45 Colt load suggestions.

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Saguaro Kid

Bearcat
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
17
Location
Arkansas
Hey fellas, I got some Starline brass, WLP, and some 280 grain Beartooth bullets.
I'm new to reloading the 45 Colt and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good powder and good starting load? I'd like to get around 1K fps. Gotta 4" Redhawk.

Thanks, Kid
 

Two Dogz

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
24
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Not sure if a Redhawk can handle "Ruger Only" loads or not so you will need to find out before you start.

That being said my Lee reloading manual lists a "Ruger Only load" for a 280gr cast bullet as such

Accur #9, 15.8gr start 17.5gr MAX for 998/1134 fps
Accur #7, 12.6gr start 14.0gr MAX for 940/1068 fps
Accur #5, 9.9gr start 11.0gr MAX for 891/1012 fps

It also cautions to insure that minimum overall length or longer be maintained. MOL being 1.60"

Hope that helps you out and I am sure some knowledgeable Redhawk loader will inform both of us as to whether or not it can handle this type of load.

Cheers
 

flatgate

Hawkeye
Joined
Jun 18, 2001
Messages
6,784
Location
Star Valley, WY
Buy at least two "big name" reloading manuals and read 'em!

Learn about burning rates of powder. Learn about bullet selection, including C.O.L., "powder space" and bullet weights.

A Ruger Redhawk can digest some amazing loads but one needs to know his "stuff" prior to jumping on the bandwagon.

JMHO,

flatgate
 

COR

Blackhawk
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
850
Location
Pittsburgh, Pa
9 or 10grs of Unique will give you a lot of loads per pound and the velocity you desire, get the accuracy first then worry about the speed, even at 900fps it will do as much killin' as most need...I use Win LP primers.
 

Bucks Owin

Hunter
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
3,196
Location
51st state of Jefferson
flatgate":18c5r72n said:
Buy at least two "big name" reloading manuals and read 'em!

Learn about burning rates of powder. Learn about bullet selection, including C.O.L., "powder space" and bullet weights.

A Ruger Redhawk can digest some amazing loads but one needs to know his "stuff" prior to jumping on the bandwagon.

JMHO,

flatgate
Excellent advice amigo! Keep yer SR4759 dry... 8) Dennis
 

catfish621

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Messages
100
Location
Va.
18 gr. of alliant 2400 should be close. I don't think I'd use 296 for a medium load. Too touchy.
 

pvtschultz

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
553
Location
West Allis, WI, USA
I vote for H4227. Hodgdon's has a great online load data compilation. 20 grains will get you about what you're looking for and it should be very mild shooting. It can be a bit dirty at this reduced charge, I prefer a magnum primer (CCI 350) to help light it off, but very good shooting.
 

Saguaro Kid

Bearcat
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
17
Location
Arkansas
On the Beartooth bullet web sight they suggest 12.2 grains of Unique behind their 280 bullet? :shock: What are your views on that?
 

45 Colt

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 12, 2006
Messages
17
What I've used in my RH,the pressures were way up next to the 454 operating pressures with a 320gr JDJ.(44 mag)
Chronographed only 6.
Won't say what grains of H110.Too dangerous.Believe me.
The gun held together OK.Mine is a stainless model.
You should be able to get to 1,000 FPS with published loads.
But the loads don't have to be romp-em-stomp-em wrist breaking loads.
Anywhere from 900 FPS to about 1400 FPS will be a game getter,as long as the loads are accurate,and just as important,is bullet placement.
About another thing,is how comfortable you are shooting at XX yards.
Then,when everything comes together,it's practice,practice,practice.
My best to you.
SK,I was trying to find that load on Beartooth's site.
Didn't find it.
I'd suggest like another member;buy 2 manuals,Speer,Hornady....There are others.
Remember,every gun is an individual.It will tell you what it likes or dislikes.
 

comanche

Bearcat
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
79
Location
Austin
I agree with Weshoot; HS-6 is an excellent powder for pushing your 280gr. Beartooths @ approx. 1000fps.
Somewhere in the 11 to 12grain range, you will find that Sweet Spot.
As always, check your manuals and work up carefully.
 
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
11
Location
Okla. City
The first thing you need to do is slug the throats on that RH to see what size they are, chances are they will be under .452. Slug the bore while you are at it.
Bore and throat dia. need to be equal or the throats .001-.002 bigger than bore.
If the throats are smaller than the bore, you will get soem amoung of leading.
 

Bucks Owin

Hunter
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
3,196
Location
51st state of Jefferson
As mentioned earlier, around 11 grs of HS-6 should get your 280 gr pills in the neighborhood of 1000fps. I'm not a big fan of HS-6 for bullets above 250 grs but then I like to push my projectiles somewhat faster than 1000 fps. I have yet to experiment much with SR 4759 in the .45 Blackhawk but LOVED a charge of 20.0 grs of it behind a 225 gr RCBS boolit in my old 10" Flattop .44 at 1323 av vel. It was the most accurate silhouette load I ever fed that old sweetheart. I haven't been able to get HS-6 to achieve the extremely uniform velocities (at less than "full tilt" charges) that I got with 4759. But hey.....load development is FUN! For "heavy" bullets (270 gr and up) LilGun meets my approval in .44/.45 loads.....(FWIW)
 

Tenbore

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
425
Location
Oregon
8 grains of Unique and a 200 grain LSWC have always been real accurate for me.
 

Bucks Owin

Hunter
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
3,196
Location
51st state of Jefferson
That 4" tube is gonna need something in the HS-6 range for 1000 fps I suspect, maybe even something faster. I'd normally use a slower powder with that bullet weight, I don't like fast powders with "heavy" boolits in big cases...(Or 4" barrels for that matter, just my whims) Weshoot likes HS-6 I know and he'll "shoot ya straight" on it's use. I cooked up some .44 mag recipes of his that performed as advertised in my ol' Flattop....
 
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