45 Colt rifle loads

[walnutred]

With Ohio allowing pistol caliber rifles for deer hunting this year i am working up some loads for my Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 45 Colt. I have an old Ideal 454190 mold that casts a 250 gn RNFP bullet with two very substantial grease grooves. I plan on using BAC lube but I'm looking for load suggestions.

Shots will be in the <100yd range and most likely closer to 50 yds.

Thanks

 

[alwslate]

Most any loading manual that's recent will have .45 Colt rifle data.
Lots of .45 Colt data for rifle and pistol in back issues of Handloader
magazine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Most if not all load data for the 45 Colt that is listed on both handgun pages and rifle pages will list the same powder charge weights. The only difference will be the posted velocities which will differ because of the longer barrel. Pressure is pressure and just because it's a rifle doesn't automatically translate into a stronger action.

 

[nitesite]

I bet some Blue Dot would be some good stuff.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I've found that generally what shoots good in my revolvers shoot well in my 1873 Uberti in .45 Colt. Unique and Power Pistol are my go to powders. Check back issue Handloader magazine for some good articles by Brian Pearce on the .45 Colt, he has some very good performance loads that are within the 14,000 PSI SAMMI spec. For jacketed I find my Uberti shoots the Hornady 250gr HP-XTP very well and for lead my 265gr Lee LRNFN bullet at .452" diameter with SPG lube shoots quite well with no bore leading. Just remember to use a flat nose or blunt nose bullet in the tubular mag on these lever guns to prevent a chain fire. And a good crimp on the bullet to prevent ammo telescoping. Watch your over all cartridge length for proper function (your owners manual will tell you) and make up a few dummy rounds to check function. You do not want a live round all jammed up in there.

 

[Arub]

I use 6.8 grains of Alliant Green Dot behind a 250 grain RNFP that chronos at 975ft/sec out of a 20" Marlin 1894. I don't know what powder you have on hand but I do have additional recipes out of an Alliant load book. Let me know what you have and I may be able to give you a recommended load.

 

[Calliope]

If you're looking for standard pressure loads, Unique would be the place to start.
Any manual should have data for that.

 

[tjpopkin]

I use .45 Colt in both handguns (Perf. Ctr. Model 25, Colt SAA, Ruger Blackhawk) and rifle (Uberti Model 1973 and a custom made low wall single shot for 200yd. targets).
You MUST look at commercial loading data in a couple of manuals, factor in what advise ou have from the forum and shooting friends and decide on a STARTING load FOR YOUR GUNS. Usually, for rifle loads, I back off commercial hot loads by 10% and work both up and down in 0.1gr increments until I get my best groups from a bench. If accuracy is down, then a few more Ft./Sec. will do you no good. Now, keep in mind that some powders (like 296 and H110, essentially the same powder) will generate excessive pressure if too light! Again, use the manuals carefully.
Here is what I have used successfully for years. I have been reloading for over 50 years…….
.45 Colt … 260gr.PbSWC, Gas checked….over 15.5gr.2400
Works in all my handguns and rifles…. good place to start.

 

[alwslate]

For hunting loads look for data in back issues of Handloader magazine.
Brian Pearce is a fan of the .45 Colt and has written extensively about
it over the last several years. In strong lever actions like the Marlin
and Winchesters loads can be used that are at the pressure levels of
loads recommended for strong revolvers, like the Rugers. The .45 Colt
loads listed for Ruger revolvers are held to pressures well below the
.44 magnum level and are mild in the rifles also chambered for the
.44. Lots of data around if you look for it.

 

[marmax]

Unique is my favorite powder for 45 colt. My load is a 250gr rnfp with 7.5gr of Unique. I have no problem ringing the gong at 75 yrds easily. It is a pleasant shooting round and my yellow boy eats them up. Good luck and happy shooting.

 

[walnutred]

Thanks for the information. I have all of the powders mentioned except Blue Dot so I should be able to find something that works for me.

 

[jeffnles1]

If you want to have a LOT of fun with the 45 Colt, load the case up with Goex 3F Black Powder so the bullet compresses the load about 1/8" to 1/4" (black works with slightly compressed charges).

Bullet velocity with a 250gr lead bullet will be about what you get from 8.0gr Unique under the same bullet but with all the smoke and boom of the original 45 Colt loads.

Outside of the fun-factor of black powder, my go-to load for 45Cot is 8.0gr Unique under 250gr bullet. Plenty strong enough medicine to bring down any deer you're going to come across in Ohio.

Jeff