45 Colt load that is close to 44 mag

[robctwo]

I've been loading and shooting the .45 colt a bit this last year. I have the Ruger BH in 4 5/8 and the SS 5", The Puma 20" and a few S&W 25s.

I have read all the articles I can find, and loaded all the high end rounds I wanted. 2400 and 4227 mostly for high velocity. The Puma can handle it all safely for sure. Question is do I want to hurt my shoulder or my hand?

So far my absolute favorite .45 colt load is 6 gr Red dot under a 200 gr lswc. I can shoot 2-300 of them at a range session if I want.

I was out to the range yesterday with some 250 gr rnfp over 6.0 Red dot and 7.0 W231. Good full feeling loads. Flopped the steel plates over with authority. I only shot 30-40 of each and moved to lighter loads. I figure a box will last me two or three range trips at that level.

My friend just got a used S&W 629. He got all excited about out gunning me with his MAG. He loaded up some mid-range loads with 240 gr bullets. Decided my idea of lighter loads for the range was a lot more fun. He's shooting .44 Special type loads most of the time now.

25 Classic, 19-3middle, 18-3 bottom

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I agree. You don't need all that power just to have a lot of fun with a 45 Colt, but it is nice to have it available when you do.

My usual range load is something in the 250-255gr weight @ 950fps. A satisfying boom and great accuracy is the result. Lately I have been loading the Speer 230gr LRN swaged bullet with 11.5gr of WSF for just over 1000fps in my 7.5" Vaquero (I call it the "Matt Dillon"). It is a remarkably accurate, no leading at all, fun load, with a very satisfying roll in the hand from a SA. It'll easily throw 2.5" groups all day at 25yds off hand. Lots of fun with the old 45 Colt! As I mentioned elsewhere, I've been thinking about picking up another pound of Red Dot to use again. It was an old fave decades ago and I recall it seems to meter decently.

But with the right gun, when you really need the power it's there for the taking.

 

[robctwo]

Red Dot drops a light load every now and then on my LnL. Not squibs, but light enough to check the barrel to insure the bullet is gone. I've used a lot of it over the past two years because I bought an 8 pound jug when the shortage of 09 hit. The last powder on the shelf at Sportsman's Warehouse in Salem. I've got some WSF on the shelf and will give your load a try.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Wowskies! All I can say is Wowskies!

Serious loads, for sure. I am wondering if he is talking about the Super Redhawk though.

Like this one:

Rather than this one:

p.s. They sure are ugly though!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Ugly? You're right on that one Skip!

No, like I said in post #13, I asked him directly, and replied directly to me that he is/was referring to the standard Redhawk. He says he runs them regularly through his own personal gun, and has for many, many rounds.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Yep. Give those 325s a try sometime !
One thing I will say about his loading articles is that when he reports a velocity and you work up to the load in your own gun, being (very) mindful of gun type and barrel length, they are pretty much right on the money. I wouldn't say those big ones are fun to shoot...but, then again, they aren't exactly not fun either if you like that sort of thing!

 

[JohnAC]

I was fondling a Ruger Alaskan the other day and man, that is one serious snubbie!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Yep. Give those 325s a try sometime !
One thing I will say about his loading articles is that when he reports a velocity and you work up to the load in your own gun, being (very) mindful of gun type and barrel length, they are pretty much right on the money. I wouldn't say those big ones are fun to shoot...but, then again, they aren't exactly not fun either if you like that sort of thing!

VA-

You are right on again.

Pay close attention to what platform he uses, and also what you are trying to run them through, and you won't have any issues.

BTW-
I don't mind the heavy loads, especially in a Redhawk.
After shooting my F/A .475 Linebaugh, nothing less seems all that tough to manage. That one will make you pay attention. Like the .44magnum, and.45 Colt, I don't have to run it full bore to get awesome performance, with easily managed recoil.

 

[Skip Sackett]

As far as Brian Pearce goes, there isn't anyone even close on the Handloading/Reloading Writers scene to him.

If you want bullets that dribble out of the barrel, you can always use Mike Ventrino's (sp) loads!

I am in another one of the big articles in it right now, the 38spl. Another good read.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

As far as Brian Pearce goes, there isn't anyone even close on the Handloading/Reloading Writers scene to him.

If you want bullets that dribble out of the barrel, you can always use Mike Ventrino's (sp) loads!

I am in another one of the big articles in it right now, the 38spl. Another good read.

You got that right on all three points!!

MV is a pantywaist anymore. He didn't start off writing that way, but as his career became more certain, he started showing his true colors. Now it's nothing but BPCR, cream puff loads, or worn out military equipment.

 

[nebmike]

I was fondling a Ruger Alaskan the other day and man, that is one serious snubbie!

I've got one in .454 Casull, and I have to say that it very quickly became one of my most favorite guns. Its got a beautifully smooth trigger pull and even with full power .454 loads it isnt as much of a recoil monster as some claim (at least while using the Hogue Tamer grips).

 

[ramptester]

I love shooting my Smith model 25-5. However, extraction of empty cases is hit or miss. This does not happen with my 44 magnum guns. The 45 Colt case was designed with single action type extraction in mind after all.

 

[carson]

.45 Colt load that exceeds factory 44 magnum

Apples to apples, the .45 Colt using 23 grains 2400 with 240 grain Sierra JHC, 10 inch bbl. does 1472 fps. In a .44 Magnum, 10 inch bbl., it does 1469 fps with 19.5 grains of 2400. 28.0 gr W296 does 1316 fps in my Clement Conversion 5.5 inch Redhawk with thid bullet. Both 10 inch loads are from the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook Third Edition. I am perfectly happy with Buffalo Bore factory 325 GR LBT-FN AT 1313 fps or 325 grain CPBC WFNPB, 20.5 gr. Lil'Gun, at about 1230 fps from my 5.5 inch Redhawk revolvers. The .44 Magnum does have more velocity with some bullets but I don't feel slighted with a good .45 Colt load.