Outstanding.... 
giz
giz
45 Colt reload results.........
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:
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FYI, Red Dot powder has the same burn rate as its "sister" powder Alliant "Promo". Alliant Promo powder is $10 a pound when you buy it in the 8 pound keg. This is so much cheaper than Red Dot or Unique that you can afford to shoot more! I believe that Promo powder is simply Red Dot without the red dots in it!
(Powder Valley Inc .com has Promo for $81/8 lbs.)
(Powder Valley Inc .com has Promo for $81/8 lbs.)
I think you told me about that, but I forgot.
I'll definitely look for that. So you're saying I can use the same weights of Promo as the Red Dot?
I'll definitely look for that. So you're saying I can use the same weights of Promo as the Red Dot?
YES!!! I do it in loading .38, .44 spec, .45acp & 45 LC. I use the load data for Red Dot when using Promo, and have shot thousands of rounds.LeMat said:I think you told me about that, but I forgot.
I'll definitely look for that. So you're saying I can use the same weights of Promo as the Red Dot?
CAVEAT: I do not, nor advise, use max loads though, as this type of powder (fast burning) is for target loads.
I load small doses of Promo with 230 grain leads in .45 Cowboy brass (which is the same as 45 auto brass, but with a 45 lc rim) and shoot them in a birdshead Uberti 3.5" 45 lc, and don't even have to use the ejector to extract them! The brass simply FALLS OUT when you hold the gun upright! NICE MILD LOADS!!!
Yeah, I wasn't ever much good at taking advice. :lol:carl418 said:
I think I'm going to give 2400 a try next. Sure hear lots of good things about it.
Just don't go light with the 2400, as you'll get unburned powder all over the place! 2400 likes mid to high-end loadings.LeMat said:Yeah, I wasn't ever much good at taking advice. :lol:carl418 said:
I think I'm going to give 2400 a try next. Sure hear lots of good things about it.
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