Wanting to load 45lc with the powder I have

[Stefan A]

I am relatively new at loading - with only experience with 9mm. Just got a Uberti Cattleman and have sticker shock on the ammo. So, I managed to find some CCI LPP. I already have ram zip and v340 and I'd rather not get anything else. Which one is best? I don't have dies yet, so no big rush here.

Stefan

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would look at the powder maker site if you don't have load data on them and then buy a bullet which may work for them.

Sorry, not familiar with those powders so I am not a big help.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I never heard of those powders myself. I like unique for cast loads in 45 colt.

 

[AJC1]

Well VV 340 is #33 right after power pistol so that's your huckleberry

 

[MEHavey]

Vihtavuori's N340 is great.
Use it all the time in big-case handgun/medium loads
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/?cartridge=53

 

[black mamba]

Both will work fine. Zip is faster, so would make good target loads with 6-7 gr of powder under a 255 SWC, while the slower N340 will max out about 100 fps faster and make good hunting loads.

 

[joneb]

I use VV N-340 for 44 spl with cast bullets and it works very well.

 

[right winger]

I don’t suggest either of those 2 choices. I like Unique or Universal Clays the best. W231 will also work. All 3 have lots of load data available also.

 

[cfullgraf]

Western powders load data.
https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf

See page 37

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Bullets and their weight play a big role in powder selection.

 

[BBarn]

Both of those powders are worth a try. SAAMI pressure 45 Colt loads tend to be dirty, so you will likely see significant soot on the cases after firing.

 

[picker]

I have used VV340 for 45, excellent powder.
Best/picker

 

[GJeffB]

Stefan has a common question considering the lack of available powder supplies. Essentially reversing the "what powder should I use with xyz cartridge" into "what cartridge(s) can I load with the powder I have." I use an online resource that sort of backs into the 2nd question.

With https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/45-colt/ (no affiliation, yada yada) you choose your caliber. It essentially imports the data from most of the best known powder companies, and let's you choose either a bullet weight and find appropriate loading data for all powders, or choose a powder and find loading data for a bullet weight, or choose all weights and all powders appropriate for a cartridge. There are velocities and pressures as well as loading notes (e.g. Ruger only, Trapdoor only, etc.). I'm not bashful about reverifying the data with the particular powder companies' data, but it always appears to be an exact copy.

I wasn't familiar with the OP's powders on hand, but shootersreference found them both with appropriate load data. If there's no data returned for a powder/bullet combination you can be pretty sure the manufacturer just doesn't support the combination.

Many are probably familiar with the site, but commonly the new reloaders aren't.

-jb, HTH

 

[Stefan A]

Thanks. I’d like to use the V340 with a 250g bullet and the data says to use a fcp rnfp. Must I use copper plated, or will lead work?

 

[black mamba]

Cast bullets work fine, as long as they aren't undersized for the cylinder throats. If they are undersized, then softer is better, as they will "slug up" to fill the throats, preventing gas blow-by which will lead your barrel and impair accuracy.

 

[.38 Special]

Plated and cast data is interchangeable, for practical purposes.

 

[GJeffB]

Stefan, two really good pieces of information from Mamba and .38 Special. The usual cautions pertain, particularly starting at starting loads (whoda thought!), being thoughtful about any component substitutions, and as I said, preferably double checking with the load data in manuals or online data from the powder manufacturer.

-jb, go slow and go forward

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have never used VV powders because they are not available where I live but Zip will work very well for sure.

The Western Powder manual is available on the Gorgeous site for only $4.99 whereas other sources are charging $30.
https://shop.hodgdon.com/official-gear/western-powders-load-manual

On the page the Cree handout is also available but for $5 its well worth hung the full manual IMO.

 

[GJeffB]

https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf
free online. Not sure if it's the same

-jb, the cheap guy