45 Colt

1363 Views 28 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Big_Guy, 2 mo ago

OldWolf

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

I’ve started reloading 45 Colt using the materials at hand, Unique powder and 255 gr Hornady Swaged RN bullets. I started with 6.5 grains of Unique and increased powder in .5 gr increments. So far have loaded and tested 6.5 gr, 7.0 gr and 7.5 gr. The 6.5 gr has a MV of about 650 fps, 7.0 gr is 700 fps, and 7.5 gr 750 fps. These are expected MVs as one of the beautiful things about 45 Colt/Unique powder/250 gr bullet combinations is that the MV to powder load is approximately 100 FPS/GR.

Anyway, the level of recoil with these loads is rather surprising to me. The 7.5 gr loads recoil enough that I find it uncomfortable to shoot a box of 50 and enjoy the experience. Recoil is not in the 44 Mag arena by any means, but sharp enough to flip the barrel appreciably. I guess I expected these “pussycat” loads to feel more like a 38 Special.

There are no signs of leading, or indications of flattened primers. I am using a 4-5/8” Blackhawk and a 5.5” Bisley Blackhawk. The 5.5” is more comfortable to shoot as you would expect. For those of you that reload this cartridge, is this your experience? I know that recoil is subjective, but still, your experience will be enlightening.

I use an old RCBS balance beam scale that has been reliable for quite a few years. Still, I am beginning to think I should calibrate it with the weights I see on Amazon.

The Tier 1 max load for 45 Colt is 9 gr Unique for about 900 fps, which replicates the original blackpowder load for this caliber. If that is the case, those old Colts must recoil quite a lot. I don’t think many cowboys could fan the hammer like we see in movies.

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OldWolf

Discussion Starter · #21 · 4 mo ago

ono said:
I use 5gr. Trail Boss with a Silver State 250 GR. LRN. A cowboy load as my SAA has a first gen. frame and I’m hoping to keep it going and pass it down someday. Lighter bullet is a good idea for less recoil too.

I'd like to give Trail Boss a try.

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Michael Hedges

· #22 · 4 mo ago

OldWolf said:
On my list is to find a 5.5" 45 Colt mid framed Ruger Blackhawk (flattop).
Now I am wondering if that is a good choice for a plinker gun given the reduced weight over the full-size frame versions.
I am not sure what the weight difference between the two is though.

Sorry for late reply, the all-steel Blackhawks in .357 can run as heavy as 48ozs, the .45s more like 44ozs, while the newer/smaller frame guns in all-steel and .45 run closer to 40ozs...a standard blued Blackhawk maybe 37ozs compared to a Colt SAA circa 39ozs....
If you buy a newer smaller frame, it has much the same grip as a SAA and you might find it bops the middle knuckle with recoil....of less weight (but not smaller size) your best bet is the aluminum gripped standard blued Blackhawk which will have the increased clearance for middle knuckle, unlike the smaller Colt-sized gun.
The weights listed are fuzzy recollections, the Ruger site quoted figures have been accurate to within an ounce in my experience.

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OldWolf

Discussion Starter · #23 · 4 mo ago

When I checked the Ruger spec sheets for a .45 Colt 5.5" NM Blackhawk and compared to a 45 Colt 5.5" mid-framed flatop both were listed the same at 40 ounces.
I think that is improbable. Thanks for your data.

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dghal

· #24 · 4 mo ago

OldWolf said:
So I checked out many of the Hickok45 videos on YouTube, the ones were he was shooting Colt SAA and Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt's.
I can report to you that standard loading (SAAMI) of the cartridge results in more recoil than I had anticipated.
I do not have anything to worry about is seems.

Good old Hickok45 I do agree with the others dropping bullet weight creates a softer plinker load.
Had a old coworker who got into cowboy shooting, Said he wanted to load with Black Powder. going old school.
Helped him set up his loader, He loaded a couple hundred.

after his first shoot I was over resetting his loader to load smokeless.

I guess it was just too distracting

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Michael Hedges

· #25 · 4 mo ago

OldWolf said:
When I checked the Ruger spec sheets for a .45 Colt 5.5" NM Blackhawk and compared to a 45 Colt 5.5" mid-framed flatop both were listed the same at 40 ounces.
I think that is improbable. Thanks for your data.

A lot of perceived recoil is actually discomfort caused by shooter hand not getting along with grip as supplied by factory, on a single action that usually a problem with sharp corners on the grip panels and protruding edges.

I generally knock off such sharpies, which makes a world of difference. The newer Ruger laminated grips require no refinish when such dehorning done. In order of importance are sharp corners at grip base, front and back, the corner at fronts of grips where they arch up high, and then the corner on base of grip running front to back....any edges sticking out from a poor match to frame can simply have that edge slightly beveled, no need to try and perfectly blend with frame.

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Michael Hedges

· #26 · 4 mo ago

dghal said:
Good old Hickok45 I do agree with the others dropping bullet weight creates a softer plinker load.
Had a old coworker who got into cowboy shooting, Said he wanted to load with Black Powder. going old school.
Helped him set up his loader, He loaded a couple hundred.

after his first shoot I was over resetting his loader to load smokeless.

I guess it was just too distracting

Black powder kicks more as more unburned powder pushed out barrel. Plus, that shooter likely found cleaning a major pain with much more disassembly required, along with rust when he neglected same.

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Thebigdaddy

· #27 · 3 mo ago

I load for a bisley Blackhawk. Mostly lighter loads. For hunting I use a very heavy 255 grain bullet that does recoil but I only shoot one shot at a time. Never a full cylinder

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OldWolf

Discussion Starter · #28 · 3 mo ago

I just got my two Blackhawks back from being worked on. Had the cylinder throats honed to 0.4525, forcing cones set to 11 degrees, and triggers worked on.
So now I can get back to testing loads. I am working up 1/2 grain increments of Unique. Currently loading 8.5 gr for testing. Had the 5.5" Bisley out last week with 8 gr loads and testing at 50 yards. Now that is fun!
I haven't even fired the 4-5/8" yet.

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Big_Guy

· #29 · 2 mo ago

Lately we have been shooting 45 Colt every week. There is 3 of us shooting and we have Ruger BH, Uberti, Smith 25-5, Colt 1909, and Winchester 1873. The Bullet to the left is a 200 gr. Lachmiller and typical load is 6.5 grains of Bullseye. In the 1873 get lots of leak back of smoke. The case does not swell up and seal the chamber very well. None of my shooters like the 200 gr. Went to the center bullet which is an RCBS that comes out at 265 gr. when I use linotype or tin added to scrap lead. I loaded it with 9 gr. of Unique and works well. Seals up real well and no powder fouling on the outer case. We bumped it up to 10 gr. of unique and it just has more recoil. The Bullet on the right is an older Lyman 45 Bullet that is 295 grain. The bullet design has a hollow base. This is a very long bullet. I have not actually shot any yet. Loaded up and will shoot this week. Loaded them with 9 grains of Unique. The bullet is too long for a 45 Colt case so I'm using a 45 Schofield case which much shorter and allows me to crimp. I taper Crimp with a 45 ACP TC Die as the 45 Colt Die is too long. I'll proof test them in the Ruger BH first. I'll post back with the results.

Bruce

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