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Well, finally got to the range and tested some loads. Unfortunately I don't have a chrony, so no details as far as fps. 
All loads were shot through a Ruger Redhawk, 4" bbl.
Loads tested were:
250gr LRNFP, 6.5gr Red Dot- I love this load. Let me repeat that because it bears repeating, I LOVE THIS LOAD!!! Absolutely lovely recoil! Mild, but it seems to hit with authority. I've been debating this load as some folks weren't sure about it as Red Dot runs a little hot. There were no pressure signs whatsoever and it was by far the most accurate load out of the bunch (the CP 300 grainers with 21.5 of H110 was a close second). I was getting 2" groups at 25 yards with 2-3 rounds touching on average. With the difficulty in getting Unique in the area as well as it costing at least $4.00 more than all of Alliant's other powders, I think this is now my 250 boolit load.
300gr TCLFP, 6.5gr Red Dot - A smidge more recoil than the 250's and not quite as accurate. Some folks told me to stay away from this one, but I had others that had decent results. After testing it for myself, I think I'll keep looking for something else to use with these pills. I'm looking for something that'll push a 300 grainer about 850 fps and give me good accuracy. Not looking to make thumpers out of these pills - that's what the CP and H110 is for.
300gr TCLFP, 9.0gr Unique - I did not like this load at all. Way too much recoil although there were no pressure signs. Was the least accurate of the bunch. I know a lot of folks like Unique for the 45 Colt and I think that with 250's in front of 8.0 grains, it works great. I just don't like it with the 300's. I would not like to put a steady diet of these through my gun.
300gr Cast Performance GCLFN, 21.5gr H110 - AWESOME!!! Not nearly as rough as I had imagined and wonderfully accurate. Could shoot these all day. Very, very accurate and was essentially the same accuracy-wise as the 250gr Red Dot loads.
300gr Cast Performance GCLFN, 22.0gr H110 - I couldn't really tell any difference between this and the above load with 21.5. I do believe that 21.5 is the low end for this particular load, so I think I will be staying with 22.00 just to be on the safe side. I've read that 23.0 is about tops for this load. Even 21.8 would work fine I'd imagine. I do believe that this will be my bear load.
All brass was Winchester and primers were WLP.
I really wish I had a chrony so that I could have gotten some numbers with these loads. All I could test was accuracy, pressure signs and pain threshhold. The only one I was really disappointed with was the Unique load. I think I'll just stick with 250's with that powder.
As far as pressure signs, all cases ejected smoothly and primers were just barely flattened with a very slight imprint of the machine marks on the area around the firing pin hole (I know there's a technical name for this, but I can't recall it right now).
I wanted to thank everyone for all of the advice during my adventure in loading up some good 45 Colt loads! I've only ever loaded lighter Cowboy Action loads in this caliber and this was first time loading something hotter. Thanks again!
Anyway, it was a fun day of shooting!!! I fell in love with my Redhawk all over again. :mrgreen:
All loads were shot through a Ruger Redhawk, 4" bbl.Loads tested were:
250gr LRNFP, 6.5gr Red Dot- I love this load. Let me repeat that because it bears repeating, I LOVE THIS LOAD!!! Absolutely lovely recoil! Mild, but it seems to hit with authority. I've been debating this load as some folks weren't sure about it as Red Dot runs a little hot. There were no pressure signs whatsoever and it was by far the most accurate load out of the bunch (the CP 300 grainers with 21.5 of H110 was a close second). I was getting 2" groups at 25 yards with 2-3 rounds touching on average. With the difficulty in getting Unique in the area as well as it costing at least $4.00 more than all of Alliant's other powders, I think this is now my 250 boolit load.
300gr TCLFP, 6.5gr Red Dot - A smidge more recoil than the 250's and not quite as accurate. Some folks told me to stay away from this one, but I had others that had decent results. After testing it for myself, I think I'll keep looking for something else to use with these pills. I'm looking for something that'll push a 300 grainer about 850 fps and give me good accuracy. Not looking to make thumpers out of these pills - that's what the CP and H110 is for.
300gr TCLFP, 9.0gr Unique - I did not like this load at all. Way too much recoil although there were no pressure signs. Was the least accurate of the bunch. I know a lot of folks like Unique for the 45 Colt and I think that with 250's in front of 8.0 grains, it works great. I just don't like it with the 300's. I would not like to put a steady diet of these through my gun.
300gr Cast Performance GCLFN, 21.5gr H110 - AWESOME!!! Not nearly as rough as I had imagined and wonderfully accurate. Could shoot these all day. Very, very accurate and was essentially the same accuracy-wise as the 250gr Red Dot loads.
300gr Cast Performance GCLFN, 22.0gr H110 - I couldn't really tell any difference between this and the above load with 21.5. I do believe that 21.5 is the low end for this particular load, so I think I will be staying with 22.00 just to be on the safe side. I've read that 23.0 is about tops for this load. Even 21.8 would work fine I'd imagine. I do believe that this will be my bear load.
All brass was Winchester and primers were WLP.
I really wish I had a chrony so that I could have gotten some numbers with these loads. All I could test was accuracy, pressure signs and pain threshhold. The only one I was really disappointed with was the Unique load. I think I'll just stick with 250's with that powder.
As far as pressure signs, all cases ejected smoothly and primers were just barely flattened with a very slight imprint of the machine marks on the area around the firing pin hole (I know there's a technical name for this, but I can't recall it right now).
I wanted to thank everyone for all of the advice during my adventure in loading up some good 45 Colt loads! I've only ever loaded lighter Cowboy Action loads in this caliber and this was first time loading something hotter. Thanks again!
Anyway, it was a fun day of shooting!!! I fell in love with my Redhawk all over again. :mrgreen:
