45 Colt load question

[gregintenn]

I just picked up some 208 grain cast bullets. I'd like to load these with Unique powder, as I have a good supply on hand. Anyone have any info as to the minimun and maximum loads fo this? I'm more interested in a mild target load. Thanks in advance.

 

[OKFC05]

Around 7 grains will get it out the end of the barrel in good fashion.

How much over that you can go depends a lot on the gun's age and make.

 

[m657]

I loaded 200 gr RFN lead for years with Unique, for SASS matches. I prefer the 750-850 fps load range for mild recoil and great accuracy.

This was down toward the minimal-moderate charge range. I never had reason to load to the maximum end of the scale.

 

[max]

I have used 7.0 without any problems.

 

[gregintenn]

Thanks, guys! I'm not a maximum load kind of guy. I just want to shoot paper. 7 grains sounds good to me. However, that's what I've been loading for 240 SWC in the 44 magnum. Funny how that works. I'd never be able to guess at a load. I'm loading these for a rechambered 455 N frame Smith.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, Alliant shows a max of 9.5 grains of Unique with a 200-grain lead semi-wadcutter.

FWIW, I've loaded a lot of .45 Colts with a 200-grain cast roundnose flatpoint over 8.0 grains of Unique. It's a nice load, mild and accurate.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[duckloads]

This place is great. The only 200 gr, lead, 45 colt load I have been able to find was using trail boss. I think 6.5 grains was max at around 850 fps. Man, its filthy, but ok accurate. It leaves a nice crust of black crap (technical term) on the recoil shield.

 

[shovelwrench]

Originally posted by Ron H.:
Sir, Alliant shows a max of 9.5 grains of Unique with a 200-grain lead semi-wadcutter.

FWIW, I've loaded a lot of .45 Colts with a 200-grain cast roundnose flatpoint over 8.0 grains of Unique. It's a nice load, mild and accurate.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

9.5 is pretty conservative for a modern gun and a 200gr.
I run more than that under a 255 in my Backhawk.
BUT, I would'nt put that load in a Smith!!

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by shovelwrench:

Originally posted by Ron H.:
Sir, Alliant shows a max of 9.5 grains of Unique with a 200-grain lead semi-wadcutter.

FWIW, I've loaded a lot of .45 Colts with a 200-grain cast roundnose flatpoint over 8.0 grains of Unique. It's a nice load, mild and accurate.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

9.5 is pretty conservative for a modern gun and a 200gr.
I run more than that under a 255 in my Backhawk.
BUT, I would'nt put that load in a Smith!!

Sir, I wondered about that myself. Alliant lists the same max powder charge for a lead 250. Makes me wonder how they decide what's max.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[OKFC05]

Makes me wonder how they decide what's max.

Three possibilities:
1. It is the last "round number" powder load before going over the selected max avg pressure.
2. It is the last load before the accuracy went to blazes.
3. Ran out of room in the case.

With the .45 Colt cartridge, there is also the problem of what type of gun you are loading for, whether original old Colt, new Ruger, etc. Thus the data varies widely, and it pays to read the fine print. You will only put the hottest Ruger loads into an old original Colt once.........

 

[ArchAngelCD]

This is from Lyman 49, the newest Lyman manual available.

45 Colt
200gr LSWC #452460
Unique 8.6gr 918fps 8,700 CUP
Unique 9.6gr 1083fps 12,800 CUP

Always verify data you get from the Internet. Mistakes typing can and will happen. Use at your own risk.

 

[Houndog2]

In my Uberti I run 7.5 gr. Unique with either 200, 230 or 250 grain cast or Jacketed. They all shoot to point of aim....not sure why but they are accurate too. I like things simple and this load works for me and I don't have to change the powder dumper on my progressive press I have set up for .45 Colt. I doubt the gun will ever shoot another load as long as I own it. Just seems to work. And I got no interest in high power .45 Colt loads.....that's what the 460XVR is for!
HD2

 

[Riomouse911]

I had a huge box of .45 ACP 230gr LRN bullets, and no .45 ACP dies, so I loaded a batch in the .45 Colt. 7.5g Unique is the load I run using the .451 diameter bullets in a Vaquero and a Super Redhawk. Just enough jump to know it's there, but in no way punishing.

 

[gregintenn]

I settled on 8 grains of Unique. These things are very accurate and hit where the sights point. They were, however, somewhat hard to eject. They also leaded the forcing cone pretty good. What gives?

 

[duckloads]

I'm about to load some 200 gr LRN with 8 gr unique to shoot out of my 625-9 MG. It will be a week or two before I shoot again, but I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll be using Missouri Bullet Co bullets.