What Powder for .45 Long Colt

[Werewolf]

I reload 45 LC.

Currently I use Hodgon Titegroup. 7.2gr under a 200gr LRNFP bullet (I get 950FPS out of my Rugers and around 1200 out of my rifle with this load). The load is primarily for plinking and target shooting not hunting. I believe that Titegroup burns way too fast for the 45LC though and would like to try a different powder - one that burns slower. A slower burning powder would work better for my Win M94 in 45LC and do the job in my Ruger Pistols.

I am considering Hodgon HP38 or HS6 or Accurate No. 7.

Anyone have any experience using these powders in a 45 LC load and if so how'd they work out?

 

[HSMITH]

Unique is perfect for standard 45 Colt loads, HS6 is a tad slower but will not get you much if anything more in performance.

Hodgdon 110 is a good powder if you want to step it up just a little for the Rugers and the rifles, 24 grains under a 250 LRNFP with WLP is a great load and should move on out with the rifle.

13.5 of Blue Dot in the same load as above is a little stronger yet and works well.


With 200 grain bullets you are going to have to work hard for a consistent load with all but the fast powders, the 45 Colt case is cavernous and even worse with light bullets. If you switch from your current load I would advise you to buy some Unique.

The loads I mention above are RUGER/TC/Rifle ONLY!!!!!

 

[Werewolf]

Yep HSSMITH those are some hot loads especially the H110.

Thanks but that's not what I'm looking for. I am going to switch to a 250gr bullet though in order to take up more space in the case because as you say there's a whole lot of room in there.

My main problem with Titegroup is that even with a full load of 7.7gr out of the Hodgon manual it is still relatively low pressure. I get powder burns on the brass in the pistols and the rifle. I upped the load to 8 grains which worked well in the rifle but is just a bit too much kick for my old wrists in my pistols.

 

[oscar]

I have used Red Dot, 231, 700-X and Unique and I prefer Unique.

 

[Catbird]

I also recommend Unique.

 

[swifter]

I like Blue Dot. 13.0gr back of a 250 gr bullet gives me about 950 from my 25-5 4" with no stress...
Tom

 

[Quantrill]

700X and Unique

 

[stellarpod]

I use Clay's, but for admittedly slow "cowboy" loads.

Receipe:

200gr. lead rnfp
5.2gr. Clay's

I've never chrono'd it, but I'd bet it's somewhere in the 700-750fps range. Clay's burns relatively clean. I use it for all my CAS loading.

Your mileage may vary.

stellarpod

 

[JimC]

Unique.

 

[Desert Eagle]

I use Hodgdon's data on their web site at www.hodgdon.com and load up ammo for plinking from their cowboy section for the 45 Colt using HP-38. For hotter rounds I use the H-110 loads from the pistol section data on their web site. I've always had good results with these two powders. And I also use American Pioneer Powder (formerly know as CleaNshot) FFg if I want to make some smoke. I just fill it up with the APP and leave enought room to seat the bullet and compress the powder a little and it works great. Plus you don't have to use any lube with APP.

DE

 

[JollyWhiteGiant]

I use 7.0 gr. Unique with a 255 gr. bullet. Very mild.

 

[SASS#23149]

Smoked cases on low-end .45lc loads are almost impossible to escape.Many Many posts on the cas boards will verify this.Lots of questions,no answere except to up the charge to 'beyond cowboy' load specs.Tumbel and add a little Fltiz media polish for about an hour...or less.Cleans em right up.
American Select is a good powder for lc loads,I have used it and like the way it shoots ...very consistant on the chrono..

 

[WESHOOT2]

SLOWMEDIUMFASTSTUPID

Slow = W231, Titegroup, Nitro 100

Medium = Universal Clays, AA5, HS6, Blue Dot

Fast = AA9, H110, N110, W296

Stupid = W296

IME HS6 under lead bullets can be extremely accurate; I use Universal Clays for my 'medium' (yet Major PF, natch) IPSC shootin' loads.



Your results may vary.

 

[Gary H]

No black powder?

I've been using Titegroup for light loads. Rational being that it does a good job of uniform ignition in an overly large case. So back to my first idea.. black powder.. wasn't that why the case was so large in the first place?

 

[JimC]

No black powder?

No, but a long time ago I loaded some with Pyrodex for a Uberti 7 1/2" bbl. cavalry reporduction.
I used an RCBS 255 gr. cast bullet that I cast out of wheelweights.
They shot well as I recall but I didn't like the mess or the clean up and never loaded this load again.
I would imagine BP is as bad or worse.

I just checked, I have 30 rds. left!

So back to my first idea.. black powder.. wasn't that why the case was so large in the first place?

Yes. The info I have for the US Army Cavalry load is:

40 gr. FFg black powder
255 gr. lead [of course] bullet
810 fps