Author Topic: Your favorite 45 Colt Hunting Loads (Read 5023 times)

jakes10mm · « **on:** May 02, 2005, 10:29:02 AM »

I'm giving the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter a good beraking in. I've only played with a few loads. I've played with 250gr, 255gr, and 300gr bullets over varying loads of 2400 and H110. Unfortunately, I'm not equipped with an elaborate testing facility to measure pressure, velocity, atmospheric conditions, etc. I could use some help in choosing a hunting load for PA deer. The 250gr and 255gr cast bullets are readily available in my area, so they may become the standard load. I would like to try some of the heavier slugs out there.

What recipes do you 45 Colt hunters have to offer? Deer season is just around the corner...ha..and I need to get reloading and practicing.

lisa1lacy2 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2005, 02:08:54 PM »

I have a ruger bisley ss 5.5" 45colt
I have used 240gr xtp mags with 27.5gr h110 cci300 primers starline brass it is going 1450fps out of my gun at 6ft from muzzle
but I am going to try some thing lighter this year the recoil and flash are terrible been shooting a 250gr lrnfp hard cast for about a week know at about 1100fps shooting pretty good about 2" at 65 yds hope this helps you

keoni · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2005, 07:07:02 PM »

I don't know if this will help or not, because I'm using Accurate 9-C which is a commercial powder that I bought years ago and I don't know if it available now, so I won't state the charge weight, but it is slower than No. 9.
Ruger Bisley 5.5", 255gr. SWC,1275fps. A cylinder full will go into 2" @ 25 yds. Only killled one med. Ohio whitetail. complete penetration front to rear at app. 20 yds.
This is the only load I use.

John R. · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2005, 05:51:16 AM »

Last year I killed a big doe with a 250 gr. Hornady XTP over 27 grs. of H110. The deer was 30 yds.,it never moved a step when hit with a frontal shot out of a Ruger Bisley 5.5" bbl. For tougher game like hogs I use a 310 hard cast over 24 grs. of H110 @ 1200 fps. I have never recovered one. :grin:

Greeenriver · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2005, 09:56:16 AM »

Now don't all of you laugh at this, but my all time favorate load for hunting with the .45lc on game up to the size of Deer or Black Bear, is 2.5cc(LEE powder dipper set) of fffg Cleanshot(Now American Pionier Powder) for aproximatly 39.8 grns by volume of Black Powder subsitute under a 200grn hard cast lead slug. This load hits hard and has good penatration on Deer sized game, providing one shot kills if I do my part.

And there is just something about taking game with my own BP loads that I love. Out to about 75yds from my 5&1/2 in SAA Bambi is dinner. And out of my Rossi 20in carbine, I can double the distance.

The BOOM, the slam againse my hand, the cloud of white smoke, the feeling of knowing that the shot is good. the enjoyment of venison steaks and eggs for breakfast. These are things that make life worth living.

I know that there are many more powerful loads available for the 45lc, but you asked for our favorate loads, and that is definatly my favorate.

Greeenriver(The smell of black powder on the early morning dew is the smell of history!

daddywpb · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2005, 02:10:04 PM »

Cast Performance 300 grain LFNGC bullet over 15.5 grains of 2400. Velocity is about 1100 fps. Not too rough on the hand, and very accurate out of my 7 1/2" Ruger Bisley.

jakes10mm · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2005, 05:31:29 AM »

First, "Greeenriver" like your load. I'm building a little custom Ruger Blackhawk that will see primarily blackpowder or blackpowder substitute loads. Did really consider using the same load in my Hunter model...but you have me thinking.

I have tried some H110 loads, but have questions about loads for lighter bullets. The "official reloading manuals" focus the H110 on heavier bullets. I have used some of the "Personal" reloading pages for H110 loads with lighter bullets. The thing that concerns me about H110 is the warning over loading less than full loads due to inconsistent ignition. Anyone have any horror stories about H110 in less than the written full charge? I have loaded 250gr bullets with various H110 powder charges and have not had any problems to date. The loads have been pretty accurate, with the heavier loads proving more accurate.

