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Old 10-27-2014, 03:24 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Default 45 COLT loads for S&W Governor

I started this thread because the short barrel and long cylinder bore make the Governor a challenge to load for, and specific load data is non-existent. The purpose of this post is to consolidate all of my data in one place for other Governor owners.

I have spent quite a bit of time testing different powders, looking for both good "plinking" loads and defense loads that could equate or even exceed the energy of the best commercially available loads in 45 COLT.

My "defense" load goal was to come up with a hand load (or several) that matched the energy of the best commercial round I have found... the Barnes VOR-TX 200 GR XPB HP (379 ft-lb), but using readily available 250 grain XTP bullets instead.

Here is a summary of the commercial rounds I have tested from the Governor. Note that all load velocities were measured using an Oehler 35P chronograph with the start screen placed 8 feet from the muzzle.


Commercial Loads Tested:

Barnes VOR-TX 200 GR XPB HP - 921 FPS - 379 ft-lbs <-- best load tested

Winchester Silvertip 225 GR HP - 771 FPS - 298 ft-lbs

Winchester PDX1 225 GR Bonded JHP - 766 FPS - 295 ft-lbs

Hornady Lever Revolution 225 GR FTX - 755 FPS - 286 ft-lbs

Speer Gold Dot 250 GR GDHP - 669 FPS - 250 ft-lbs

Hornady Critical Defense 185 GR FTX - 863 FPS - 308 ft-lbs

The Barnes VOR-TX ammo was impressive. It was also very accurate.


410 Gauge 2-1/2" Load Tested:

Hornady Critical Defense - Triple Defense (244.1 GR total payload) - 761 FPS - 315 ft-lbs

This load consists of one polymer tipped bullet shaped projectile weighing 115.2 grains and two buckshot weighing 64.45 grains each. This was only a six-shot string. I usually shoot a 10-shot string. I determined the weight of the projectiles by dissecting a round and weighing the components.

I shot five rounds at an 8.5x11 piece of paper 10 yards away and all 15 projectiles struck the paper. Not a bad grouping for that distance.


Hand Load Chronograph Data:

I started testing loads using the less expensive Berry's plated bullets, looking for some loads that showed promise before graduating them to the more expensive XTPs. During testing I found that as my loads got "warmer," the Berry's plated bullets began to lose their plating. Blow-by in the oversized cylinder bores seemed to be stripping the plating off the bullets. I have posted a photo of two recovered bullets in a later post (below). Milder loadings did not have as much plating loss as exhibited by clean holes in the paper tagets instead of ragged holes, so they may still be suitable for "plinking" loads.

Disclaimer: Some of these loads are sure to produce more than the SAAMI allowed 14,000 PSI. The Governor is rated for 45 ACP, which has an allowable pressure of 21,000 PSI. Please refer to your loading manuals to determine if these loads are safe for your firearm. I based some of my charges on an article in Handloader magazine volume 246, which lists data for 20,000 PSI loads. In this article, they were pushing 280 grain cast bullets instead of 250 grain plated or XTP, but typically data shown for a heavier bullet is safe to use on lighter bullets. This article had a table of "20,000 PSI" loading data that indicated max loads of 10.0 grains of Unique, 9.5 grains of Power Pistol, 10.0 grains of Universal, and 8.5 grains of TiteGroup. I stayed under these max loadings here. Note that standard primers were being used in the loads found in the article.

Below is a picture of an Excel spreadsheet showing all my Governor load data sorted alphabetically by powder, then charge weight. Where Magnum primers were used, they are highlighted with red text. Velocity spreads above 50 FPS, which are not desirable, are also highlighted with red text. You can click on the table to view a larger version.

Link to Table


Observations:

Power Pistol powder seemed to stand out. It produced very consistent velocities, good accuracy (as good as can be expected from the Governor), and does not seem to care much if you use standard or magnum primers.

