I got to the indoor range at Larry's yesterday to try MY .45 Colt handloads in my 635-9 MG. I had two loads, each with 255gr SWC's from Tennessee Valley Bullets. I shot 50 rnds loaded with 7.5 gr of Unique and 30 rounds loaded with 8.0 gr of unique.

My targets were nickle-sized red sticky dots on white paper at 25 feet. I placed six dots (4 inches apart maybe) on each sheet of paper.

I shot the 7.5 gr loads first. Consistantcy was surprisingly poor. out of every cylinder full, I would have 2-3, "Where in the world did that go" shots. The others would be close to my target.

Shooting the 8.0 gr loads was a different story. They shot much more consistant. On my final sheet of Six red sticky dots at 25 feet, I hit two of the dots, each on the first shot. I hit a couple of the dots in two shots. One dot took four shots to hit.

I couldn't hit the 6th dot for nothing. I shot at it 6 times and never nicked the dot. they were all with in an inch of the dot, but there must have been a freaky shield protecting that one.

My hat's off to Tennessee Valley Bullets. I'm used to scraping the lead out of my forcing cone when shooting commercial reloads. After 80 rounds of TVB SWC's, I have NO LEAD in my forcing cone.

I'll try to creep up a bit with 8.3 gr of Unique on my next loads and see how they shoot.

duckloads,
Do you have a 625-9 MG or is a 635 something new or a mistype?
I have 625-6 MG,and it likes the 255 grain hardcast loadings that I cast myself,mine are more on a Keith design swc,I've shot offerings from Oregon Trail and they seem to do well.I've found that my .45 Colt loading consisting of my bullet casted from my alloy here at home on top of 9 grains of Unique to be very accurate out to 25 and 50 yards and have taken many a head of game with this load ranging from rabbit up to medium size whitetail.
Equalizer

quote:

Do you have a 625-9 MG or is a 635 something new or a mistype?

Yep, I have a 625-9. Thanks for your info.

Mine's a 25-7 and it likes...damn near everything.

I cast 2 different rounds for it, one is a 250g RNFP Lee mould and the other is a 255g SWC RCBS mould.

The Lee mould actually casts out at 245g with WW and the RCBS is 255g with WW.

I first tried W231 at 7, then 7.5 grains for either bullet. Both shot well. Try some.

Unique is typically loaded at 8 ~ 9 grains. Of late I am enjoying 8.5g and 9g. I can not decide which I prefer - both shoot well. I'm a magnum guy, so a sharper punch is a plus for me and even at 9g I find it pleasant.

All firearms are nations of their own, so try different combinations - that's half the fun.

Sir, FWIW, I've had good accuracy with 8.0 and 8.5 grains of Unique in .45 Colt with cast 250s. Going lighter than 8.0, the loads get dirtier and the accuracy drops off. I've had similar results with light Unique loads in .44 special and magnum. Unique just doesn't seem to download well. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

Thanks men,

I'll have a box of 8.0 gr and 8.5 gr loads with me the next trip to the range.

9.0 gr Unique/255gr cast has been the old standby in 45 Colt for many years. Download the Alliant data www.alliantpowder.com Try American Select, burns cleaner. I have used Herco, never liked it as well. Shame they don't sell Alcan powder over here anymore. AL-7 is still my favorite in 45 Colt.

I am using a cast bullet from the RCBS mold 45-270. It is sized at .454, weights 280 grs cast from wheels weights and propelled with 6.0 grs of Red Dot

I'm getting 1 - 1-1/16 inch groups at 15 yards and they are center around the POA

It isn't very often that you hear of an indoor range will let you shoot loads you "roll yourself."

My hat's off to them.

Larry's ,in Huntsville,Al. is a real customer friendly gun shop.he carries lots of toys,will deal with you,and has been around as long as I can remember. jwr

But, take a 460 XVR into Larry's range, and they will get very excited. They only allow 44mag or less.

Now, I've loaded a box of 8.0gr and 8.5gr of unique to try under the 255swc.

Hopefully, tomorrow at lunch.......