235 Gr Lead HPHB for 45 LC

[ndt1206]

I have a Smith 25-9 in 45 LC that I would like to load a few plinker rounds for it. Found a box of Bear Creek 235Gr Lead Hollow Point Hollow Base in .452 diameter at our LGS. My Speer manual #13 edition does not have anything that is close to it. Found data for 230 Gr Cast LRNFP W231 Powder, with starting point of 5.8 Gr (velocity 738) and Max of 7.3 Gr (velocity 941).

Should I start with 6.0-6.5 Gr W231, and go up or down from there?

Thanks.

[sghart]

Your starting load will be fine.

The bullet however may be a little undersized.

I load a lot of 45 Colt but for rifles and Ruger Blackhawks and Vaqueros. All of my bullets are .454".

The S&W 25 may have a smaller bore, I don't know. Never shot one or loaded for one.

Watch for leading as your loads go up.

[ndt1206]

My Smith 25-9 and New Model Blackhawk are definitely .452" diameter. Got good velocity and accuracy with L-SWC 200 Gr behind 7.9 Gr W231. Such a fun round to load and experiment with.

[sghart]

My Smith 25-9 and New Model Blackhawk are definitely .452" diameter. Got good velocity and accuracy with L-SWC 200 Gr behind 7.9 Gr W231. Such a fun round to load and experiment with.

Thanks,

That's good to know. And I agree, the 45 Colt round is a blast.

[Che762x39]

My Smith 25-9 and New Model Blackhawk are definitely .452" diameter. Got good velocity and accuracy with L-SWC 200 Gr behind 7.9 Gr W231. Such a fun round to load and experiment with.

My S&W 25-5 liked a 230 LRN that I also used for 45 ACP reloads. It sounds like you got a good starting point. For the 45 Colt I also tried Bullseye which I feel is similar to W231. But my favorite is the classic Unique.

[ndt1206]

Loaded a few rounds this afternoon and tested them at a local indoor range. Loaded with 6.0, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6 gr. I liked the 6.6 gr the best, and it burnt the cleanest. 6.0 and 6.2 were too sooty. Will try 6.8 and 7.0 next.

[G-Man WC]

Loaded a few rounds this afternoon and tested them at a local indoor range. Loaded with 6.0, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6 gr. I liked the 6.6 gr the best, and it burnt the cleanest. 6.0 and 6.2 were too sooty. Will try 6.8 and 7.0 next.

With W231?
I've used W231 in my Marlin 1894CB 24" 45Colt and love it
I just picked up a new Ruger SBH and looking for powder and bullet options.
It's going to be a fun gun. One load to rule them all. I'm trying to go traditional
with 250gr/255gr and Unique I think. Bullets are a problem.
Stick with regular cast or coated pills?
-g

[ndt1206]

I used W231 for 235/.452 HPHB and liked it. Ordered couple of boxes of Bear Creak Moly 250/.452 SWC but they are still backorder.

Tonight, I loaded 100 rounds 200/.452 SWC with 6.9 gr 700-X. Will try them out soon.

[joeymfd]

I have a 25 I load for. 185gr hrdy xtp with 9gr of unique. very dirty. would w231 or bullseye be better?