Ruger .45 Colt loads using Hornady 250 gr. XTP bullets?

[Mus408]

While on vacation I picked up couple boxes of Hornady 250 gr. XTP bullets .452 diameter for Colt .45.
I want to load these for Heavy Colt use in my Alaskan .45/.454 2.5 inch barrel revolver.
Have loaded plenty of 250-315. gr. hardcast using 10.5 gr. of Unique and they work very well.
Should 10.5 gr. or 11 gr. work as well for these bullets?
Most load data I have for these uses other powders like 2400.

We were up in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and visited Bud's Gun Shop and Smokey Mt. Knife Co. but found the better selection of reloading components at the BassPro Shop there. They had a good variety of
bullets for Colt .45!

 

[Jimbo357mag]

You might look here. There are a lot of hot 250gr XTP loads.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45%20Colt%20%20P&Weight=250&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

 

[USMC Vet]

Mus408
The Hornady 250 gr. XTP is one of my favorite jacketed bullets for the 45 Colt. My favorite load for this bullet is 23.5 gr. of IMR 4227 for about 1200 f.p.s. out of my 7.5 in. Bisley. This load is acceptable for lg. frame guns only.
It has given me outstanding accuracy. Hope this was of some help.
USMC Vet

 

[SweetWilliam]

Hodgdon Web Page
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Even nuttier than not having a "Mid-Range" load section (given that a great many people find their most enjoyable
shooting of .45 Colt rounds in that nice 900 fps-1100 fps neighborhood). A GREAT many guys shoot the 250 grain XTP
bullets with Win 296/H110, and Hornady doesn't even list a load using this powder with this extremely popular bullet.
Go figure?

H-110/W296 is not a medium pressure powder, that's why. :roll:

 

[Jimbo357mag]

It is a mystery why Hornady would not list Win 296/H110 loads for these two bullets (240 and 250 grain JHPs) in their
"Ruger Only" section, and only include data for their 300 grain HP XTP bullet.

If you want H-110/W296 loads for the 45 colt (ruger only) I suggest you look at the Hodgdon website.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

...as far as the rest of your rant, you are probably right I thought you were talking about medium pressure loads with the above powders. Not recomended.

btw, the OP asked a question about Unique. ...and if it isn't too much trouble could you call me Gilligan instead of a Troll, in line with your Thurston Howell III name calling? Thanks.

 

[Mus408]

Hey guys many thanks for the info!

I'm looking to push this bullet at 1000-1100 FPS out of my Alaskan's 2.5 inch barrel.
I have shot Underwoods 250 gr. XTP +P loads rated at 1450 FPS through this gun and saw chrony speeds in the 1100 FPS range. Have no idea what they use for powder.
It wasn't a hand breaker either shooting these loads as the Alaskan soaks up the hit in it's grip very well.
I will look and see if my local gun shop has some of the other powders y'all have mentioned.

With my 300 gr. hardcast bullets loaded with 10.4 gr. of Unique I was getting 930-960 FPS.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

With my 300 gr. hardcast bullets loaded with 10.4 gr. of Unique I was getting 930-960 FPS.

Why don't you try that same load with the 250gr XTP's and see how that does for you.

 

[Mus408]

Here are some of my 300 gr. "Hammer Heads" loaded with 10.4 gr. of Unique that are just below
1000 FPS (940-960) out of the little Beast. I was also getting 1160 FPS out of my Rossi Ranch Hand with these with 9 inch barrel.

 

[tsubaki]

Noslers load data with their 250gr JHP and Unique.
10.3gr to 11.3gr, 1072fps to 1159fps
http://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/45-colt-ruger-tc-contender-encore/

If it's any help, I'm loading 45colt cases with 18.0gr of 2400 with 250gr XTP's and magnum primers and getting 1100fps from a 6 1/2" barrel.
With the same load, a 24" barrel is doing 1440fps.

 

[tsubaki]

Now, you will note:
My 18.0gr of 2400 at 1100fps from a 6 1/2" barrel differs from Noslers data of 19.0gr of 2400 at 1043fps from a 12" barrel.
Probable difference,
Noslers #43013 250gr JHP is .451".
Hornady's #45200 250gr XTP is .452".

Also I am loading some 262gr cast/powder coated (sized .452") with 18.0gr of 2400 and getting 1130fps from the 6 1/2" barrel.

 

[Mus408]

Very interesting. I'm guessing those are .454 Casull cases. They seem to just swallow up those slugs of yours.
Doesn't leave much bullet left outside of the case mouth.

Gotta say, those Ruger Alaskans are just darn good looking revolvers! I really like the unfluted cylinders.
I hope it does all that you want from it! - DixieBoy

Those are .45 Colt cases. The bullets started out as a heavier slug where I face the head back to get a wide .390 nose and 300 gr. weight.
They cycle well thru my Rossi 1892 Ranch Hand.

 

[Mus408]

Can I use Winchester LP primers with 2400 powder? Box info says for standard or magnum pistol loads.

 

[tsubaki]

The old method was to only use magnum primers with 2400.
Recently in most publications only large pistol is used.

Good example is Hornady's 9th edition: 45colt 250gr XTP with up to 20.8gr of 2400 and using Winchester WLP primers.

 

[eric conrad]

Win. does not have a Mag. LP primer. I refer to the manuals.
Eric

 

[Mus408]

Win. does not have a Mag. LP primer. I refer to the manuals.
Eric

Box says for standard or magnum loads so yes they use them for both.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yup , WLP primers are good for any pistol case/load that uses LP primers but it is best to follow the load manuals recommendations .

 

[Mus408]

Going to load up a few with Unique and 2400 powder and compare results.
I'm thinking with the short barrel the 2400 might be burning as it leaves the barrel...nice fireballs maybe?

 

[daveg.inkc]

Can I use Winchester LP primers with 2400 powder? Box info says for standard or magnum pistol loads.

I use Winchester LP. With 2400. I like 11-13 grs. HS. 6 and. IMR 4227 This .45 is darned near 150 yrs old. I'm going to try 35-40 grs of BP,,the original Load

 

[Mus408]

I loaded up 16 with 10.8- 11.0 gr. of Unique and 16 with 20. gr of Alliant 2400 powder.
Primers are the WLP.
Will hopefully get out tomorrow and run them over the chrony and maybe hit some water filled jugs.