Unique and CFE-Pistol require magnum primers in the short barreled Governor to get the velocities to be consistent.

None of the XTP loads tested showed any pressure signs (they shouldn't at these pressures).

The XTP loads were not too bad to shoot. I do not think any recoiled as much as some of the hotter 410 defensive offerings do.

The XTP loads were far more accurate than the Berry's plated loads.

Plated bullets are not ideal for use in the Governor due to the oversize cylinder bore which lets blow-by peel the plating off. They may still be OK for mild loads.


Mike

Last edited by Vortec MAX; 10-27-2018 at 12:48 AM. Reason: Corrected broken link to data table
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Old 10-27-2014, 04:15 PM
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A 250 grain plated FP is not going to have the same velocity as a 225 gr JHP

The Unique load of 9 grains)is the "standard" load only with a 250 grain LSWC. It is about max for that gun IMHO. With plated bullets you can not put much of a crimp on them. The die will roull crimp and cut through the plating..

For a more equal test try a Hornady XTP or Gold Dot bullet if they can be found.

For the energy I gather you are plugging the velocity into a calculator with the bullet weight.??

There is a older long thread on miking the Govenor for the max loads. It will not hold up to Ruger only 45 Colt loads.
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Old 10-27-2014, 04:51 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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I was not looking for the same velocity, but rather the same energy. Although that velocity with a 250 grain bullet would make my day. I want to work up my loads using the cheaper plated bullets and find a few that have promise before switching to my XTPs.

I hand calculated the energies. Actually, I wrote a formula in excel so I can just plug in the weight and velocity.

The old thread you are referring to can be found here.

I could not duplicate, or even come close to the chronograph values shown in that post. You will see my posts to that effect there.

Thanks for your help. Keep it coming please.

Mike
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Old 10-27-2014, 05:32 PM
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You load 9 grains unique and get 715 fps. With my model 25-7 5"? barrel I get 900 fps for the same load.

Edit: Maybe fill the case with black powder?

David

Last edited by David R; 10-27-2014 at 05:34 PM.
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Old 10-27-2014, 05:59 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David R View Post
You load 9 grains unique and get 715 fps. With my model 25-7 5"? barrel I get 900 fps for the same load.

Edit: Maybe fill the case with black powder?

David
The problem with the Governor is you get a lot of "blow by" as the bullet travels down the smooth, oversized cylinder. And then... the actual barrel is only 2.75" long. I wish I knew what powder Winchester was using in their commercial defense loads. It seems to have a good burn rate for this application. I had a lot of unburned powder in the barrel and cases with my Unique loads. It was not all igniting and burning.

Mike
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Old 10-27-2014, 07:28 PM
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Ammo companies have propitary powder blends that are not avalable to us. You can not get what they use. The issue with the Govenor is what you mentionged primarly the length of the barrel. No matter what powder yous use the velocity is gone once the bullet leaves the barrel. Your slower powders will always work better. Whatever powder gives the best velocity in a long barrel will do the same in a short one. You can't beat physics.

I got over 1100 fps with a 45 colt caseand 255 lead out of a SW 460 5" barrel using H110. (a Ruger TC load)That load would blow up a govenor,.

Here is a good article which places the guns in 3 groups. As mentioned in that old thread My SW Mt Gun late model will not handel the heavy loads and it has a longer barrel. You can only get what you can. Only other option is shoot a lighter bullet to get more velocity and then calculate the energy, Try a 200 or 230 grain.

The pdf will not upload April 2007 Handloader
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Old 10-28-2014, 03:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vortec MAX View Post
The problem with the Governor is you get a lot of "blow by" as the bullet travels down the smooth, oversized cylinder. And then... the actual barrel is only 2.75" long... I had a lot of unburned powder in the barrel and cases with my Unique loads. It was not all igniting and burning.
I suspect that it is the long chambers that's it's biggest drawback.
-What's the distance from the 45 Colt case mouth to the throat?
-What's the chamber diameter between these too points?
I'm thinking that once the bullet leaves the case a lot of the power quits burning since there's no restriction on the bullet until it finally hits the throat?

