Looking for 45LC Load

bisley32

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 10, 2010
Messages
328
City & State/Province
NW KS
Anybody have a"Pet Load",using a 255gr hard cast bullet in a 45Lc?Wanting a clean burning powder.I'm currently using W231 and it's pretty dirty.Just wanting a plinking round,not a hot one,I use jacketed for that.I welcome any and all suggestions.Thanks,Bisley32.
 
231 is "dirty" .... nonsense.

Perhaps compared to a virgin, NIB, unused gun, but it is one of the cleanest powders out there.
Now, the powder fouling does tend to mix with certain bullet lubes and create a gooey sticky grey/black mess. So trying different lubes might help a lot.
A good crimp helps too. 231 likes a nice firm crimp with good neck tension. Doesn't have to be really tight like the big loads, but not loose.

None of which is a problem if you clean your gun.
I shoot a lot of 250-255gr bullets over 7.1grs of 231. Nice factory level load.

Joe
 
It's not a common load, but like 6.0 of Green Dot under a 255 gr cast in my Rugers. Clean burning and duplicates W231 and Unique velocities with 1 grain less powder.
 
I have tried all the new whizz bang powders in the 45 colt funny I always come back to unique,red dot and W231.that said I clean my guns when I come home from the range/hunting.if you don't like cleaning your guns quit shooting.
 
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Pete you have hurt me deeply.:lol: I hate cleaning sixguns so I kinda wipe the off. You wouldn't be happy if you looked in my safe. :wink:
 
As for cleaning guns I've been known to wipe off the outside on the inside of my holster and then worry about it later.

I mean, it's not as if I'm firing black powder with corrosive mercuric priming ........ :)

On the serious side I clean most of my guns within a day or so of coming home. Unless I know I'm going to shoot them in the near future.

Joe
 
I get a lot of shmutz on the outside of my cylinder using 231, too. I think it's a combination of the lube and the powder. I use Missouri Bullet Co. bullets. Wipes right off, though.

That 7.1 grain load is a good all day plinking load. Might try running up to 8 grains under a 250-255 gr. bullet (Linebaugh published load) and see if it cleans up a bit.

I use 231 and Power Pistol for most of my 45 Colt stuff now. 9 grains of PP under a 250-255 bullet is darn near perfect.
 
Tell you the truth, ... I don't care if it is clean burning or not :) . If it gives me the accuracy I am looking for, then I will use it. Also I like a powder that will fill the case at least half way for normal loads. Want dirty? Triple 7 will get you there quick! Unique is squeaky clean in comparison :) . Truthfully I really have not paid much attention. I've used Unique, 2400, Trail Boss, Green Dot, 4227, W231, and probably a few others (about to try Power Pistol) and I still clean my guns (usually) after a range session. Hate to put back in rug case with dirty cylinders....
 
J Miller said:
231 is "dirty" .... nonsense.

Perhaps compared to a virgin, NIB, unused gun, but it is one of the cleanest powders out there.
Now, the powder fouling does tend to mix with certain bullet lubes and create a gooey sticky grey/black mess. So trying different lubes might help a lot.
A good crimp helps too. 231 likes a nice firm crimp with good neck tension. Doesn't have to be really tight like the big loads, but not loose.

None of which is a problem if you clean your gun.
I shoot a lot of 250-255gr bullets over 7.1grs of 231. Nice factory level load.

Joe

I'm with Joe... 231 is all I use for zero-to-sixty handgun loads and I have found it to lead considerable less than Unique or Universal at similar velocities.

But of course if you just don't like 231 there are plenty of others.
 
LAH said:
Pete you have hurt me deeply.:lol: I hate cleaning sixguns so I kinda wipe them off. You wouldn't be happy if you looked in my safe. :wink:

sorry creeker :lol: just spent alot of time in the army :wink: if you looked in my safe you would think I didn't shoot them :lol:
 
txpete said:
LAH said:
Pete you have hurt me deeply.:lol: I hate cleaning sixguns so I kinda wipe them off. You wouldn't be happy if you looked in my safe. :wink:

sorry creeker :lol: just spent alot of time in the army :wink: if you looked in my safe you would think I didn't shoot them :lol:

But I know you do. You're like me, can't help but pull the trigger.
 
Lee Martin said:
It's not a common load, but like 6.0 of Green Dot under a 255 gr cast in my Rugers. Clean burning and duplicates W231 and Unique velocities with 1 grain less powder.

Yep, I like 7.0 grs GD under a 454190 or Lee 252 gr. Accurate plinker/cowboy type load that my young son can shoot accurately...


tek4260: "Linebaugh uses HS-6, and I see why. Try some"

You bet amigo. 13 grs under anything 250ish is a fine all around .45LC load at 1070 fps. 14 grs gets me 1140 fps but 13 just seems like a "right" combo in my 7.5" NMBH and is easy on the brass..

For 1350 fps I use W296... :wink:
 
LAH said:
txpete said:
LAH said:
Pete you have hurt me deeply.:lol: I hate cleaning sixguns so I kinda wipe them off. You wouldn't be happy if you looked in my safe. :wink:

sorry creeker :lol: just spent alot of time in the army :wink: if you looked in my safe you would think I didn't shoot them :lol:

But I know you do. You're like me, can't help but pull the trigger.

