quote:

Originally posted by AK Caster:
Reading this thread I was under the influence I might learn something about the 45 Colt since I just bought a 45 Bisley.
To bad the thread went south after a few intelligent posts.

well that was helpful.

Movi,

I also had asked for some help concerning loads for a 45 Colt for my new Redhawk. After being given little info I was referred to another sight Handloads.com by a friend of mine. Look under the loaddata section. There is a list of loads from many different people there and it has been very helpful to me a I am also developing loads for my new pistol. Ther is info for all power levels for the 45 Colt including +P loads for Rugers. I hope this helps you. DRBOB

quote:

Originally posted by DRBOB:
Movi,

I also had asked for some help concerning loads for a 45 Colt for my new Redhawk. After being given little info I was referred to another sight Handloads.com by a friend of mine. Look under the loaddata section. There is a list of loads from many different people there and it has been very helpful to me a I am also developing loads for my new pistol. Ther is info for all power levels for the 45 Colt including +P loads for Rugers. I hope this helps you. DRBOB

DRBOB,

The hodgdon website has a good bit of load data as well.

MSHitman
I agree with you about the info on Hodgdons site. The only reason I suggested this site was that they are listing the actual revolvers that they used and many of them are for revolvers that are similiar to Movi's and mine. These bits of info have given me an idea of what to expect and also a greater variety of different bullet weights to try. DRBOB

quote:

Originally posted by DRBOB:
MSHitman
I agree with you about the info on Hodgdons site. The only reason I suggested this site was that they are listing the actual revolvers that they used and many of them are for revolvers that are similiar to Movi's and mine. These bits of info have given me an idea of what to expect and also a greater variety of different bullet weights to try. DRBOB

I was just throwing out extra information.

Google John Linebaugh's article on the Smith 25. I think you will be somewhat surprised with what he recommends for the "weak" Smith. Some of the loads he has proofed in them are pretty darned stiff, in my over 30 years of handloading experience.

Just a thought...

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Google John Linebaugh's article on the Smith 25. I think you will be somewhat surprised with what he recommends for the "weak" Smith. Some of the loads he has proofed in them are pretty darned stiff, in my over 30 years of handloading experience.

Just a thought...

Agreed, it will surprise some.

Checkout Linebaugh's loads,hope this helps..
http://www.customsixguns.com/w...solving_the_myth.htm

Well, I finally had a chance to get out and measure the bullets. .454...rats. That should be a reasonably tight fit. So much for that issue.

Pulled two more cartridges and weighed the powder: 20.0gr. of 2400 on the nose.

I'm thinking maybe poor ignition? Maybe a different primer?

Regardless, 20.0 gr. of 2400 never felt so soft...the only thing the chrono did was confirm that the load definitely wasn't right.

quote:

Posted 16 April 2012 07:31
I went to the range with a handful of 255 gr bullets over 20 grains of 2400and a federal large non-mag primer and a heavy crimp. I barely got 900 fps from my 5.5" Ruger stainless blackhawk. Besides being completely underwhelmed by the velocity, I could tell I wasn't getting proper ignition at all. I suspect the answer lies in H110 and something in the 300 gr category of life.

Still, I have about 6# of 2400 I'd like to plink off. Any suggestions on what to do with a load for a 255 gr hard cast that has some decent punch to it?


Regards,

Robert

quote:

Posted 24 April 2012 08:53

Well, I finally had a chance to get out and measure the bullets. .454...rats. That should be a reasonably tight fit. So much for that issue.

Pulled two more cartridges and weighed the powder: 20.0gr. of 2400 on the nose.

I'm thinking maybe poor ignition? Maybe a different primer?

Regardless, 20.0 gr. of 2400 never felt so soft...the only thing the chrono did was confirm that the load definitely wasn't right.


Regards,

Robert

I have been playing with a few loads in my Redhawk 45 Colt over the past few months myself. In looking around for data for this or that cast load I decided to try out a couple of the loads listed in Limbaugh's article. I too have a load of 2400 sitting here to burn myself. This said I have found the best accuracy with it using Wolf LP primers of the several I have shot.

I usually use the WLP for most of my loads, but noted with them, like has been mentioned here, they seem to punch the bullet before the powder has been lit, as I got more unburnt residue with them than any of the milder ones. Also the velocity was not where I thought it should have been.

This said, I tried out the HS-6 load in the last list of the article, as well as one for AA-9 which both proved to be absolute tack drivers out to 50yds. These were both shot using Wolf, and CCI primers, and either did an exception job.

I also concur with the case tension being mentioned. I found that out years ago myself and it can easily be reduced by having too much crimp. I usually start off light and check the last round in the cylinder a couple of times for length when working up loads. If I find it is slipping I use a touch more crimp, but unless I am working with top end stuff I don't find it happening much, and my accuracy I feel is usually better with the lighter crimp even using powders like 110/296. Just enough to hold the bullets in place has been all that was needed.

You didn't mention it, but are you using the Hercules or Alliant labeled 2400? My jug is of Hercules brand from around '87, and it's hard to get it up to what most of the newer loads are listed at. I don't sweat t however as I look for groups and don't sweat the velocity, unless I'm working with my rifles.

Try using a .44 mag expanding plug for belling the case mouths on a .45 Colt round.