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Old 10-28-2014, 04:06 AM
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The fact you are using a 250gr bullet and trying to compare your ammo to the factory ammo using a 225gr bullet is also a problem.

Hornady has a 200gr XTP/HP bullet w/cannelure you can use in your 45 Colt.
Hornady XTP Bullets 45 Cal (451 Diameter) 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow

Hornady's 225gr FTX bullet is also designed for use in the 45 Colt and will probably better match the velocities produced by the 225gr factory ammo.
Hornady FTX Bullets 45 Colt (Long Colt) (452 Diameter) 225 Grain Flex

There are other good bullets like the Sierra 240gr bullet but since the weight is already getting heavier that won't help you with velocities.

I would try using a different powder to increase the velocities without trashing the pressure limits. I would try AA#5, HS-6, Power Pistol or True Blue and see if your results improve.
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Old 10-28-2014, 10:24 AM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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I happen to have some True Blue. I may have to try that. I am not trying to match velocity, although that would be nice, but rather the ft-lbs of energy. So for a 250 grain bullet, I want to be hitting approximately 734 FPS. I was hoping someone has already tried a similar load in their Governor that has hit that without getting into the Ruger/TC loading range. I want to be shooting a load that is safe in the Governor.

Mike
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Old 10-29-2014, 04:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3 View Post
...Here is a good article which places the guns in 3 groups. As mentioned in that old thread My SW Mt Gun late model will not handel the heavy loads and it has a longer barrel. You can only get what you can. Only other option is shoot a lighter bullet to get more velocity and then calculate the energy, Try a 200 or 230 grain.

The pdf will not upload April 2007 Handloader
I found and read this article. The article suggests that the Governor can handle loads from the 20,000 PSI max table. That table includes a Unique load using 10.0 grains to push a 285 grain cast bullet. I don't need a load anywhere near that stout, but I might explore going up a bit on my Unique charges to see what happens. I have no desire to spontaneously disassemble my Governor while holding it in my hand. I might try 9.2 and possibly 9.4, but with the Berry's 250 GR FPs.

I will get back to you.

Mike

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Old 10-29-2014, 05:16 PM
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Just for comparision as I do not have a Gov. I dug through my old chrongraph data and From a 4" SW Mt Gun 625 -dash infinity.

With a hand cast (from a old forum member) 240 gr LSWC and 9.3 grains of Unique I got an avg of 915 FPS, ES-36 and SD of 14.

That load is about max for me and that gun. I think a lot has to do with a heavy roll crimp that can be put on lead vs plated so the powder has a chance to burn completly and build pressure.

Even if you use some theory of 50- fps per inch (not sure if that is valid)then you in t should get around 800 fps.


Here you can put loads side by side.
Energy Calculator

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .45 Colt Results
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Old 10-30-2014, 12:51 PM
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Have you tested and chronographed any .410 slugs? That's what the gun was designed to shoot.
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Old 10-30-2014, 01:16 PM
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Quote:
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Have you tested and chronographed any .410 slugs? That's what the gun was designed to shoot.
No slugs. I did chrono three shots of Federal Handgun 2.5" 000 four-pellet buck.

They were measured as follows:

813 FPS
797 FPS
779 FPS

The pellets weigh 61.0 grains each (244.0 grains total).

Mike
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Old 10-31-2014, 12:00 PM
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I keep a variety of .410 OOO buck and slug loads around for my .410 coach gun. If I had a .410 revolver, I'd go with them instead of the .45 Colt route.

