Reloading 45 Colt

[igot105]

[sofbak]

I started with unique behind a 255 gr lead bullet in new model vaqueros. 8 grs of U was relatively mild. At 9 grs it was a handful and not too pleasant. Also noticed a lot of unburned powder granules blown out regardless of charge wt.

I "graduated" to 13 grs of AA#7, which was a higher pressure load, but because #7 is a slower burn, the recoil impulse was noticeably milder and easily managed. Shoots like a laser and no unburnt powder blowing out the barrel.

Found the #7 load data in the Lee manual "Ruger and Thompson Only" section.

[Yetiultimate]

Tagged

[FLIGHT762]

I reloaded for the .45 Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk many years ago. Unique was my go to powder and worked well for medium to stout loads. It was a little dirty, but worked to my satisfaction.

It depends on what loads you want to shoot regularly. If you want a milder load, you need to use a faster burning powder.

You need to do some experimenting on your own and see what works for you. The powders you have on hand should work for you. Tons of loading data available.

[G-Man WC]

I've used Unique, W231, and TrailBoss for 45LC.
Depends what you want to do with the loads I guess.
-g

[divingin]

I started with unique behind a 255 gr lead bullet in new model vaqueros. [snip] Also noticed a lot of unburned powder granules blown out regardless of charge wt.

From what I remember about Unique, that's pretty normal. Used to get a lot of powder flakes in my target pistols when loading Unique. Gave up on Unique and moved to Win 452AA (not sure what I'm going to do when I finally empty the 12lb barrel I've been using.)

[sofbak]

^^^ 452AA was supposedly replaced by WST.

[SkyHawk]

OP - let us know what pistol you have, and what your goals are with the reloads. Do you want to shoot cans and playing cards, or Grizzly bear?

45LC has a wide performance range, but the really hot loads can only be run in a few types of revolvers.

[igot105]

[Don the savage]

Get yourself some trailboss and some lead pills. I need to look up my recipe but for light recoil thats the way to go. Especially with the uberti.

[sofbak]

Trailboss is good but OP already has unique.

7.5 to 8 grns of U will produce mild plinking loads. His gun and brass are going to be super-sooty from poor case sealing in the chambers, but that's the thorn that comes with low-pressure loads.

[at_liberty]

Power Pistol is outstanding and can have a pretty good punch to it. Within spec in either the Uberti or Blackhawk. Consult Lyman. BE-86 as the new kid on the block is another one to check out as an improvement on Unique.

[AtomicOrange]

I know OP is asking about specific powders, but my best .45 colt revolver results are with Universal. Very consistent and accurate. Also very clean and cost-effective. That's what I would recommend for stated purpose.

[Tom-ADC]

For mild plinking fun loads I use either Trailboss or Unique and have loaded Unique for well over twenty years. But when I want to get something a lot warmer I use Winchester 296 and follow the Ruger Blackhawk Thompson Contender only data.

[TripleThreat]

Traiboss for light plinking and loads that feel like you're shooting a 22 caliber.