45 cal round ball load

[ThomTender]

Has anybody done a 454. dia round ball load in a 45 LC. Want to come up with a light target/plinking loadfor my Blackhawk. If you might share what powder and how much did you use and the accuracy results Thanks

 

[tsubaki]

One of the things that was suggested by an ffl I knew was to derive the loads from other cast data of the same weight. This also helped to work up double ball loads.

Another was, due to the powder charges usually being light (well below 50% case fill capacity) was to sharpen the brass with a chamfer and deburing tool and paper punch a wad from a styrofoam plate or cardboard. Make up several ahead of time with an unprimed brass and push them out the case with a metal dowel through the flash hole. Or prime and charge the case and paper punch them in the press holding a piece of wood beneath the location where the die goes. Push the wad all the way down with a pencil so as to keep the powder in contact with the primer.

He also suggested not to flare the brass before seating the ball, just let the case shave the excess off the ball, much like loading a cap and ball revolver.
Either way, shaving or flaring and crimping will deform the bullet and bring it down to the (average) .452 diameter.

I'm away from my data for a few days but I'll see if my note pad has some listed.
Speer does have some listed in their book.

 

[tsubaki]

I can't confirm any of this data but this is what I've got.
.454 round ball averages 141gr.

(1) .454 round ball
3.2gr Bullseye
3.2gr Red Dot
4.5gr Unique

(2) .454 round balls
6.5gr Bullseye

Someone please check behind me

 

[tsubaki]

I also have some .433 round ball (122gr) data for 44spl and 44mag with single ball or double ball loads.

 

[ThomTender]

Benny Post the 44 loads also I have a 44 Special

 

[tsubaki]

Again, please confirm these elsewhere too.

44 Special (1) .433 round ball
2.3gr Bullseye
2.2gr Red Dot
3.0gr Unique

44 Magnum (1) .433 round ball
2.9gr Bullseye
3.6gr Unique

44 Magnum (2) .433 round balls
9.5gr Unique

 

[ThomTender]

Thanks Benny Loaded up a few with the 45 single ball 3.2 gr. bullseye with give them a try, Will post the results

 

[tsubaki]

I'm pretty sure all of the single round ball loads were from Speer.
When I get back to my data books in a couple of days I'll see what the fps and barrel length were listed.

 

[tsubaki]

All of the single round ball load data did come from Speer.
I'm not sure where the double ball loads originated so please take them with a grain of salt, as you should.

3.2gr of Bullseye in 45colt from a 5 1/2" barrel is listed at 553fps.
I would expect see sooty cases from the blow around just as the ball starts out the case. Then it may not be much being the ball can't possibly seal the chamber or rifling.

Speer also listed data with various powders like:
In 44 Special, SR4756, SR7625, 231, 700X and Green Dot.
In 44 Magnum, HS5, SR4756, SR7625, 231, 700X and Green Dot.
In 45colt, SR4756, SR7625, 231, and 700X.