VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
I have been looking at Bulleye powder data and can't find that many loads for a 45 colt any suggestions or loads that you have had good results with would be appreciated
45 colt Bullseye loading data
- Thread starter VA Shooter
- Start date
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
I will be using 255g LSWC
Pocketfisherman
Bearcat
In a case with the volume and bullet weight of the 45LC, very fast powders like Bullseye are not the best choice. 45LC will perform better with slow to mid burning speed powders. That is why you don't see much data for Bullseye. For hi power Ruger only loads, look for Data using H110 or W296. For moderate loads, WST or W-231 is a good choice.
WIL TERRY
Buckeye
I just pulled down the first fouR loading manuals on the shelf above me and all four had BULLSEYE loading data for the 45COLT.
gerryb158
Single-Sixer
Bullseye certainly works in the .45 Colt and I wouldn't recommend against it. However, I did find a while back doing some "not too scientific " experiments; this powder is very "position sensitive" in the large Colt case. I could get about 100 fps difference by tipping the gun muzzle down or muzzle up before each shot. Not a big deal but noticable if you chronograph your loads. My loads were around 900 fps but I don't remember the amount of Bullseye used. I like Bullseye but I think it's better suited to smaller cases. Gerry
tek4260
Buckeye
What are you trying to achieve with you 255's? High end or low end? Regardless, like stated above, there are much better choices than Bullseye. Besides, powder is around $20 a lb and that beats the headache of trying to make something designed for small cases work in the 45 Colt case 
Out of the 20 or so different powders I have here, the ones that get the most use in my revolvers are Trailboss for light/experimenting, HS-6 for mid range loads, and H-110 for the top.
Of course the only handgun calibers I load for nowadays are 44M, 45 Colt, 480, and 475 Linebaugh.
Out of the 20 or so different powders I have here, the ones that get the most use in my revolvers are Trailboss for light/experimenting, HS-6 for mid range loads, and H-110 for the top.
Of course the only handgun calibers I load for nowadays are 44M, 45 Colt, 480, and 475 Linebaugh.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Unique or Universal is always a good choice for medium loads in 45 colt. 
...Jimbo
...Jimbo
Revolver-Time
Single-Sixer
Unique is what I use in .45 Colt. Something right about using this old fashioned powder in the old fashioned 45.
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
I just got some Unique and Universal I went on Alliant web site and they have 9.5 g for 250g it did not say what the pressures were that sounds a little high to me I need to do more research on that thanks for all your help
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
According to my reasearch 9.0gr of Unique is a standard pressure load in 45 colt with a (oops 255gr) LSWC bullet for about 950fps.VA Shooter said:
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45%20Colt&Weight=255&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
...JImbo
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
Jimbo357mag is that 155gr or 255gr Thanks
J Miller
Blackhawk
There is loading data for Bullseye in the .45 Colt in every loading manual I have. I have a bunch. You do have manuals don't you? If not, start buying them. They are far superior to the internet in more ways than one.
Having said that; Bullseye scares the beegeebers out of me.
When I was in my mid teens I frequented a gun shop in Phoenix and in their hand gun case, on prominent display, was a KABOOM'd Colt SAA. Half a cylinder and no top strap.
Cause: double charge of Bullseye.
I've never forgotten that.
Over the years I've seen photos and the remains of other guns also destroyed by excessive charges of Bullseye.
It is an excellent powder, but you cannot be lax with it. You must verify each and every powder charge especially in the big .45 Colt case. It is one of the fast powders I would never use in a progressive press that did not have a powder check station.
I've used it in a number of calibers with very good results.
I cannot speak of the alleged position sensitivity cos I've never chronographed any and didn't notice any accuracy problems with those loads I used.
Joe
Having said that; Bullseye scares the beegeebers out of me.
When I was in my mid teens I frequented a gun shop in Phoenix and in their hand gun case, on prominent display, was a KABOOM'd Colt SAA. Half a cylinder and no top strap.
Cause: double charge of Bullseye.
I've never forgotten that.
Over the years I've seen photos and the remains of other guns also destroyed by excessive charges of Bullseye.
It is an excellent powder, but you cannot be lax with it. You must verify each and every powder charge especially in the big .45 Colt case. It is one of the fast powders I would never use in a progressive press that did not have a powder check station.
I've used it in a number of calibers with very good results.
I cannot speak of the alleged position sensitivity cos I've never chronographed any and didn't notice any accuracy problems with those loads I used.