I took a long serious look at a Taurus Judge when they first came out and realized they were designed to shoot the shot shells. The fact that they can be used to shoot .45 Colt ammo was pretty much a good marketing angle than a good habit.
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Old 10-31-2014, 02:08 PM
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Interestingly, that Federal Handgun 2.5" 4-pellet 000 buck load has 345 ft-lbs of energy when fired from the Governor. I would have thought that the 45 Colt factory offerings would easily exceed that. Maybe I just need to carry the 000 buck.

I am still going to test a few more 45 Colt loads and post my findings here.

Mike
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Old 11-01-2014, 06:27 PM
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I think what is tells you, is it's the bullet. The pellets reached 800 fps which I predicted for a 240 grain lead swc. Try some of those with a heavy crimp and the max level of Unique.
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Old 11-03-2014, 02:26 PM
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The problem is the chamber dimensions weren't made for shooting .45 Colts. Excessive gas blow by and bullet yawing before engaging the rifling are going to be major detriments to velocity and accuracy. You can try using brass .410 shotshell hulls to work up a "metallic cartridge load" or you might be able to work up a good shotshell load that will give you what you want.
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Old 11-03-2014, 04:31 PM
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I think Power Pistol or 300MP will do what you want.

410 slugs are not accurate, they are only .375" in diameter wobbling down a .451" barrel
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Old 11-08-2014, 11:40 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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I went to the range today and did some more chrono work with the Governor. Here is the new data that is relevant to this thread:

Factory Loads:

Barnes VOR-TX 200 GR XPB HP - 921 FPS - 379 ft-lbs (WOW!)

Hornady Lever Revolution 225 GR FTX - 755 FPS - 286 ft-lbs

Speer Gold Dot 250 GR GDHP - 669 FPS - 250 ft-lbs

That Barnes ammo was impressive. It was also very accurate.


Hand Loads:

All loads below use new Starline cases, CCI 300 primers, Berry's plated 250 GR FP bullets, an OAL of 1.595", and used a Lee FCD with a medium crimp (contact + 3/4 turn).

Unique 9.2 Grains - 737 FPS - 304 ft-lbs - 80 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 25.2

Unique 9.4 Grains - 775 FPS - 335 ft-lbs - 48 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 17.0

The 9.4 grains of Unique seems to be settling down and the spread and SD are coming down. I am working on more handloads. I will report back on them.

Mike

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Old 11-09-2014, 08:17 AM
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Perhaps switching to a 200 grain bullet will help.

I appreciate all the information. It answers a lot of questions about a 410 revolver.

David
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Old 11-09-2014, 11:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyabear View Post
410 slugs are not accurate, they are only .375" in diameter wobbling down a .451" barrel
Foster designed slugs are supposed to wobble and I doubt the .o4-.05" difference between a .410 bore and a .45 cal barrel would normally make much difference. Although, from what I can find on the 'net, the overall poor design of the .45-.410 concept can mess anything up. But then, looking at these firearms and their designs, they weren't intended to be accurate. At least not by any normal definitions of the word.

The excessive bore diameter is probably also what is causing the bad groups of 000 buck loads I've read about, since they are able to start spreading out of alignment inside the barrel. There were good reports about the Winchester PDX load with lead discs though, and it would stand to reason that lead cylinders instead of round balls would do better.
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Old 11-09-2014, 12:26 PM
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I like the suggestions of using a .410 brass case!!!!!

Maybe add some shotgun "cards" to lower case capacity to .45 colt equivalent. SHOULD, allow you to meet the pressures the Colt should generate while eliminating the long bullet jump and blowby.....

.410 BRASS

"cards"
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Old 11-09-2014, 12:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jellybean View Post
...The excessive bore diameter is probably also what is causing the bad groups of 000 buck loads I've read about, since they are able to start spreading out of alignment inside the barrel. There were good reports about the Winchester PDX load with lead discs though, and it would stand to reason that lead cylinders instead of round balls would do better.
The Federal Handgun 4-pellet 000 buck holds pretty tight patterns from the Governor. I am able to keep all the pellets on an 8.5x11 piece of paper at 10 yards.

