Looking for low recoil/cowboy 45LC load with components I already have

[tcj]

I recently acquired a SAA (Cimarron-Arms/Uberti Evil Roy) w/a 5 1/2" barrel and am looking for suggestions -based upon your actual experience- on low recoil/cowboy loads using components that I already have. I have extensive reloading experience with other calibers in both handgun & rifle, just not with the 45 long colt.

The bullets that I have on hand (thanks to a friend) are Oregon Trail Laser-Cut lead 250 RNFP and 255 SWC.

Primers will be Remington (not magnum) or can be WLP's.

Powders available include Bullseye, AA#5, True Blue, Silhouette and Zip.

My priorities are as follows:

1. Accurate to 25 yards
2. Minimal recoil
3. Good case fill volume (if possible)
4. Minimal chance of a problem due to a squib or pressure spike

I fully expect the load to be fairly dirty due to low pressure and am not concerned about clean-up.

Your expertise and experience will be most appreciated!

 

[Rule3]

I recently acquired a SAA (Cimarron-Arms/Uberti Evil Roy) w/a 5 1/2" barrel and am looking for suggestions -based upon your actual experience- on low recoil/cowboy loads using components that I already have. I have extensive reloading experience with other calibers in both handgun & rifle, just not with the 45 long colt.

The bullets that I have on hand (thanks to a friend) are Oregon Trail Laser-Cut lead 250 RNFP and 255 SWC.

Primers will be Remington (not magnum) or can be WLP's.

Powders available include Bullseye, AA#5, True Blue, Silhouette and Zip.

My priorities are as follows:

1. Accurate to 25 yards
2. Minimal recoil
3. Good case fill volume (if possible)
4. Minimal chance of a problem due to a squib or pressure spike

I fully expect the load to be fairly dirty due to low pressure and am not concerned about clean-up.

Your expertise and experience will be most appreciated!

The start load of the fastest burning powder on your list.(as far as recoil, the rest you will have to experience with your gun)

https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/burn-rate-color.pdf

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I use Unique...but given those powders, look for a cowboy-level load with AA#5

 

[CrankyCraig]

Light recoil & Excellent case fill I’d go with Trailboss. I have shot several hundred of those OTBC Bullets in 250 gr RNFP.

As far as 25 yards lol nope never shoot at anything that far out of my 5.5” bbl Ruger new Vaquero. But I’m no Bob Munden

I usually use trailboss or unique for plinking with 45 Colt. I avoid fast powders in large cases maybe superstition. I guess from what you have powder wise AA#5 would be my choice. Sorry I missed that you wanted help with the powders you had on hand the first go around.

most cowboy loads I’ve shot free hand unsupported were not more than 10-15 out but heck you can see them from some angles flying to the target with cowboy loads.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[Rodentman]

I agree Trail Boss is your best option for good case fill. I use a lot of it for light lead loads.

 

[25-20 WCF]

Geeze guys, read the OP’s post. He only has four powders. IMO, AA-5 is the best choice but none will “fill the case”. Accuracy will depend on the particular handgun, there is no magic load. In one of my .45 LC handguns 9.5 grains of AA-5 is very accurate, in another it is not.


.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Unfortunately what you're asking for and the components you have don't mesh.
Reasons? The bullets you have are very hard so light pressure loads are likely to lead the barrel which will effect accuracy fairly quickly. Also the powders you have will not full the large 45 Colt cases especially with light loads.

That said I will try to answer your question as asked. Bullseye and Zip would be the powders I try first. I would use Zip because it's very close to W231 which is what I use for light load 45 Colt ammo. Either primer will work fine IMO. Western powders lists a starting charge with Zip and a 255gr cast bullet at 6.0gr, that's a good place to start.

 

[the Black Spot]

Bullseye

 

[Arkansas Paul]

The start load of the fastest burning powder on your list.(as far as recoil, the rest you will have to experience with your gun)

This is my thought as well.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Of what you’ve got, Bullseye or Zip.
5.0gr of either will be a good start.
Accurate #5 will require about 1.5x powder for same results.
True Blue and silhouette likewise.

 

[jeeptim]

5gr bullseye lil dirty but accurate 10/15 yes 6gr get a lil more umph.
The bullseye will be fine.
Enjoy

 

[tcj]

5gr bullseye lil dirty but accurate 10/15 yes 6gr get a lil more umph.
The bullseye will be fine.
Enjoy

Thanks - re-affirms what I could determine from reading/checking. Also nice that I have a powder drop already calibrated to 5.0 of BE for my 45ACP loading.

I'll give it a go when I get to the range on Monday.

 

[dannyd]

Looking on here too

 

[FROGO207]

Reading the whole thread and loading the 45 Colt myself, the best light load would be Trail Boss. I would invest in some if I were the OP but as ArchAngelCD has already explained his present choices leave him no OK to good choice. I would experiment with Bullseye around starting charges and hope for the best with his present choices.

 

[dh1633pm]

I loaded quite a few using No 5 as my starting point. It works. You have all you need on hand.

 

[FROGO207]

In my three Rugers the AA#5 was not a good match for me with 250 gr LFP pills. Glad it worked OK for you.

 

[RealGun]

I recently acquired a SAA (Cimarron-Arms/Uberti Evil Roy) w/a 5 1/2" barrel and am looking for suggestions -based upon your actual experience- on low recoil/cowboy loads using components that I already have. I have extensive reloading experience with other calibers in both handgun & rifle, just not with the 45 long colt.

The bullets that I have on hand (thanks to a friend) are Oregon Trail Laser-Cut lead 250 RNFP and 255 SWC.

Primers will be Remington (not magnum) or can be WLP's.

Powders available include Bullseye, AA#5, True Blue, Silhouette and Zip.

My priorities are as follows:

1. Accurate to 25 yards
2. Minimal recoil
3. Good case fill volume (if possible)
4. Minimal chance of a problem due to a squib or pressure spike

I fully expect the load to be fairly dirty due to low pressure and am not concerned about clean-up.

Your expertise and experience will be most appreciated!

I swore off those bullets (LaserCast) for leading pretty badly in soft loads. I use something softer that will seal the bore (obturate). Consider Missouri Cowboy, Brinell 12, or the like. You might find that loads need to be increased until finding a sweet spot with those Oregon Trails. My last bullet purchase for 45 Colt was 250 grain LRNFP from Xtreme, and they work great in guns with resized throats.
For what you have, I would say True Blue is the best match. However, Western data shows that Zip minimum would be a bit softer shooting. The True Blue container even mentions it as intended for "classic" cartridges, to include 45 Colt.

 

[tcj]

Appreciate everyone's help.

I got to the indoor range yesterday with 50 rounds of the 250's over 5.0 of Bullseye.

Shot very well - accurate and fairly low recoil.

Cleaning today there was no leading...just the expected lube & powder residue.

Will put together some ladder tests to find the sweet spot. Am also picking up some Trail Boss for future use.