I have a near new stainless Ruger Redhawk, 45 Colt, 5.5" barrel. It's totally stock, except that throats were opened up to .4525" (cylindersmith.com).

I have a large supply of commercially cast .458" plain base bullets, which weigh 385 grains. They were for my 45-70. I am curious to size them down to .452", and shoot them (safely) in my 45 Colt Redhawk.

I am looking for a moderate to "moderate+" load. Does anyone have any load data (Powder selection, powder charge, and estimated MV) for 385-405 grain cast bullets in a modern ("Ruger Only") 45 Colt chambering?

I just sent a similar request to Bear Tooth Bullets, as they make a gas checked cast 405 grain 0.452" bullet.

Yes, I know it's an ultra mega heavy bullet. I'm not trying to hot rod the load. If 800-900 fps (or less) is the upper limit, so be it. I'm looking for safety, with this heavy-heavy bullet. Yes, they will fit in the chamber ( measured the OAL).

Yes, I have other cast bullets (RCBS 45-270 SWC, 45-300 SWC gc). I'm asking about ~ cast 400 grainers in a 45 Colt.

Why try it? Squirrel hunting? Mostly, just "because." It's an experiment for sure.

I have these powders: Blue Dot, 2400, H110, IMR 4227, IMR SR 4759. I figure it will need a slow pistol powder.

Thanks in advance.

Have a look at Beartooths loadswap site. I know there is at least one load listed for the 405gr in 45 colt.
Load Swap

A buddy of mine and myself have been working with the 44 Mag (Redhawk) and Beartooths 405 grain bullet for a couple of years. We push the 405 out of the Redhawk at 1000 + fps (1020 on my chrono), and have found it to be an excellent penetrator, while delivering one hole accuracy from the bench at 20 yards. Compared to lighter bullets at higher velocities it is a cream puff to shoot. I would bet that it would do just as well in the 45.......worth a shot or two for sure.

Only problem you may encounter is that the twist will be way too slow to stabilize bullets of that weight.

quote:

Originally posted by DWright:
Only problem you may encounter is that the twist will be way too slow to stabilize bullets of that weight.

That's what I'm thinking as well.

quote:

Originally posted by nugman:
The Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt has a 1-16" barrel twist. If a 45-70 can stabilize a 425 grainer with a 1-18" twist, then hopefully a 45 Colt with 1-16" (even with lower MV @ ~ 850-900? fps) can stabilize.

They probably will as they stabilize @ 1000-1050fps in 1-16" twist.

quote:

Originally posted by nugman:
The Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt has a 1-16" barrel twist. If a 45-70 can stabilize a 425 grainer with a 1-18" twist, then hopefully a 45 Colt with 1-16" (even with lower MV @ ~ 850-900? fps) can stabilize.

True, but you can run the .45-70's velocity up a lot higher than you can the .45 Colt -- food for thought.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:

quote:

Originally posted by nugman:
The Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt has a 1-16" barrel twist. If a 45-70 can stabilize a 425 grainer with a 1-18" twist, then hopefully a 45 Colt with 1-16" (even with lower MV @ ~ 850-900? fps) can stabilize.

True, but you can run the .45-70's velocity up a lot higher than you can the .45 Colt -- food for thought.

Correct, velocity AND twist are componets effecting bullet stability.

We found that 2400 works very well in the 44 Mag Redhawk.........there have been no stabilization problems, the bullets exhibit no keyholing on paper, and drive straight in all the media we have tested it in so far. Accuracy is excellent, and retained down range velocities (momentum) remains around 900 fps out to about 60 yards or so. I am working out of town now and dont have all the data available....so, I am speaking from memory. Ill be back in a couple of weeks and will share what I have then.

As mentioned, the twist rate is wrong for the bullet weights you suggest, although they might shoot fine at very close range.
Also sizing them down to 452" from 458" might collapse the crimp groove & the lube groove somewhat, you'll just have to try a couple & see if you're happy with the results. Hope they work out for you, let us know. Should work fine on those squirrels!

Dick

Recall that Trapdoor Springfields with 1:22 twist barrels stabilized 405- and 500-grain bullets at 1100-1200 fps.

Not much that can't be taken with an LBT LFN 325 grain in the 1300 FPS range shot from a 45 Colt

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
Not much that can't be taken with an LBT LFN 325 grain in the 1300 FPS range shot from a 45 Colt

I couldn't agree with you more.

.........just got back in town for a bit. Ok...Beartooth makes properly sized heavyweights for the 45 revolvers, so, that wont be an issue, and those of you with 44's can also obtain properly sized heavyweights for your revolvers as well. I use the 325 LCMNGC and the 405 in my 44 mags. the 325 at 1063 fps is used for the smaller game (deer, etc), and, our intention with the 405 was to develop a close range, dangerous game back up load that would penetrate well, yet be easy to shoot...the velocity as stated above was 1020 fps. Both of theses loads are excellent penetrators. Neither load exhibits massive shock carachteristics, but, the will plow through anything that you shoot them in to. As an example, our 405 at 1020 penetrated 12 one gallon water filled jugs and was trapped by the 13th jug....for comparison a 45-70, 525 grain bullet at 1550 only penetrated 8 jugs and was trapped by the 9th. Both of these loads are designed to be used at normal handgun ranges (out to 50 yards or so), and carry enough velocity to perform well at that distance. In the 44 Mag, I use a starting load of 13.5 grains of 2400 with the 405. This will give a starting velocity of about 950 fps (in a 5.5" barrel). Anything a tad over 1000 fps will get the job done. Work up in two tenths increments until you have an accurate load that exceeds 1000 fps. The load that I use in my 5.5" 44 Mag Redhawk is 13.8 grains, and in my 4" 44 Mag Redhawk 14.2 grains.....both loads produce 1020 fps and both loads will shoot 3/4" ragged holes at 20 yards and under two inches at 50 yards. In the Redhawk I seat the 405 grain bullet just shy of full cylinder lenght.