Light 45 Colt loads

[FROGO207]

I am about to pull the trigger (LOL) and get a Bond Arms Rowdy in 45 Colt. I already load for 45 colt with a SAA replica and a pair of Ruger Blackhawks. Most of those loads are normal to hot and work well. Mostly use 255 grainRNFP lead bullets. Now I am looking for some lighter loads for the Bond Arms that won't destroy my oldish hands too badly. Anyone else figured out a good bullet weight/load thats not too punishing? I have most of the pistol /shotgun propellants in stock but like 700X and RedDot the best so far for fast light loads in 38 SPL already.

 

[BBarn]

Seems like a 200gr with either 700X or Red Dot would be a good place to start.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Yup, 200 with fast powder.
I use 200 grain SWC’s with Clays, but they were very position sensitive.

 

[FROGO207]

I have 2 full kegs of Promo so thats where I'll probably start. Any particular 200 grain SWC one would reccomend? Thinking of getting coated this time around.

 

[41 Mag]

Might look into something similar to this,
.45 Express-Grooveless

Since your looking for something lightly loaded you could roll crimp right over shoulder.

Or maybe something like these,
45 cal 225gr Hollow Point LSWC

These aren't 200gr but then again your gonna have a cavernous case there and powder position could be an issue depending upon load densities. These just fill the case a bit more than a 200gr.

 

[Tall]

Matt's Bullets sells a 165 grain full wadcutter. In a tiny handgun like that I think that's where I would start.

 

[brewer12345]

I use 200 grain H&G 68s, which is the swc for 45 ACP. Not a bullet designed for 45 Colt, but works well, IME. I use them over 6.2 grains of trailboss. I'd try your promo and if that doesn't work, try some titegroup since traillboss is unobtanium.

 

[FROGO207]

I have keg of Trail Boss that is missing less than half a pound. Might try that too. First I gotta get the pistol though.
This is basically a fact finding post to see if I might be better off trying something different than I already make and if so what to buy and try.

 

[derek45]

Here's some Chrony data I did years back

 

[archeryrob]

Yup, 200 with fast powder.
I use 200 grain SWC’s with Clays, but they were very position sensitive.

I am using clays in 4.6 grains under a Lee 200 grain RNFP bullet.

 

[FROGO207]

Thanks for the continuing input.

 

[berettaprofessor]

6 grains of Trailboss with either a 200 or 230 grain bullet....since you have it! OAL at 1.600 runs about 760 fps with a nice gentle push

 

[Captain*kirk]

You can back Unique down to some fairly mild loads. A lighter bullet will lessen recoil as well.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have 2 full kegs of Promo so thats where I'll probably start. Any particular 200 grain SWC one would reccomend? Thinking of getting coated this time around.

Best hang on to that Promo what with all this news about Alliant powder suspending production.

 

[bigpower491]

I have 2 full kegs of Promo so thats where I'll probably start. Any particular 200 grain SWC one would reccomend? Thinking of getting coated this time around.

If you're going to try coated, check out Acme. I get good results with em

 

[1KPerDay]

Best hang on to that Promo what with all this news about Alliant powder suspending production.

Yeah maybe you can sell it to a museum in 200 years

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah maybe you can sell it to a museum in 200 years

If anything I will be selling empty kegs to that museum. They can be safe and fill them with sand for an authentic feel LOL. Everything I buy is planned for eventual use and that includes any safe queens I might happen onto. You are talking to the guy that purchased a couple 40 cal's because I had 3K range brass to do something with and I found a inexpensive set of used dies.

 

[Walkalong]

700X is great in .44 Spl, so I would think it should work well in .45 Colt.

 

[cfullgraf]

700X is great in .44 Spl, so I would think it should work well in .45 Colt.

I also use 700-X in 44 Special but also 45 ACP. It works great in those cartridges so it should work well in 45 Colt.

My standard 45 Colt load is 8.0 grains of Unique under a 255 grain bullet. Usually a SWC but sometimes an round/flat.

I’ve fired a few in my 4” Bond Snake Slayer. It was manageable. I think the Rowdy is a shorter barrel and lighter so standard 45 Colt loads may not be manageable.

As an aside, 45 Colt shot loads work well in the Bond for critter control.

 

[EricBu]

I am about to pull the trigger (LOL) and get a Bond Arms Rowdy in 45 Colt. I already load for 45 colt with a SAA replica and a pair of Ruger Blackhawks. Most of those loads are normal to hot and work well. Mostly use 255 grainRNFP lead bullets. Now I am looking for some lighter loads for the Bond Arms that won't destroy my oldish hands too badly. Anyone else figured out a good bullet weight/load thats not too punishing? I have most of the pistol /shotgun propellants in stock but like 700X and RedDot the best so far for fast light loads in 38 SPL already.

Take a peak at some of the common CAS loads in 45 Colt. Those guys love mouse fart loads. AA2/Clean Shot or TiteGroup are my goto powders for those super soft loads. 180s, 200s, and 250s in classic SWC or RNFP with charges under 5 grains of TG will get you where you want to be. If you are concerned about the case capacity and soft loads, pick up some C45S brass from Starline. With your Bond, you can pretty much use the low end of 45 ACP load data with the C45S brass, and that wide assortment of quality defense bullets in 185 to 230 grain. Opens up a LOT of defense possibilities with that gun.

 

[armoredman]

On the other hand, I found a pretty good load with 30 grains of homemade 3F black powder in 45 Colt.

 

[N555]

Use starline 45 cowboy special. Then run any 45acp or 45rim data your heart desires.

 

[armoredman]

That's what I have.