.45 LC bullet change-up.

[tacklebury]

Tried a couple sets of a new bullet today and had pretty good luck.  Sierra 240gr. Sportsmaster JHC is the bullet.  Using 10 gr. Unique in my 5.5" blackhawk.  I picked up a mixed bag of .45 bullets from a guy getting out of loading due to physical ailments and this was one that looked pretty cool.  Punches good holes in paper so far, so I loaded up 20 of em tonight.  May try some water jugs next, as I think I'll be using this in the blackhawk opening day of deer. 
 

Product link added:
http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm?section=bullets&page=bc&stock_num=8820&bullettype=1

[1sourdough]

 Sounds like they should do fine. Hows the crimp? Did you do enough, or check the last bullet after shooting the others for slippage?

[tacklebury]

I use Lee FCD and none have moved thus far.    I shot the first 3 then checked other 3 then put em back and shot 2 then checked last.  No movement discernible.  Accuracy was tested at twilight, and all were in 6" group at 25 yards.  I was having some issues seeing my sights, so will re-test again, but I think it'll be a good slightly down powered version of my 300 gr. XTP Mag load.    Think I'm going to put some Orange model paint on my front sight and edge the rear in white for lower light shooting.  My eyes just aren't as good as the old days.  I'd really like to do something more like the bowen gold double cross for short/long range set-up, but outta time for this hunt.  Have you tried this bullet?  Was interested to see if anyone else had used this particular one also. 

[1sourdough]

 No, I have not used that bullet, should work fine though. I like your power choice for your gun. Sounds like a nice, serious load without going the H-110 route. I have some upper end Unique loads for my Ruger only 45 Colt loads that I'm happy with. I do have a few win-296 loads also, though the others do about all I need.

[LONGTOM]

I used Unique for years in my 45 colt loads, (both lead and jacketed) but have switched many years ago to HS6.
I get better performance and it burns a lot cleaner.
My load is 12.5gr behind a 250-255gr bullet with a standard Winchester pistol primer and out of my 5.5" custom Blackhawk it runs right at 1040fps.
This load has been used in many Blackhawks and 2 Redhawks and 3 Winchester 94 levers including a 16" trapper.
So far we have not found a gun that didn't like this load.
This load is 2 gr under the listed starting load in the Hodgdon manual # 26 under IHMSA Handgun Silhouette loads for 45 colt on pg 584.
Give it a try.
I think your gun will like it.
 
 
 
LONGTOM

[tacklebury]

Thanks for the info Longtom.  I currently (be it wrong or right) load all 9 calibers I do with just 3 powders, RL7, Unique and some H110.  Simply don't have space for a dedicated loading spot and cost prohibitive for me also keeping many on hand.  If I decide to try another, I'll keep this one hand to try though. 

[LONGTOM]

I understand about the space problem.
I have the same issue but from to much reloading stuff.
I too, don't have a spot where I can leave my eguipment set up.
Have to clear this before I can use that.
One day maybe, but for now, I make do.
 
 
 
LONGTOM

[Blackhawker]

Have to agree with Longtom here!  I've used HS-6 for about 20 years as well.  Glad to see there is someone else out there that discovered it.  It's always worked well in my 45 Colt loads.  I originally started with 14 grains under a 250 or 255 cast bullet but have lowered to 13.5g in the past 5 or so years.  Most recently I've tinkered with and changed to 19.5 grains of 2400.  I don't know what velocities I'm getting out of my 7.5" Blackhawk for either powder but these are some stout loads yet from what I have read, they don't go over or near the pressure limits of the Blackhawk or Win 94 or other comparible leverguns.  (WARNING!!!!  Definitely NOT loads for standard Colt or reproduction firearms!!!)  Literature that I've read says it's about 1150 fps for both charges in a revolver.  Recently I compared both loads (HS-6 and 2400) at 25 yards and found the HS-6 to be a bit more accurate.  Shot 5-shot groups with ease under 2 inches with the HS-6.  I too use both of these loads in my Win 94, my CR-45 H&R Classic Carbine and my Super Redhawk.  With the 2400 load, I have shot some 5-shot groups of about 1 inch at 25 yards from the SRH.  My Winchester 94, however, did have some parts break a few times (extractor, two ejectors, and a loading gate).  Don't know if it's from these loads or just normal wear.

I've used 10.2 or so grains of Unique in the past but found the HS-6 and 2400 to be much more consistent with results on paper when loading heavier loads.  Also, H-6 and 2400 meter much better when charging cartridges than does the Unique powder.

I used Unique for years in my 45 colt loads, (both lead and jacketed) but have switched many years ago to HS6.
I get better performance and it burns a lot cleaner.
My load is 12.5gr behind a 250-255gr bullet with a standard Winchester pistol primer and out of my 5.5" custom Blackhawk it runs right at 1040fps.
This load has been used in many Blackhawks and 2 Redhawks and 3 Winchester 94 levers including a 16" trapper.
So far we have not found a gun that didn't like this load.
This load is 2 gr under the listed starting load in the Hodgdon manual # 26 under IHMSA Handgun Silhouette loads for 45 colt on pg 584.
Give it a try.
I think your gun will like it.
 
 
 
LONGTOM

[Blackhawker]

Powder collecting is a reason why I switched to 2400 from HS-6, and the ONLY reason.  Prior to the switch to 2400, the 45 Colt was the only thing I loaded using HS-6.  I have found it to load well in a 357 magnum however.  In the past two years, I have made a lot of efforts to consolidate my powders rather than having a huge collection of different types.  I literally tested each and every caliber I load with various powders.  I have found 2400 to work well in numerous calibers including 38-55, 45-70, 38-40 (Ruger Blackhawk loads only), 454 Cassul, 45 Colt, 357 magnum, and 30 carbine.  I literally can load all of these cartridges with average to above average accuracy from just this one powder.  Now, instead of having a pound of six or seven different powders on hand, I can have three pounds of just one powder.
Of course, I have a few extra "favorite" powders around too but by testing all of my loads, I have drastically reduced my inventory of powder types.

Thanks for the info Longtom.  I currently (be it wrong or right) load all 9 calibers I do with just 3 powders, RL7, Unique and some H110.  Simply don't have space for a dedicated loading spot and cost prohibitive for me also keeping many on hand.  If I decide to try another, I'll keep this one hand to try though. 

[tacklebury]

Well, actually shot these again tonight after making my sights a little more visible at dusk.   
 

 
The little holes were a group I shot with a .22 I'm trying to find a better bullet for the big 6 are the colt holes...   As if you all didn't know that..  lol  Distance was 25 yards.