Am I in over my head with 45Colt?

[sathington]

Hello Forum Members,

I have been pondering my caliber choice as of late. My long term goal is to be able to do some handgun hunting, and I also do some CAS for fun. I chose 45 Colt after reading John Linebaughs writings, as well as some Seyfreid articles I found on the web. I do believe in the caliber, and I know it can do all those men say it can do.

But, I've been wondering if it's right for me. I'm a very novice handloader. I started January of this year, and have loaded maybe 2k rounds. Ideally i'd like to try some heavier bullets (300gr+) with H110/W296 powder, but the lack of data is scaring me a bit. I look at the 44 mag, and there is an amazing amount of load data for it, across the entire spectrum of bullet weights and velocities. Compared to the amount of 44mag data, 45 Colt data seems to be sparse. Considering the similarities in performance, for my immediate and forseeable needs, I wonder if I've made the right choice.

Should I switch my focus to the 44 until I have a better grasp of the art of handloading, or should I continue cautiously with the grand old 45 Colt cartridge? Your thoughts if you don't mind.

Thanks,
Nate

[Lee Martin]

Not in over your head at all. Here's an article on heavyweight 45 Colt loads, both five and six shot levels:

www.singleactions.com/FiveShot45Colts.html

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal one round at a time"

[Paden]

There's tons of .45 data out there. Stick to your (.45) guns!

Another good read: www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf

[bushog]

I think you've made a great choice.

Here is some more info that is well worth taking note of:

www.sixguns.com/tests/tt45lc.htm

[brionic]

Start with standard loads. Start with more flexible powders.

Nothing wrong with what you've chosen, but the margins are slimmer than with standard size bullets and middle of the road powders, which can be loaded down or up, depending on your needs.

The articles referenced above are good ones.

[AxeHandle]

+1 on stay with that 45... Lots of data here too: data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
Start with the mild 45 Colt loads.. Something like 255 SWCs with Trail Boss or Unique. You will have plenty of time for those 296 and H110 loads later.

[sathington]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your responses. I appreciate the advice, encouragement and information. I shall continue on the slow and steady path. Hopefully by next year I'll have the stones to crack open that jug of W296 powder that keeps staring me in the face while I reload.

Thanks,
Nate

[taffin]

But, I've been wondering if it's right for me. I'm a very novice handloader. I started January of this year, and have loaded maybe 2k rounds. Ideally i'd like to try some heavier bullets (300gr+) with H110/W296 powder, but the lack of data is scaring me a bit. I look at the 44 mag, and there is an amazing amount of load data for it, across the entire spectrum of bullet weights and velocities. Compared to the amount of 44mag data, 45 Colt data seems to be sparse. Considering the similarities in performance, for my immediate and forseeable needs, I wonder if I've made the right choice.

Should I switch my focus to the 44 until I have a better grasp of the art of handloading, or should I continue cautiously with the grand old 45 Colt cartridge? Your thoughts if you don't mind.

YOU AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE ANSWERED HAVE ALL LEFT OUT ONE VERY IMPORTANT DETAIL. NAMELY WHAT .45 COLT SIXGUN ARE YOU LOADING FOR? IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

[sathington]

Apologies, Mr Taffin. Thanks for pointing that out.

The only guns I have chambered for 45 Colt are Ruger Blackhawks and 1 Redhawk.

[magman]

While I am a dyed in the wool 44 mag fan, you should stay with the 45 Colt.

You could always look up loads for the 45 Colt. Brian Pearce just did an article on it in a recent Handloader mag.

I've been loading for a Ruger Bisley and a Freedom Arms model 83 with the 45 Colt cylinder.

[Seasons44]

Sept 1, 2013 13:08:10 GMT -5 Lee Martin said:

Not in over your head at all. Here's an article on heavyweight 45 Colt loads, both five and six shot levels:

www.singleactions.com/FiveShot45Colts.html

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal one round at a time"

Great article Lee,

I agree 100%,just go for it you will have no issues, break open the 296/H110 and have at it

My only suggestion is stay away from powders that don't fill the case,when loading reduced loads, its one less thing to worry about.

[shorty500]

Sept 1, 2013 16:04:50 GMT -5 Seasons44 said:

Sept 1, 2013 13:08:10 GMT -5 Lee Martin said:

Not in over your head at all. Here's an article on heavyweight 45 Colt loads, both five and six shot levels:

www.singleactions.com/FiveShot45Colts.html

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal one round at a time"

Great article Lee,

I agree 100%,just go for it you will have no issues, break open the 296/H110 and have at it

My only suggestion is stay away from powders that don't fill the case,when loading reduced loads, its one less thing to worry about.

2nd that keep the case full recommendation. although i do use other powders at times all of my Favorite loads for the grand old Colt cartridge fill the case extremely well. hard to beat Trailboss for mild, H/IMR4227 fot tier 2 and up, or h110/w296 for ruger only and the 5shot loads

[wfngc]

I agree with everyone, the .45 Colt is capable of taking every animal we are ever gonna run into. Google Hodgon powder and download their loads including the Ruger/Fa only loads. For deer I use Elmers 255 SWC at 950 fps. This caliber is easy to reload,just be careful with the fast burning powders as its easy to bump pressures up loading cass loads. Otherwise if it swims,jumps,wiggles,crawls,flys,hops or runs the .45 Colt will make it stop with the right bullet in the right place and with less recoil than the 44mag.

[subsonic]

The H110/296 loads may very well be safer than loads with faster powders. Can't double charge the slow powders and pressure doesn't spike. 1-2gr over max is still too much and dangerous, but 1-2grs over with something like Titegroup may cause steel to fly.

[subsonic]

Here's some more RUGER ONLY load data from the Hodgdon 26th manual.