Author Topic: Anyone hand load for Cowboy Action shooting? (Read 474 times)

Runs with Scissors · « **on:** November 28, 2004, 07:26:19 AM »

I don't do the cowboy thing but I really like the ammo.
The best shooting ammo in my pistol is manufactured by Magtech and produces a M.V. of 750 fps.
I realize that this is a target load and not intended for hunting.
I'm looking for reloading information that will produce results as good as or better than Magtech's factory cartridges.
My pistol is a Cimarron Model P/45LC with a 4.75" barrel.

Thanks.

Bill

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2004, 07:50:57 AM »

Yes, I do load for Cowboy action but I get a little more out of mine than that. I've recently discovered that Green Dot is a decent pistol powder that's on my adgenda next because I have a pretty good supply of it. I guess I'm going to have to get another gun or three because my Colts, Clones and Rugers have never had anything but Black Powder through them.

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2004, 08:08:41 AM »

Thanks for your response.
I was considering using Unique powder. My Lee manual has a recipe that will produce 800fps using a 250g cast bullet over 8g Unique.
I wont be set up to reload for my 45LC until after the Holidays.
In the meantime I'll check out Green Dot.
I really like my Cimarron Model P. It's a very well made firearm. While it is an Uberti, Cimarron's specs are tighter than their own. And because the Model P is an exact replica of the 1873 SAA, I tend to favor lighter loads for longevity of the firearm.
I would think your Ruger would stand up to heavy hunting loads better than my Cimarron.

Bill

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2004, 10:53:48 AM »

Runs, I'm getting about 850fps with 255gr bullets and black powder out of my Colts and clones So you're not pushing the envelope yet. There are WAY too many beople happily using Unique for there not to be something to it's usefulness. I just am excited about the posibility of using Green Dot because I buy it a couple of 8 pound jugs at a time anyway for shotshell reloading.

Castaway · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2004, 12:00:49 PM »

At the risk of starting another contest, I load 6.8 grains of Unique under a 255 grain cast bullet with outstanding results. I can get five touching from my iron sighted Trapper at 50 yards with 50 year old eyes. In my Blackhawk the accuracy is right in there too. Pistol velocity from a 7.5 inch barrel is 680 f/s and 820 or something close to it from my Trapper. This load is strictly for a cast bullet and in the Alliant book. Recoil, as you might expect, is very mild.

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2004, 12:33:43 PM »

No contest here. I'm trying to learn about handloads, and thanks for your response too.
If I go with Unique I'll likely start off with 6.5g and work slowly up. The Allant data suggests a M.V. of 650fps with 6.0g and 750fps with 7.5g. That will put the M.V. somewhere around 850fps with the max charge of 8.0g Unique. I'm a bit scared of the 650fps load being too weak to push a 250 grain cast bullet out the bore.
I was suprised to hear from my bullet supplier that the most popular 45 cast loads he sells is 200g. Anyone shoot these?

Bill

bigjeepman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2004, 01:36:23 PM »

Runs with Scissors ...

For my son's Beretta Stampede, he likes a 200gr rn-fp (Meister) with 8.4 gr of Unique. The Stampede is a Colt clone and a nice one too. This should be running around 875 fps and is very comfortable to shoot all day. We were shooting lighter loads for a while but the cases would get pretty sooty so we bumped up the charge a little at a time.

Unique is a great powder but not the cleanest I guess. We also shoot some 250 gr rn-fp Meister's with 9.0 gr of Unique for the Vaquero and the Marlin Cowboy for our target shooting.

I have some nice things about the Cimarron's but will now wait until the new thinner Vaquero's come out in 2005. I will have to have one of those in a 7.5" for sure.