A New Cartridge For Me - 45 LC - Any Advice?

3sport said:
Any reloading experience and/or advice on the 45 Colt would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I clean my brass before reloading. I mean - right before reloading, using Nu-Finish in the walnut or corncob mix. You'll want those cases lubed for decapping/resizing... :thumbup:

Also upgraded the handle on my single stage press. Since I've got a welder and materials, built myself a large roller handle with an angle on it that fits my setup. Serious overkill for 45 ACP and smaller calibers, almost enough for the 45 Colt.

Love the 45 Colt but you might notice a bit of effort cycling dry brass, with a small handle, through your press... ;)
 
When I started loading for 45 Colt I saved 100 cases from the two boxes of ammo I bought with the pistol, and bought 250 (I think) new Starline brass. Some 250 grain coated Lead from MBC and a couple pounds of Unique. I've since used other powders and bullets but Unique and 250 grain lead is still a load that I keep in stock.

For me it was the first round that I needed to roll crimp. Not hard but pay attention.... not too much, but just enough :) Like Goldilocks... At one point I stopped using the Lee FCD on lead on a suggestion from someone here. It helped my accuracy quite a bit by NOT using it. I had used and still do use the Lee FCD on other rounds but for 45 Colt I do not.

I also added a rifle in 45 Colt to my collection so be careful :)

-Jeff
 
.45 Colt is one of my favorite cartridges to load for, if not my all-time favorite. I’ve settled on a 200 grain Rim Rock RNFP motivated by Unique to 875 fps in my 4 3/4” Colt SAA. It’s accurate, easy to shoot, doesn’t lead, shoots to the teeny sights and is oh so satisfying. I had to switch to 231, HS-6 and Power Pistol for a while when I couldn’t get any Unique, and they both worked fine. Finally, I was able to score an 8-pounder of Unique and I switched back to my favorite load. Unique is bulkier and a little easier to see in the big case than the others. I have no experience with the “Ruger only” loads as I have no .45’s that’ll handle that much throttle. That may change if Colt sees fit to offer the new Anaconda in .45 again!
 
I load 45c for my Henry and Rossi Brawler. I shoot sillouet matches with the Henry and I've tried quite a few powders in it. Right now I use a lot of Red Dot because I have a bunch of it and it does well for what I want. It will tolerate low or high charges just fine, so will Hs-6. H110/win 296 likes the high end, does not like powder puff charges. It will go bang, just not consistent velocity at low charges.
7gr of Red Dot with a 200gr hard cast is a pretty tame load and that's my sillouete load for 100yd or less in the Henry. For 200yd I use 230 or 250gr.
Missouri Bullet's Hi-Tek coated cowboy #4 is my goto cast bullet.
I'm also eyeing a revolver to add, but I'm probably going with a Uberti SA with 7" barrel as it will not likely ever be my SD weapon.
Happy shooting whatever you get, just beware those lever actions are fun.🙂
 
3sport said:
I think Unique was the very first powder I ever purchased in the 90s.
Click to expand...

Then you are in high cotton... Unique is a perfect powder for the .45 Colt with either cast or jacketed bullets.

A .45 Colt pistol is one thing... a .45 Colt lever-action is quite another. If you ever go there, you may want to rethink the progressive press thing... ;)

I tend to gravitate to brass with the same headstamp... it solves a lot of problems. I have seen huge differences in brass, particularly in .45 Colt but others as well, when working through mixed headstamps. My last batch, some range pickups a friend gave me, I wound up trashing... because the differences in the brass... brass thickness, OAL, rim quality... was giving me fits.
 
It loads pretty much like any other straight wall rimmed case. Its a large roomy case and bulky powders are your friend. For bullets I favor the 250-255 grain Keith Type SWC. I use Unique for plinking/target loads and 2400 for hunting Deer/Pigs. In strong guns like Rugers or Contenders you can load it to 44 magnum levels but be consecutive if you're loading for older revolvers.
 
3sport said:
I really have to thank the members that contributed so far. The advice and experience with 45 Colt reloading that you all have posted is greatly appreciated. 🙂👍
Click to expand...
Consider carefully what you really want out of the loading. Are you a guy who wants more.... the standing 45c loads are kinda a snooz fest. And great if you don't like recoil flash and a bunch of noise.... it was very popular to magnumize 45c for a few years and those loads are all over. Is 454c a better choice that you can download.... the Rugers are the middle ground that allow 30kpsi loads that the manuals support. I really enjoy 20kpsi loads as fun, and useful but not crazy hot in modern firearms. A ruger pistol and a Rossi 92 454 is a great match and the extra oomph is available in a carbine where it can really be used.
 
Pointers:
- 255 SWC w/ good lube (elmer type). 250 RFP also. Cast with lyman #2 or WW.
- Bulkier powders near max under the 14kpsi table. Accurate #5 is not too pricey for today and easy to find. A top performer in carbines also with same charge.
- Anneal case mouths down about 5/8". Burns clean and no smut on cases or in chambers. Roll crimps come out easier/nicer also.
- If you can't find LPPs 454C cases work fine and last forever but you have to trim them the first time to colt length (they are about an 1/8" longer but have small primer pockets). Size and rim is same as colt but the case is rated for higher pressures so head may be a little thicker and stouter near the base. Wall is the same at the case mouth.
 
