45 Colt loads??

I like Tite Group.
Hodgdon says 6.7 - 7.5 for XTPs.
The LeveRevolution should be about the same.

Start low but work up to about 7.2.

That's my load for 200 gr XTPs
OAL 1.600

Look at the Hornacy site: http://www.hornady.com/support/downloads/load-data

The 200 gr bullet is for the 460 S&W, so will have about DOUBLE the velocity of the 225 gr bullet designed for the 45 Colt.

BeSafe and have fun !

-steve

Rifle or handgun? Either way you can use the loads(from the link given) for the heavier 225 bullets for your 200 gr bullets, you will just get more velocity.

I've been loading the 45 Colt FTX bullets with Titegroup. Can't remember if I got the recipe from the Hodgon Data site or from their 2011 annual. Also got a pound of the Leverevolution powder, but haven't tried it yet. The Titegroup has worked fine. I've got a lot of confidence in Titegroup, because it's the powder that I've used in SASS since it first came out.

Can't believe we've had 5 responses and not one asked what firearm you're using them in??? This is critical information.

Which Ruger single action? It might matter, but with such a light bullet I'm guessing you're not looking for the "Ruger only" loads.

Unfortunately you've got the wrong bullet. You might drop Hornady a note and ask them the recommended velocity for those bullets on whitetail, but I'm afraid that in the New Vaquero you're going to top out at ~1100fps, and that bullet was designed for the .460 S&W Mag at 2200-2300 fps.

What you need is a 255gr LSWC as fast as you can get it (~950fps) with standard pressure .45 Colt loads -- try Universal, HS-6, or Unique.

The 250gr XTP works well at that velocity too, but the LSWC will usually exit. The XTP, maybe not. And it's hard to get the XTP up to 950 fps with standard pressure loads... 850fps is more like it.

The New Vaquero will not take Ruger Only loads.

yeah stick with 250 gr lead loads...... watch out too because I am having a problem getting mine to hit POA

Hardly the best bullet for the application. There's a good chance that it will fail to expand especially considering that you shouldn't use the "Ruger only" loads in the New Vaquero. Additionally you're going to have to shorten the brass even more than with the 225gn FTX. Next, the bearing surface is fairly long for that bullet weight meaning that you won't be able to push it as hard while keeping the pressure under control. This means that you won't be able to get the same velocity as with a conventional 200gn hollowpoint. Finally, the FTX bullets in the pistol calibers offer nothing over the standard hollowpoint fare with regard to ballistic coefficient.

To recap, ruined brass, crap velocity, unreliable expansion and crappy BC. You'd actually be just as well served with a simple Keith style semi-wadcutter or a round nosed flat point of the appropriate alloy. The best choice, though would be a hollowpoint or jacketed flatpoint made to expand at .45 Colt velocities.

Yep, even though you can drive a 270gr cast bullet to 1100fps in the New Vaquero and could probably safely propel your 200gr to 1200-1250fps, it still ain't enough for expansion. I don't even know if any data exists for a 200gr bullet in that pressure range (21-22,000psi). I would agree with the others that all you need is a good 250-260gr cast semi-wadcutter at 900-1100fps. It'll penetrate end-to-end on any deer alive.

I wish bullet makers would publish a recommended minimum impact velocity for proper expansion with each expanding bullet design they make.

This would make load tailoring/bullet choices much easier to do properly especially with today's ballistic coefficent numbers assigned to each bullet. This allows close approximation of down range velocities at chronograph measured muzzle velocities.

Dan

Most hunters don't use a fixed sight revolver for hunting. It's too hard to regulate the load for the fixed sights. If you want to hunt with a Ruger SA revolver I highly recommend using one with adjustable sights.

IMHO, adjustability isn't really the issue. It's the ability to shoot accurately with the fixed sight sight picture. Especially with a polished stainless or bright nickel sixgun. Although I readily accept the fact that some folks like them and can shoot well with them. I just prefer a serrated black post and all-black rear sight. I had a stainless Bisley Vaquero .45 built with a matte blued dovetail front sight and bead blasted rear trough but ended up having the barrel cut back and proper adjustable sights installed.

You can use this data from Accurate Arms for a 200gr SWC...its meant for a Montana Bullet Works 210gr RNBB.
AA #7 starting: 14.9gr/1104 fps maximum: 16.6gr/1254 fps 20.8 kpsi

Personally I'd suggest the RCBS 45-270-SAA over 7.5gr of Titegroup. You should be at 950-1000 fps at a mild 15 kpsi. 8.0gr will put you over 1000 fps and right at 21 kpsi.