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J Miller,the lube thing seems logical.I use several different Win powders in other loads with good results.Although I've never used 231 until now.Plus in my 25 plus years of reloading I've never used cast bullets,always prefered jacketed or copper plated.I had a chance to buy these for $60 per thousand so decided to give them a try.Thanks for the info.

ps
txpete,a special thanks to you.You have proved my late father correct,again.The only thing worse than a "Dumb A$$" is a "Smart A$$"!Makes me wonder if he had the misfortune of meeting you!You keep polishing,and I'll keep hunting and shooting.Enough said!
 
bisley32 said:
J Miller,the lube thing seems logical.I use several different Win powders in other loads with good results.Although I've never used 231 until now.Plus in my 25 plus years of reloading I've never used cast bullets,always prefered jacketed or copper plated.I had a chance to buy these for $60 per thousand so decided to give them a try.Thanks for the info.

ps
txpete,a special thanks to you.You have proved my late father correct,again.The only thing worse than a "Dumb A$$" is a "Smart A$$"!Makes me wonder if he had the misfortune of meeting you!You keep polishing,and I'll keep hunting and shooting.Enough said!

bisley its ass hats like you that keep this place going.its like my father told me there are lots of idiots in this world and you will meet your fair share and he was right.
 
I load 13 grains of HS-6 under the RCBS 270 SAA that i cast. Sized and lubed it's right at 282 grains. Works great.

Tom
 
GAR said:
I load 13 grains of HS-6 under the RCBS 270 SAA that i cast. Sized and lubed it's right at 282 grains. Works great.

Tom

I have the same load (well, MP version, 275-289 grs) ready to test. Did you happen to run some through the "speed trap"?

(Also have some with 24 grs W296)
 
Not as of yet.
Did run some of the "Ruger Only" across the graph.
1144fps avg for the 310gr Penta hp out of my Redhawk.
Think that is enough speed.

Those MP Molds are sweeeet!
Did cast some of the solids from the same mold this morning. Going to have to wait to get to the range to test them.

Tom
 
Dirty? Hmm, I've never used 231 in the .45 Colt so can't comment on that. For the .45 I use both Universal and HS 6 in some loads but my most used load is still 8.5 grs of that old "dirty" Unique under a 250/255 gr lead bullet with a good firm crimp. Don't seem all that dirty to me. :)
 
btrumanj said:
Dirty? Hmm, I've never used 231 in the .45 Colt so can't comment on that. For the .45 I use both Universal and HS 6 in some loads but my most used load is still 8.5 grs of that old "dirty" Unique under a 250/255 gr lead bullet with a good firm crimp. Don't seem all that dirty to me. :)

Linebaugh's favored plinker uses 8 grs 231....I like 7 grs clean burning Green Dot/Lee 252 bullet for /plinking/cowboy use. Groups under 2", plenty accurate for CAS games IMO... Even though obsolique now says "cleaner burning" on the container, I don't see much improvement personally. UNQ is still somewhat dirty and 2400 can't match W296 for velocity....JMO :wink:
I much like 13 grs HS6 for an "all around packing load" with that bullet, gets 1070 fps in my 7.5" BH and is economical to load, pleasant to shoot, and accurate...
Full tilt? W296... :wink:
(No flies on SR 4759 either.... :) )

IMHO, Unq and 2400 were great 50 years ago....Now, not so much, and I really can't see the popularity anymore except for maybe "nostalgia" and because "uncle Elmer" used them....... :?
 
Does anyone have that special load using 250 gr cast & Trail Boss powder?
I just bought some & want to load some to try. All those cowboys seem to like it! 8)

My favorite powders in .45c is Universal, & Green Dot,....so far. 8)
Like Trump states, "your allowed to change your mind." Woops,...I'm getting off topic. (watching CNN) :lol:
 
Here is a discussion of Trail Boss and loads we had awhile back.... Might be helpful :) .

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/27860-trail-boss-7.html
 
I didn't like Trail Boss. It would not drop consistent from my powder measure.

If I used it I would use a Lee Dipper. Faster than all the hangups. No powder, doubble powder, light powder, extra powder. Good greif what a mess.

I would use any of the above powders before Trail Boss. Might work others but I gave up on it.

John
 
I just tried some true blue with the 255's and was very pleasantly surprised. But one needs to be very careful it would be very easy to double charge a case
 
Motex66,....

I loaded some .45 ACP cartridges the other day with 4.7 grs. Trail Boss powder & a 200 gr SWC cast bullet. I was using my Lee pro-disk powder measure to load. I weighed every 10'th charge & found it to be consistant.
Once in awhile it would spit out a doughnut or two at me.... :lol:

Now to load some .357 mag., & 45 colt powder puff, or should that be doughnut loads.... :roll: :wink:

Rclark,...Thanks for the link,....good info! :)
 
Ruffbird I expect that it just don't like my Hornady powder measure. Very inconsistent. Maybe time for a new measure.

John
 
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