Joe
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
JMiller yes I have one manual from Lyman and the one thin one that was in my Lee classic press but I have to get several more. When I load I weigh every 5th charge to be sure I don't over charge or under charge. Thanks for your help
For target shooting i'd start with 7.5gr. unique/universal with 250gr. cast bullet. 9.0gr can be a little stout to start with.
I like universal over unique beause it is cleaner. Give Trail Boss a try. Eric
I like universal over unique beause it is cleaner. Give Trail Boss a try. Eric
J Miller
Blackhawk
Besides checking my powder measure ever 5 or 10 rounds, usually 10, I also do a visual inspection of each and every case while they are lined up in the cartridge tray. Hold them under a light and compare each one to the one beside it. You will quickly see any that have too much or too little powder in it.VA Shooter said:
That is the one step I am anal about.
Joe
2Late45
Single-Sixer
Being a frugal,(cheap) reloader, I use Bullseye for most of my hand-gunning. 9mm,.38spcl,.45acp. I've switched to Unique for .357 plinking, and also for .45 Colt.
I tried Bullseye under a 236gr RNWC and didn't have much luck in the accuracy dept., plus the Blackhawk just seemed to heat-up too fast. I believe I was using 6grs of powder.
I'm only using 1 1/2gr more of Unique with the same cast bullet, so the economy is still pretty close...
I tried Bullseye under a 236gr RNWC and didn't have much luck in the accuracy dept., plus the Blackhawk just seemed to heat-up too fast. I believe I was using 6grs of powder.
I'm only using 1 1/2gr more of Unique with the same cast bullet, so the economy is still pretty close...
J Miller
Blackhawk
2Late45,
Have you ever tried Winchester 231? It's just a wee bit slower than Bullseye but is from my experience considerably more flexible.
I use it for when I want a fast burning powder.
Joe
Have you ever tried Winchester 231? It's just a wee bit slower than Bullseye but is from my experience considerably more flexible.
I use it for when I want a fast burning powder.
Joe
2Late45
Single-Sixer
No I haven't yet. A friend has been trying to get me to experiment a bit more. My eyes aren't what they used to be and I'm more into the center mass of steel plates than I am bulls-eye groups. But I think it may be time for a change, thanks...
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
J MILLER I will be getting some 231 soon form all that I have read about it sounds like good stuff
gerryb158
Single-Sixer
W231 is an absolutely excellent powder particularly in the .45 ACP. Haven't used it much in the .45 Colt but sure it will work just fine. Very clean burning and works great in my RCBS masure. Gerry
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Don't forget that W-231 andd HP-38 are the same powder now and both are sold by Hodgdon. They have the same loading data now. This is not to say that older stocks are exactly the same though. Find whichever is cheaper when purchasing now. 8) 8)gerryb158 said:
...Jimbo
Motex66
Single-Sixer
http://www.cowboy45special.com/
If you want to use Bullseye you might want to try Cowboy 45 Special brass. It has the same deminsons as 45ACP but with a 45 Colt rim.
John
If you want to use Bullseye you might want to try Cowboy 45 Special brass. It has the same deminsons as 45ACP but with a 45 Colt rim.
John
OP
VA Shooter
Single-Sixer
Anybody tried this Cowboy 45 special brass ?
Never used Bullseye for any caliber. I like lots of powder in my cases. Unique is still 'the' powder for .45 Colt in my mind. I like 8.5g myself under 250/255 grain lead bullet. I've had good results with Trail Boss, Green Dot, IMR 4227, 231, 2400, hs-6, and Power Pistol, but always come around to good o' Unique. That said, I do use a 20g 4227 load with a mag primer pushing a 250 RNFP or 255g SWC exclusively in my .45 Colt Vaquero as it seems to shoot better with this powder. Go Figure.
gerryb158
Single-Sixer
.45 Cowboy Special brass is available from Adirondack Jack's Trading Post in upstate New York. Look up <cowboy45special.com> for details. I have loaded 200 or so but have not had a chance to get to the range to try them out. Should be equal performance to the .45 ACP. The brass looks to be very good quality and (I think) is manufactured by Starline. I like the "variety" available with the various .45 cal. cartridges and with the "convertable" cylinders you can have quite a few options. In fact you can have several options without changing the cylinder from .45 Colt and the "CowboySpecial" is one of them. There are lots of war stories floated around about Bullseye powder blowing up guns. I'll tell you for a fact it was not the powder that damaged the gun but careless reloading. Period. Bullseye is a great reloading powder for light to moderate loads and has been around for many many decades. Use proper care and you will have no problems with it. Gerry
