Confused about .45 COLT Unique max charge

SLT223

SLT223

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The manual seem to be all over the place. I have loaded 255gr LSWC with 8.6-8.7 gr. with 1.6" COL.

Alliant says max 9.5gr (250gr LSWC @ 1.6")
Lyman #49 says gr 8.5gr (255gr LSWC @ 1.575")
Hornady 7.0gr (although it's a 255gr FP loaded to 1.575")

I went off the Alliant data backing down about 10%, then realized I should looked at other data as well. Having now done so, after loading 50rds, I'm a little concerned that Lyman 49's max is under my loading. Should I be?

I'm new to this cartridge, and don't have much experience with Unique. I take comfort in seeing Alliant's data being about a full grain north of my load, but would like to hear from people with experience. I have no qualms with pulling down the rounds I loaded, I just want to hear some experienced opinions.
 
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This is true of all powders & all cartridges. The manuals are going to vary because the test platforms & components & testing are diff. So use data from at least 3 vetted sources & avg it.
You also understand there is are two diff loading data ref for 45colt. The old SAA & the modern Ruger. Don't mix them up!!!!! Ruger max data should not be used in Colt SAA or replicas.
 
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fredj338 said:
This is true of all powders & all cartridges. The manuals are going to vary because the test platforms & components & testing are diff. So use data from at least 3 vetted sources & avg it.
You also understand there is are two diff loading data ref for 45colt. The old SAA & the modern Ruger. Don't mix them up!!!!! Ruger max data should not be used in Colt SAA or replicas.
Click to expand...

Yes agreed, fredj338. I do not own any Rugers or T/C's so I stay away from that data. The figures I posted are strictly non-Ruger loads except for Alliant since it doesn't specify.
 
8.5 grs. Unique and the Lyman #454424 or #452424 has been a popular .45 Colt load for years. Should be quite safe in any .45 Colt gun in good condition.

Unless you're shooting a junker, the loads you have should be fine. Would be for me anyway.
 
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Appreciated gentlemen. The gun is a new to me 25-7 which I like very much and dont want to damage it. That's my main concern.
 
Actually, all the published data is perfectly safe. Pick a manual/site and go with it. There is no need to average between manuals. They are all safe. The differences are, as Fred said, due to different components and platforms and test purposes.

Remember that when only one figure is given, as on the Alliant website, that's the MAX load. Starting load is 10% less. That notice is on the lead in page.
 
SLT223,

The thing with loading for the .45 Colt is, it's platform specific. Since I have and load for a 25-5, here is what I suggest. First, the 25-2 (same gun in .45 ACP) is rated for .45 ACP +P ammo, so your pressure restriction is 23k psi. This will allow you up to 10.0gr loads of Unique with 250 - 270gr lead bullets. However, I would suggest you stick with 8.5 - 9.0gr loads of Unique, since a slower burn rate powder is better suited for heavy loads. For 1000 - 1100fps loads that will bump you up in the 20k - 23k psi pressure range, I would suggest either 2400 or 4227 powder. Googling John Taffin or John Linebaugh and .45 Colt will provide you with very good load data info. Hope that helps.

Don
 
I have never had any problems with Lyman's lead bullet data....

However I have run into two printing errors on maximum loads in my manual for the 380-45ACP !!
Another reason to double check data with other manuals.

Stay safe.
 
SLT223 said:
Appreciated gentlemen. The gun is a new to me 25-7 which I like very much and dont want to damage it. That's my main concern.
Click to expand...

I also shoot a 25-7. I have several guns in the 45 Colt caliber.
I load 250/255 grain lead bullets with 8.5g of Unique for my SAA and S&W guns and am happy with the results. I have two Rugers which sometimes get more powerful loads because they are built like a tank. But I stick with 8.5g of Unique for the others.
 
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In my opinion every serious handloader should subscribe to Handloader
magazine. And if you're a fan of the .45 Colt ctg then that's even more
of a reason. Because of the fact that the .45 Colt is a favorite of the
editor and writers like Brian Pearce and Mike Venturino there has been
lots of .45 Colt load data published over the last several years. Brian's
articles are exceptional because he lists loads at various pressure
levels, all pressure tested. One fairly recent issue listed loads at std
pressure at the std velocity level of about 860 fps with over 20
different powders.
 
Groo here
To the OP
The main reason for your original post differences
is the depth of the bullet in the case.
The deeper the bullet is seated the less the room, the less the powder needed to get to a specific pressure with a given weight bullet.
Also the last one is with a softer bullet .
 
Been loading a 250g RNFP over 9g Unique for a long time. It replicates the original BP loading of 900fps.

Well within the safety margin and laser accurate.

Mine is a 25-7.
 
It is fairly common to see these sort of discrepancies in load data when it involves fast to medium powders and lead bullets.
It really depends on the criteria of the tester.
Some laboratories simply base on pressure data, even if the load in question would probably perform badly from an accuracy or leading standpoint. To them, they just keep going until they approach the pressure limits.
Others will place an emphasis on usability and may stop well short of the pressure limitations if they start seeing diminishing returns.
You are doing the right thing to compare data and work up with caution.
 
I'm wary about using data from older manuals and publications with Unique. It doesn't take as much Unique now to generate the same velocities with the same cast semiwadcutters since I started reloading in the 70s. It's far better to start low and work up particularly with Colt Single Action Armies, SAA clones, and S&W N-frames. A chronograph helps immensely.

I looked at the Alliant data. It shows a max. of 9.5 grains for its swaged-lead semiwadcutter. It's almost straight lead with just a little antimony added, which explains the higher charge of one whole grain over Lyman data. It's far better to use Cowboy action data for those swaged bullets, or you'll be cleaning lead out of the revolver until the weekend after next. :-) Yes, you can push swaged lead bullets faster. But I don't like pushing Lewis Lead Removers and lead-wipe-away patches.
 
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When you take into consideration that the std pressure limit for the
.45 Colt is 13,000 psi and you are using a modern handgun that is
also chambered for rounds like the +P .45 ACP at 23,000 psi does a
few tenths of Unique really matter?
 
I generally seek multiple recent sources and then go with the most conservative numbers. I generally don't care about maximizing velocity as a goal anyway, just teensy groups when my hands and eyes cooperate.
 
Bottom line first, the OP's implied loading of 8.5gr of Unique is fine. Change or decades it has been iconic for " full power - std pressure " with most any 250-/255gr bullet. The Alliant load *as written* is ok, but at the 9.5gr neighborhood in a non-Ruger , you need to be careful of all the deails of primer, bullet design, hardness, etc.

And you may well be happy with a load 50-75fps slower. Still a big bullet at medium-ish velocity. Try 7.8- 8.2gr of Unique, see what gives best accuracy.
 
8.5 Unique perfect with 255swc is perfect in the standard spec wheelgun. It's all I use in my standard pressure Colt and 1873 Winchester. Very accurate and put deer and hogs down!
 
I have both an Uberti/Taylor SAA .45 Colt Smoke Wagon 4 5/8" barrel and a S&W Model 25-13 .45 Colt Mountain Gun 4" barrel. I hand load and shoot 250/255gn Cast SWC over 8.5gn and 9.0gn of Unique, with no problems of any kind.
 
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