Last edited:
AJC1 said:
…the standing 45c loads are kinda a snooz fest. …
Click to expand...
Really? A 260 grain bullet at 850-900 fps goes right through every whitetail I have ever harvested, from any angle. A snooze fest? Hardly.

My hunting revolver for several years was a S&W Model 25-5. A 260 grain, cast, FP, over as much black powder as I could get in the case was THE ticket. After that I got an Italian copy of the Model 1873.

Here are both of them,

IMG_0875.jpeg

IMG_0876.jpeg

In this image, I have installed a 45 ACP cylinder, and have never removed it. It still launches the 260 FP at the same speed. And produces the same results on deer.
IMG_1120.jpeg
IMG_1119.jpeg
I have since switched over to the ACP cartridge nearly exclusively but, that is not what you asked.

If you want a Western revolver, the Model 1873 beats the Ruger hands down.

Kevin
 
Listen to what others are saying 255 gr bullet, LP primers , bulky powder and you will be good. I don’t load 45 colt any more but when I was I used Trail Boss powder it is super bulky and was designed for these old black powder cartridges. I was told by Hodgdon it may be available later this year I hope so I like it in 454 Casull.
 
StrawHat said:
Really? A 260 grain bullet at 850-900 fps goes right through every whitetail I have ever harvested, from any angle. A snooze fest? Hardly.

My hunting revolver for several years was a S&W Model 25-5. A 260 grain, cast, FP, over as much black powder as I could get in the case was THE ticket. After that I got an Italian copy of the Model 1873.

Here are both of them,

View attachment 1202124

View attachment 1202125

In this image, I have installed a 45 ACP cylinder, and have never removed it. It still launches the 260 FP at the same speed. And produces the same results on deer.
View attachment 1202126
View attachment 1202127
I have since switched over to the ACP cartridge nearly exclusively but, that is not what you asked.

If you want a Western revolver, the Model 1873 beats the Ruger hands down.

Kevin
Click to expand...
Shoot a full power 454 and get back to me. It's not the same game, heck it's barely the same sport. I'm about options and the right choice is to get guns that match your shooting desire. I would always choose downloading a heavier cartridge over hot rodding an under powered one...
 
AJC1 said:
Shoot a full power 454 and get back to me. It's not the same game, heck it's barely the same sport. I'm about options and the right choice is to get guns that match your shooting desire. I would always choose downloading a heavier cartridge over hot rodding an under powered one...
Click to expand...
I agree with what you say but do not see the need for more power. Once the bullet passes through the animal, who cares how fast it impacts the ground behind it?

As for shooting a 454 or any magnum, no longer my cup of tea.

Kevin
 
StrawHat said:
I agree with what you say but do not see the need for more power. Once the bullet passes through the animal, who cares how fast it impacts the ground behind it?

As for shooting a 454 or any magnum, no longer my cup of tea.

Kevin
Click to expand...
It's just if the op is willing to stop and color in the lines... for on target effect one doesn't need more but that never stopped Keith or Dick.
 
I load most of my 45 Colt ammunition with Unique. Velocity varies more than “normal” but it does not seem to affect accuracy.

I mostly load 255 grain bullets but recently loaded wadcutters. I think they are around 200 grains.

Accurate #5 is what I use as alternate powder. 700-X or W-231 would also work well. These are what I have in inventory. Other powders in the same burn rate range would well. Follow your reloading manuals.

I shoot mostly Smith 25-5’s so I load standard 45 Colt loads. I do have a couple 45 Colt Blackhawks but do not “hot rod” ammunition for them. I have a couple 44 Magnum revolvers and a 460XVR if I want wrist snapping recoil. 😊
 
Last edited:
cfullgraf said:
I load most of my 45 Colt ammunition with Unique. Velocity varies more than “normal” but it does not seem to affect accuracy.

I mostly load 255 grain bullets but recently loaded wadcutters. I think they are around 200 grains.

Accurate #5 is what I use as alternate powder. 700-X or W-231 would also work well. These are what I have in inventory. Other powders in the same burn rate range would well. Follow your reloading manuals.

I shoot mostly Smith 25-5’s so I load standard 45 Colt loads. I do have a couple 45 Colt Blackhawks but do not “hot rod” ammunition for them. I have a couple 44 Magnum revolvers and a 460XVR if I want wrist snapping recoil. 😊
Click to expand...
10.0 of Unique is my huckleberry with a rnfp but that's definitely a modern action load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Lee Factory Crimp Die
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
mkl
M
D
  • Locked
Reloading 44-40 question
Replies
8
Views
693
MEHavey
MEHavey
D
  • Locked
45 LC in a 444 case
Replies
1
Views
354
suemarkp
S
D
  • Locked
.45 LC load info wanted
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Hondo 60
Hondo 60
M
  • Locked
Crimping .45 LC?
Replies
9
Views
3K
mastiffhound
M
Back
Top