The 410 PDX load seems to have more power (recoil), but the pattern is much larger. The "discs" hold a fairly tight pattern, but the BBs scatter quite wide... a reckless amount in my opinion.

Mike
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Old 11-09-2014, 12:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyabear View Post
I think Power Pistol or 300MP will do what you want.
I picked up 3 pounds of Power Pistol last week. I will work up a load using some of that and report back.

Mike
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Old 11-10-2014, 11:24 AM
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The reviews of the PDX loads were from a site called something like "The truth about guns . com" They had three reviews of the Governor, the first two of which were a little less than complimentary, the third sounded more like a commercial, fence walking, gun mag.

I don't feel self defense firearms require match grade accuracy, but everything they shot had unacceptable accuracy at anything over bedroom distances, some were hardly able to perform at water closet distances.
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Old 04-19-2015, 02:54 AM
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I went to the range today and tested more loads for the Governor. I retrieved a couple of the Berry's 250 GR FP bullets I fired and noticed that the copper plating had been stripped from most of the area on the sides. I don't know why. It is very strange. The velocities I am pushing are not that high. Maybe the blow-by is melting it off before it gets to the forcing cone???

I also noticed lead splatter on my chronograph and the targets seem to get torn up like shrapnel was hitting them.

Any ideas?

Also, I added quite a few new loads to the first post (up top). I added some loads using magnum primers and some Power Pistol loads, which I had not tried before. There were significant differences in velocity and spread between the standard and magnum primers when using Unique and CFE Pistol. I also really liked the results I got from the Power Pistol loads.

Mike
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Old 04-19-2015, 04:20 PM
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I don't have one of these beasts and don't want one, but if I did and was on a velocity quest I would try some kind of gas seal wadding under a .45 bullet to get it past the oversize chamber. Gas blow-by is bound to be wasting a lot of expanding gas energy as well as gas cutting the heel and shank of the bullet. Why wouldn't a plastic .410 shotshell wad with the petals cut off be a good gas seal, over powder wad? That might be fun to play around with.
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Old 04-19-2015, 04:30 PM
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I guess it's good that there are those who like the idea of the various .410 - 45 Colt revolvers enough to spend so much time on load evaluation and development.
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Old 04-19-2015, 05:20 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
I guess it's good that there are those who like the idea of the various .410 - 45 Colt revolvers enough to spend so much time on load evaluation and development.
Well, I have to say, as difficult as this has been, I am having second thoughts about the whole idea. The Governor isn't really good at anything. With the right loads, it is fairly effective with buckshot and might take a snake or a grouse up close with bird shot. The 45 ACP performance is non-existent. And the 45 Colt performance isn't much better. That Barnes load was decent.

I might just sell it and buy a smaller 44 Magnum. I am finding that I really like that cartridge. It is very versatile.

Mike
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Old 05-31-2015, 02:16 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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I took some of the loads I worked up using Berry's plated bullets and loaded XTP bullets instead. The results were excellent and met my initial goals. Here are the XTP loads I tested: ( I also added this data to my original post)


Hand Loads Using Hornady 250 GR XTPs:

All loads below used Starline cases, primers as noted, Hornady 250 GR XTP bullets, an OAL of 1.595", and used a Lee FCD with a light crimp (firm contact + 1/2 turn).

Unique 8.8 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 785 FPS - 344 ft-lbs - 43 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 11.5

Unique 9.0 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 823 FPS - 378 ft-lbs - 41 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 12.7 <-- good load

Unique 9.2 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 830 FPS - 384 ft-lbs - 45 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 13.3 <-- good load

CFE Pistol 9.2 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 779 FPS - 338 ft-lbs - 44 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 13.9

Power Pistol 9.0 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 800 FPS - 357 ft-lbs - 17 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 5.6 <-- excellent load!

Power Pistol 9.2 Grains - CCI 300 Primer - 825 FPS - 379 ft-lbs - 23 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 7.3 <-- excellent load!