What's everyone's opinion on H110 versus 2400?

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2005, 06:41:08 PM »

Like Greenriver, I am using the mighty Lee Dippers! I am really loving the HS-7 powder thus far. She's burning real clean in all the loads I've tried thus far and can be used for all bullet weights. Using 1 CC dipper(weighs 14.5 grains on my scale) of HS-7 is propelling my 255 SWC at around 1087fps which is plenty for deer. Just got the chronograph so before yesterday I had no idea how fast she was going...this is my PLINKING load so needless to say the recoil is nothing more than a two inch muzzle jump.

Jim

Greeenriver · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2005, 04:40:36 PM »

Jakes10mm, Like I said in my earlier post, there are many much more powerful loads available for the 45, and I have used some of them over the years, but I just like using the same kind of loads the ctg was designed for. Old fashoned of me I know, but then I'm old fashoned in a lot of ways.

For a smokeless load, in a Ruger, I have at times used an ungodly ammount of HS6 under a 250grn jacketed Hollowpoint. I will not state the exact ammount, but trust me, it was too much!!! The deer I killed with that load were not any deader than the ones I killed with the BP loads, and my hand hurt less, and my guns last longer. I am a firm believer in using enough gun to get the job done, but see no reason to use more than is needed.

If the idea of using the BP or Sub loads is something you like, for hunting, you might want to use 777 insted of APP. The 777 is about 15% hotter than the APP or the other subs. Using 2.2cc's of 777 will give you a very hard hitting load that is also FUN to shoot. Use 2.2cc's insted of 2.5cc's, as 777 should not be compressed as much as some of the others. Just don't leave an air space between the powder and the bullet with BP or any of the subs. With APP or 777 you don't have to use any special BP lubes on the bullets, any common hard lube that comes on comercial case bullets is fine with the 777 or APP.

BP loading and shooting is not rocket science, about anyone that can walk and talk can build decent BP ctgs. These loads have stood the test of time simply because they work, and work well in the ctgs designed for them. I even use BP loads in my little 32H&R mag single six most of the time.

Hope this helps you. Feel free to contact me at Greeenriver@hotmail.com if you need further info about the BP loads, although most of the info is available in the BP loading sections of this forum.

Greeenriver(Gonna go set on the back pourch and see if I can get a gopher with the 32H&R mag BP loads now.)

jakes10mm · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2005, 07:34:50 PM »

I gather you are using FFFg powder....correct? I went by a local shop today and almost picked some up, but could not get an answer from the employees on FFg or FFFg for metallic cartridge loading. I have a couple cap-n-ball revolvers that I us blackpowder and Pyrodex sub in. Both are FFFg. Please advise me on powder choices.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2005, 12:21:32 AM »

an rcbs swcgc 300 with enough powder to push it about 1100 fps it will kill anything! Penetrates like theres no tommarow. Dry Creak bullets sells this bullet and does a fine job casting them if you want to give them a try. Its been the most consistantly accurate bullet in my .45 rugers.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2005, 04:46:29 AM »

Jakes10mm,

I use fffg American Pionier Powder for all my pistol ctgs. I have used ffg, but get a little more density of the fffg in the cases. For hunting with the 54lc, I use the LEE 2.5cc dipper. The chart that comes with the LEE dipper set showes 39.8 grns of fffg BP. APP is used volum for volum with the same charges you would use of real BP. For Cowboy Action Shooting, I use the LEE 2.2cc dipper, it dips (By the chart) 35grns of fffg BP.

Tripple 7 powder recomends that you use only ffg for pistol cartridges. I have not tried the Tripple 7, but have read several reports that state Tripple 7 is about 15% hotter than the rest of the subs. As I am satisfied with my loads, I have seen no reason to use the Tripple 7, also it is more expensive that APP where I live.

The fffg APP gives more even charges in the dippers than the ffg. The ffg tends to "clump up" some, and some times will vari a grn or two from dipper to dipper. The APP and Tripple 7 also do not require any special BP lubs on the bullets. BP and Pyrodex require more lube, and a softer lube to prevent leading. APP and Tripple 7 can use any comercialy cast bullet with the hard lube that comes on them.

