A Tale of 2 Loads

[jski3]

Just got back from the range with my new LabRadar chronograph. Both these loads were shot using my 45 Colt S&W Mountain Gun with a 4" barrel. Both used Alliant's Unique powder. And both used Berry's 250 gr bullets.

A) Full length 45 Colt brass with 9 gr of Unique: 900 FPS

B) Starline Cowboy Specials brass with 6.7 of Unique: 750 FPS

I got the load for the Cowboy Special by using data from 45 ACPs.

Do these results (performances) seem a bit low?

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Actually no that sounds about right. According to Lymans 49th edition, their test firearm was a 10" Contender and 9.3 gr Unique with a 250gr bullet gave them 1027 FPS.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The traditional factory load for 45 Colt is 255 LRN at 855 fps, sounds right in line with your results. Alliant factory data is right there also.

I never messed with ACP length rimmed brass, I used Schofield/45 US brass. They still feed in my Marlin 1894 CB and Rossi 92, and have ACP velocities in my single actions.

Ivan

 

[JBnTx]

Just got back from the range with my new LabRadar chronograph...

I've been using the LabRadar since they first came out, and mine is very accurate in measuring bullet velocity.

 

[Rule3]

No, actually you are over the 45 Colt data that Alliant lists and you FPS shows that. Not that it is really bad. 8-9 gr Unique is kinda standard load for a 250 gr bullet
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide


I don;t know anything about 45 Colt special but seems reasonable.

 

[Trooper224]

Those numbers are correct.

Many years ago, I settled on 8.0 grains of Unique for my standard .45 Colt load. I founds it's numbers to be more consistent across the board than a heavier load.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;

Those numbers go right along with my old Speer and my new Lyman loading data.

 

[fredj338]

Sounds just about right. 250gr & Unique at 8-9gr has been pretty much a std 45colt load for decades.

 

[jski3]

Sent a message to Alliant asking about using Unique with 300 grain bullets in the 45 Colt.

I'll post their reply.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
The original BP load for the 45colt was a full case of powder with a
250-255 gr bullet from a 7 1/2 inch and easly got over 900.[up to 990fps]
The army loading was lower and they also used 45 Sheffield[230gr 30gr BP 700 to 750 from a 7 in sheffield]
Modern loads are loaded down, but 900 fps from a 4in would be good.
The orginals could go through a horse and hit the rider on the other side.
[They call them "horse pistols" for a reason you know]
What I would not do is go much over 270/280 gr boolets [ in a colt or S&W] as the pressures can go up fast [Keith blowed up a colt 45 with a 300 gr load] and I think that was with BP...
There is just no need with the amount of stuff a 250 to 280 gr hard cast boolet will go through...
If you need more than that , due to size or range, go with a magnum
and go to town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cowboy4evr]

The last time I checked , Alliants load data for 45 Colt using a 250-255 gr bullet was a max charge of 9.5 grs of Unique and did not exceed SAAMI spec's of 14K psi . The 9.0 gr load producing 900 fps sounds about right . Regards, Paul

 

[ddixie884]

When I first started loading for .45Colt I was reading Elmer and loaded 10gr Unique and 454424 at 263gr. I would be careful where I put that, Now days..............