Reloading 45colt?

[coyotewillie]

How important is case fill on the 45colt? I've got two 45colt rifles now, a Uberti 1860 iron receiver (unfired yet), and a Uberti Cimarron1873 (30" bbl). I have reloaded a few rds for the '73 just to try them out. I had some AA #5 so figured on loading that with some 250g XTP's. Since then I've gotten some cast bullets I'll use too. I wasn't thinking when I started reloading these, and didn't think about how little powder 10g's would be in this size of case until I dropped that first load! Wow, I was wondering if it would even ignite decently. I've seen reference to AA #5 in some 45colt articles so I guess it's used regularly. It's always seemed recommended to have a fuller case fill for better performance. But the #5 seems to shoot decent with an avg velocity of 1078fps. I can go a bit higher but I don't want to push the toggle style actions on theses rifles. Admittedly I haven't put them on paper, just fired at 8" steel at 100yds checking to see if everything went off well. Did hit steel 4/10 times. Any other powders you'd recommend for case fill other than going to Trailboss for a full case?

Edit to add: Or, do you think the case fill is a non issue??

 

[Tiny Tim]

Used to use Unique for reduced loads in 44 Mag. Any powder type suitable for 44 mag should be acceptable. Adjust loads accordingly.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

HS-6, HP-38, Universal are a few among several that came up at Hodgdon's reloading site. I use HS-6 for 38 and 44 spec and it results in low volume loads but they have been very accurate.

 

[Pinoniper]

"... the #5 seems to shoot decent..."

There is your answer!

 

[Methow Packer]

How important is case fill on the 45colt? I've got two 45colt rifles now, a Uberti 1860 iron receiver (unfired yet), and a Uberti Cimarron1873 (30" bbl). I have reloaded a few rds for the '73 just to try them out. I had some AA #5 so figured on loading that with some 250g XTP's. Since then I've gotten some cast bullets I'll use too. I wasn't thinking when I started reloading these, and didn't think about how little powder 10g's would be in this size of case until I dropped that first load! Wow, I was wondering if it would even ignite decently. I've seen reference to AA #5 in some 45colt articles so I guess it's used regularly. It's always seemed recommended to have a fuller case fill for better performance. But the #5 seems to shoot decent with an avg velocity of 1078fps. I can go a bit higher but I don't want to push the toggle style actions on theses rifles. Admittedly I haven't put them on paper, just fired at 8" steel at 100yds checking to see if everything went off well. Did hit steel 4/10 times. Any other powders you'd recommend for case fill other than going to Trailboss for a full case?

Edit to add: Or, do you think the case fill is a non issue??

Look into imr4227. It will fill the case better. Good accurate 23000 psi load. I use it in my USFA 45 colt revolver. 22 grains is max With 250 lead hard cast. Note this load would NOT be suggested for a vintage 45 colt but works on modern steels revolver and rifles. Note: this load is taken from the Hodgen loading data. Check it out

 

[olstreetbob]

I agree with Methow Packer, I load for 3 Henry 45 Colt rifles and 3 differant Ruger revolvers in 45 Colt. I love the IMR 4227 in these guns, very accurate for me using both jacketed and hard cast. Fills the case well. My "pet" losd is 20 gr behind 255 or 250 gr bullets. Just start @ min and work up. Good shooting!!

 

[jeb405]

A point I don't think was covered yet is with pistol powders in big pistol cartridges when using fast powders, you almost can't go too low from a case fill standpoint as long as it pushes bullet out of the gun. BUT, with the real magnum powders I have read repeatedly that you do not want to light load them. 2400, 296, 110 are the ones of note. Unique is a great example of one that does not care about case fill. I am not familiar with AA5 and on a burn chart its not as slow as magnum powders above but slower than Unique. Due to the above concern I usually use published data to not go below.

 

[Tiny Tim]

A point I don't think was covered yet is with pistol powders in big pistol cartridges when using fast powders, you almost can't go too low from a case fill standpoint as long as it pushes bullet out of the gun. BUT, with the real magnum powders I have read repeatedly that you do not want to light load them. 2400, 296, 110 are the ones of note. Unique is a great example of one that does not care about case fill. I am not familiar with AA5 and on a burn chart its not as slow as magnum powders above but slower than Unique. Due to the above concern I usually use published data to not go below.

Not certain about 2400, but 296 and H110 are ball powders. Generally speaking, they ought not be used in reduced loads.

 

[sailorp40]

You might want to try Trailboss. It is a light fluffy powder that would come close to filling the case. Check online about the load for your 45
Hope this helps
George

 

[scope-eye]

Trail Boss works Great
When ever I have a load that leaves a void in the case, I use cotton balls to fill the void just tear off they amount needed it works every time.

Dean

 

[steel2]

For my 44mag pistol and rifle I have shot a lot of cast with 9 gr. of unique and it's fun with no side affects but my hunting load i use h110 pushing xtp

 

[bigbrad53]

How important is case fill on the 45colt? I've got two 45colt rifles now, a Uberti 1860 iron receiver (unfired yet), and a Uberti Cimarron1873 (30" bbl). I have reloaded a few rds for the '73 just to try them out. I had some AA #5 so figured on loading that with some 250g XTP's. Since then I've gotten some cast bullets I'll use too. I wasn't thinking when I started reloading these, and didn't think about how little powder 10g's would be in this size of case until I dropped that first load! Wow, I was wondering if it would even ignite decently. I've seen reference to AA #5 in some 45colt articles so I guess it's used regularly. It's always seemed recommended to have a fuller case fill for better performance. But the #5 seems to shoot decent with an avg velocity of 1078fps. I can go a bit higher but I don't want to push the toggle style actions on theses rifles. Admittedly I haven't put them on paper, just fired at 8" steel at 100yds checking to see if everything went off well. Did hit steel 4/10 times. Any other powders you'd recommend for case fill other than going to Trailboss for a full case?

Edit to add: Or, do you think the case fill is a non issue??

Back in the day, like 38 or so years ago I killed a lot of rabbits with Red Dot and 250 gr. hard cast bullets out of a Ruger Blackhawk. 6.5 to 7 grs. Didn't seam to be temp or position sensitive.

 

[3chester]

Have burnD quite few pounds of Accurate 5744 with 250gr lead, also works with the jacketed stuff. Remember the old Peters box with the big P on the label, semi-smokeless powder, old stuff that workD. The Last Gunfighter Ballad- Guy Clark, always figured he had to of shot a few boxes of those old Peters cartridges when he sat down and wrote that one. Good Luck with that Colt!!

 

[Pinoniper]

Look into imr4227. It will fill the case better. Good accurate 23000 psi load. I use it in my USFA 45 colt revolver. 22 grains is max With 250 lead hard cast. Note this load would NOT be suggested for a vintage 45 colt but works on modern steels revolver and rifles. Note: this load is taken from the Hodgen loading data. Check it out

I used IMR 4227 in a revolver load, and experienced unburned powder exiting the muzzle. It was so long ago I do not recall which primer, but if published loads allow for it, I would recommend that or a WLP. And probably a firm crimp.