whatnickname
Member
I’ve long been a fan of the 45 Colt. With the manufacture of the Ruger Blackhawk and the Redhawk, revolvers, along with the improvement of 45 Colt brass, the Ruger revolvers in this caliber exceed the capabilities of the 44 Magnum. The reloading manuals publish separate and heavier load data for the Thompson Contender and the Ruger Blackhawk in support of this fact. I still enjoy my Smith & Wesson revolvers and Peacemaker clones in 45 Colt but stick with the lower end loads published for these guns. The practice loads used in the Rugers consist of the 255 grain Keith Type, powder coated bullet manufactured by the Missouri Bullet Company using Winchester Large Pistol primers and 8.5 grains of Unique. Unique has been my powder of choice for cast bullets in the 45 Colt because it’s a bit bulkier and leaves less empty space in the case. I’ve had good results with this load and it’s pleasant to shoot.
Where the Smith & Wesson and Colt clones are concerned there seems to be conflicting load data for 255 grain bullets and Unique powder. The Lee Loading manual says not to exceed 8.0 grains of Unique whereas the current and older Lyman manuals show 8.5 grains as the max for the 255 grain cast bullets. Some of the forums post data running all the way up to 10 grains of Unique. Likewise, several other manuals suggest as much as 9.5 to 10.0 grains of Unique as a maximum load using swaged lead bullets. So here is the question: Is 8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain, hard cast, Keith Type bullet, using Winchester primers, safe to use in the N frame Smith & Wesson and Colt Peacemaker clones? I believe it is but would welcome the comments of others on this question.
Where the Smith & Wesson and Colt clones are concerned there seems to be conflicting load data for 255 grain bullets and Unique powder. The Lee Loading manual says not to exceed 8.0 grains of Unique whereas the current and older Lyman manuals show 8.5 grains as the max for the 255 grain cast bullets. Some of the forums post data running all the way up to 10 grains of Unique. Likewise, several other manuals suggest as much as 9.5 to 10.0 grains of Unique as a maximum load using swaged lead bullets. So here is the question: Is 8.5 grains of Unique under a 255 grain, hard cast, Keith Type bullet, using Winchester primers, safe to use in the N frame Smith & Wesson and Colt Peacemaker clones? I believe it is but would welcome the comments of others on this question.