45 colt with Universal Clays?

[triker]

I know this has been hashed over before, but I need to find out again, as none of my loading books have a lot of info on this load. I am using MBC, 255 gr., SWC and want to use with Universal. I have heard that it is close to Unique, and Unique is what I use now. Just how much should I adjust the Universal? I am loading 7.5 and 8.0 now with Unique. Or at least close to those as what measure drops. I have a medium frame Blackhawk and a large frame Blackhawk. Hate to go much over 8.0 for the medium as what books I have says 8.5 max. What is a good overall medium load with Universal? thx triker

 

[45Colt_Man]

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Dana

 

[triker]

Thanks Dana, but already been there and don't really tell me squat. They had one load for lead with 250 gr and that was all. None for 260 gr other than one with jacketed. None for 255. It was 6.5-7.8, for the 250 lead, gotta be more than that. triker

 

[rburke]

Hi triker:

I have Quickload software, (5) 45 colt guns and use H. Universal. These are some of my moderate loads. All my .45 colts are Rugers and TC's. Data calculated for 6" barrel.
8.5/Universal/255 lead 973 fps & 14,207 PSI
9.0/Universal/255 lead 1011 fps & 15670 PSI
9.5/Universal/255 lead 1046 fps & 17197 PSI

My 45 colts have consumed Everything from Nitro 100 to H4198 and EVERYTHING in between. Never
a problem. Any more info needed, email [email protected] Dick Burke, reloading since 1958,
bullet casting since 1960.

 

[ScottZ]

I just loaded up some 255 gr rnfp with 8 gr of Universal. Not bad, but not as strong as I had hoped.

 

[jeffnles1]

Given most of what I "kill" with my 45LC are either steel plates or paper, I don't push the limit. 8gr under a 250 / 255gr LRNFP or LSWC is my standard load. I sometimes go up to 8.5 and have loaded as much as 9. None of these are what I would call hot loads. The 8gr is very accurate in both my carbine (Rossi 92) and my Vaquero.

Jeff

 

[rburke]

You may be wondering what Quickload thinks is a max Universal load. I shoot up to 25,000PSI loads. 11.5 gr Universal under a 255 gr Lead bullet generates 23,968 PSI and 1178 fps. I think 9.0 is the highest I have been in any of my 45 colts.
Personally when I am at 22 to 25K PSI in a strong 45 Colt, like my 4" Redhawk, it is likely due to H110, 2400 or Power Pistol. I get almost as much fun with Quickload as shooting. Plus Quickload does not consume primers and powder, good thing these days.

PS; I pay little attention to overall length because I do not have to. More important, bullet seating depth in all these loads was 0.250" which makes for a slightly larger case to work with. Also all my Rugers have had throating jobs so that .452 bullets can be used. I use only Starline brass.

 

[Rclark]

My test results with Unique and Universal with .45 Colt

8.0g Unique, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 922fps
8.0g Universal, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 935fps

8.5g Unique, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 970fps
8.5g Universal, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 984fps

9.0g Unique, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 1021fps
9.0g Universal, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 1013fps

Need to run the same same tests on the 255g SWCs but as you can see .... the 'same'. I use it interchangeably.

When using Unique/Universal, I load 8.5g under either the 250g RNFP or 255g SWC.


In .44Mag, the same results hold true... For example,

8.5g Unique, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1053fps
8.5g Universal, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1056fps

In .44 Special, For example,

7.5g Unique, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1033fps
7.5g Universal, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1037fps

In .357, for example,

6.0g Unique, 158g SWC, CCI-300, 1082fps
6.0g Universal, 158g SWC, CCI-300, 1096fps


And so it goes....

 

[Hammerdown77]

Use the online data for the 250 grain lead bullet.

250 GR. CAST LRNFP
Bullet Weight (Gr.)
Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
Universal .452" 1.600" 6.5 742 9,200 CUP 7.8 941 13,000 CUP


I've used 7.5, 8.0, and 8.5 grains, with a 250 grain RNFP and a 255 LSWC (both from Missouri Bullet). They all shot into 2" at 25 yards out of my Blackhawk.

 

[sourdough44]

Thanks for the chroney numbers.