Author Topic: Good powder for 45 colt? (Read 769 times)

Will52100 · « **on:** December 01, 2005, 04:29:07 PM »

I've just about used up the first and last pound of Unique powder and am looking for something else. I reload mostly black powder, but I have a 73' uberti peace maker that is just plain fun to take a 100 rounds or so and go out behind the house and make steel clang with smokeless.

I like the performance I got from Unique, but the posibility of a double charge exist, and it doesn't meter that well. I use a progressive press without any of the extras, and weigh each charge. I'm thinking a little bulkerier powder so that if I do drop two charges It'll be pretty obviouse? I'm using 7 grains of Unique with a 250 grain wheel wieght cast bullet. I'd like to keep the pressure and velocity down to standard factory loading, and ocasionly use the same load in my 1860 henry.

Any idea's?

mjbgalt · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:45:05 PM »

GB sold me his Bisley Blackhawk and told me it likes 2400 powder. maybe that's something to look into.

-Matt

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:02:24 PM »

Why don't you give IMR's Trail Boss a look? It is specifically designed for CAS type shootin' with either lead or cast bullets. Very high loading density is suitable for low charge weights. Has considerably more space-to-weight ratio of any powder out there now for pistols that I know of. Don't know if it would be the best for your rifle, as I've only had a little experience using it in my SRH 454/45 Colt.

-Patriot

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2005, 05:39:17 PM »

Will52100--

Here is a link to the IMR site that has Trail Boss Data and also some other powders for the 45lc

http://www.imrpowder.com/

I have 2 .45LC's and use nothing but Unique , But am leaning to T.B. in the future .

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2005, 01:30:18 AM »

2400 works great for me.

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2005, 02:17:14 AM »

The OP is wise to limit his loads since the Uberti and expecially the Henry should stick to near-SAAMI pressures. IME stick powders like 4227 and 2400 don't work very well at standard .45LC SAAMI pressures, although they do bulk up well and eliminate the chance for a double charge. They burn very dirty, 2400 in particular, and if loaded to burn efficiently the pressures are too high. Neither Hodgdon or Alliant recommend them for the .45LC.

I have not used TrailBoss but it sounds just like what is needed. I have had good success with BlueDot at SAAMI pressures, it has considerably greater charge volumes than Unique does, although it would still be possible to double charge. AA5744 is another possibility, like 2400 it bulks up well, but it burns a bit cleaner; still not as clean as the flake powders do though.

Will52100 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2005, 08:10:25 AM »

OK, I'd love to try some trail boss, but Graf's is out, who else carries it?

Thanks,

Will

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2005, 09:18:25 AM »

Do any of your local gun shops carry powders? If so, they might have some TB. It comes in 9oz. bottles. From what I've seen, it seems to be one of those powders that lasts a while (a lot of it, very light/fluffy, and very bulky). That's what's nice about it. :wink:

-Patriot

Will52100 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2005, 09:29:41 AM »

The only one I have around doesn't carry it, heck they don't even handle real black powder anymore.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2005, 05:08:32 AM »

Here's a place that looks like they have it.

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm?viewfrom=31&catid=69&step=2

BTW, I need to make a correction, it comes in a 9oz. bottle not 14oz.

-Patriot

Steve in Michigan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2005, 12:34:15 PM »

If you want clean burning and great performance, try Alliant Power Pistol. I have been using it in several calibers and it is great stuff.

jd45 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:58:12 PM »

AA5744 is a good powder for low pressure .45 Colt loads. Min 16.0grs...Max 17.8grs with 250gr bullet @ 13,100psi & about 850fps

Will52100 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2005, 01:09:30 PM »

Thanks Guys,

What is the man. of AA5744? Would like to check it out also.

PaulS · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2005, 03:36:05 PM »

Accurate Arms makes all of the AA powders.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2005, 06:20:09 PM »

Will,

Here's Accurate's website info for 5744:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/5744.htm

-Patriot

jd45 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2005, 05:16:39 AM »

To Steve in Michigan, I got some load data from stevespages.com for Power Pistol in .45 Colt........do you know of any other sources of data for this combo? Thanx, JD45.

Will52100 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2005, 08:07:37 AM »

Thanks Guys, I'll see what I can come up with, wireless is acting up out here so I don't know how long I can stay online.

I do have a question about the Unique powder, I noticed several rounds were noticably weaker, one I had to check the barrel to make sure the round made it all the way out.

Did the powder get contaminated by the lube? I'm using liquid alox and it's fully cured. Or is the powder getting old? If I didn't know better I'd say I didn't have enough powder but I wiegh each and every charge.

Any ideas?

Thanks

jd45 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2005, 10:08:21 AM »

7grs is on the light side, but not overly light, I'd say. I'vefired loads with 6. You might check how much pull you're getting after resizing your cases. That is, how tightly the case grips the shank or sides of the bullet. I think even with light loads, a tight grip helps the burn. Someone with more experience can correct me if I'm off base, JD45