Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

45Colt reloading powder/bullets/brass?


AleveredAction

Recommended Posts

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forums and a buddy from work told me about your site. I'm just starting to reload 45C for my Marlin 1894 Cowboy lever action. I'm primarily going to be using it for plinking but I would still like it to be accurate. I would also obviously like to keep my costs as low as possible. So I'd love suggestions on powder and bullets. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's plinking... and then there's PLINKIN'!  If plinkin' with cast bullets... I like RedDot powder and use either a commerical 200 grain round flat nose bullet and a hand cast 225 grain truncated cone that I cast in a RCBS mold, (45-225-CAV).  I've found good (maybe adequate), accuracy with between 6 & 6.9 grains of powder over a Winchester WLP primer.

 

From my six 45 Colt rifles the median load of 6.5 grains and the 225 grain TC yield the following:

45-225-CAV%20Rifles.jpg

As you can see, the longer barreled rifles yield no increase in velocity... The 1894 Marlin in my test is a older Marlin (1979) receiver mated to a cut Marlin Cowboy bbl in 45 Colt... 

 

As you can see, these are not "pfft-tink" loads, but neither are they real barn burners.  They were loaded at various times, and just dumped in an ammo can.  Somewhere I have an pic of the targets I shot when I did this velocity check... but since I wasn't shooting for group, it's pretty meaningless.

 

The 50th Lyman Reloading manual has a nice section for the 45Colt in their rifle section.  Good range of loads for both cast and jacketed.  I highly recommend anyone loading for a 45 Colt rifle get a copy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"... use 5 grains of Clays, Large pistol primer, a 200 grain RNFP Magnus bullet. works great for me. I can hit the gong at 85 yards pretty handily too...." 

 

this is what i use as well , sometimes substitute red dot = same burn rate 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, AleveredAction said:

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forums and a buddy from work told me about your site. I'm just starting to reload 45C for my Marlin 1894 Cowboy lever action. I'm primarily going to be using it for plinking but I would still like it to be accurate. I would also obviously like to keep my costs as low as possible. So I'd love suggestions on powder and bullets. Thanks!

 

That's a pretty open-ended question and sounds like you're new to reloading? If so, acquire these manuals first and read everything in the chapters before the loading data sections. Otherwise all you'll get is pet loads from a lot of strangers without any understanding of whether they're what's best for you. :) 

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1064661989/lyman-reloading-handbook-50th-edition-reloading-manual

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nah.  None of the above.  Starline brass.  Federal Primers.  APP about 20Gr, topped with Cream-0-Wheat and a 200Gr RNFP.  

 

Won't necessarily be cheap to shoot but twill be some FUN!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

Nah.  None of the above.  Starline brass.  Federal Primers.  APP about 20Gr, topped with Cream-0-Wheat and a 200Gr RNFP.  

 

Won't necessarily be cheap to shoot but twill be some FUN!!!

Yeah, there is that. But what’s up with that APP stuff....and cream o’ wheat?! No BP, no flame and topped off with breakfast cereal? 

:P :D :lol:

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

Nah.  None of the above.  Starline brass.  Federal Primers.  APP about 20Gr, topped with Cream-0-Wheat and a 200Gr RNFP.  

 

Won't necessarily be cheap to shoot but twill be some FUN!!!

Goex, 2F... no filler needed...  far bigger smiles... ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For years I was loading 5.5grns of Trailboss with a 205grn Bear Creek bullet. Any L.P primer would do. Worked flawlessly in my Marlin 1894CB rifle.

The really fun load was 2,2CC Lee dipper of Graf & Sons 2f black powder and a 250grn Big Lube bullet from Springfield Slim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been using 6.1 grains of Titegroup over a 180 grain RNFP. Federal large pistol primers. Lately, I've been buying bullets from Badmanbullets.

Not too light, not too heavy, powder and bullet costs are just a wee bit less than other choices.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well you guys sure brought the info. Thanks a lot. This was very helpful. I've reloaded for .308 before but never got into pistol calibers yet so this was very useful. Seems like Trail Boss has the best price per round I can find online and everyone seems to love that. I think I might go that route and see how I like it. Now to decide on which bullet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I buy my Clays at around 136.00 for 8lbs . that is 56000 grains of powder. At 5 grains per round loaded, I get a little over 11000 rounds per 8 lb container. If my math is correct that is about .002 cents per round

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, AleveredAction said:

Well you guys sure brought the info. Thanks a lot. This was very helpful. I've reloaded for .308 before but never got into pistol calibers yet so this was very useful. Seems like Trail Boss has the best price per round I can find online and everyone seems to love that. I think I might go that route and see how I like it. Now to decide on which bullet.

