Final Check for 45 Colt Load

[November]

Hey fellas,
I just wanted to run this recipe by any experienced 45 Colt reloaders before I reload for the first time tomorrow. I've been to Alliant's website to verify the safety of the load in my Uberti Cattleman and I've read everything I can find for the last couple of weeks. Here's the load:

9 to 9.2 grains of Unique under a 250 LRN or 255 LSWC bullet. I'm using new Starline brass and CCI 300 primers.

Does this set off alarm bells for anyone, or am I good to go with this loading? All opinions welcome.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

I would back off that load a bit You are over max according to SAAMI . Start out with 7.5 grains and work up from there most agree that 8.5 is the new max especially for the Italian guns IMHO

 

[dougader]

Yeah, Lyman 49th says 8.2 to 8.5 MAX with Unique

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

In my 5 1/2" Colts and Rugers 9.5 Unique behind a 250 SWC chronographs at 1000 fps. 8.5 Unique gives 900 fps. In my experience, the 9.5 load is strong, but not too much for a standard size 45 Colt revolver, the 8.5 load is pretty "the standard".

 

[tek4260]

I doubt it would take it apart, but 9.2 grains will show any weakness in the frame/cylinder bushing and may beat it loose quicker than a lesser load. In something like a stainless New Vaquero, I doubt this would happen due to the hardness of the cylinder and frame.

 

[DGW1949]

I aint saying that 9+ grains of Unique under a 255 bullet is too much for your gun, but I am saying that there aint much point in loading that much. It won't do a thing that 8.0-8.5 won't do just as well.....and you'll probably find your best accuracy before you pass 8.5 anyway.

As a point of reference:
My own EMF Hartford (Uberti) SAA has upwards of 40K rounds through it, most of which have been the "standard" 8.0 Unique/255 lead-bullet loading which has been used since before anyone alive today was even born. To date it hasn't broken a single part and the only thing that I've done maintence-wise is install one cyl-bushing shim and a set of Wolff springs.

What I'm getting at here is that if you're going to fool with a .45LC SAA revolver, you'll get your best results by just letting it be what it is and do your hot-rodding with a Ruger.

Hope this helps.

DGW

 

[powder smoke]

Personally my 45 colt load with Unique is 8.0 grs under a 255gr Kieth style bullet shoots great moderate velocity and economical. I load some down to 7.0 for my Bond arms derringer still plenty of HP.

For high velocity with heavy bullets I switch to w296 with mag. primers. ps

 

[November]

Thanks everyone. You've convinced me. I'll keep it to 8-ish grains or as near as I can get with these Lee dippers. I'm glad I bounced this off the group.

 

[Rclark]

Yep, 8.0g to 8.5g under 250-255g bullet. I like 8.5g ...
John Taffin loads 8.0g according to his books.

 

[dougader]

I look at it this way, there's no reason for me to put undue strain, or wear and tear on my revolver whether its a Ruger Montado/Vaquero or a Colt SAA.

If I'm hunting then I'll take along the Bisley and push it up a bit. But if I'm punching holes in paper I generally stay within published recommended loads.

Now if I'm fishing where there might be cougar or bear and all I have is a medium framed 45 Colt, I might (and have) bumped it up a bit there, too. But the use of the higher pressure loads are very restricted.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

There is nothing roaming the woods east of the BIG MUDDY that a 255 grain slug at 950 fps can not put down if the shot is placed properly.

I have used a COLT SAA in 45 to take deer hogs and a few black bear using Black Powder.


T J B

 

[Rclark]

Errr... What is a deer hog? A new specie back East ? Sorta like the jackalope we have out here? .

 

[btrumanj]

Although many prefer other powders I still have very good results with 8.5 grs of Unique under a 250 or 255 gr lead bullet. Never seen much sense in upping that load. If you want more power, go to a slower burning powder.

 

[November]

Thanks again for all the input folks. I finally had time to try reloading today, so I did 100 rounds. Using the Lee Classic Loader and taking my sweet old time, I started at 10:30am with the sizing of the cases and seated the last bullet at 3:15pm. I did fifty LSWC (255 gr) and fifty LRNFP (250 gr). Now I just have to find some time to shoot 'em up!

 

[dougader]

Good job. Be sure and let us know how the shooting goes.

EVen though I have a Dillon 550B, lately I have been using my old Hornady single stage press a lot. Like you, I just take my time. The last 100 I loaded took me about 2-1/2 hours but I didn't have anything else to do. I did have to make a powder change because I did 50 with WW231 and 50 others with Blue Dot.

Besides, I find it relaxing. It takes my mind off other things for awhile and I feel like I have accomplished something worthwhile.

 

[November]

I think using the Lee auto-prime hand tool slowed things down. But I really liked using it. So easy to use. I just sat and listened to a bunch of podcasts and the time flew by.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

What load did you decide to start with?

T J B

 

[November]

What load did you decide to start with?

T J B

I used the 1 cc lee dipper for the unique powder, but I didn't fill it to the top of the dipper (which would have been 9.2 grains). I left like 1/8th-inch of room at the top of the dipper. Exact loading? I have no idea but probably about 8 grains. A .9 cc dipper would have come in handy.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I used the 1 cc lee dipper for the unique powder, but I didn't fill it to the top of the dipper (which would have been 9.2 grains). I left like 1/8th-inch of room at the top of the dipper. Exact loading? I have no idea but probably about 8 grains. A .9 cc dipper would have come in handy.

Cut and put a cardboard disk in the bottom of the dipper. Works for me and it isn't permanent. You really could use a scale. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[November]

Cut and put a cardboard disk in the bottom of the dipper. Works for me and it isn't permanent. You really could use a scale. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

Agreed. I'll give the cardboard disk trick a try next time.

 

[SlickRS23]

Yes, you really could use a scale, even when using the dippers.
I have found that the Lee dippers tend to be on the light side.
Lee says their 1.0cc dipper should be 9.2 grains of Unique but I find that it's only 7.8 to 8.0 grains, and I checked that on 2 scales.
My favorite load for the 45 colt is a 1.0cc dipper of Unique and a 250gr lead bullet. easy to shoot and more accurate then me.

Jeff

 

[November]

Yeah, I just ordered a scale and a funnel. I'd like to see what that 1 cc dipper throws for real. If it's around 8 grains, then that would be convenient.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

Good move on the scale .No sense of taking chances. Let us know how the groups go.


T J B