Yet another load for the 45

[Flagship]

Someone, in a post somewhere, said something that has been rolling around in my head for a couple of days. I simply can't find that post. The OP of that thread was asking about loads for his 45 Colt and someone said to use ?? gr of FFFg. I kind of chuckled and went on. BUT... then I got to thinking how cool that would be! Can that be done? Can one load a black powder replacement into modern cases, using a modern primer, a lead boolit , and use it without causing problems in their revolver?

 

[contender]

Yep, you can load BP in modern cases etc. SASS folks do it often. Just remember to clean your gun COMPLETELY after doing so as BP can cause corrosion.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Someone, in a post somewhere, said something that has been rolling around in my head for a couple of days. I simply can't find that post. The OP of that thread was asking about loads for his 45 Colt and someone said to use ?? gr of FFFg. I kind of chuckled and went on. BUT... then I got to thinking how cool that would be! Can that be done? Can one load a black powder replacement into modern cases, using a modern primer, a lead boolit , and use it without causing problems in their revolver?

That was me.

35 grains FFFg. 250-270 gr cast bullet, with black powder friendly lube (not the stuff that comes on commercial cast bullets). Pour it in, crunch it down with the bullet, light it off with a standard large pistol primer.

45 Colt as God intended. No issues at all, just clean up your gun with your preferred black powder cleaning method when you get home. You might need to spritz some water and Ballistol or olive oil or something on the front of the cylinder and basepin every now and again when the cylinder starts to get harder to turn, but other than that, no worries.

Cleanup isn't as big of a deal as most people make it. That was the part that scared me off for a while, but it's not that hard. You can use Ballistol and water, straight water, or my favorite, equal parts Murphy's soap, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide. Some folks disassemble the entire gun every time, but I think that's overkill. Not much fouling gets in the action, and you can neutralize any that's in there by squirting Ballistol down in the works. Just lube up the gun with a black powder friendly lube (Ballistol, bore butter, olive oil) when you're done.

Drop your cases in a bottle of soapy water after you shoot 'em, then pop 'em in the tumbler when you get home.

 

[Rclark]

Or if you can't find any 'real' BP, Triple-7 usually is. Load 23g by weight of either FF or FFF under a 250g RNFP (no need for special lube) and good to go. Bonus is you can use you 'regular' powder measure with 777 like any other smokeless powder. Use the Murphy soap mix mentioned above for easy cleanup.

 

[Long Haul]

Yep,no problem at all.The 45 original load was 40 grs of black powder with the old balloon head cases.In modern cases 40 grs will not fit so just fill er up and let er loose.
Just for giggles I loaded my SBK 44 mag with all the black powder the case would hold and had a blast.Kinda made the little kids marvel as well.

 

[Hammerdown77]

A case full of black in 45 or 44 will definitely get people's attention at the range. Especially if they are DOWNWIND.

 

[Flagship]

Thanks all! This should be some fun! <GBG>

 

[Chuckbuster]

I'm going to load some 777 for mine, Ruger even has data on their website. I figure make the first one number 4 or 5 in a cylinder full and hand it to my buddy to shoot. Should be good for a grin or two.....

 

[Rclark]

Be careful there ... he might toss the gun down without thinking with the unexpected blast of smoke .

 

[Hammerdown77]

Yeah, it's never good to surprise someone when they're holding YOUR GUN.

 

[J Miller]

I have loaded the .45 Colt with real black powder and Pyrodex. I've never had an issue with rust or corrosion with real black powder, however I have a pitted cylinder and barrel from Pyrodex even after extensive hot water and soap cleaning.
I do not recommend Pyrodex at all because of that. I have no experience with the other bp substitutes so I won't comment on them.

Find yourself some original balloon head cases, (inspect them carefully, the later REM-UMC ones were loaded with smokeless and non corrosive priming) then stuff 40 grs of FFg or FFFg under a 250gr bullet and you'll have a hand full. Be sure to use soft bullets with BP lube and your accuracy will be pretty decent.

Or in lieu of the balloon head cases load 35 to 38 grs of BP in modern R-P cases with the same bullet. R-P cases generally haven't been as thick as Winchester or Starline brass.

Joe

 

[Rclark]

Joe, with 777 you can get there without a balloon head case as 777 is a tad 'warmer' than standard BP by 15% .

Under 250g RNFP, 777 loaded by weight out of 5 1/2" barrel

23g 777 919fps
24g 777 939fps

by volume

2.2cc 777 944fps

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