Author Topic: 45 colt loads??  (Read 1213 times)

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Offline tomme boy

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45 colt loads??
« on: December 06, 2011, 07:05:10 PM »
What does everyone like to use in your BC in 45 colt? Looking for loads that are in the 250gr-270gr area. I broke down and bought a 270gr mold from Mihec at MP Molds. I got the HP version in .454" so that should work out fairly well. I'm not going to hot rod these. Just plink. My RCBS 250gr is back at the factory to have looked at. It was dropping at .4515" and I know that is going to be a problem. It is supposed to be a .454' mold.
Oh ya, anyone else see that Hornady brass is way shorter than everyone elses.

Offline petemi

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2011, 11:46:31 PM »
I shoot mostly Hornady XTPs 250 gr. .452 dia.  I use the same bullet with a Knight sabot sleeve in my huntsman.  It shoots fine in both rifles.  Hornady LE brass is shorter in all the calibers I've tried it in.

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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2011, 11:56:27 PM »
For some time UNIQUE was the ONLY powder listed in more than a few loading manuels... it just as good today!
 
Another I would use is TRAIL BOSS. Its expressly designed for large cases and lead bullets. You will need to go a very long way to do better...
 
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2011, 03:20:07 AM »
I second the Trail Boss powder.
 
Get some, you won't be sorry!
 
 
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2011, 06:54:23 AM »
Any of the heavy revolver loads will be fine in your rifle, and for soft plinking just use mid-level, rather than top loads.
I would avoid trying to make it a .45C 'Magnum', use a 45-70 if you need more punch.
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Offline JB White

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2011, 10:15:29 AM »
The 45 Colt is a fun plinker. For low-cost loads give your cast lead bullets a try with 3f black powder or one of the synthetic 'blacks'. My choice is American Pioneer Powder behind a 250 gr lead bullet. Some people don't care for APP but I do. It's a lot cleaner and much less corrosive than others.
 Lots of smoke and a hefty boom with little recoil yet it consistently hits targets. The visual effects are just as much fun.

Offline tacklebury

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2011, 05:07:43 PM »
Done some bp ones here and really didn't get good consistency from any of the APP or Shockey's sublines.  I got the best performance from Goex fffg and drop tube with pyrodex Pistol second.  777 was plumb unhappy for some reason and really goobered up my Blackhawk/carbine.  I've really been hunting for some Swiss to find without luck here in Michigan.  I really want to try some.  I have my first set of wood set aside for the making of my own BP and I'm drying Willow for this purpose.  Was a great thread on making your own on the Beartooth forum, so I'm getting ready to try.  ;)
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline blind ear

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2011, 05:41:12 PM »
Done some bp ones here and really didn't get good consistency from any of the APP or Shockey's sublines.  I got the best performance from Goex fffg and drop tube with pyrodex Pistol second.  777 was plumb unhappy for some reason and really goobered up my Blackhawk/carbine.  I've really been hunting for some Swiss to find without luck here in Michigan.  I really want to try some.  I have my first set of wood set aside for the making of my own BP and I'm drying Willow for this purpose.  Was a great thread on making your own on the Beartooth forum, so I'm getting ready to try.  ;)

Got a link on the Beartooth forum? Thanks, ear
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Offline Buckwheat Jack

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2011, 06:58:18 PM »
I've been using a 200 grain cast bullet with Unique or Red dot in medium power loads with good results...in spite of what many have said.
aim small, hit big

Offline gcrank1

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2011, 04:41:36 AM »
Ive tried the 200s, but 230ish shoot closer to my sights, which seem 'regulated' for full power 250s. With the mid-power 230s I can adjust the front blade in the notch without too much trouble.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline tacklebury

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2011, 12:26:44 PM »
Done some bp ones here and really didn't get good consistency from any of the APP or Shockey's sublines.  I got the best performance from Goex fffg and drop tube with pyrodex Pistol second.  777 was plumb unhappy for some reason and really goobered up my Blackhawk/carbine.  I've really been hunting for some Swiss to find without luck here in Michigan.  I really want to try some.  I have my first set of wood set aside for the making of my own BP and I'm drying Willow for this purpose.  Was a great thread on making your own on the Beartooth forum, so I'm getting ready to try.  ;)

Got a link on the Beartooth forum? Thanks, ear

Oops was Cast bullets as I discovered when I went lookin for it.  hehe ;)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=103852
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2011, 01:15:40 PM »
For plinkers it's tough to beat Trail Boss or Unique.
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Offline wtroger

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2011, 02:49:03 PM »
For my 45 colt rifle loads for hunting I shoot 250 gr gold dots in front Imr4227 at mid range contender loads and they shoot into one ragged hole at 100 yds.

Offline tacklebury

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2011, 02:59:04 PM »
Been posted many times.  ;)  Don't treat your carbine's powder selection as a pistol and it will improve your performance.  I'm using Paco's Reloader7 formulae towards the bottom.
 
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline gcrank1

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2011, 05:27:43 AM »
All good info here, but since you said you arent going to hotrod these, just plink, all you gotta do now is make some up and tell us (apologies to Dr. Phil) how its workin' out for ya  ;D .
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline tomme boy

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2011, 03:42:17 PM »
OK, I have shot this a little bit so far. The bore measures .4515" so that is a plus. I have tried the factory 250 gr Remingtons. Horrible! Glad I got these for free.
 
I tried unique, HS6, Blue dot, Long shot, imr 7625, 231. So far the Blue dot an the 231 seem to work the best with the 250gr rcbs. I have only shot these at 50 yards. The two that shot good shat right at 1 1/4 ".  I have not played with differant charges of either yet. I am waiting on the 270 gr mold to come in before I go shooting again.
I did load 5 up with longshot and a 200 gr cast lead HP. I busted 3 out 5 clay birds at 100 yards. I am going to try some more of these. They made a pretty good crack when fired. They must be going pretty good.
 

Offline ratdog

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Re: 45 colt loads??
« Reply #16 on: December 13, 2011, 10:56:36 PM »
i have been using the lee 250 grn tumble lube bullet 7 grns of 231 .used to use unique but dirty . 231 easier to clean my pistols same load very accurate. let us know how the 270's shoot.