Reloading 45 LC
- Thread starter jm7480
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Thank you for the response. I'm looking for a preferred load from the community using a 200g SWC and one of three different powders I have in stock, Titegroup, 231, and Clay's ( Not universal clays).I have reloading books and data available, just looking for preferred loads.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I don't use any of those powders and prefer a heavier (250 grain) JHP for my .45C rounds. If you have a manual with those powder and bullet listings, pick a powder and start at or near the low end of the listings and work up to something that makes you happy.
I load for 3 different revolvers (one of them a M25-5) and a lever action rifle in .45C and I use Power Pistol and Accurate #5 and load them to around 850 fps. I get a little more than that in the 20" rifle. Recoil is pleasantly light for such a heavy bullet and accuracy is great in all four guns.
I have loaded the 200 gr swc. I use 7.0 of 231 and crimp in the top groove of the bullet. You might start with a bit less powder and see what load is most accurate.
.38SuperMan
Member
Here’s a link to some good reliable data.
Note that these numbers are MAXIMUM LOADS so back off about 10% and work up carefully if you want heavier loads. Best advice is chronograph all new loads until you find the load that works for you.
I load 200gr lead for my Blackhawk and use HS-6 or CFE Pistol with very good success. I have used 231 but in the light loads I run it’s inconsistent and position sensitive as well as being very dirty.
There are a lot of good sources for safe and reliable data. Outside of this link
https://reloadammo.com/45-colt-load-data/
I’d suggest getting a Speer manual or even better the Hodgdon manuals they publish every year. They’re around $15 and contain the latest data for their powders. I buy it every year because they refresh their data and over several years you can compile quite a resource of information. Plus you know the data is reliable because they manufacture the powders.
Note that these numbers are MAXIMUM LOADS so back off about 10% and work up carefully if you want heavier loads. Best advice is chronograph all new loads until you find the load that works for you.
I load 200gr lead for my Blackhawk and use HS-6 or CFE Pistol with very good success. I have used 231 but in the light loads I run it’s inconsistent and position sensitive as well as being very dirty.
There are a lot of good sources for safe and reliable data. Outside of this link
https://reloadammo.com/45-colt-load-data/
I’d suggest getting a Speer manual or even better the Hodgdon manuals they publish every year. They’re around $15 and contain the latest data for their powders. I buy it every year because they refresh their data and over several years you can compile quite a resource of information. Plus you know the data is reliable because they manufacture the powders.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
I've shot thousands of this load at SASS shoots: 6.7 gr WW231, 200 gr in RNFP and SWC, WLP primer (I use a taper crimp). Very accurate, fairly mild recoil, plenty of power for paper, steel, small game, & two legged varmints!
Ivan
Ivan
bruce381
Member
I load 5.5 gr lee 200 bullet crimp at grove
gwpercle
Member
Pet 45 Colt Load ... 200 grain cast lead bullet -
RCBS 45-200-SWC or Lyman 452460 ...
but any 200 gr. RF , RN or SWC cast bullet can be used .
6.9 grs. W231 @ 832 fps
A good accurate load , not a powder puff load but good general purpose .
Gary
RCBS 45-200-SWC or Lyman 452460 ...
but any 200 gr. RF , RN or SWC cast bullet can be used .
6.9 grs. W231 @ 832 fps
A good accurate load , not a powder puff load but good general purpose .
Gary
info here is free.......BUT check data with a current load book...........Lots are available free online.
Erich
Member
Thank, Gary - I've been reloading .45 C for years, but have never used 231 in it and that sounds like a dandy. Much obliged.
I've owned and loaded for my Model 25 for 45 years, and used lots of 185 Gr. and 200 gr. SWC bullets, but not with those powders. My most accurate loads are using Unique and Red Dot. I believe Clay is very close to Red Dot, but don't have data for Clay. My Red Dot load with 200SWC bullet is 7.0 grs. of Red Dot and gives me 850 fps. A nice medium load that groups extremely well.
STORMINORMAN
Member
I load 200gr SWCs with WIN 231 all the time in both 45 Colt (7.0gr) and 45acp (5.0 gr)... Midpoint Hodgdons data is always a good place to start, IMHO.
CHEERS!
P.S. In neither calibers above have I experienced anything inconsistent, position sensitive or dirty with WIN 231. Maybe my loads are not light enough?
CHEERS!
P.S. In neither calibers above have I experienced anything inconsistent, position sensitive or dirty with WIN 231. Maybe my loads are not light enough?
