.45 Colt problem

[Ivan the Butcher]

Anyone have a powder charge for a 200 grain cast bullet using #4227 ??

Lyman #45 (1977) says 20-26 grain of 4227 for 185 grain cast and 20-24 for 230 grain cast. Velocities were basically the same 930 to 1130. Seem hotter than I would like for a M-25 any dash!

My go to 45 Colt load is 6.7 of WW231 with any cast bullet! With 220-230 RNFP Cowboy cast bullets it runs 720-750 fps, is very accurate and on knock down plates, even when hit low, they fell with authority! I currently have 6 revolvers of 4 barrel lengths 3" to 7 1/2" and 20" and 24" lever carbines. this load is an all day long shooting load.

At one cowboy match on a 25-yard rifle target, you got a bonus for a rapid dump of 5 rounds on a 4" round plate. My 5.5" Vaquero went 5/5 in less than 2 seconds! I earned the bonus!!!

Ivan

 

[ironhead7544]

I would get a 45 ACP expander plug. Then drop back to the start load. Crimp the bullet over the ogive which will give a good crimp. This means seating the bullet deeper until the round part is just below the case neck. The roll crimp die will work fine.

Or, just get some 200 gr cast cowboy bullets that will have a proper crimp groove. They make them in coated if there is a leading problem.

I checked for 200 gr cast loads and found some in the older manuals. Speer #8 shows start loads above what you are using. Bear in mind that Speer #8 is know for heavy loads. Use at your discretion.

Search for "45 Colt with 200 gr cast bullet and 4227 powder". There is some good info.

 

[zeke]

From left to right. Win 230 fmj, Speer 200 gn "flying ashtray" and 200 lrnfp.

The wasp waist is from neck sizing the brass with 45 acp die, and 45 acp expander plug. Some may not like the look, but imo the increased case neck tension provides benefits.

The 200 lrnfp is over 7.5 gns hp-38 for about 860 fps from 4 5/8 barrel, very accurate and the poi is noticeably lower at 25 yds.

The 230 fmj from Win has a dia of about .449 to .450 and does not creep. Used as a "lead chaser" in smoother barrels.

The 200 gn flying ashtray is a vermin round for the pistols sighted in for the 200 lrnfp.

 

[jcelect]

My S&W Model 25-5 6" rear sight has been adjusted all the way down.
With 255 grain cast bullets it still prints high.
Useing a lighter bullet brings the POI lower with a hotter powder charge.

I will use .45acp dies as suggested to hopefully cure the bullet moving forward issue.
Anyone have a powder charge for a 200 grain cast bullet using #4227 ??

Rear sight adjustment is not the same as a rifle went talking about a handgun! The difference is the RECOIL ARCH of the barrel is much higher! A slow heavy bullet will hit higher than a light fast bullet at the same distant! This problem becomes really apparent when you move the distance out(50-100yds) and crank up the speed!

Bullet pull problem is usually associated with revolvers because of the cylinder length/bullet seating depth! In an auto the mag holds the bullet in the case to a max length and the chamber/barrel is not separated. I shoot a lot of auto rds(10mm, 40S&W, 38 Super) in bowling pins matches using revolvers and usually use the heaviest bullets I can find! Too many times these bullets have no crimping groove. What works for me is to seat the bullet deep and crimp on the beginning of the bullet ogive, being careful not to produce a compressed load! The OP is shooting the 45LC, which has a large case capacity and a light bullet, which means he should not have any problem with powder compression!
It works for me, jcelect

 

[Bill Lear]

Hi:
I have been loading a .451 200 grain JHP bullet with 20 grains of #4227.
Recoil is ok and accurate is very good.

However I have a problem with the bullets in the cases working outwards and binding the cylinder.

The jacketed bullets have no crimping groove and I have tried a tight crimp but the bullets still work out.

Perhaps these bullets are not for a revolver ?

The bullets are too small in diameter. Dimensions can be all over the place with modern .45 Colt revovlers, but the SAFE BET is to always go with .454 diameter bullets. Most revolver chamber mouths are very close to .454" which promotes accuracy.
BORES will almost universally be .451" which creates major accuracy problems for the .45 Colt.