Black Powder Loading Data For Colt SAA (.45 Colt)

[AJ]

Is there a good on-line source of Black Powder loading data for the Colt SAA in .45 Colt? Would like to see chambers pressures also. Specifically looking to use either FFFG or Pyrodex P.

Thanks,
AJ

 

[OKFC05]

Try the GOEX web site for black powder data. (I prefer FF for pistol cartridges)
Hodgdon Loading data center for Pyrodex data.

 

[DWalt]

The earlier .45 Schofield military load used 28 grains of BP. 30 would probably be better in the longer .45 Colt case. Or whatever BP load would result in a slight compression of the powder. Same for Pyrodex.

 

[BARgunner]

Post that question or do a search over on the Colt Forum. I seem to recall quite a bit of discussion about reloading .45Colt with black powder on that site.

 

[2152hq]

You fill the case w/ BP so that the seated bullet lightly compresses the powder.
Firmly crimp the bullet into place.
Leave no air space in the case .

That's how you load BP.

The same method is used to load BP substitutes.

You can weight out charges if you want. But the the case inner volume will determine what the charge will be.

If you want a lighter load,,use the lesser amt of BP you want to load. Then fill any empty space between the powder and the base of the bullet with stacked wads (fiber or a filler).
The seat the bullet the same with some compression upon the powder and wad colume,,and crimp.

Bullets should be 'lubed' with a BP lube,,some bullet lubes used for smokeless rounds will create a mess when used w/BP.

On the other hand, the bullets lubed with common lubes used when loading for smokeless are often just fine with some BP Subs.
A couple recommend no bullet lube at all (American Select).

Petro based lubes and BP do not mix. That is one rule for sure. You will get a tar like mess as a result in the bore.

 

[Nick B]

Also try to use a soft cast bullet lubed with a designated black powder lube . I used SPG when I loaded BP .45 Colt loads .

 

[AJ]

You fill the case w/ BP so that the seated bullet lightly compresses the powder.
Firmly crimp the bullet into place.
Leave no air space in the case .

That's how you load BP.

The same method is used to load BP substitutes.

You can weight out charges if you want. But the the case inner volume will determine what the charge will be.

If you want a lighter load,,use the lesser amt of BP you want to load. Then fill any empty space between the powder and the base of the bullet with stacked wads (fiber or a filler).
The seat the bullet the same with some compression upon the powder and wad colume,,and crimp.

Bullets should be 'lubed' with a BP lube,,some bullet lubes used for smokeless rounds will create a mess when used w/BP.

On the other hand, the bullets lubed with common lubes used when loading for smokeless are often just fine with some BP Subs.
A couple recommend no bullet lube at all (American Select).

Petro based lubes and BP do not mix. That is one rule for sure. You will get a tar like mess as a result in the bore.

What about powder coated bullets?

 

[glowe]

First, black powder was meant to be loaded by filling the case to 1/16" above the seating level of the base of the bullet no matter what weight bullet. Powder coatings are typically polymeric, and it is never a good idea to mix anything plastic with BP, as the fire/flame will melt any polymer associated with combustion and deposit it in your barrel.

I have shot full load 3F in 45 Colt 250g RN lead and actually would not recommend it because the recoil if fierce in a revolver. As I recall, you can get around 35 grains by volume under a reproduction bullet. 45 Colt is designed for a maximum of 14,000 psi which is higher than BP in these revolvers.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

What about powder coated bullets?

Black Powder lube is about keeping the powder fouling soft for two reasons. 1) so the bullets of later shots go in and are fired without damage affecting accuracy, 2) ease of cleaning. It has nothing to do with lead build-up.

For just a few shots; you can get by filling the front of the cylinder with Crisco, I use a popsicle stick like a butter knife. If adding to the load inside the case, an over the powder card and an 1/8", a "Cookie" of hard lube (50/50 paraffin and corn oil) is just under the bullet.

Modern cast bullets, the grease grooves do not hold enough lube to soften the fouling! I use SPG in my Sharp's and High Wall black powder loads but have a cookie of SPG in them too. For the occasional BP rifle load, you can dip a loaded round like a potato ship in Crisco. (Nearly impossible in a lever action!)

Ivan