45 Colt load suggestions.

[Saguaro Kid]

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]

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]

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

 

[WESHOOT2]

I'm going to recommend W296 (apparently it is now also the exact same as H110).


And finishing with the superior Redding Profile Crimp die.

 

[COR]

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.

 

[Saguaro Kid]

Thanks guys.

 

[Bucks Owin]

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]

18 gr. of alliant 2400 should be close. I don't think I'd use 296 for a medium load. Too touchy.

 

[pvtschultz]

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]

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]

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.

 

[WESHOOT2]

IME HS6 is better than Unique for that bullet weight / speed range.

 

[MAC702]

My Ruger-only loads are Accurate #7. Work your loads up!

I plan to try Accurate #9 next.

 

[WESHOOT2]

(I found AA9 gave incomplete burn at reduced pressure/velocity in 45 Colt. Great when pushed harder under heavy bullets.)

 

[comanche]

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.

 

[okierugershooter]

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]

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]

8 grains of Unique and a 200 grain LSWC have always been real accurate for me.

 

[Bucks Owin]

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....