45 Colt load ?

S

SSGCharlie

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I am trying to find load data for 45 colt using Berry's plated bullets 250 FP LC and Winchester 231 powder for my Ruger New Vaquero with Winchester LP primes.

I thank you for your info.

SSGCharlie
 
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I load a cast lead 255 gr bullet over 7 gr of W231. It is a good load in my Vaquero and my Rossi '92. For plated bullets you should use data for lead bullets.


Steve in N CA
 
The following load works well in my NV in .45 LC...and I feel it's a safe load. You should work up to it for your gun, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering all the pressure implications.

Lyman mold #452190 (RNFP: weight = 260 grains) using WW alloy, sized 0.454" and lubed with 50-50 alox/beeswax, 7.2 gr of Winchester 231 gives me 854 fps and an ES of just 27 fps in my NV with 4-5/8" bbl.

I use Winchester LP primers and brass and seat the bullet to 1.600" COL with a stout, roll crimp on the ogive. This load is good for less than 2" at 25 yds from my gun and it's more accurate than the standard old load of 8.0 gr of Unique for me. That Lyman bullet matches the original contour of the .45 bullet, and also for Remington's current lead bullet offering.

HTH's Rod
 
Thanks to all for the info. I was having trouble finding load info for this combo and I know if I asked here I would get the right info.

thanks again
SSGCharlie
 
Between 7g and 8g inclusive W-231 is what I tested with for 255g SWCs. As above treat plated as lead, so I am in agreement with above load data. My ES was 7.0g - 54, 7.5g - 43, 8.0g - 43 for the loads tested. 15 shots per load. Good enough for 25Y shooting. Hope you find a good load as I didn't mark any of the three loads as 'accurate' in my test revolver. Your revolver may be different though :) .
 
Have any of you shooting that 7g of 231 behind a 250 plated bullet chronographed it from a 4-3/4" barrel? I'm about to set up a new Dillon SDB in 45 Colt and that's one of the loads I'm gonna try first.

I'm looking for the original performance, which I tested years ago in a 1st Gen Colt with that barrel length shooting 40g of black powder under a soft lead bullet. It averaged 865 fps.

Dave
 
getting set-up to start reloading and checked my once fired brass I been saving and found WW=1.284 avg
CBC=1.273 avg
Winchester=1.279 avg
Hornady=1.225 avg

Is the Hornady cases to short to reload? I wonder why they are so much shorter than the others?

SSGCharlie
 
All my testing is with the same 5 1/2" BH revolver. That way I compare apples to apples between powders. For 7.0g under 255g SWC I got 843fps. Don't even have any 4 5/8" revolvers in .45 Colt.
 
Be VERY careful charging the powder. MAKE VERY SURE you get one, and only one charge in each case. The .45 Colt case will hold double, maybe even triple the charge weight you are using and a double charge of a fast powder (and 231 is one of the fastest) can wreck even a Ruger!!!
 
I chrono'd 7.2 gr Win 231 with Starline brass, WLP caps, moderate crimp, wheel weight alloy and sized Lyman's 454190 to 0.453" for 854 fps from my Ruger NV with 4-5/8" bbl. Ex. Spd was 27 fps and the 25 yd group was 1-1/2" according to my notes.

As always, work up to this load if interested, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering pressure implications. It's safe in my guns as I loaded it but yours may vary. Be safe.

a double charge of a fast powder (and 231 is one of the fastest) can wreck even a Ruger!!!
Click to expand...
Words to live by!!

Regards, Rod
 
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