An easy way to make a dipper for the 45lc is to take a fired case, leave the fired primer in it, sodder a wire handle on it, and grind it down 1/2 the distance that the bullet is seated in the case. This will provide decent compression of the powder, and you don't have to worry about the weight of the powder charge. The actial powder charge weight is imaterial to the fact that the powder should fill the case enough to provide some compression under the bullet, and fill the case the same ammount every time. I use my loads in both the revolvers and two rifles, so I seat the bullets to the crimp grove every time. I always use a hard cast 200grn "RNFP for the same reason.I use these loads in two Uberti revolvers and a Rossi leveraction model 92 as well as a Trails End Winchester model 94AE.

Strictly for hunting, probibly a semi-wadcutter shape would be better, and maybe a little softer slug, for more mushroume. I like a hard cast bullet for the penitration and a 45 makes nearly a half inch hole anyway, lets out a lot of blood from both sides.

When using the 2.5cc dipper, I pour the powder down a funnel with a 18in drop tube on it. This helps to settle the powder in the case so it will all fit.

I realy should get outside and run a few of these loads over the crony to see just what the velosity is. For Cowboy shooting, I have never bothered, and just never got arround to checking the hunting loads. Lazy of me, I gess. As long as I can hit what I aim at, I never realy worried how fast the bullets were, any BP (Or sub) load will be slow compared to modern smokeless loads. But they have been getting the job done for way over 100 years, and still do.

Just for public information, the loads I use for CAS are as follows:

All APP loads are fffg. All bullets are LazorCast.

44-40 2.2cc APP, 200grn RNFP
44spec 1.9cc APP, 200grn RNFP
45lc 2.2cc APP, 200grn RNFP
45s&w 1.9cc APP, 200grn RMFP
38-40 2.2cc APP, 180grn RNFP
32H&R 12.5 to 13grn APP, 1`15grn RNFP (32-20 bullet) Homemade dipper.

If you use real BP or Pyrodex, use a Wonder wad under the bullet for extra lube,. and reduce the powder charge the thickness of the wad.

Greeenriver(Having used BP, Pyrodex, and APP, I gave away all my BP and Pyrodex, now only use APP.)

Don't use 38spec or 357mag for CAS, never developed a BP load for them.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2005, 06:39:51 PM »

1.3CC of Unique with a 255 gr. SWC is looking like a real potential deer load. Speed range from a low of 1130fps to a high of 1161fps. Seems to be real accurate....1/2" @ 25 yds for 3 shots and 1.5" for six shots(center to center). Those groups could be PURE LUCK....testing different loads so I didn't make more than a handful....potential is there, though.

Jim

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2005, 04:36:29 PM »

ohio deer/// vance 255gr. cast swc , 11.5 gr. unique fed. primers and it kills deer....dead :roll:

jro45 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2005, 02:19:23 AM »

I use 2400 in my 7.5"barrel blackhawk pushing a hornady 240gr bullet at 1450 fps. That load is good out to 100 yds. I'm not big on the lead bullets. I like hornady's 240 bullets tho.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2005, 05:59:09 PM »

I just worked up a good load using a Hornady XTP 300gr HP .452 dia
in front of 21gr W296, CCI large pistol primers,Lee factory crimp and win brass. 1250 fps load is very accurate in my SRH 454 Casull 7 1/2 .
recoil is moderate, easy to control. I also ran a load of Speers 300gr GDHP GoldDots, they also performed well. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2005, 03:43:52 PM »

Quote from: jro45

I use 2400 in my 7.5"barrel blackhawk pushing a hornady 240gr bullet at 1450 fps. That load is good out to 100 yds. I'm not big on the lead bullets. I like hornady's 240 bullets tho.

Primer??
.451 dia??
HOW MANY GRAINS of 2400?