STORMINORMAN
Member
The reloadammo.com site load data is one I have previously referenced successfully, however...
Although the info for 45 Colt specifically indicates that HP38 & WIN 231 powders are identical, the load data for the subject of this thread, a 200gr SWC obviously differs with 8.3gr of 231 producing a "998 fps MAX LOAD" and 8.0 gr HP38 a "1002 fps maximum". There's also an additional(?) 9.0 gr HP38 load @ 882 fps?
Just a comment: not everything that is "published" is necessarily accurate.
Cheers!
P.S. With the given caveat to start at minus 10% none of this data seems at all dangerous. Working up is always a good practice.
Although the info for 45 Colt specifically indicates that HP38 & WIN 231 powders are identical, the load data for the subject of this thread, a 200gr SWC obviously differs with 8.3gr of 231 producing a "998 fps MAX LOAD" and 8.0 gr HP38 a "1002 fps maximum". There's also an additional(?) 9.0 gr HP38 load @ 882 fps?
Just a comment: not everything that is "published" is necessarily accurate.
Cheers!
P.S. With the given caveat to start at minus 10% none of this data seems at all dangerous. Working up is always a good practice.
Model19man
Member
I moved to Winchester W231 about 40 years ago. Before that I used Bullseye and Unique. The W231 was a lot cleaner and just as accurate. I normally load W231 with 7 grains under a 250 grain semi wad cutter. Never seen it position sensitive or dirty this is a very clean load.
With this load I cut the target center out at 25 yards using about 19 shots. The center of the target went fluttering down the range. My proudest moment as a shooter. It was an out door range and I was 27. Oh to be young again!
With this load I cut the target center out at 25 yards using about 19 shots. The center of the target went fluttering down the range. My proudest moment as a shooter. It was an out door range and I was 27. Oh to be young again!
GypsmJim
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My entry into .45 was with the ACP, so I had molds to cast 230 RN. When I added a .45 Colt I naturally used that bullet. In recent years I bought a 255 SWC and that has performed better.
With recent powder shortages I have switched to 231 for most of my handgun loads, so I would recommend that for you as well. When you run out of the 200's, I suggest you go to the 255s.
Also, buy a Lyman manual. All the load data you need is right there.
With recent powder shortages I have switched to 231 for most of my handgun loads, so I would recommend that for you as well. When you run out of the 200's, I suggest you go to the 255s.
Also, buy a Lyman manual. All the load data you need is right there.
VERY good point. Different sources will give different load data for a given powder.The reloadammo.com site load data is one I have previously referenced successfully, however...
Although the info for 45 Colt specifically indicates that HP38 & WIN 231 powders are identical, the load data for the subject of this thread, a 200gr SWC obviously differs with 8.3gr of 231 producing a "998 fps MAX LOAD" and 8.0 gr HP38 a "1002 fps maximum". There's also an additional(?) 9.0 gr HP38 load @ 882 fps?
Just a comment: not everything that is "published" is necessarily accurate.
Cheers!
P.S. With the given caveat to start at minus 10% none of this data seems at all dangerous. Working up is always a good practice.
That is one of the main reasons I always go to the powder manufacturer's website, whenever possible.
Below is a screenshot of the Hodgdon load data for 200gr LRN using HP-38, which as you noted, and everyone agrees, is the same powder as W231.
If you get your load data directly from the powder manufacturer, that is where you will be most likely to get consistent data.
The W231 data I posted earlier and the HP38 data on the Hodgdon website are identical. Since the two powders are actually the exact same product, simply packaged differently, that is what would be expected.
Over the years I have found a few discrepancies, even when looking at powder manufacturer's published data. But that is pretty rare.
If you go to OTHER sources, like reloads.com you will see a lot more inconsistent data.
That isn't to say that those other sources publish BAD reloading data. I'm just saying that I tend to trust data that comes directly from "the horse's mouth" (the powder manufacturers) more than any other source. Generally speaking, these are the most rigorously tested loads.
Load recipes from other sources MAY be perfectly safe. But I tend to trust the data from the folks who actually manufacture the reloading components more than other sources.
But that's just me, and YMMV.
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Next to 8.5 grains of unique, I like Tite Group and 231 for bullets 200 to 255.
Funflyer
Member
I mostly cast and shoot a Lee 200gn RF in 45LC. Here are my most accurate loads using the powders you mentioned. I also use a wad over the powder.
HP38/W231 7.6gn
Clays 5.5gn
Titegroup 7gn