Observations:

Power Pistol powder seems to stand out. It produces very consistent velocities, good accuracy (as good as can be expected from the Governor), and does not seem to care much if you use standard or magnum primers.

Unique and CFE-Pistol require magnum primers in the short barreled Governor to get the velocities to be consistent.

None of the XTP loads tested showed any pressure signs.

The XTP loads were all fairly pleasant to shoot. I do not think any recoiled as much as many of the 410 defensive offerings do.

The XTP loads were far more accurate than the Berry's plated loads.

Plated bullets are not ideal for use in the Governor due to the oversize cylinder bore which lets blow-by peel the plating off.


Disclaimer: Some of these loads are sure to produce more than the SAAMI allowed 14,000 PSI. The Governor is rated for 45 ACP, which has an allowable pressure of 21,000 PSI. Please refer to your loading manuals to determine if these loads are safe for your firearm. I based some of my charges on an article in Handloader magazine volume 246, which lists data for 20,000 PSI loads. They show a max Unique charge of 10.0 grains (with standard primer) and a max Power Pistol charge of 9.5 (with standard primer). They were also using 280 grain cast bullets.


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Old 05-31-2015, 02:37 PM
dannyabear dannyabear is offline
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Most of the problem is caused by the long cyclinder and the gap the bullet makes to reach the barrel. For my judge, I have used brass 410 shells and also 444 Marlin brass blown out to 45 cal. They put the bullet closed to the barrel. Because the 444 brass is thicker it requies a good load to make it seal to the cyclinger.
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Old 06-01-2015, 06:41 AM
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Thank you for the info. What size groups at what distance?

Looks like that handgun is best for home defense with buck shot.

David
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Old 06-01-2015, 09:55 AM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
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Thank you for the info. What size groups at what distance?

Looks like that handgun is best for home defense with buck shot.

David
The groups were not that small. They were maybe 4" at 10 yards. My smallest was probably 3". My Governor shoots high and left. I would like to get a taller front sight and correct the point of impact.

I think 379 ft-lbs is formidable in 45 Colt. It is on par with a 45 ACP Federal HST round fired from a 4.4" barrel. It would certainly be effective on two-legged varmints. Still a little light for bear, but better than most factory offerings.

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Old 06-02-2015, 04:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
The fact you are using a 250gr bullet and trying to compare your ammo to the factory ammo using a 225gr bullet is also a problem.
I was comparing energy, not velocity. I am after about 380 ft-lbs with the heavier bullet. I think the heavier bullet would be more effective against critters that might want to eat me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
Hornady has a 200gr XTP/HP bullet w/cannelure you can use in your 45 Colt.
Hornady XTP Bullets 45 Cal (451 Diameter) 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow
I bought some of those to try out and found that they DO NOT have a cannelure as pictured on the box. I was disappointed.

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Old 06-03-2015, 01:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vortec MAX View Post
I bought some of those to try out and found that they DO NOT have a cannelure as pictured on the box.
All of Hornady's .452" bullets have a cannelure except the 250gr FTX. The .451" do not. Yeah, they should ditch the pictures on the boxes.

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Old 06-06-2015, 06:54 PM
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I worked up some 45 Colt Governor loads using WIN 231 powder and took them to the range today. I had four that used the Berry's 250 GR FP and one that used Hornady 250 GR XTPs.

Loads used new Starline cases, primers as noted, an OAL of 1.595" and were crimped with a LEE FCD (firm contact + 5/8 turn on Berry's and firm contact + 1/2 turn on XTPs).

