Reloading the 45 Colt: Ruger Single Action

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Danny

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 18, 2007
Messages
186
Location
NE Ohio
Considering getting a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. I am already setup for 44 Magnum and 45 ACP. I use H110 and Universal. It seems like I have seen 45 Colt loads here and there with those powders, but not as often as others, at least where I have looked. I would like to load jacketed bullets weighing 240 grains and upwards. Will I be ok with these powders, or will they be a compromise? I would be interested in the Ruger level loads.

Only interested in using H110 and Universal.

Danny
 
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noahmercy

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 13, 2015
Messages
741
Location
Sheridan, WY
I have loaded more H110/Win296 (same powder) for full-boogie 45 Colt than any other powder. I lean towards 300 grain bullets and up, and that powder give some of the top velocities with the heavies. I do highly recommend a magnum primer with 110/296, as I have read some horror stories from reputable sources about poor ignition in cold weather with standard primers.

I have no experience loading Universal in the 45 Colt.
 

deac45

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
447
Location
NW Georgia
Here's my latest adventures with Universal and a 250 gr LHP. Haven't run it over a chrono yet, but I'm guesstimating around 900 fps.
 

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Danny

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 18, 2007
Messages
186
Location
NE Ohio
I have loaded more H110/Win296 (same powder) for full-boogie 45 Colt than any other powder. I lean towards 300 grain bullets and up, and that powder give some of the top velocities with the heavies. I do highly recommend a magnum primer with 110/296, as I have read some horror stories from reputable sources about poor ignition in cold weather with standard primers.

I have no experience loading Universal in the 45 Colt.
Looks like I am ok. I forgot that H110/Win296 were considered load alikes. I was seeing Win296 loads. I only require brass bullets and dies.

Danny
 

Rclark

Hunter
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
3,533
Location
Butte, MT
Universal will work fine. Load like you do Unique. I currently use Green Dot for my general purpose load, and HS-6 for a Tier 2 woods load (23K). Tier 3 (30K) is Ruger only loads... where I don't need/never needed to go. I am sure H110/W296 will work fine for your 'hot' Tier 3 Loads. People seem to like that powder for that application.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,142
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
When I decide to start a loading process,, I take the gun, see what bullet weight is "normally" produced for shooting from the list of factory offerings. (Example, in 45 Colt,, 250 grn is about normal.)
Then, I study the powders used.
Next,, I start the loading process, to see just what MY gun likes. And since each gun can be different,, I'm always concerned with a few TOP priority issues.
(1) Safety.
(2) Accuracy.
Everything else falls behind those two.

As an oldtimer once said; "I'd rather be accurate with a powder puff load, than missing with a cannon load."
 

Enigma

Hunter
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
2,511
Location
Houston metro area, TX
Danny, you probably already know this, but the mid-frame flattop Blackhawks and Vaqueros (with a 3-digit serial number prefix) are not suitable for the Ruger-only .45 Colt loads. They are suited for loads up to the same pressure level as .45 ACP +P, or around 21,000 PSI. The large frame (2-digit SN prefix) guns are suited for the barn-burners, should one choose to do so.
 

kcsteve

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
208
Look up some of Paco Kellys loads.....theyll make your fingers quiver
Never been a fan of the hot loads. Middle range loads is what I load.
If I get the urge to shoot something hot, I'll bring out the 500 Mag.
That will cure your itch for something hot.
 

GasGuzzler

Hunter
Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
2,794
Location
DFW Area, Texas
There's no reason to use H110/W296 (magnum powder) in the .45 Colt unless you want a magnum load. It doesn't like being loaded up and down as much as 12 other better choices for middle loads.
 

protoolman

Service-Sixer
Joined
Oct 15, 2001
Messages
2,553
Location
MN and MT
With my 320 gr hard cast loads. I get good accuracy with 4227. Top end loads. If reduced accuracy suffers. My load gets 1340 fps out of a 4 5/8 Blackhawk.
 

dwayne

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
285
Location
Eastern Virginia
Can't go wrong with 4227 if you can find some. It's my 45 Colt "go-to" powder in everything from a SAA to a M83 FA. Shot some yesterday.
 
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