Loading .45 Colt

rlphvac

solid fixture here in the forum
Grumpy I want to order some cast bullets for a Redhawk pistol and a Henry rifle. We talked before on making loads for them I was going to order from Acme bullet co. only because I have used them before but I'm open for advice. I want to make some decent power loads around 250 +gr. I have several powders that are suggested for .45 Colt CFE Pistol, 700X, Titegroup, Benchmark,Bullseye, & Unique for pistol loads and lots of different rifle powders too. When you have time could you make a suggestion on what bullets and a good load recipe to go with. Also I would have no problem buying another powder if needed I found a pretty good powder source thats semi local and fair priced Thanks in advance
 
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-hard-cast-lead-projectiles.9875/#post-68956

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45 Colt&Weight=All&type=Handgun

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/45-Colt-Brass/

READ THIS

http://sixguns.com/tests/tt45lc.htm

if you do some research on line your sure to find info that states a 45 colt can be loaded to match or even exceed the performance of a 44 magnum, , and thats true in a few limited cases if a few guns are used, but keep in mind the vast majority of guns built for this 140 plus year old cartridge will not hold up to the potential pressure.

a freedom arms mod 97
http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_97.htm
45rev.jpg

45rev1a.jpg

or a ruger will handle almost 44 mag pressure, or in some cases more pressure easily


will handle max pressure easily an older black powder era, colt , or winchester, lever action, is basically a hand grenade with a handle and a trigger, if loaded to that pressure level.



I've never had good results with commercial cast bullets, obviously there has too be many that work ok, but If I was looking for a 255 grain, 45 colt, bullet Id cast these
,lee bullets,
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...lt-long-colt-452-diameter-255-grain-flat-nose
a 5% tin.95%WW alloy bullet ,lube and size them and load them over a stiff load of unique.
Id start with 8 grains and work up to 9.4 grains slowly, in 2 tenths of a grain steps, too find the best loads with accuracy as the deciding factor.
if you want to order a similar weight bullet the same, basic idea would apply, load the cartridges so the bullet is seated to the longest over all length that will easily function in your pistol or rifle and use a moderate, crimp.
keep in mind the 45 colt was originally a black powder us military cartridge, designed just after the civil war , so pressures by todays standards were rather low, it certainly has the power to exceed the 45 ACP used in the 1911 semi auto pistol which puts it in a class of well documented pistols with proven potential to drop any human opponent with a well placed shot but its not a high velocity cartridge.
a 45 colt has enough power to be both a good choice for personal defense and fun plinking, yet minimal recoil in a big bore revolver and negligible recoil in a rifle.
but it is known to be accurate when supplied with top quality ammo.
Id also point out that theres a good deal of what is referred to as PLUS P load info that will in theory allow you to load a 45 colt to pressures and velocities approaching those of a 44 magnum, this should be approached with extreme caution as very few guns designed for the 45 colt were built to handle those pressure levels, even some of the modern S&W and ruger revolvers made from modern steel will not allow you to reach full 44 mag pressure levels without problems, but they will allow you to safely increase velocities a 100-140 fps or so over the original velocities with the same bullet weights safely, yes you can load hotter in some pistol designs but it is risky to push pressures up to 44 mag levels because the larger diam. cases leave less metal around the cartridge case in the revolvers cylinder, and a thinner cylinder wall makes the revolver weaker.


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...lt-long-colt-452-diameter-255-grain-flat-nose
BULLET WEIGHT250 GR. CAST LRNFP

IF your looking for a hotter performance load in a 45 colt to use for hunting rather than target
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ll-452-diameter-300-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

a 300 grain hard cast bullet over 18 grains of herc 2400 has long been a rather well known load that works that will generally exceed 1000 fps and provide both decent accuracy and performance on game, from ruger revolvers or 45 colt carbines


HERES TWO more POPULAR 45 colt target loads
Hodgdon
Trail Boss powder 255 cast bullet 5.5 grains

Titegroup powder 255 cast bullet 6 grains



if you cast your own bullets and load your own cartridges youll get more than 1000 shots out of a pound of powder, Id be amazed if you could not load for under 12- 15 cents a shot , so it won,t take long to pay for loading tools with the cost saved on ammo as commercial ammo is usually priced at 27-45 cents a cartridge (be aware 45 colt ammo is sold in 20-50-100 round boxes)



related info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt

http://www.chuckhawks.com/45Colt.htm
 
Last edited:
I know that I'm not looking to make anything like this but I just re read an article by John Linebaugh about he is pushing 45 Colt to loads faster than the 44mag 1650FPS I think and all he uses is Ruger Blackhawk like I have now I have no intention of pushing the envelope like that but the 45 Colt can be loaded pretty hot. I just sent for some 255 gr SWC bullets both cast and polymer coated to try out I also got some 300 gr cast to try out. I also got some 9mm , 40 cal. , and 45ACP coated bullets to try out I've been reading good things about them
 
Ive seen several 45 colt revolvers fail when guys tried to push the velocity to match and exceed the 44 mag, if you want to have a 45 mag Id start with a 454 casull chambered revolver and use either hot 45 colt or 454 casull loads
if your looking for a pleasant to shoot large bore plinker the loads I posted will do the job
 
No not at all Grumpy when I want 44 mag performance I'll grab my 44 mag I don't plan on pushing too hard I will load up your suggested loads like you instructed I'm not a big risk taker when it comes to reloading as a matter of fact when I do load for my 44 mag I'm downloading because its no fun to shoot it with full loads
 
Back
Top