Here are the results: ( I will also add this data to my original post up top)


Hand Loads Using Berry's 250 GR FPs:

WIN 231 7.3 Grains - CCI 300 Primer - 637 FPS - 226 ft-lbs - 53 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 16.7

WIN 231 7.3 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 663 FPS - 245 ft-lbs - 38 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 11.3

WIN 231 7.5 Grains - CCI 300 Primer - 668 FPS - 249 ft-lbs - 36 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 10.6

WIN 231 7.5 Grains - CCI 350 Primer - 687 FPS - 263 ft-lbs - 33 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 11.0


Hand Load Using Hornady 250 GR XTPs:

WIN 231 8.0 Grains - CCI 300 Primer - 775 FPS - 335 ft-lbs - 23 FPS Spread - Std Dev of 7.4 <-- very consistent load!

I backed off my crimp on the plated bullets but was still seeing evidence of the plating peeling off. I might back off some more on future loads to see if I can prevent that.

Mike
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Old 06-17-2015, 06:04 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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I tested a Hornady 410 load from the Governor and thought I would share the results in this post.

410 Gauge 2-1/2" Load Tested:

Hornady Critical Defense - Triple Defense (244.1 GR total payload) - 761 FPS - 315 ft-lbs

This load consists of one polymer tipped bullet shaped projectile weighing 115.2 grains and two buckshot weighing 64.45 grains each. This was only a six-shot string. I usually shoot a 10-shot string. I determined the weight of the projectiles by dissecting a round and weighing the components.

I shot five rounds at an 8.5x11 piece of paper 10 yards away and all 15 projectiles struck the paper. Not a bad grouping for that distance.

I will also add this to the big post at the beginning of this thread to consolidate all the info in one post.

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Old 06-17-2015, 06:22 PM
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Your XTP loads with Unique are about what I would expect. That 2.75" barrel is probably robbing you of about 100 FPS. I get about 870 FPS with 8.5 Gr. of Unique in a 5.5" Vaquero. Stop testing with plated bullets. You'll only get more confused.
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Old 10-05-2015, 06:36 PM
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I added more data to the original post, this time in table form. New powders tried includes Universal, AutoComp, and TiteGroup.

Enjoy!

Mike
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vortec MAX View Post
I added more data to the original post, this time in table form. New powders tried includes Universal, AutoComp, and TiteGroup.

Enjoy!

Mike
Wow, you did a lot of work. I know what it takes to get all that data and even though I do not own a Governor appreciate all the time and effort put in the results. Good job!

PS: Folks go to the first post
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Old 08-27-2017, 01:01 PM
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Default It takes some work but the 45 colt can be successfully loaded for the Governor.

After careful research I started to reload with the following criteria,
1. limit pressure to 20,000 using published data and simulations with the Quickload program.
2. Begin with no preconceived expectations of outcome, or prejudices. Those are the primary reasons that reloading ends in failure.

Anyway, I won't post any detailed load recipes. I won't be responsible for harm to reloaders who can't/won't follow basic reloading safety rules.
I tried bullets in 255 LSWC, 300 JHP, 300 JSP.
I tried HS-6, Unique,2400 powders.
Loads were in the 10 gr area give or take.
All of the above resulted in satisfactory results in the 700+ to 800+ fps velocities. In the hands of an expert like my son, who was an armorer and marksmanship instructor in the Marine Corps, the "accuracy" was satisfactory to about 50 ft. That means it grouped in the vital zone of a man or bear. My personal opinion is that it is not satisfactory as a Big brown or black bear deterrent. The small blacks hereabouts , maybe OK.
I have done a lot of 45 colt reloading. It is easily the most versatile of the large handgun calibers. Even in a stumpy barreled revolver like the Governor, it will perform for some purposes.
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Old 10-27-2018, 12:49 AM
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I corrected the non-working link to my data table in the first post of this thread.

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Old 03-05-2023, 04:25 PM
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Default Reloading for S&W Governor

I've read a lot of threads and I am wondering if any experienced reloaders have considered using .444 marlin or Magtech .410 all brass shotshells for loading a single bullet (.45cal (.451-.452)? This would take advantage of the full length of the cylinder and shorten the entry to the barrel force cone.
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