Ramshot Enforcer for .45 Colt

[Savage30L]

Well, the XTPs are what I have on hand, and I've got a bee in my bonnet about loading them now. This will, I hope, be a fun project for me.

 

[bigpower491]

I called Hornady technical help and the fellow there didn't have any data using Enforcer. So I called Western Powders and got a recording telling me to call the Hodgdon tech help line. The man at Hodgdon didn't have much data, but suggested I used the 25.6 grains recommended for a 240-grain jacketed bullet.

Looks like I'll have to work things up myself, and chronograph all of the loads.

Well champion, that how ya do it.
Might I also suggest that you hit the Hornady website and utilize the ballistic calculator. I find ballistic calculators extremely useful when planning a load. Been using them for years and they help ensure I always get exactly what I want

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Well, the XTPs are what I have on hand, and I've got a bee in my bonnet about loading them now. This will, I hope, be a fun project for me.

Well, the biggest advantage is the jacketed bullets won’t lead the bore no matter how fast you drive them.

 

[Savage30L]

Well, the biggest advantage is the jacketed bullets won’t lead the bore no matter how fast you drive them.

I don't like lead fouling. And, I shot Cowboy matches for a couple of years, I've cleaned a lot of lead out of bores. At this point, for rifles at least, I don't plan to shoot any lead (un-jacketed) bullets unless I just can't get anything else.

I'll have to shoot lead cowboy loads through my Rugers in order to get the brass I need. But I can deal with that.

 

[Savage30L]

Here is a very interesting article, from John Linebaugh, on uploading the .45 Colt:

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

 

[Savage30L]

I have been doing a little experimenting with the Enforcer for my "warm" 45 Colt Ruger Only loads. Bear in mind, this is not published data, but my own that I've been working with after studying a bit of data from various sources.
For the 250 XTP I started at 18.5 grains of Enforcer, and a standard (CCI 300) primer. I have so far worked it up to 19.5gr in my Super Redhawk, and it's been showing lots of promise. I don't think I'll be taking it much past 20gr, but where it sits right now it runs a tad over 1200fps in my 7.5" revolver.
Again, this is my data, and has been safe for me in this tank of a revolver
YMMV

Edit: Let me add that my pet load with that bullet in my revolver is 19.5 of Accurate 9. It's good for 1275fps, and quite accurate for my less than stellar abilities. The one thing I like about the Enforcer is I get a bit less recoil with it. I've also found that to be true in 44 Magnum with 240gr XTPs. I'll work a bit more with the Enforcer loads later this spring

So....have you done any more experimenting with Enforcer? Now that I'm back in the saddle, I plan to load some .45 Colt with Enforcer, for my Marlin, pretty soon.

ETA: I also now have plenty of IMR 4227 and Li'l Gun (along with 200 brand-spanking-new Starline empties) on hand, so I have plenty to work with.

My friend who has been shepherding me along while I learn to reload, and who has the aforementioned chronograph, will turn 90 in September. He's remarkably spry for his age, but I'm anxious to get all of this done asap........

 

[AJC1]

So....have you done any more experimenting with Enforcer? Now that I'm back in the saddle, I plan to load some .45 Colt with Enforcer, for my Marlin, pretty soon.

ETA: I also now have plenty of IMR 4227 and Li'l Gun (along with 200 brand-spanking-new Starline empties) on hand, so I have plenty to work with.

My friend who has been shepherding me along while I learn to reload, and who has the aforementioned chronograph, will turn 90 in September. He's remarkably spry for his age, but I'm anxious to get all of this done asap........

4227 sure likes a little pressure to burn well. I haven't seen good burn below 30kpsi your experience may differ.

 

[bigpower491]

So....have you done any more experimenting with Enforcer? Now that I'm back in the saddle, I plan to load some .45 Colt with Enforcer, for my Marlin, pretty soon.

ETA: I also now have plenty of IMR 4227 and Li'l Gun (along with 200 brand-spanking-new Starline empties) on hand, so I have plenty to work with.

My friend who has been shepherding me along while I learn to reload, and who has the aforementioned chronograph, will turn 90 in September. He's remarkably spry for his age, but I'm anxious to get all of this done asap........

