Load for the FA Model 97 45 Colt

[gjn]

As I previously posted I had traded for a FA Model 97 45 Colt round butt, fixed sights and 4 1/4" barrel. After carrying it for a week on a recent hunt in a FA cross draw holster I have really come to appreciate what a great trail gun it is.



Having fixed sights and a cylinder a touch on the short side I wanted to have one bullet with one load that I could dial the gun in for and use that load exclusively. I contacted Veral Smith at LBT and ordered a 280 WFN-GC with a .335 nose. Having cast a few bullets they weigh 286 lubed with the check.




The .335 nose fits the cylinder well and leaves a little room for bullet creep.





I loaded the bullet using six different powders looking for a load with a velocity of approximately 950 fps. Finally got to the range today and here's my results which are based on 10 rounds using WW brass and Federal 150M primers;

8.5 Titegroup Average Velocity-978 fps Extreme Spread(ES)-30  Standard Deviation(SD)-9

17.5 2400 Average Velocity- 949 fps ES-78 SD-24

10 N350 Average Velocity-856 ES-81 SD-29

9.5 Power Pistol Average Velocity-885 fps ES-27 SD-9

9.5 Universal Clays Average Velocity-961 fps ES-56 SD-17

13 HS-6 Average Velocity-955 fps ES-65 SD-18

For now I'll stick with the HS-6 load as recommended by Mr. Linebaugh as I have quite a few loaded up and with a move coming my reloading room is being dismantled. Once I have more time I would like to tweak the Power Pistol load up a bit and see how that does as well as work with the Titegroup load a bit more. Unfortunately there were other people at the range so I couldn't change my target enough to really keep track of accuracy but looking at the composite group convinced me any of the loads would work. Nothing scientific here but just thought it might be interesting

[Fowler]

Good looking gun. Any of those loads should serve you well but pick the load that shoots to the sights over anything else. It's the trouble with fixed sight guns, they choose the load more than you do. But on e that is sorted out you just shoot the load in mass till oh or the gun are worn out, I'd bet on you before the FA.

[ehartunian]

Great photos- thanks for sharing.

[paul105]

Looks like GJN has a bit of wiggle room regarding POI as that appears to be the FA "adjustable front sight" gunblast.com/Freedom_NewSight.htm

Good lookin' FA very capable little perfect packin pistol. Mold should work great. Great Pics. Sorry your reloading area is is limbo -- know the feeling.

Paul

[fortyshooter1]

Very nice and beefy looking gun and I like that bullet profile too! I like to find a bullet like that in 250 gr. to load .45 ACP for my Birdshead Ruger.

[Fowler]

Dec 18, 2014 17:25:59 GMT -5 fortyshooter1 said:

Very nice and beefy looking gun and I like that bullet profile too! I like to find a bullet like that in 250 gr. to load .45 ACP for my Birdshead Ruger.

$125 and a email to Veral Smith at www.lbt.com and he can make it however you like. I wouldnt bother with a gascheck for the the 45acp, and I would fo LFN instead of WFN (if fact I did) but he makes a fantastic mold that is really hard to cast a bad bullet with...

[gjn]

Fortyshooter1, I had Veral make me a 250 grain bullet that I use with Auto Rim brass but it would work just as well in 45 ACP brass. Its a 250 grain WFN-GC and he put most of the bullet weight in the nose to maximize powder space. For the velocity I use it at the GC is probably not necessary but I'm a fan of using them on all my bullets. I use it in my S&W 625's and have been very happy with it. For the 45 ACP semi auto's I use an LBT 220 LFN.