45 Colt reload question

[lefteye42]

Just received a NIB Cimarron (Pietta, Italy) El Malo in 45 Colt, Octagonal barrel, 1873 Single Action Army. Can't tell if it is 1st generation or 2d generation. My reload manuals show data for 14,000 psi Standard loads OR 30,000 PSI High pressure loads. I don't know which to follow, as I don't know what the gun is rated for. Reloads to ALSO be fired in Henry 45 Colt rifle.
Will appreciate some wisdom on this. Thanks.

 

[DocRock]

The Pietta is proofed for standard SAAMI 45 Colt loads (14kpsi). 30,000 psi loads are of the “Ruger (and FA) Only” variety.

 

[Ru4real]

I agree with @DocRock. Look for loads in the 800 fps range out of the pistol. Probably will be 1100 in the rifle.

 

[Reeferman]

Just received a NIB Cimarron (Pietta, Italy) El Malo in 45 Colt, Octagonal barrel, 1873 Single Action Army. Can't tell if it is 1st generation or 2d generation. My reload manuals show data for 14,000 psi Standard loads OR 30,000 PSI High pressure loads. I don't know which to follow, as I don't know what the gun is rated for. Reloads to ALSO be fired in Henry 45 Colt rifle.
Will appreciate some wisdom on this. Thanks.

What powders and bullets do you have?

 

[lefteye42]

What powders and bullets do you have?

250 gr jacketed PowerBond, Powder on hand is Power Pistol, Unique, & Acc #5, #9,& Silhouette.

 

[Hondo 60]

Accurate #5 makes for a decent standard pressure load.
10 - 10.5 grains with a 250 gr SWC are my standard loads.
10 for nice powder puff loads & 10.5 when I wanna get more aggressive.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like 8grn of unique for my 45 colt loads. I run that load for 200-250 grn cast. Keeps it simple lol. I do the same in 44 mag too. Makes nice easy on the hands loads with the wheel guns. For target shooting. I do run 10 grain in 44 for my CVA rifle.

 

[Riomouse911]

As CoalCrackerAl posted, I’m another huge fan of 8.0 gr Unique and a 250 gr SWC for safe loads in Colt SAA clones (I had a Uberti Cattleman a while back). It also makes a fun plinker load in sturdier guns like my old Vaquero or Super Redhawk .454.

I used a 7.2 grain charge of Uniqie under a 230 gr lead RN bullet for years in SA shooting contests as the RN bullet loaded easier than SWC into my revolvers.

You’ll have a load of fun shooting the .45 Colt, just stay at the lower pressure end of the spectrum snd you’ll be fine.

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

Just received a NIB Cimarron (Pietta, Italy) El Malo in 45 Colt, Octagonal barrel, 1873 Single Action Army. Can't tell if it is 1st generation or 2d generation. My reload manuals show data for 14,000 psi Standard loads OR 30,000 PSI High pressure loads. I don't know which to follow, as I don't know what the gun is rated for. Reloads to ALSO be fired in Henry 45 Colt rifle.
Will appreciate some wisdom on this. Thanks.

In my opinion, stick with the standard level 45 Colt loads. I do not think it is responsible to overload the 45 Colt regardless of of what revolver you plan on the cartridge being used in. You never know what might happen with your reloads. If you want higher performance 45 Colt loads, get a 454 Casull or 460 S&W revolver.

Standard 45 Colt loads per SAMMI specifications are quite effective as is.

Lots of folks will disagree with this and the individual can do what they want.

 

[lefteye42]

Thanks for the info/advice. Helps keep me safe & confident at the bench

 

[Reeferman]

250 gr jacketed PowerBond, Powder on hand is Power Pistol, Unique, & Acc #5, #9,& Silhouette.

Of the powders you listed I’ve only used Unique and #5 with a 250 plated or cast and I seem to always go back to Unique. #5 most certainly meters much better but Unique even with a .2 grain variance just works.

 

[Charlie98]

but Unique even with a .2 grain variance just works.

Another vote for Unique. Like Reefer mentions, don't get all hung up on precise charge drops, Unique is not sensitive like that. It would be a good powder/bullet combo to get your feet wet and see what you like in your new revolver.

The Henry is a different story, however... but there are some cautions, as Chuck mentions, above.

 

[gunlaw]

Unique has been around almost as long as that design. I have tried other powders in my 45 Blackhawk but I always go back to Unique. Usually a 255g cast and a firm crimp.

 

[Hondo 60]

You’ll have a load of fun shooting the .45 Colt, just stay at the lower pressure end of the spectrum snd you’ll be fine.

Totally agree.

I have three variations of the 45 Colt.
A Uberti 5.5" SAA, a birdshead 3.75" and a lever action Henry.
Those are my go-to guns.
They're FUN!

But please stay safe!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Her to add my voice to the others, that gun is rated for standard 14,000 psi. Like said, the 30,000 psi loads are for the older Ruger revolvers and FA revolvers only.

Be safe. I use mostly W231 or HS-6 for slightly heavy loads.

 

[bigpower491]

250-255gr lead seems to always shoot best for me in both revolvers.
Unique is a proven winner in this cartridge, been around darn near since Jesus was a kid.
I personally have great success with Accurate #5, right around 9.2gr. Western has 9.6 listed for max. Burns clean too.
30k psi loads are for the "Super" guns(Blackhawk, Redhawk, Freedom 97, T/C, etc.)
Those would probably be ok in your rifle, but check around to be sure. And if so and you choose to go that route, make sure the boxes are well marked.