 

Trailboss is often the most expensive because it's a 9 oz bottle, not a 16 oz. It's usually not by much though

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, El Cubano said:

 

Trailboss is often the most expensive because it's a 9 oz bottle, not a 16 oz. It's usually not by much though

 

 

I've put a spread sheet together to help with prices per rnd and per oz and all that. I have some average loads in there just to get some prices.

 

45C reloading pricing

Spread sheet

Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, AleveredAction said:

I updated a spreadsheet with the popular powders and some bullets. I have the cheapest round combination in there as well.

 

I estimated the grains per round by averaging what I saw from a lot of different posts.

 

45Colt Reloading Price breakdown

You should add WW231 and Unique.

OLG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok I added those powders. If anyone wants me to add other powders or bullets let me know. I've been saving my brass from the ammo I bought last so save some more pennies. Great price on cheaperthandirt.

 

American Quality Ammo 250 gr

 

This definitely helped me narrow down the options. It's interesting seeing the big differences in load sizes per powder manufacturer. Brings the rnds per jug of powder way down. Of course though everyone charges that hazmat fee for powders and primers. Brownells always seems to be running sales and free shipping a lot so that's very helpful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not mentioned in this thread is the need to load bullets that will cycle reliably in your Marlin.  Select a design you already know know feed reliably.  Notice the number of times RNFP bullets are referenced.  These usually feed well while wadcutter bullets sometimes do not.  Your rifle uses heavy bullets and shipping them to you is a major part of their cost.  If you can attend a CAS match where a bullet caster delivers bullets you can purchase them without shipping charges.  You need also to ask what hardness bullet to purchase and what diameter they should be sized to.  BTW, if you every decide to shoot real black powder or one of the subs,  your Marlin is very easy to clean.

 

Go forth and punch big holes in tin cans . . .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

X 2 on the use of semi-wadcutters in your rifle.

I shoot a '66 and a '73, both of which are Jam-O-Matics with semi-wadcutters.

If you have any to burn up, do it in your revolvers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Not mentioned in this thread is the need to load bullets that will cycle reliably in your Marlin.  Select a design you already know know feed reliably.  Notice the number of times RNFP bullets are referenced.  These usually feed well while wadcutter bullets sometimes do not.  Your rifle uses heavy bullets and shipping them to you is a major part of their cost.  If you can attend a CAS match where a bullet caster delivers bullets you can purchase them without shipping charges.  You need also to ask what hardness bullet to purchase and what diameter they should be sized to.  BTW, if you every decide to shoot real black powder or one of the subs,  your Marlin is very easy to clean.

 

Go forth and punch big holes in tin cans . . .

 

42 minutes ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

X 2 on the use of semi-wadcutters in your rifle.

I shoot a '66 and a '73, both of which are Jam-O-Matics with semi-wadcutters.

If you have any to burn up, do it in your revolvers.

 

 

Makes sense since I've bought the American Quality Ammo(SWC) I listed before and had probably about 20 jams or so 2 of which where pretty bad. RNFP seems the way to go like you've pointed out.

 

I've never even seen the mention of bullet hardness. Granted I've never been looking for it or even knew it was a thing. Isn't the diameter suppose to be .452?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, AleveredAction said:

I've never even seen the mention of bullet hardness. Granted I've never been looking for it or even knew it was a thing. Isn't the diameter suppose to be .452?

It's a lead bullet thing, as opposed to jacketed rounds you've probably loaded for .308. If you look at MO Bullet's website, you'll see Brinell and a number following. The higher the number, the harder the lead alloy. Lower is softer lead which is good for cowboy action loads and black powder. Helps the bullet obturate better to engage the barrel rifling with less less lead fouling.

 

http://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=14

 

This book does a great job of explaining cast bullet hardness and its relationship to various rifle grooves and loads. Lots of info in there too for lead rifle and pistol rounds. Best manual I ever got for our game.

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said:

It's a lead bullet thing, as opposed to jacketed rounds you've probably loaded for .308. If you look at MO Bullet's website, you'll see Brinell and a number following. The higher the number, the harder the lead alloy. Lower is softer lead which is good for cowboy action loads and black powder. Helps the bullet obturate better to engage the barrel rifling with less less lead fouling.

 

http://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=14

 

This book does a great job of explaining cast bullet hardness and its relationship to various rifle grooves and loads. Lots of info in there too for lead rifle and pistol rounds. Best manual I ever got for our game.

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. I'll have to pick up that book.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.