I'm not big on lead bullets, either, especially after spending a total of 20
hours of attempting to clean the lead out of my deceased grandmother's
.22 Rem pump which shot pure lead bullets for 20 years before the
accuracy went south (barrel was never cleaned). Therefore, it remained
in her gun cupboard since the '50's 'til she died, then in my Dad's gun
cabinet 'til he died this spring, and only NOW is someone attempting to get
the lead out. Have your nostalgia, guys, but it's jacketed bullets all the
way for me, too, whether it be CF or ML!!

WD45 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2005, 03:17:21 AM »

Now Danno... don't get hasty here....
What er ya gonna shoot out of that pump gun when you get it cleaned up?

DannoBoone · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2005, 04:10:33 PM »

Quote from: WD45

Now Danno... don't get hasty here....
What er ya gonna shoot out of that pump gun when you get it cleaned up?

It shore ain't gonna be the same non-coated with nuthin' lead bullets shot
in it in the '20's, 30's, & 40's that leaded her up in the furst place!!!!

WD45 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 08, 2005, 05:53:34 AM »

I have seen a few of these old 22's that the owners said were shot out but were really just leaded up so bad you couldn't see the rifleing .. couldn't hit the side of a barn until they were deleaded, unleaded.. cleaned out,... er what ever you want to call it :-)
Well .. I didn't mean to really take things off topic so I'll shut up and leave things be

jakes10mm · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2005, 05:51:24 AM »

I was sitting at the reloading table two weeks ago and decided to load up a few more 45 Colt rounds with smokeless powder. They were the very stiff variety for the SBH Hunter. I had just finished piecing together my "custom" BH with a 4-5/8" barrel and decided to load a few dedicated rounds for it. Looking through the powder stores, I found a half full can of Pyrodex Pellets that I bought after getting my first cap-n-ball revolvers. A quick glance at the loading manual and I was dropping one pellet in a 45 case and crimping a 200gr RNFP bullet on top. At the range...WOW! I may have to use APP or 777 for my hunting loads! After a two round burst from the BH, I could covertly move behind the smoke screen...LOL. My range time to test these rounds was at dusk and I lit up the skies! Talk about a cool fireball.....

I will probably pick up some 777 and APP to test out. From what you have responded with, I understand that you don't need a wad for these loads??? That would ake it much more convenient! Also, will these loads work safely in a Colt SAA-style (non-Ruger) revolver? And, I gather there is nothing corrosive about 777 and APP???

Thanks for the inspiration!

jakes10mm · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2005, 09:46:13 AM »

Ok, I think I may be a convert. After thinking through the Pryodex Pellets in my short barreled Blackhawk, I may have to go with a 777 substitute load for deer hunting this season. Hodgdon lists a 200gr charge (35.0gr) @ 959fps and 250gr charge (30.0gr) @ 838fps. I'd like to go with the heavier bullet, but would like to keep the speed above 900fps. Anyone have any experience with the 777 and 250gr out of a 45Colt? The pressure is at only 60% of SAMMI. Can I safely bump out the bullet and squeeze in a little more powder???

Greeenriver · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2005, 05:41:47 PM »

"I will probably pick up some 777 and APP to test out. From what you have responded with, I understand that you don't need a wad for these loads??? That would ake it much more convenient! Also, will these loads work safely in a Colt SAA-style (non-Ruger) revolver? And, I gather there is nothing corrosive about 777 and APP???"

These loads are safe in Colts and Colt-style coppies. No wads or special lubes are required, and the powder residue is not harmeful to your guns if cleaned in a reasonable time. (I have let mine set two weeks with out harm)

Any brass used with APP or 777 should be rinsed with slightly soapy water that nite and dried if you are ging to reload it. APP is corosive to brass and I rinse my casses the nite I shoot them or the next nite, then tumble them and I have some I have reloaded 15 or 20 times now, they last forever.

I can't comment on the heaver bullets, as I only use the 200grn bullets any more, I used to use the 250's but I use the 200's for Cowboy Shooting and just use the same loads for hunting.

I'm a big fan of "simple".

