Outlaw Mike Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 I was foolish, and did not grab the 5lb Trail Boss early this summer, even though I planned on reloading 45 colt on my XL650. I currently have on hand: more than 5 lbs of 2400 (too bad it's more of a magnum powder) 1 lbs of VV N320 1 lbs of IMR 4227 3/4 lbs of Unique 1/2 lb of 231 I also have 500 of the snscasting 250gr RNFP, the conversion kit, and 45 colt dies, for my dillon xl650. I see cowboy loads listed for all of the powders I have, but I know there are concerns with the big cases. Is there some better suited powder (than what I have on hand) that should be available somewhere? What about going to a black powder substitute? My experience loading 45 colt is Z*E*R*O, however I've been loading other pistol cartridges for years. Thanks in advance! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Art Tillery Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unique is a great powder for 45 Colt. I load Trail Boss in mine, but really hard to come by at the moment. I know a few pard's that use a lot of 231 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 I've loaded 45 Colt with Unique for 45 years. Loading some Cowboy 45 Special this morning. It'll be hard to get light loads with Unique and get consistent ignition and clean burns. The starting load in the manuals is as low as you can go and get good results. With 250g bullets, they are going to have plenty of walup. The only other powder I've stuffed in 45 Colt is Graf & Sons FF black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tascosa, SASS# 24838 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Ive used 231 in my 45 colts for about 28 years. That's all I use and I load 250 gr bullets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Mike Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 I asked about BP or BP substitutes because I am finding APP FFFg in stores, as well as 777 (though I've read about the directions against fillers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unique, WW231/HP38. NO fillers-Stay with real BP. Case full of 3F will make you smile. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Mike Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unique, WW231/HP38. NO fillers-Stay with real BP. Case full of 3F will make you smile. LG Wouldn't I have to lube the bullets, and not use my dillon XL650? Dillon says no BP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Just can't (not recommended) to use powder measure. I've loaded BP on my 550 by removing the powder measure and measured powder with Lee dipper and dumping it in through the neck sizing die. I used a small funnel setting on top of the die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 I've loaded thousands of BP rounds on my 550. Don't you lube your bullets now? Just lube'em with BP lube like DGL, and your good for smokeless or BP. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Right now, use what fast-pistol ("shotgun") powders you can FIND. And that will vary depending on your location. Some others that may be available, that load great 45 Colt rounds, but have not ~been~ mentioned above are: Red Dot Promo 700-X American Select Win WST TiteGroup Solo 1000 Green Dot Clay Dot Accurate No 2 When you find some powder, let us know and most likely 5 folks will have some load data they can share for that powder! Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 And, if you are going the BP or BP substitute route, suggest starting with APP. A case full of that under the 250 grain bullets you have on hand will make a load that gets you some attention, and not be too terrible in the recoil area. That would mean easy cleanup and not having to change to a BP compatible bullet lube. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Mike Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 And, if you are going the BP or BP substitute route, suggest starting with APP. A case full of that under the 250 grain bullets you have on hand will make a load that gets you some attention, and not be too terrible in the recoil area. That would mean easy cleanup and not having to change to a BP compatible bullet lube. Good luck, GJ APP FFg or FFFg? I see both in stock on multiple sites. EDIT: Nevermind, I see they recommend the FFFg for cartridge. I don't see them list the 250gr bullet however. I found the info online, lots using this bullet, the factory lube is fine, and loading is the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Black Powder & Substitutes for Dummies ... http://www.curtrich.com/bpsubsdummies.html Smokeless: * Copy down the list of powders that Garrison Joe listed * Determine the bullet weight you intend to shoot * Using your browser, type the powder name - it will take you the vendor's web page with loading data * Then take your pick ... Example Alliant 2400 ... http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw Mike Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Black Powder & Substitutes for Dummies ... http://www.curtrich.com/bpsubsdummies.html Smokeless: * Copy down the list of powders that Garrison Joe listed * Determine the bullet weight you intend to shoot * Using your browser, type the powder name - it will take you the vendor's web page with loading data * Then take your pick ... Example Alliant 2400 ... http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=36 I have printed loading guides for the powders I already use, and I also have a subscription to handload.com DB. I was asking about which powders cowboy shooters recommend for 45 colt and then more specific information about BP, which I've never used. I've ordered Sam Fadala's Blackpowder Guide, and I'll look in there before I move forward with BP. Meanwhile I'll be loading with the 231, a powder I've used for years with other pistol cartridges. Thanks again, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unique for all your cowboy action shooting :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unique for all your cowboy action shooting :-) That's a great idea------- LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Excellent choices for .45 Colt cowboy loads: RedDot, Unique, AA#2, Fair choices for .45 Colt cowboy loads (dirty or higher pressure): Clays, W-231, AA#5, Universal Clays BP loads are easy in the .45 Colt. * Hotter primers work well * FFG or FFFg works well with the .45. Fg is too slow, and FFFFg is too hot. * Best subs are APP and 777 (Most other subs are too warm) * Load enough powder to get 1/16" compression. Loose-powder loads can be dangerous. * APP does not require bullets with special BP lube * I prefer the .45 Cowboy Special (Colt cut to ACP length) for pistol loads with BP/subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Black powder: * 45 Colts ... FFg powder touching the base of the bullet before seating * Shot shells ... 1 1/8oz shot - 3 drams of Fg powder with a plastic wad It's that simple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickB Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Unique is a great powder for 45 Colt. I load Trail Boss in mine, but really hard to come by at the moment. I know a few pard's that use a lot of 231 as well. +1 on that. I use Unique to reload my .45 colt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Jackson Turner Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Trail Boss really makes sense in the capacious .45 Colt case. Anything else tends to be a bit position, and/or temperature sensitive, rattling around inside that big drum... AFTER that, I've had good luck with Vihta Vouri N-320, American Select, and Clays. Cheers, FJT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I load my .45 colt with enough Goex 3f for 1/16 of an inch compression by my "Soft cast" 270 gr. bullet lubed with "Lyman Gold" or "SPG". My bullets are 1- 30 Tin/Lead alloy . This in W-W cases with WLP primers ... For smokeless loads my bullets are Hard cast bullets by "Catus Plains" weighing 250 gr. . My favorite powders are listed in order Promo, Red Dot, True Blue, Unique,231 ... Jabez Cowboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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