylu32]

Depending on what you want to do with the loads ( plunking , hunting , ect ) a good cast 250g RNFP is hard to beat , over a dose of HS6 or IMR4227 .

For just fun / play loads , look at Trailboss or Unique , both will work very well for that .

stimpy

PS -- I shoot well over 20,000 rounds of colt a year , I love that round . 

[AtlLaw]

What Stimpy said!   

I cast 250 gr. RNFP's and load them ahead of a charge of Unique or TB for general playing around use in both my SAA's and M73.

BTW, the 73's action is not as strong as the 92's.  For a hunting load in the 73 I use 2400 and the XTP 250gr. and it flattened a 6 pt. last year.  With the stronger M92 you could kick up the load I used a good bit!   

[guzzijohn]

Using smokeless powder, what load would be close to the original black powder load used in the late 1800s?
GuzziJohn

[Blackhawker]

Although I haven't used it, I've read that an appropriate charge of Trail Boss is the closest thing to black powder.  If you want black powder, just shoot it.  I've often thought of loading some PB in my 45 Colts just for fun.  
No smokeless powder will ever duplicate that classic feel, smell, and of course, the visual effect of billowing smoke.  

[stimpylu32]

Using smokeless powder, what load would be close to the original black powder load used in the late 1800s?
GuzziJohn

Are you looking at close to pressure or FPS - as for fps , that would be around 950 to 1000 with a 230 to 250 grain bullet .

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt

As for pressure's , there is not a lot of data around for the Black Powder loads , but it would be on the lower end of todays smokeless powders .

stimpy

[guzzijohn]

I am hoping to get a USFA in .45 Colt soon. Wanted to start with as close to original loads as possible just for kicks, no pun intended.
GuzziJohn

[stimpylu32]

Thats easy then , just as Blackhawker said , a  230 to 250 grain cast RNFP over a starting load of Trailboss , your golden ! 

stimpy

[quasne.inc]

That Rossi 92 can handle any load the ruger can especially if it is one of the new vaqueros which are not made for the ruger only loads.

[dks7895]

Great info...thanks to all.

I have been doing some digging too...there are so many choices...UGH!!!

I'm thinking maybe 250gr XTP over 7gr of HP38....

[Doublebass73]

250 grain XTP and Unique

[dks7895]

Unique has been mentioned a few times, but how much of it with the 250gr XTP?

[Keith1]

An article that has very good information about the 45 Colt was written by John Linebaugh. The title is:
   The 45 Colt, Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Potential

This is an excellent article. I enjoyed reading it very much.

Regards, Keith

[dks7895]

Excellent read...thanks Keith.

I want to stick with the 250gr XTP.  I think this is a good choice for hunting and that's my primary use for these .45 Colts.

I need some opinions on some loads;

HS6 - 11gr
HP38 - 7gr
2400 - 15gr
Unique - 9gr
Titegroup - 8gr

I am not wanting high pressure Ruger only loads.  Something that is easy to meter and shoots well enough to kill a deer under 100 yards.  I know you guys have an opinion on this....I'd love to hear it.  :-)

Dan

[Blackhawker]

Excellent read...thanks Keith.

I want to stick with the 250gr XTP.  I think this is a good choice for hunting and that's my primary use for these .45 Colts.

I need some opinions on some loads;

HS6 - 11gr
HP38 - 7gr
2400 - 15gr
Unique - 9gr
Titegroup - 8gr

I am not wanting high pressure Ruger only loads.  Something that is easy to meter and shoots well enough to kill a deer under 100 yards.  I know you guys have an opinion on this....I'd love to hear it.  :-)

Dan

The best opinion is yours and data generated from YOUR GUNS.  Take some time and test some loads for yourself.  As Clint Eastwood once said in "The Good the Bad and the Ugly", "Every gun speaks it's own tune".  Just the same, your loads might not work well in my guns nor Joe Blow's guns.  You've now got some basic ideas, now it's time to do a little work at the bench.

[dks7895]

Well said Blackhawker...

The web is full of knowledge along with a lot of the other stuff.  I have great respect for the folks on this forum, and was merely looking for some direction.  I am new to reloading and this is the first pistol cartridge for me.  I appreciate everyone's input.

[Blackhawker]

Well said Blackhawker...

The web is full of knowledge along with a lot of the other stuff.  I have great respect for the folks on this forum, and was merely looking for some direction.  I am new to reloading and this is the first pistol cartridge for me.  I appreciate everyone's input.

Ironically, the 45 Colt was one of my first as well.  I think I started with the 30 carbine first but then came the 45 Colt soon after.  It's always been my favorite round as it is VERY versatile. 

You need to be VERY careful on what you read on the web.  While there is a lot of good info out there, there is also a lot of bad information along with poor editing.  Editing errors can be downright dangerous.  For example, the difference between powders; IMR -XXX vs H-XXX.  Then there are units that can be misinterpreted too: grains, grams, fps, meters p/s, CUP vs PSI.  You must be very careful when reading anything off of the web. 
My greatest bit of info to pass along to ANY new loader is to buy some of the standard and reputable reloading manuals and stay away from other people's pet loads etc until you get some of your experience...that can take five, maybe ten years.  The reputable manuals (Lyman, Speer, etc) have been around for ages and they keep updating them for accuracy, safety and liability.  Since you're not looking for Ruger ONLY loads, the Lyman manual should do you well. 

Please, don't take this as any discouragement from asking questions about loading techniques etc, especially with regard to safety.  There is NO dumb question when it comes to safety.  Ask first and live tomorrow.   

Good luck and have fun loading and shooting.