most accurate 45lc load??

[sureshot2040]

i got a ruger vaquero 4 5/8 barrel and i am getting started in reloading.
i am looking for the most accurate load possible. i figure if i get enough responses on here maybe i can see a patern with more replies saying the same load. since reloading manuals all have different accurate loads.
so yall let me know
thanks,
sureshot

[Lloyd Smale]

alot of them about the same. Lbt 330 kieth with 21 g. 4227 Ballistic cast 320lfngc with 23.5 grains of 110 same load with rcbs 300swcgc. Light loads  just about any 250-275 grain swc with 9.3 grains of unique. 275 rcbs swc with 12 grains of hs6 for midrange load or 24 grains of lilgun for a stout one. these are all loads for Rugers only and i take no responsibiltity if your dumb enough to put them in a colt copy.

[bigjeepman]

I am a .45 lc fan as it is my favorite cartridge. I have been reloading for a fairly short time and am in the "search mode" myself for what will shoot best out of my Vaquero 5.5" and my Marlin 1894 cbc rifle. I am not that good of a marksman with any pistol compared to my skills with a rifle.

I want to have a "shooting range" load and a "hunting" load that will work in both firearms. I am currently using Hornady's 250gr XTP's and Meister 250gr RN-FP bullets. My most accurate load of any tested at the range was 8.0gr of Unique at 850fps in Winchester brass and CCI 300 primers. I was getting consistent groups on my last trip of 1.4" @ 50yds with factory sights from my Marlin but I know I can do better than that plus I want much more velocity for my hog hunting loads.

What kind of velocity are you getting, Lloyd, with 9.3gr of Unique and a 250gr bullet?

[Lloyd Smale]

between 900 and 1000 depending on the bullet and the gun

[Lloyd Smale]

biggest reason i settled on 9.3 grains is before i used a dillon i use to charge cases with a little dandy and thats what the rotor threw. Ive had excellet luck with 9.3 in the .44 with 240s and the 41 with 220s also

[140orbetter]

ever try 16.0 gr 2400 and a 255 gr cast RN ? Out of my Blk Hwk is is more accurate than I am.

[oso45-70]

SHURESHOT
You didn't say what velocity you was wanting you was planning to shoot.
For a nice mild and very accurate load, I use 8.5 grs unique, for heavyer
loads you are going to have to hunt and pick, I have seven 45 lc's and each of them are just a little different, I have three of the sheriff mod.s
and they are all a little different so you need to try everything in the
man's. I know you will like your 45 lc. good luck and keep your powder
dry.  Joe

[oso45-70]

SHURESHOT
You didn't say what velocity you was wanting or was planning to shoot.
For a nice mild and very accurate load, I use 8.5 grs unique, for heavyer
loads you are going to have to hunt and pick, I have seven 45 lc's and each of them are just a little different, I have three of the sheriff mod.s
and they are all a little different so you need to try everything in the
man's. I know you will like your 45 lc. good luck and keep your powder
dry.  Joe

[RPbump]

7.2gr WW 231, WLP primer, 255gr hardcast LRNFP bullet. Not a "magnum" load but accurate. Rbump

[West Creek Charlie]

My favorite load is a 250 LBT WFN over 5.6 grain of red dot. I can bust clay birds out at 40 yards off hand with it. Very predictable bullet placement. This load also works for me under a 250 rnfp from a magma mold. I have put 10 rounds inside 1.5" at 25 yards with it but I think the LBT bullet wins hands down. Both loads will easily hit a 1/2 size silhuette ram at 80 yards.

A local reloader told me about this load. I didnt take his work for it and tried the full range of loads with red dot and found he was right - the 5.6 grain load works the best. When I got the lbt bullets I just tried the 5.6 grain load expecting to have to come up with a different load but as it turned out the same charge weight worked flawlessly even though the lbt bullet seats less bullet in the casing and leaves more powder room it had no effect on the accuracy.

[Deaf Smith]

good for ANY gun chambered in the caliber is 7 grains of WW 231 under a 250 grain round nosed flat point or a 250 grain SWC. The RNFP was for Cowboy shooting and the SWC is for general use.
Jim L
These days if I want magnum power I have a custom 41 and 44 to use.
I just love my old model custom Ruger 41
Jim L

[44 Man]

I just picked up a supply of Remington bullets.  These are the flat tip lead that they use in the factory loads.  I read a Brian Pearse article that said these were very accurate when you can find them, but were not always available as a component.  I loaded them over 8.2 gr of Unique, took them in the back yard and proceded to shoot a 1" group (15 yds)!  This was two handed, but I did not take extra care to try to shoot a good group, I just wanted to check them out in relation to the sights.  To say I am pleased is an understatement!  44 Man

[Steve P]

8.0 Unique and 245 cast is my plinking load.  Light and accurate.

Good shooting!

Steve

[ringo_rocksprings]

I’ve been a pistol bullseye shooter for quite sometime now.  And I have reloaded all my ammo and cast my own bullets.   But after several years of standing there shoulder to shoulder, it started to get a little boring.

So I did a little IDPA.  That was fun.   Then I went as watched a Cowboy Action Shoot.

Oh man,  I’m trading in all my stuff to shoot CAS.

I got lucky and picked up a used Vaquero (in 4 5/8"  barrel).  The price was pretty cheep and I immediately thought “What’s wrong with it”.    After the 1st bout at the range it shot about 6” low and 6” to the left.    I got my answer.     However, it grouped great and I figured it was a pretty good shooter.   Now to find a smith that could work on the front sight.

I found one that did an excellent job.  I also had had the forcing cone in the cylinders honed to .453.    Yeah a little radical, but you ought to see the group size at 25 yards (pistol benched).   Can be covered by an old Ike Dollar.      Almost as good as my gold cup.

  I cast my own out of my own mixture (2 lbs linotype + 1 lb lead) in Lyman's cowboy mold 452664  and sized to .452.  I load with 6.o grains of titegroup and use Winchester large pistol primers and Winchester brass.    They come out right at 800fps.   Fairly nice load.

[Blackhawk44]

Light target load, Speer/Hornady swaged bullet over 5gr Bullseye.  Everyday load, good cast 250gr over 8.5gr Unique or 7gr 231.  Good hunting load (but not a wrist breaker), good 250-260gr cast over 20gr H4227(not IMR) or 16.5gr 2400.  These should cover about anything you'll need until you get a bit of experience.  BOL

[oso45-70]

To All, I see i double posted, Don't know how but, That makes it twice as good Ha Ha DUMB BUTT. ...............Joe