45 Colt rifle loads

[irishlad]

Hello, my grandson just bought a Marlin lever action rifle in 45 Colt. I have never loaded for 45 Colt. I see in my reloading manuals they have pistol and rifle data. I read on the Hodgdon site that pistol loads would have increased velocity. My question is, do most reloaders use the rifle data only? Is factory ammo marked for pistol or rifle? Thanks in advance.

 

[25-20 WCF]

All factory ammo is designed for pistols, but it can still function well in rifles. The data for the .45 LC cartridge is broken down into two main groups, standard pressure which is safe in Colt SAAs and clones, and “Ruger-olny” loads for strong pistols. Either will work in a rifle, it depends on what you want the rifle for. I’ve loaded for both for well over 30 years and used to use Ruger-only loads in my M1894 and Contender carbine, but today I am more likely to use top end SAA loads since for my use they are just as effective for my use and are more pleasant to shoot. Yes, you will almost always see higher velocities in a rifle, from 50 fps to over 200 fps depending on the load pressures and powder.


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[Crunchy Frog]

Don’t overthink it. It’s a pistol caliber carbine. Feed it pistol ammo.

Be aware that you may experience “blowby” with light loads. This is due to the stiff wall of the .45 Colt case and the often generously sized chamber of the rifle.

 

[GooseGestapo]

What Crunchy Frog said.
Starline brass has been the “thickest”, and stiffest” brass I’ve used. Magtech has been the “thinnest”. For heavy loads I use the Starline, for traditional loads, the Magtech.
I prefer the Lee 255gr RFN. Favload has been 8.2gr of Universal or 9.0gr of Unique. These get ~1,100fps from a 24”bbl. 825fps from my S&W M625-MountainGun. These generate enough pressure, long enough to maintain case-chamber obturation to seal the case to prevent blow-by. I use SPG lube (SOFT) so this is a BIG deal.

I’ve loaded some “nuclear” loads with #2400 and the RCBS 270gr SAA SWC, and Lee 310 WFN-GC. These are “un-needed”. A buddy put a 255gr Lee over 8.2gr of Universal from his Taurus 24” Thunderbolt completely through a 120lb doe, diagonally! Hit the deer in left shoulder and bullet exited right ham. Over 30” of penetration. Broke humerus, ribs, and femur. Deer died! We shot a LOT of armadillos with this load. Impact of bullet is louder than muzzle blast. Muzzle report sounds like a “bass” .22lr, with a bit of sonic “crack”
My rifle is a Win. M94 “Legacy” XTR. Too pretty to hunt with. Wears a Williams 5D reciever sight. Capable of under 2moa with the Hornady 250gr XTP over 20.0gr of #2400. (“Ruger” only load, Noslers “most accurate” load”).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Usually, the only difference between data for handguns and rifles with the same cartridge is the reported velocity due to the longer barrel. For example the .357 Magnum data on the Hodgdon site is identical for handguns and rifles but for the velocity.

It is completely safe to use any published .45 Colt data for your rifle ammo.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

It is completely safe to use any published .45 Colt data for your rifle ammo.

I'd add a caveat on 'Ruger Only' loads. I'd certainly not use them in my '73 Winchester. But if you had a stronger lever gun, you'd be good with those too.Your Marlin may very well be up to handling 'Ruger Only' loads...but I'd research that.

A regular Cowboy-level 45 Colt 255 Gr (8.5 Gr of Unique) has so far passed through both deer I shot at between 50 and 75 yards. I don't seek more than that from 45 Colt.

 

[Charlie98]

A regular Cowboy-level 45 Colt 255 Gr (8.5 Gr of Unique)

Just be aware... I had issues with this load in my Marlin, because of slow rifling twist. OP, if you are going to shoot cast, you will need to make sure your bullet is sized for the Marlin's barrel, and launched at a suitable velocity to stabilize it.

As far as pistol cartridge carbine loads, I'm in love with IMR4227 right now. Marginally slower than something like W296/H110, but a little more velocity than Unique, etc. 2400 would be another good powder for the purpose.