I've loaded up to 8.3 gr of modern Unique in the .45 Colt, with a LSWC sized .452 and got 829 fps for an avg. of 5 shots through my 4-5/8" N. Vaquero. (I chrono'd them myself.) With Winchester 231, I've tried 7.5 gr and got 823 fps, an avg. of 5 shots through the same gun, and with a pleasing 36 fps extreme spread too. Both loads will keep a cylinder full in 2" at 25 yds, if I blacken the sights! I don't bother much with the Unique load, unless it's already in the hopper; for the most part Win. 231 fills my need in most calibers...it meters well through my Dillons, and gives me superb accuracy in all of the .45's, .44 Spl and Magnums, .41 Magnum, as well as .38 Spl and .357. I use it up to about 1100 fps in the magnums, and find that it's at its best between 800 and 1000 fps in revolver cases. I haven't gone up to 8.0 gr of Winchester 231, but I respect Taffin's OK on this load. All said and done, it would be best to check a current loading manual....Hodgen's web site lists 7.3 gr of 231 or HP38 as max with a 250 gr lead alloy bullet (as of ten minutes ago). My loads, listed above, work well in my guns; they're superbly accurate, in the way I assemble them....your results may differ...be safe and work up slowly.
Those Flat Tops shoot very well...hope Ruger didn't undersize your cylinder throats...on my NV, they were .450 to .451"...cylindersmith.com fixed that..they're a nice round .4525" now, perfect for lead alloy or jacketed.
HTH's Rodfac
