Handloading

[Surplus Rifle.Com's New Article:]
Slug, Measure, & Match: Using the Right Bullet for the Right Barrel Diameter
By Mark Trope & R. Ted Jeo

Welcome to
ParallaxBill's
Milsurpshooter.Net
Curio or Relic & Military Surplus
Collector's and Shooter's Forums

About this site

C&R Dealer Links	General Related Links
The Member's Map	The Gun Control Forum

Due to the main focus of this site on the collecting and shooting
of C&R and military surplus firearms in their collectible original configurations,
sporterising topics will not be permitted in these fourms.
Thankyou,
ParallaxBill

Parallax's Trader Boards
See the new location at the bottom of the forum list
**Membership applications no longer required to post but you still must be registered.**
No dealers please!

Back in Production, New and Improved
Darrell's Scout Mount Page & Forum

Finnish M-91/30 photo courtesy of ParallaxBill

Click on the picture for current availability and prices

0 Kudos

Add Reply New Topic

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Light 45 Colt Loads

Author	Comment
Colin	Light 45 Colt Loads	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2038 (09/15/09 08:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None I'm looking for some light lods for my S&W Mountain Revolver in 4 Colt. I'd like to try the 180-200 gr SWC cast bullets intended for the 45 ACP. Bore diameter in the new S&W 45 Colt revolvers is .452, same as the 45 ACP. Has anyone tried this combination with good results? What powders?
Parashooter		#1	[-]
Posts: 1702 (09/15/09 09:52 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	.45 ACP cast SWC's work fine in my .45 S&W Schofield with about 4 grains of the usual fast pistol/shotgun powders - Bullseye, Red Dot, 700X, 231, etc. Same recipe should be OK for light loads in the slightly larger Colt case. Add another grain or two for a bit more zip - and recoil. You probably mean the groove diameter is .452". Bore diameter is likely closer to .442" Actually, the critical dimension in most revolvers is the chamber throat diameter(s). Bullets fitting loosely there can yaw before entering the barrel, causing serious inaccuracy. Select or size bullets for a snug "slip fit" in the smallest of the cylinder's chamber throats.
SchildaBrit		#2	[-]
Posts: 17 (09/16/09 03:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks Parashooter, for an excellent answer to a question I was just about to put myself! Patrick
Colin		#3	[-]
Posts: 2039 (09/16/09 09:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks, Parashooter, of course I meant groove diameter, not bore diameter, "engage brain before typing". I tried a load of 6 grs of 231 with a 180 gr bullet and it worked fine. Good, tight grouping, much more than needed for 'quick from the holster at 7 yds", and enough recoil to be meaningful. I understand S&W has considerably tightened up the tolerances of 45 Colt chambers and throats over their earlier revolvers in that caliber. Linebaugh says to size a bullet to .452" and push it through the throats; the ease of the passage wil give some idea about the relative size of the throats. I don't have plug gauges, but I do have a caliper; wonder if that's accurate enough?
Parashooter		#4	[-]
Posts: 1704 (09/16/09 10:05 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	For a practical check on bullet fit in revolver throats, I insert the bearing portion of the bullet into the front of the cylinder, leaving enough of the front end sticking out to hold. If it "rocks" when I wiggle the bullet nose, the bullet is undersize for the throat being checked. If it won't go, the bullet is oversize and may present chambering difficulties if any of the bearing portion is seated out of the case. Ideally, it will have the kind of snug "slip fit", without much binding or any rocking, that indicates it is very close to the throat diameter. No gauges or calipers are required to get a reasonably precise idea how that bullet fits in that cylinder. Of course I check all the chambers since they're not always identical.
dutchmills	45 long colt loads	#5	[-]
Posts: 807 (09/21/09 08:40 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Many years ago I settled on 8.0 grains of unique under a 250 grain rnfp cast bullet. This load will consistantly hold the "10" ring on a 25 yard pistol target at 25 yards. I have used (and am still using) this load in a Ruger Blackhawk, and M-25 Smith & Wesson. There may be better loads out there but this has been the best one for me for over 35 years. If it aint broke, dont fix it. DM
Aubullet		#6	[-]
Posts: 1305 (09/22/09 11:25 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	dm Apples and oranges here, but I use almost that same load, though just a bit hotter at 8.7g Unique, and a 250 cast rnfp in my '94 Winchester for PCLARS events and most certainly get "minute of ram" accuracy out at 100 meters with it!
Stan Pa		#7	[-]
Posts: 1429 (09/22/09 04:58 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I go along with DM. I have been using 8.0gr. of Unique under a 255gr. lead slug for over 30 years and it has never let me down out to 50 yds. Stan. Last Edited By: Stan Pa 09/22/09 05:01 PM. Edited 1 times.

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply