.45 Colt: 250-255gr Hardcast loads W/Unique in 25-5??
- Thread starter maglvr
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I have loaded 7 and 8 grains of Unique with that bullet. I have no idea as to the velocity, but they are easy to shoot and accurate.
I get 1050 fps over the screens of my Oehler with 18.5 grains of 2400 under the Lyman 454424 265 grain Keith bullet, and Fed 150 primer, Win cases, in my 25-5 4".
I got 865 fps with 9 grains of Unique under a 255 swc BB, Fed 150 primer, and Win cases
994 fps with 12.5 grains of HS-6 under the same bullet, with the same primer, and Midway cases
I got 865 fps with 9 grains of Unique under a 255 swc BB, Fed 150 primer, and Win cases
994 fps with 12.5 grains of HS-6 under the same bullet, with the same primer, and Midway cases
Sir, FWIW, I've long used 8.0 or 8.5 grains of Unique with cast 250s in .45 Colt. The 8.5-grain charge is noticeably cleaner and less smoky than the 8.0 load. Haven't ever chronographed either one (been meaning to), but both have been accurate in my guns.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Snapping Twig
Member
While there are many excellent powders for the .45Colt, the gold standard is 8 ~ 9 grains of Unique under a 255g cast SWC.
8g gives you @ 800fps.
8.5g gives you @ 850fps.
9g gives you @ 900fps.
I call that a pattern!
The original BP load is @ 900fps, so I use 9g Unique in mine.
8g gives you @ 800fps.
8.5g gives you @ 850fps.
9g gives you @ 900fps.
I call that a pattern!
The original BP load is @ 900fps, so I use 9g Unique in mine.
steveno
Member
the only way to know what a load will do is to chronograph your load. a load of 7.5 grains of Unique with a 255 grain swc in a 6 inch S & W M25-5 and a 4.625 inch sst Ruger both chronographed at 860 fps. all guns will be different and in some cases there will be quite a bit of difference.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Well, I'm going to comment even though I have neither of the things you set up as criteria for want answers to! 
I did just get the 45Colt cartridge and have been having a BLAST (literal) working with it. Very nostalgic, and cool!
I cast and the bullet I use is a 240gr LSWC from an H&G #502 mould. It is of the Elmer Keith design just originally for the 45AR. Mine drops from the mould right at 245gr.
Also, I don't have a S&W 25-5 or any Smith in 45Colt (yet)! Got you wondering why I even came to post in this thread, don't I?
What I do have is a new Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible, 45ACP & 45Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel. This thing is a tank with a nice trigger and is pretty accurate.
The load I used for this lighter bullet was 8.5gr Unique. Here are the chronograph results from it:
Low: 928fps
High: 974fps
Avg: 951fps
ES: 46fps
SD: 16fps
My notes say: "Accurate, easy recoil, not too smokey."
The rounds I made up for future plinking use were 9gr under the same bullet but I haven't ran them over the chronograph them yet.
19gr of 2400 gave me an average of 1151fps from the same firearm but it wasn't all that consistent across the screens. That load needs worked on a bit!
Of late, many have shared loads that are much hotter than normal 45Colt loads. After speaking with John Linebaugh, I am thoroughly convinced that the newer 25-5/625 platform can take those rounds too. The only problem being, shooting loose. Keep that in mind.
I did just get the 45Colt cartridge and have been having a BLAST (literal) working with it. Very nostalgic, and cool!
I cast and the bullet I use is a 240gr LSWC from an H&G #502 mould. It is of the Elmer Keith design just originally for the 45AR. Mine drops from the mould right at 245gr.
Also, I don't have a S&W 25-5 or any Smith in 45Colt (yet)! Got you wondering why I even came to post in this thread, don't I?
What I do have is a new Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible, 45ACP & 45Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel. This thing is a tank with a nice trigger and is pretty accurate.
The load I used for this lighter bullet was 8.5gr Unique. Here are the chronograph results from it:
Low: 928fps
High: 974fps
Avg: 951fps
ES: 46fps
SD: 16fps
My notes say: "Accurate, easy recoil, not too smokey."
The rounds I made up for future plinking use were 9gr under the same bullet but I haven't ran them over the chronograph them yet.
19gr of 2400 gave me an average of 1151fps from the same firearm but it wasn't all that consistent across the screens. That load needs worked on a bit!
Of late, many have shared loads that are much hotter than normal 45Colt loads. After speaking with John Linebaugh, I am thoroughly convinced that the newer 25-5/625 platform can take those rounds too. The only problem being, shooting loose. Keep that in mind.
OP
maglvr
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Thank you folks:
Very informative info. given!!
I have a thing for Unique powder, even though others can give more velocity, just something nostalgic in using a powder from the 1800's for a cartridge of the same era.
Many thanks everyone!!
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in also.
Safe/Happy shooting!
Maglvr
Very informative info. given!!
I have a thing for Unique powder, even though others can give more velocity, just something nostalgic in using a powder from the 1800's for a cartridge of the same era.
Many thanks everyone!!
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in also.
Safe/Happy shooting!
Maglvr
Sir, I might add a "Ruger only" .45 Colt load that I like: 10.0 grains of Unique with a cast 250. It's a thumper, and accurate as well. I wouldn't run this one in a Smith, but it's a very good field load in suitable guns.
On the lighter side of things, 8.0 grains of Unique with a cast 200-grain bullet makes a great plinker. Feels like a big .38 and is very accurate. Its only drawback is that it prints low in guns sighted for 250s.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
On the lighter side of things, 8.0 grains of Unique with a cast 200-grain bullet makes a great plinker. Feels like a big .38 and is very accurate. Its only drawback is that it prints low in guns sighted for 250s.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
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scattershot
Member
I use 7.5 Unique in mine, with good results. Also, you will probably want to use .454 bullets, as the chamber throats on the Smith run on the large side. I have heard of them going .457 on some pistols, but mine are .454-.455.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I cast the Lyman 454424 bullet, a 255 grain SWC. I size them to .454 for all of my guns. 8.5 grains of Unique seems to pretty well replicate the traditional W-W conical lead bullet load. I have shot a lot of this load over the years, mostly S&W's.
It's a good one.
It's a good one.
I don't own S&W in .45 Colt do but use that 8.5 grs of Unique with either a 255 gr SWC or 250 gr FP in a Ruger Blackhawk with a good firm crimp. It is very accurate in my gun. Also 7.5 to 8 grs of Universal Clays with the same bullets works well too.
OP
maglvr
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I will be trying the 10gr./250gr. load for my 45 Colt,Blackhawk.
I just recently tried a 44 mag load in a super Blackhawk that was 12gr. Unique under a 255gr, YOWZER!!! I sure knew when I had pulled the trigger!
Missionary
Member
Good morning
Why shoot HARDCAST ? At the pressure that 8-10 grains of Unique creats in that FAT case you can shoot near pure lead.
I have a 44-40 revolver down here in Peru with me. I use a 265 grain plain base bullet from a Rapine mold. I load it with 7-9 grains Unique for plinking and "wild dog control" out in the desert. No leading and impact on a to near 100 pound + snarling dog is all I can want from a handgun. No leading ever.
Too hard a lead bullet can be even more problem than to soft.
Why shoot HARDCAST ? At the pressure that 8-10 grains of Unique creats in that FAT case you can shoot near pure lead.
I have a 44-40 revolver down here in Peru with me. I use a 265 grain plain base bullet from a Rapine mold. I load it with 7-9 grains Unique for plinking and "wild dog control" out in the desert. No leading and impact on a to near 100 pound + snarling dog is all I can want from a handgun. No leading ever.
Too hard a lead bullet can be even more problem than to soft.
OP
maglvr
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I prefer a hardcast WFN because I do a lot of bear hunting, I like the complete pass through, it leaves a much better blood trail to follow, if they make it back into the brush. And, the damage the wide flat nose does on bone is amazing! Hit a shoulder and bone pieces usually destroy the heart as well as the lead crushing both shoulders.
They don't usually go too far.
They don't usually go too far.
shovelwrench
Member
Why don't you use H110? Unique is just too fast to throw that bullet at any kind of real speed.
Use the same bullet, just start at 22gr-25gr, Mag primer, watch your primers. And don't shoot em from anything but that Blackhawk....
300gr JHP over 24gr H110 and Mag primer run 1350FPS from my Ruger with Minimal primer flattening.
It'll make that Super Blackhawk look like a childs toy
keithherrington
Member
My results mirror Smith Crazy. My standard 45 Colt load is a 250 grain over 8.5 grains of Unique. It averages 945 fps out of a 4" barrel (the only length I shoot), has a low SD and is very accurate.
Keith
Keith
michael thornton
Member
my 45 colt plinking loads are 252 gr swc 225 gr rn cast over 9.0 gr of unique