I put alot of my full power development on hold for a spell working on practice loads for the 454. Among another few things that have come up recently.
As far as working with it in 45 Colt, my recent work with these lighter loads in the 454 case are most likely going to put the lid on my hi pressure Colt loads. Tonight's ladder testing is pretty much telling me that I'm going to get much better results going this direction in the longer case than the shorter Colt case loads I have been using

 

[Savage30L]

So, the loads I've made so far in this project are:

Li'l Gun in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, and 24.0 grains;
Ramshot Enforcer in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.0, 23.2, 23.4, 23.6, and 23.8 grains;
IMR 4227 in a ladder load, 10 each of 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 grains (might not reach AJC1's 30kPSI);
and,
Hercules 2400, 50 of 18.0 grains.

C.O.L. is a tad long on that last one at around 1.617", but I think I'll be OK in my Marlin Rifle....none of these will be used in revolvers.

In retrospect, I think I should have also made loads with Ramshot Silhouette, and might yet, if I can pick some up locally.

My elderly friend, who allows me to use his reloading bench, is now 91 1/2. He has been spry and vigorous all of his life, but lately, he's been complaining about not feeling good, and doesn't do much....I hope he lives long enough to help me chrono these loads. He's been kind and generous in shepherding me through the process of learning to reload.

 

[black mamba]

With slow powders it's almost pointless to load in .1 or even .2 grain increments. Even .3 gr. increments only give 15 fps spreads. With 4227 you won't reach max pressure before you can't get any more in the case, too bulky. You'll like Enforcer, I've loaded lots of 4100 and it burns very clean and meters and shoots really accurately.

 

[Savage30L]

You'll like Enforcer, I've loaded lots of 4100 and it burns very clean and meters and shoots really accurately.

It's also still relatively affordable.

 

[AJC1]

So, the loads I've made so far in this project are:

Li'l Gun in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, and 24.0 grains;
Ramshot Enforcer in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.0, 23.2, 23.4, 23.6, and 23.8 grains;
IMR 4227 in a ladder load, 10 each of 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 grains (might not reach AJC1's 30kPSI);
and,
Hercules 2400, 50 of 18.0 grains.

C.O.L. is a tad long on that last one at around 1.617", but I think I'll be OK in my Marlin Rifle....none of these will be used in revolvers.

In retrospect, I think I should have also made loads with Ramshot Silhouette, and might yet, if I can pick some up locally.

My elderly friend, who allows me to use his reloading bench, is now 91 1/2. He has been spry and vigorous all of his life, but lately, he's been complaining about not feeling good, and doesn't do much....I hope he lives long enough to help me chrono these loads. He's been kind and generous in shepherding me through the process of learning to reload.

I said 30kpsi are ruger only loads and I agree with bigpower491 that 20kpsi are ideal. That's where I load, 10 grains of Unique with a 250 rnfp. I have a new 280 cast and coated bullet that I will be playing with Silhouette and blue dot.... I want a powder slow enough to leverage the barrel length but a low enough pressure to not beat up my cowboy.

 

[AJC1]

It's also still relatively affordable.

If you are into accurate powders #5 or 7 would be in a good range... if your choice is western true blue or Silhouette are better suited.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

So, the loads I've made so far in this project are:

Li'l Gun in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, and 24.0 grains;
Ramshot Enforcer in a ladder load, 10 each of 23.0, 23.2, 23.4, 23.6, and 23.8 grains;
IMR 4227 in a ladder load, 10 each of 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 grains (might not reach AJC1's 30kPSI);
and,
Hercules 2400, 50 of 18.0 grains.

C.O.L. is a tad long on that last one at around 1.617", but I think I'll be OK in my Marlin Rifle....none of these will be used in revolvers.

In retrospect, I think I should have also made loads with Ramshot Silhouette, and might yet, if I can pick some up locally.

My elderly friend, who allows me to use his reloading bench, is now 91 1/2. He has been spry and vigorous all of his life, but lately, he's been complaining about not feeling good, and doesn't do much....I hope he lives long enough to help me chrono these loads. He's been kind and generous in shepherding me through the process of learning to reload.

I’m curious about which one does the best.

Great respect to your elderly friend. It’s a blessing to know people like that.