Reloading Question - 45 Colt Keith Bullet

[Dvus]

Unburned powder means (comparatively) nothing to me. If I am getting good accuracy and reasonably consistent velocities I really don’t care too much. Keep the unburned powder out from under the extractor star and it’s not an issue. 4227 has always been like that. Using less powder will probably make things worse.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This.

I used 4227 in my .44 mag loads years ago and had the same issue. The lighter the load, the more unburned powder. I switched to another powder shortly afterwards that my Ruger liked much better.
And if it works, don't #&%@ with it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks guys for all of the feedback. It is a thumper load for sure, but recoil never bothered me. Been shooting .44 mag for years pushing the envelope on loads, but working them up slowly to be safe. Trust me, I tend to be very safe after blowing up a revolver many years ago. Long story, but I learned my lesson. Lucky to still have my eyesight and fingers, but I hit what I was aiming at! LOL. After digesting all of the replies, I'll keep on with the load since it seems to work for me, but after the league is over, I will experiment with some faster burning powders as some of you recommended. You guys are great! Keep 'em in the black!

Since you mentioned the willingness to experiment with different powders I will give you a few of mine.

With a 250/255gr cast bullet I charge between 7.0gr and 7.2gr W231/HP-38.

My current favorite is 10.2gr HS-6 under a 255gr LSWC bullet. A charge of 10.5gr also works well but the 10.2gr load is more accurate in my revolvers. I use a Magnum primer with HS-6 or a Winchester LPP which h is rated for both standard and magnum loads.

There are many many powders that will produce outstanding 45 Colt loads. Unique is the most talked about probably because it was the only powder available way back then lol. Nothing wrong with Unique either. AA#2 and AA#5 as well as Ramshot Zip are also viable choices.

Hopefully you find powders available when you start testing. I won't suggest loads other than the two I already posted because I don't have first hand experience with the others.

I hope this helped some, good luck...

 

[gwpercle]

Question about 45 Colt / unburned powder ... " Should I be concerned"

The Answer ... NO

The rising price of Gas ...YES , be concerned .

Gary

 

[Wireman134]

7.2gr. Promo/RD under a 250-260gr. LSWC get you around 900fps. Very clean burning and accurate. HS6 at less than 13gr is inefficient. Ask John Linebaugh. Unique with 8-9gr. burns dirty and smoky. Universal, CSB-1 and W231 burn clean with 8-9gr yielding about 900 fps.

 

[rockquarry]

7.2gr. Promo/RD under a 250-260gr. LSWC get you around 900fps. Very clean burning and accurate. HS6 at less than 13gr is inefficient. Ask John Linebaugh. Unique with 8-9gr. burns dirty and smoky. Universal, CSB-1 and W231 burn clean with 8-9gr yielding about 900 fps.

I loaded for the .45 Colt for more than forty years in handguns, rifles, and carbines usually using the 8.5 or 9 Unique load almost always with the Lyman #454424 260 grain design. While a good load, a few years ago I tried HS-6 with a powder charge under 13 grains.

No argument, but HS-6 burned fine with a CCI-350 magnum primer. It was the most accurate load I've found for this cartridge to date. I don't load hot for the .45 Colt and I don't crimp as stoutly as some do. Enough roll crimp to prevent bullet movement under recoil has always been sufficient for good powder burn.