I like using 300 grain hard casts in the 45 colt (and 44 mag) but I'm trying to limit the load to 950-1000 fps. Can I use H110 or W296 to get that lighter load or is there a better powder for that. Is standard large pistol primers fine? Thanks. I haven't reloaded in several years but may need to get back to it to get what I want in loads.
I like 45 Colt and 300 grain Hard Casts, Load?
- Thread starter Bear Paw Jack
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SweetWilliam
Buckeye
Some links I saved
http://www.handloads.com/articles/?id=5
http://sixguns.com/tests/index.html
http://www.handloads.com/articles/?id=5
http://sixguns.com/tests/index.html
What gun are you loading for? You can try 2400. It has a nice pressure curve without getting a big spike with warmer loads. 2400 needs good neck tension and a firm crimp. I would shoot for .003 to .005 neck tension. Have you measured your throats? I would not use too hard a bullet. I would not go over a BHN of 11. What brand sizing die? I like the Redding dual carbide ring.
I have some data from my Ruger Alaskan tests using 300 gr. hard cast with 10.4 gr. of Unique which gave me 930-960 FPS out of the 2.5 inch barrel.
Same load out of my Rossi Ranch Hand with 9 inch barrel was in the 1160's.
Also testing a 250 gr. XTP bullet in my Alaskan... 20 gr. of 2400 powder gave me same speeds in the 1100 FPS range as 11 gr. of Unique.
Same load out of my Rossi Ranch Hand with 9 inch barrel was in the 1160's.
Also testing a 250 gr. XTP bullet in my Alaskan... 20 gr. of 2400 powder gave me same speeds in the 1100 FPS range as 11 gr. of Unique.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
It is not recommended to reduce H-110 that much. I would use a different powder. Consider Blue Dot or Accurate #7 or #9 or even Unique or Universal to get that 300gr bullet to 950-1000fps. It would still be above standard 45 colt pressure but well below 30,000psi Ruger only type loads.
Sakoluvr said:
I have a Ruger Alaskan 454, Ruger Bisley 45 Colt, NM Blackhawk 45 Colt Full size. NM Vaqueros original, 45 Colt. About a half dozen or so 45 Colts no New Vaqueros. I have RCBS dies. Planning on using Cast Performance 300 grain LBT LFNGC.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
I remember Herco being a good powder in the medium speed category for those loads.
It always comes back to the Hercules shotgun powders. There is a recipe to make just about anything desired in a large caliber, medium velocity load.
contender
Ruger Guru
Lots of good info above. But reducing H110 or 296 is not recommended. For the results you are seeking,,, look close at Unique.
45Colt_Man
Blackhawk
John Linebaugh says 13.0 of HS-6 will give you 1000 fps.
One of favorite loads for 265 to 300 grain cast.
Dana
One of favorite loads for 265 to 300 grain cast.
Dana
BPJ,
Unique would be my choice.
Unique would be my choice.
Seems like I recently picked up some Unique. May have to check out the HS-6 as well.
How much Unique?
Thanks for some good answers.
How much Unique?
Thanks for some good answers.
I used 9 grains of Unique with a 300 grain cast .452 bullet in my old large frame Blackhawk .45 Colt 7 1/2". It was accurate and an easy shooting load that worked well in that particular gun. It took one four point mule deer with a broadside shoulder shot at about 45 yards several years ago. The bullet went right through and was not found.
SweetWilliam
Buckeye
In 45colt 300gr. cast non GC I use 18gr. of 2400 and for 44mag 16gr. of 2400.
IMO one of the most accurate 300gr. cast bullets for both calibers is the Silhouette style bullet.
I do use Unique in 44 & 45 for my 240gr./250gr. cast loads. 8.5grs./9grs.
IMO one of the most accurate 300gr. cast bullets for both calibers is the Silhouette style bullet.
I do use Unique in 44 & 45 for my 240gr./250gr. cast loads. 8.5grs./9grs.
I am using my own 340 grain cast WFN in my 5 1/2 Bisley and 7 1/2 Bisley Hunter with 18.5 grns of 2400, they run over 1200 fps in both guns. I have tried to back it down and have found the more I do, the bigger the groups get. I run very tight necks and use a Profile Crimp for and a very hard crimp, but I have found even with 250 grain slugs 2400 is more like H-110 and 296 in the fact it does not like backed off, if you are looking for absolute accuracy.
In my own results working for the velocity you are wanting and getting optimum accuracy Unique is going to be hard to beat, for lighter bullets WW-231. Both of these powders seem to give absolute accuracy with less than full pressure loads for me. I think either would provide between 950 and 1100 fps while maintaining excellent accuracy, they are my turn to powders. I'd start around 8.5 grains and work up to 10 gains "if pressure signs allow". Every gun is going to have a difference preference for best accuracy,, which is my main goal with any load.
I have also gotten some good results with Red dot with reduced cast loads and excellent accuracy to get my 270 gr. cast HP to that 950 to 1000 fps second to give me the speeds I need for these HP's to mushroom fully and retain their diameter and weight on small pigs and deer.
In my own results working for the velocity you are wanting and getting optimum accuracy Unique is going to be hard to beat, for lighter bullets WW-231. Both of these powders seem to give absolute accuracy with less than full pressure loads for me. I think either would provide between 950 and 1100 fps while maintaining excellent accuracy, they are my turn to powders. I'd start around 8.5 grains and work up to 10 gains "if pressure signs allow". Every gun is going to have a difference preference for best accuracy,, which is my main goal with any load.
I have also gotten some good results with Red dot with reduced cast loads and excellent accuracy to get my 270 gr. cast HP to that 950 to 1000 fps second to give me the speeds I need for these HP's to mushroom fully and retain their diameter and weight on small pigs and deer.
I will be setting up for .45 Colt loads soon after I complete my .44 Mag loads and was thinking of using the 300 gr. bullets from Better Bullets. Their 250 and 255 gr. bullets have worked well for what I do which is clanging the steel. Will be using Unique for these to get in the 900 FPS range out of my Ruger Bisley Blackhawk.
dwayne
Single-Sixer
21.5 grains of 4227 gets me right around 1000 fps from my 6.5" FA, too.