Half of the fun of loading is making a load that fit your needs and shoots well in your guns, Play arround a little with the two powders and see what you come up with. I don't think you could get enough APP in a 45 case to hurt a pistol, but the 777 is about 15% hotter powder, beyond a certian ammount, the rest of the excess powder is just blowed out the end of the barrel anyway.

Greeenriver(And yet another shooter is lured to the Dark Side of The Force! ) Evil laughter can be heard faintly in the backgroune!!

jakes10mm · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:00:53 PM »

I am planning a trip to Gander Mountain tomorrow since I have a gift card and discount coupon...miht as well use them on some blackpopwder substitute.

The Pyrodex Pellets I tried did stain my brass...considerably. Missed the soap wash stage...oops. Oh well, only a few cases. My hunting pistol is Stainless Steel. I gather both 777 and APP are safe on Stainless too?

You're right about too much being wasted powder. Guess I should take my handloader to the range and work a load on the spot. Our normal range in the dense underbrush we hunt usually maxes out at 50yards, so the BP load should be fine. Even have my hunting partner considering a BP load for his 44mag Single Action. This could be really fun!

Thanks for the info.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #24 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:28:33 PM »

When you are working on your loads, just remember that BP and the Subs should never be loaded with an air space in the Ctg. Alwayse keep the powder level up to the base of the bullet or slightly above. Most loads will shoot better with 1/16th to 1/8th inch of compreshion under the bullet.

From what I have read, 777 should shoot best with just a little conpreshion, and APP can use more.I have diped the case full of APP and compressed a bullet on it and it shot well. Normaly I use about 1/4in comp on the APP loads and this works well for me.

I have loaded several 44mag loads with APP and I have one 44mag Winchester AE model 94 that I shoot 44 specials in for CAS. APP works well in it. I don't have my load book with me just now or I would post what LEE Dipper I used for them. I have NO doubghts that a 200 to 240 grn bullet over a full case of APP would cleanly take a Deer out to 50 or 75 yds from a pistol if the shooter does his part.

Greeenriver(Just something about taking game with the old style loads I love.)

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #25 on:** July 04, 2005, 07:10:15 PM »

I can't believe some of the loads you guys are talking about for 45 Colt. I went to the range today and was shooting 240 gr. LSWCs over 22 grains of H110 and 23 gr. of 296 and when I got done with that batch I'd just about had it! Of course I'm shooting a 3.75" Vaquero Birdshead but even at that I can't imagine 22 gr. of H110 under a 300 gr. bullet in anything less than my 454 Casull. I must be a real wuss!!

jakes10mm · « **Reply #26 on:** July 05, 2005, 04:54:23 AM »

I finished a "project" Blackhawk a few weeks back and took it to the range for its first outting. I only had "Hot" hunting loads available at the time, so shot them through the little 4-5/8" barrel. You are right....they can give you a pounding. These loads were intended for my Super Blackhawk Hunter, which is a quite a bit heavier. Overall, I still had fun. The second time this little BH went to the range I had loaded some Pyrodex Pellets under some 200gr LRNFP bullets. Lots of fire and smoke, but also surprisingly accurate!

I've taken the 300gr bullets up to 23gr H110. They do whallop you and the revolver does rock back. But...these were meant for hunting...not target shooting or plinking.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #27 on:** July 05, 2005, 07:08:21 AM »

Amen to that!!

Mannlicher · « **Reply #28 on:** July 09, 2005, 01:56:55 PM »

I carry a Bisley Vaquero when hunting. The load is usually 250 grain LSWC over 10 grains of Unique.

jakes10mm · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2005, 05:58:35 AM »

Finally got out to the range with my BH and the 250gr 777-powered loads. Compared to teh H110 300gr and 250gr loads I was firing prior to pulling out the 777 loads.....they were pussycats. The smoke was so thick that I couldn't see the impacts at 25yards. I did get a good visual validation of hitting targets when I switched from paper to clay pigeons.

Hate to say it, but I think I will remain with Smokeless powder for this season. I'm really liking heavy bullets at the 300+ range. So is my hunting buddy with his 44 magnum.