Easiest load workup ever, 45LC

[Funflyer]

Back in May of last year we were under a burn ban for several months, which included no outdoor target shooting, so by the time the ban was lifted I had stacks of reload workups waiting in just about every caliber.

Last week I finally made it to the 45 Colt box which was the last on my list, and got to test my new SAA 7th Cavalry replica made by Pietta.

Only tested eleven different loads with seven powders but every one was a keeper. After some 10 yard accuracy testing I was ringing steel out to 25 yards with every shot. Time to cast and load more.

 

[bgrafsr]

What's the load? Trail Boss? Bullet?

 

[ggibson511960]

Does this tell us that bullet diameter match to cylinder throat and barrel bore are more important than powder type, at least at moderate .45 Colt SAA velocities? Mike Venturino seems to express this sentiment over and over. Makes sense to me at least at target or mid-range velocities. That Pietta looks nice up close.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad to read and see that the new loads and revolver are working out for you and that you can finally get out to shoot, again.

Nice groups with the light bullet and that TB powder.

Just wondering what a slow, heavy lead, old "Cowboy load" with a 250 gr would do in that revolver?

Have fun.

 

[glenwolde]

That is a very handsome revolver.

 

[fortyshooter]

230-255 gr. cast bullet over 5.5 to 6.0 gr. of Red Dot works really well also in my .45 SA revolvers.

 

[Funflyer]

What's the load? Trail Boss? Bullet?

I shot only two different loads with TrailBoss and the Lee 200gn RF bullet, 6.7gn and 7gn at 828fps and 852fps avg. The 160gn round balls were only loaded with 8.5gn of TB.

Glad to read and see that the new loads and revolver are working out for you and that you can finally get out to shoot, again.

Nice groups with the light bullet and that TB powder.

Just wondering what a slow, heavy lead, old "Cowboy load" with a 250 gr would do in that revolver?

Have fun.

I plan on getting these two molds when they're back in stock so I'll eventually let you know. Thinking about the 300gn RF also, but that one is for a gas-check.

 

[glenwolde]

I like Trail Boss but on indoor ranges the smell gets to me. That's some nasty smelling stuff.

 

[DGNY]

Congratulations! Makes me want to fire up the old reloading press, after a bit of a hiatus!

 

[shocker]

Easiest load workup ever? 38.0 gr of H-380 with any bullet 50-55 gr in 22-250. Works first time every time.

 

[Cdog]

I just finished loading some 250gr RNFP cast over 5 grains of TB for my S.A.A.

 

[Funflyer]

Forgot to mention that I used a felt wad with most since loads were so light and some powders didn't fill the case even half way. No idea if they actually helped much but they certainly didn't hurt.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A 200 grain RNFP 45 over 6.7 grains WW231, WLP primer and any brass is an accurate "Medium Load" (about 45ACP energy). In my 4" & 5.5" Vaqueros are accurate and manageable! (should be great in your Long Tom!)

Trail Boss turns out some fantastic accuracy when the powder column stops 1/16" below the bullet base! My 38-55 had a 100 yard 20 shot group that could be covered with a nickel using Lyman tang and 17M globe sights.

For over powder cards, I use .030 cork I bought from Midway. 44 & 45 use the same size. For 38-55 & 375 I turned a quart orange juice carton into about 2000 at one sitting with a 3/8" arch punch for leather work!

Never underestimate the amount of consistency an over the powder wad or card add to an otherwise ho-hum load!

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

Forgot to mention that I used a felt wad with most since loads were so light and some powders didn't fill the case even half way. No idea if they actually helped much but they certainly didn't hurt.

I have used felt fillers in plastic shotguns wads before but never thought of using that thick of a material in a revolver case.

Any "Mini fires" out in front of the shooting area ?
Would that be safe in the Fall with dry leaves all over the place?

You learn new things every day.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

#1. Thanks to Ivan for the WIN 231 info.
#2. I have yet to use any Trail Boss, but recent posts have certainly piqued my interest. As a substitute in former Black Powder calibers it seems to be very versatile.
#3. Is it even available?
#4. What about the increased possibility of exposure to squib loads at these relative low velocities?

Cheers!

 

[max503]

I like Trail Boss but on indoor ranges the smell gets to me. That's some nasty smelling stuff.

I've never smelled a bullet I didn't like. Even Aguila. I guess I'm like the people who eat limburger cheese.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Any "Mini fires" out in front of the shooting area ? Would that be safe in the Fall with dry leaves all over the place?

I used felt wads in cap and ball revolvers and never had a fire caused by one. If they caught fire, they were blown out by the time the came to earth!

Ivan

 

[Funflyer]

I have used felt fillers in plastic shotguns wads before but never thought of using that thick of a material in a revolver case.

Any "Mini fires" out in front of the shooting area ?
Would that be safe in the Fall with dry leaves all over the place?

You learn new things every day.

The key to fireproof wads is to use felt made from acrylic fibers which is what I use. I tested these well before loading with them and couldn't start a fire no matter how hard I tried. When subjected to heat or fire they basically melt into a shriveled ball about the size of a BB.