Plinker for 45 Colt

[Tellico]

I have read a couple of posts in the past where someone gave up on light bullets in the 45 Colt, but! If you want an accurate 25 yd plinker try this one.
200 SWC with 6.5 gr Trail Boss crimped over the shoulder of the bullet instead of leaving a bit sticking out. (No feeding problem with revolver) :D Sure not bragging on my 50 yd or 100 yd shooting. The load may do better. I was going to shoot 12 at 50yds but then got the bright idea to try 100yds after 8 rds. Only had 23 rds loaded. Will be trying more for sure. May try taper crimping these with my ACP crimp die also.

 

[gregs45auto]

I am shooting a Lee 200gr. RF with titegroup or Unique. Used the taper crimp off my 45 acp. My new play toy. :) greg

 

[WIL TERRY]

SHUCKS, for the life of me I do NOT understand why anyone would want to shoot anything lighter than 250-255GR bullets in the 45COLT.

 

[contender]

Now now Wil,,, different strokes for different folks.

And I have met shooters who due to injuries, or age etc, who have found more pleasure in milder loads.
Remember,,, if it's not fun,, why do it?

 

[Hammerdown77]

SHUCKS, for the life of me I do NOT understand why anyone would want to shoot anything lighter than 250-255GR bullets in the 45COLT.

Maybe 'cause you gots a whole BUNCH of 200 grain semi-wadcutters and have stopped shooting your 1911 because a 45 Colt single action is just so much more fun.

Eh? EH?

Those are GREAT groups you shot there. I've been wondering how that load would shoot in my fixed sight SAA replicas. I was concerned they would shoot too low. Did you have to adjust your sights (or use more holdover) when you shot these?

 

[Rclark]

Those are GREAT groups you shot there.

Understatement. A ransom rested gun couldn't do better! I assume these weren't shot single handed with other hand in back pocket? :) .

I've shot the 200g TC in .45 APC out of my convertibles with good results, but have since moved to 250g RNFP for .45 ACP so POI stays same when I change cylinders. Never have shot 200g bullets out of .45 Colt, but sure looks like you found a winner!

 

[VA Shooter]

I wish I could shoot that good. Quess I need to shoot more that's a good thing

 

[Tellico]

SHUCKS, for the life of me I do NOT understand why anyone would want to shoot anything lighter than 250-255GR bullets in the 45COLT.

I just like to tinker and try stuff. I shot plenty of 270gr SAA's with 24.5 gr 4227 that day too. These grouped better though. I do have a bunch of 200 gr SWC's because I shoot them in my 45 ACP. When you are retired you have time to try stuff. :lol:

 

[Tellico]

Those are GREAT groups you shot there.

Understatement. A ransom rested gun couldn't do better! I assume these weren't shot single handed with other hand in back pocket? :) .

I've shot the 200g TC in .45 APC out of my convertibles with good results, but have since moved to 250g RNFP for .45 ACP so POI stays same when I change cylinders. Never have shot 200g bullets out of .45 Colt, but sure looks like you found a winner!

That was shot with a 9 1/2" 454 Super Redhawk off some old canvas shot bags full of sand. Remember shot bags? :lol:
Recoil is similar to 22 mag. in a single six.

 

[Tellico]

Those are GREAT groups you shot there. I've been wondering how that load would shoot in my fixed sight SAA replicas. I was concerned they would shoot too low. Did you have to adjust your sights (or use more holdover) when you shot these?[/quote]

Thanks. I was using a 6 o'clock hold on the orange dot so thay do shoot high.
At 100 yds I was trying to hold dead on the dot. It was very windy which may be the lateral disbursement at 50 yds. the hundred I waited for lulls in wind so that is just my bad. :lol:

 

[gregs45auto]

We will now get into which flavor of ice cream is best! As I'm a tightwad, I shoot the same 200 gr. in my 1911. I also shoot 38 special in my 357 mag :D Shoot'm if you gotim. greg.

 

[Dale53]

I have a SS Ruger .45 ACP/.45 Colt Convertible so shoot the 200 gr SWC out of my .45 ACP cylinder for EXCELLENT results. It is a pleasurable load in every way. The advantage of the .45 ACP cylinder is that there is MUCH less useless space in the case when shooting light target loads.

Dale53

 

[Tommy F]

Agree, working with different loads is very pleasurable. I picked up a RH45C and SRH454 just for load testing.

 

[dennie]

Tried some of the 200gr LSWC in new Win. cases. Crimped them just over the shoulder as recommended. My NM Blackhawk loved them, my Colt SAA and Vaquero really liked them. The downside was how filthy my brass and guns were after only a few rounds. Looked like I had been shooting black powder. I was using bullets made by Vance. Maybe the lube was responsible, don't know. Do you have the same problem with your loads?
dennie

 

[gregs45auto]

Dennie: You did not say how fast your loads were. If the brass doen't seal to cylinder, you may be getting dirt from powder. I load at @ 900 fps, dirty cases are minimal. hth greg

 

[dennie]

greg, do not have a chrono, but used OP's load a of 6.5 TB. This should not be a warm load.
dennie

 

[Hammerdown77]

For the next batch, only size the necks of the case (where the bullet will be seated) and see if that helps. Your chambers may be a little oversize, and the load might not be generating enough pressure to expand the brass to prevent blowzy. Not sizing the whole case will leave them "fire formed" to your chambers, allowing for a tighter fit.

Something to try at least.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I had a chance to shoot some of these loads this past weekend.

200 grain LSWC, crimped over the shoulder, over 6.5 grains of Trail Boss.

These were superbly accurate out of my Cimarron Model P (SAA clone), and my Ruger Vaquero.

However, they shot 6+ inches low at 15 yards, offhand, out of the Cimarron with its 5.5" barrel. Windage was dead on. I confirmed the low POI by shooting them rested off a bench as well.

Oddly enough, they shot to point of aim out of the Vaquero, with its 7.5" barrel and un-filed, tall front sight. More barrel "dwell" time I guess?

They had more snap to 'em than I would have expected. Especially out of the lightweight SAA clone. Not what I would consider a "light" load, although I didn't chrono them. Still very easy to shoot though.