45 colt

[jolsen]

I have a 1962 colt single action Colt. Second generation. Cylinder throats' are .454. I loaded some Lee 220 gr bullets. These are powder coated, sized before and after coating. They measure .454 after sizing. Used 7.3 gr unique
Does this look like a correct load for 45 colt? Thank for any suggestions, john

 

[scattershot]

Pretty standard load, usually with a heavier bullet.7.3 Unique is not a heavy load, so you should be good.

 

[dillonhelp]

This is a light, comfortable load for a slightly lighter than normal bullet. If it puts 5 shots into 3" or less at 25 yards, be pleased. If you get vertical stringing in your group, up the powder charge incrementally.

 

[M29since14]

That should work just fine. I like 800X in the .45 Colts I’ve owned (all S&Ws) but it’s a nuisance to load unless you like to trickle in each charge.

You can’t get anything more mainstream than Unique in the .45 Colt. It’s been successful for decades.

 

[rockquarry]

That should work just fine. I like 800X in the .45 Colts I’ve owned (all S&Ws) but it’s a nuisance to load unless you like to trickle in each charge.

You can’t get anything more mainstream than Unique in the .45 Colt. It’s been successful for decades.

I used Unique for forty or so years like everyone else, but got at least slightly better accuracy with a "niche" powder- HS-6. I used the Lyman #454424 design at about 255 grains. However, if had Unique and no HS-6, I'd use Unique. 800X is tedious torture to use but it's generally quite accurate.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a herd of Rugar single actions, my standard load is:

6.7 WW231
WLP Primer
Any Brand of Brass
Patriot's cast 220 RNFP (I have used this powder charge from 185 SWC/HP to 250 RN with accuracy enough to hit 6" steel plates with any and mixed weights from 4 & 6-inch handguns at 25 yards.)

Ivan

 

[jolsen]

Thank you for the reply. I can mix wheel weight with pure lead if you guys think it would help with accuracy. I have a lot of unique powder not much 231. thanks, john

 

[AJ]

I have a M1909 Colt U.S.Army for a few years. When I got it , I researched a loading for it so as not to over stress it. I found where the War Department required ammo that was a 250 grain bullet at 750 FPS for these guns. I used 5.6 grains of Bullseye with the 250 grain bullet to obtain the 750 FPS. Worked good and shot to POI at 25 yards. Umique 6.4 grains will do the same. Less wear and tear on the gun.........

 

[GypsmJim]

Thank you for the reply. I can mix wheel weight with pure lead if you guys think it would help with accuracy. I have a lot of unique powder not much 231. thanks, john

I have used straight WWs for about 25 years now. Prior to that I used Lyman #2. I saw no problems with the change.

For 230 grain bullets my Unique formula was slightly higher. I simply found a handbook value and went with that.

I would still be using Unique, except my supplies ran out and its hard to find. W231 is now my goto for all calibers.

When I had issues with large throats in a 25-5 I switched to 0.454s. Turned out they performed better in all my .45 Colts, so that's my new standard.

My only suggestion is that the 7.3 might be too light. Not a problem, per se', but look at the fired cases for excess smoking. You may want to up it a little. The Lyman manual (or others) should guide you.

 

[470Evans]

7.3 grs of Unique with that bullet would be a light load, Alliant's website shows 8.5 grs of Unique with a 230gr lead bullet @850fps.

In 45 Colt I typically use HS-6 with the Lyman 454424 powder coated and sized to match the guns cylinder throats. Using -pin gauges all my Colts in 45 Colt have measured .456.

 

[AJ]

It seems funny to read that 7.3 grains of Unique is a light load. This gives a velocity of 819 FPS. The old duffers at the turn of the 20th Century considered 750 FPS enough to send to the PI to fight the Moros and considered it plenty of power. I use a program called Quickload QuickLOAD Ballistic Software | QuickLOAD Database for PC to get my info from when we are working up loads for pistol & rifles.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

That’s a fine. Load.My standard is 7.5 Unique. Years ago my 4’11” wife could shoot it fine but when she shot 8.5 it was too much. That was out of a Colt SAA, too.

 

[jolsen]

Thanks guys. If and when it warms up here I will try some loads. john

 

[Wyo]

I’ve been shooting 8.5 gr. of Unique with various 250-255 gr. bullets in the Colt 45 since the late 1960’s. Best all-round handgun load and cartridge of any that I know of.