Anybody hunt with a .45 LC? What kind of loads are you using? Specifically looking for something that can be fired in a Model 25, not a Ruger/FA/etc smoker.

I regularly use 18.5 grains of 2400 under a 260 grain 454424 Lyman bullet (CCI 300 primers) out of my 25's with complete satisfaction. The cases eject easily, and I get 1,050 FPS out of my 4" gun, 50-100 fps more out of my longer barreled guns, depending on the exact length.

I have also had good luck with 23 grains of H-110 under the same bullet (CCI 350 magnum primers), but get about 100 FPS more across the board, than I do with 2400. They are both safe loads in any S&W 25 in sound condition, and run just under 23, 000 PSI.

In January I will be that's why I am trying to develop my loads now. I want to take my Ruger/Puma with me hog hunting.

There are some good loads available in the 20,000psi(CUP?) to 25,000psi(CUP) range in most Ruger sections of current manuals. Since they list the pressure in most of them, the Lyman especially, you can sift through them and pick your own.

I have been running the gamut as far as loads go. Unique to H110/W296 with mixed results.

What powders do you have available in your area? Bullets? Do you cast? What kind of game are you going after? Deer or Javelina?

These things would make a difference. I am a member of loaddata.com and there are over 100 categories underneath the heading "45 Colt".

Lots of options!

Thanks for the replies. New to reloading, don't cast my own. I'm looking for something suitable for javelina through black bear, more often as a back up to a long gun. For example, when turkey hunting a couple of months ago we stumbled on a bear and I had a tag. Fortunately I had my 681 with me, and the bear is being made into a rug as we speak. I've been planning to set a .44 mag, but may have a steal of a deal in the works for a Model 25, that's why I ask. Local powder availability has been a little hit or miss, but of the powders that seem likely candidates, 2400 is usuallly in stock. Primers, on the other hand..........

Well, 2400 will get the job done, without a doubt!

If it were me, and you need to thank God your aren't , I would start with at least a 240gr bullet. I am using that as that is the best mould I have in that caliber. I have a 255gr LSWC by Lee but I'm not too fond of that bullet, just me.

I would shoot for somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000fps. 255gr bullets at that speed have been known to go completely through a deer, some the long way!

I don't know, I must be the weird one of the bunch but, working up the load for me is half the fun!

No need to re-invent the wheel. 250-255 grain lead swc, 9.0, 9.5, max 10 grains Unique. If you are new to reloading, there is no better caliber to get started with.

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Georgia On My Mind

A 260 gr cast lead bullet at the velocity of the original black powder load (over 900 fps) was tested by the U.S. Cavalry to shoot through a horse at 100 yards. Using a properly shaped bullet (a Keith or WFN) you can take any deer in the U.S. as well as most any hog at reasonable ranges and NOT be undergunned.

Keep in mind, that you DO have to shoot them in a vital spot. Spend most of your time practicing - use a 9" paper pie plate. Don't shoot at a deer any farther than you can reliably place a bullet in that 9" plate from a field position.

The power of the handgun will NOT be the challenge. The challenge will be putting that bullet where it belongs. If you do that right, everything else will take care of itself.

FWIW
Dale53

I killed a feral pig this spring with a Mdl 29 customized a long time ago into a 45 Colt. I used Brian Pearce's recommendation for the SAA270 bullet that drops around 280gr. I used 8.5 gr. of PowerPistol, but I believe the same amt. of Unique would work. The bullet goes around 950 fps, very managable recoil and kills the pigs dead. Pressure is not a concern, according to Pearce, as it is about 20,000 psi if memory serves. Great bullet. Great gun.

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beaver