Thanks and new info
I know this is dredging up an old post, but I found this thread helpful (as I have others on THR) as I was looking for info on rifle/carbine loads for my 45LC/454 Casull H&R Stutzen and thought I would do my bit by adding info on some loads that will certainly work in T/C break actions and H&R break actions and that with a good taper crimp
may work in the Rossi lever guns.
ALL DUE CAUTION should be used when evaluating load data from unknown sources (like me). Having said that, neither of these are MAX loads and both are based on published Hodgdon and Hornady data. That said, the 45 Colt load is a definite +P load, hot and only for FA, Ruger, T/C, H&R, Rossi hardware suited to hot, modern loads:
First, the
.45 SMBM (Super Mini Bushmaster -
based on the Hornady 250 gr SST used in their 450 Bushmaster factory ammo) :
Hornady 45 Colt brass, WLP, Hornady 250 SST (non-cannelure) over 26 grs H110. COL with bullet seated 1/4" is 1.787"
I have no pressure data on this round, but based on published data, it should be in the low to lower mid 30K psi range. 20" barrel chrono'd avg 1573 fps over 10 rounds. They were as accurate as I can shoot.
Next the
.45 MBM (Mini Bushmaster). This is a mid range Casull load from Hornady, but I have substituted the 250 gr SST for the 240 gr XTP Mag that their load is based on (
BEWARE). Pressures will be higher in this load than for the 240 XTP MAG.
I have no pressure data for this load. I have not chrono'd this round but expect 2000+ fps from 20" barrel. This is pretty heavy and at the upper end of the accuracy spectrum. Groups are not tight, but still Minute of Deer.
Hornady 454 brass, WSR, Hornady 225 SST (non-cannelure) over 35.2 grs H110. Bullet seated to 1/4", touching but not compressing powder. COL (including polymer tip) 1.989" In my reamed 45 Colt H&R barrel, it is not touching the lands. Not sure if COL will work for a levergun, but I believe this load can be slightly compressed without major pressure spikes. NEVERTHELESS, you don't know me and I could be an idiot, so feel free to work up from 34.5 grs or so.
I am using these loads in a single shot break action handi rifle. I suspect a good taper crimp would suffice for use in a lever gun,
but I don't know this to be true. I hope others may find this load data helpful as I did the discussion above, but please use all due caution should you chose to use this load data.