45 LC question

[ArchAngelCD]

I used to use nothing buy W231 for cast bullets in the 45 Colt until I tried HS6. Now I will only use HS-6. I charge 10.2gr HS-6 under a 250/255gr cast bullet with a magnum primer. It's not exactly a plinking load but not too hot especially for a Blackhawk.

 

[geo57]

I like 8.0 grs. of Unique under a 250 gr. poly coat cast RNFP. When the Unique runs out we'll try BE-86.

 

[Barbarosa99]

Pick up some polymer coated bullets, almost smoke free!

 

[mtgianni]

I was just looking at Hodgdon's website on the Ruger T/C only data and it's talking about Accurate #7 & #9 pushing a 255 gr. lead bullet to 1,200 to 1,500 FPS range. WOW

Not that a 5.5 inch Blackhawk would reach those velocities anyways. But am I correct in thinking you don't want to push lead like that? To me that just seems awful hot. I have #7 and #9 by the way.

As one who shoots cast rifle bullets regularly to over 2500 fps I had to smile at this. Yes those are warm loads in a 45 Blackhawk. Lead swedged bullets will not stand up to that, purchased cast bullets that are hard as nails with a lube that is the same might get there but might not. I shoot centerfire handguns in 32 long and mag, 38. 357 max and mag, 9mm, 40, 10 mm, 44 special and mag, and 45 acp and colt. I last shot jacketed handgun bullets in the 90's.

 

[whelenshooter]

No you are not the only one who does not like Unique. I hate it . Poor metering and the largest extreme spreads when compared with other powders in any cartridge, even with weighed charges. I have about a half pound somewhere around here that will be poured on the ground whenever I come across it. Bullseye is much better and 7.0 grs gives factory ballistics of about 870 FPS with a 255 gr cast bullet in the .45 Colt.

There is a big difference between old Unique and the new Unique. I didn't like the old Unique (the stuff in the cardboard cans) either because it didn't go through a powder measure very well. The newer Unique (in the plastic cans) seems to go through the powder measure on my Dillon 550 MUCH better! Eight grains Unique with a 250 grain Keith bullet (a REAL Keith bullet with a flat base, not a bevel base, and a good size crimp groove) in a .45 Colt has been a standby load for most of us old farts for more years than I like to think about. I call it "The Beatles Load". I think they did a song about it... at least I sing it this way, "Eight Grains Unique, I La-ah-ah-ah-ove you. Eight Grains Unique, are not enough to blow you up."

A good substitute for Unique, although the AMOUNT OF POWDER IS DIFFERENT (see a good reloading manual for powder weights) is Universal Clays. I still continue to use Unique, however. By the way, eight grains of Unique behind a 250 Keith SWC in a .45 Colt, with good shot placement, will kill deer all day long at 50 yards.

Whelenshooter

 

[shil]

Agreed; Unique definitely meters badly. I always weighed every fifth charge thrown. I've had good results in .45C with Vihtavuori N32C (Tin Star) with 250-255 grain RFN lead bullets. It meters well and bulks up in the case nicely. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find and more expensive than other choices. Furthermore, I understand it's being or has been discontinued. Looking back through my records, I see that W244, BE86, Accurate #5 and CFE Pistol also worked well for me.

 

[Muley Gil]

To anyone who hates Unique-please send it to me!!!

I'll pay the shipping.

 

[DWalt]

6 grains of any of the fast powders will work just fine. Bullseye, Red Dot, 700-X, Clays , AA#2, etc., just pick one. No need to make it complicated.

 

[Capt. F.]

Can't go wrong with the Beatles load. "8 grains Unique."

Good medium level plinker. I can't imagine shooting jacketed bullets out of a 45 Colt!

Hey, we play that song with slightly different words in the elder rock group my wife and I play in.
Think we’ll rewrite it using your lyrics in case we play at a gun club or maybe we’ll do House of the Rising Gun.

 

[AJ]

I have three revolvers chambered for .45 Colt. Two are Colts and one S&W. One of the Colts is a Model 1909 U.S.Army. I researched the 1909 when I got it. I found the specs the War Department wanted for the .45 Colt cartridge. The contract states a 250 grain bullet at 725 FPS. I have a program called Quick Load and ran it through that to find loadings to match. It gave me 29 different loading to obtain that velocity. I normally use 5.6 grains of Bullseye. In my 1909 it shoots center mass at 25 yards. Have adjusted my S&W 25 sights to that loading. My other Colt has a 2 inch barrel and is very good close up (7 yards or less) with the same loading. If still interested email me and I will send a picture of my listing (to much typing to retype it all). I figure if it was good enough for the War Department for shooting moving objects, then it is good enough for me to punch paper with (and maybe other things).

AJ

 

[geo57]

Just now assembled 35 rounds of .45 Colt. 250 gr. RNFP poly coat cast ( T&B Bullets ) on top of 8.0 grs. of Unique, Starline cases, Win LPP. Does about 875 FPS from my 7 1/2" Blackhawk.

 

[johnjohn]

My .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk has never had anything but lead.

 

[The Norseman]

45 Colt reloads

45Colt. 250gr Lead/Red Dot 6.0grs, 812fps.
Everyday load.
45Colt. 270gr Lead/Longshot 9.5grs, approaching
1000fps. (mold RCBS 270 SAA) Wilderness load.

Other powders in order; Unique, Bullseye,
American Select, last resort Power Pistol(a lot of
muzzle flash), IMR4227(5-6 grains laying in
barrel after each shot).

Always do your research and read a lot of reloading
resources about the 45 Colt before trying anything.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[The Norseman]

Lube

All my Lead bullets are tumbled lubed
(in plastic butter tub with lid) with
Ben’s Liquid Lube.

B.L.L. provides a lead free barrel performance.
Otherwise you need to be scrubbing lead out
with a bronze bore brush wrapped in Chore Boy
pure copper strands.

 

[Alstep]

I've never fired a factory jacketed bullet in any of my revolvers. I cast all my own. No leading problems either. I lube with 50/50 beeswax/alox.

A favorite 45 Colt load is the 200 grain copy of the old H&G 68 SWC with 6.0 grains of Bullseye. Nice mild load, accurate too. Doesn't beat you up or your gun. Works for me, no guarantees it'll work for you.

 

[Model19man]

I use W231 powder and a 250 grain 454424 PCSWC. It likes around 7.5 grains of powder which is very accurate in my Smith 25-3 and my Colt New Service flat top target. Target shows the first six from my Smith 25-3. I put in one click of right windage after this group.

 

[Model19man]

I like 8.0 grs. of Unique under a 250 gr. poly coat cast RNFP. When the Unique runs out we'll try BE-86.

I used to like Unique in this caliber. Until I tried W231. What a great and accurate powder.

 

[AJ]

I use W231 powder and a 250 grain 454424 PCSWC. It likes around 7.5 grains of powder which is very accurate in my Smith 25-3 and my Colt New Service flat top target. Target shows the first six from my Smith 25-3. I put in one click of right windage after this group.

What distance?

 

[gunbarrel]

My .45 Colt CAS load for my Ruger Vaqueros and my Marlin Cowboy was 8.0 grains of Unique with a 250 gr LRNFP bullet and WLP's. I love Unique, but it's dirty. I used 4.3 grains of 231 with 200gr LSWC & WLP's for my Gold Cup when I shot NRA Bullseye for an accurate, mild load.HTH

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

For many years my go to load for my 45LC Smiths, Rugers and rifles is my hard cast 255 gr SWC's pushed by 8.5 grs. of Unique.........Does anything I need the 45LC to do.