EXPERIENCE WITH THE 250gr RNFP IN 45 COLT LOADS

[45MAN]

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PICTURED ABOVE IS THE "COMMERCIALLY CAST" 250gr RNFP BULLET. THIS BULLET IS AVAILABLE FROM A SLEW OF COMMERCIAL CASTERS, INCLUDING (PICTURED ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT): AN ORIGINAL OTBC OF OREGON BULLET, AN ACME BULLET, A BLUE BULLETS BULLET AND A T&B OF OREGON BULLET. IT HAS A BEVEL BASE. THIS IS MY MOST USED 45 COLT BULLET. AND CURRENTLY LOAD IT AT 3 LEVELS (COLT SAA/PRE-WAR DA, S&W AND RUGER). SINCE PC'ed VERSIONS BECAME AVAILABLE I HAVE QUIT USING THE OTBC BULLETS, I USE THE BLUE BULLETS FOR RUGER IN TOP BRASS HEAD STAMPED BRASS, THE RED ACME FOR S&W IN NICKELED STARLINE CASES AND HAVE A FEW OF THE ACME's LOADED UP IN WINCHESTER CASES FOR THE COLTS. RECENTLY ACQUIRED THE BLACK T&B's AND AM GOING TO SUBSTITUTE THEM FOR THE COLTS.

I HAVE FOUND THESE BULLETS TO BE ACCURATE AND SURPRISINGLY GOOD KILLERS. I HAVE KILLED 4 WHITE TAIL BUCKS AND A FALLOW BUCK WITH RUGER LOADS AND THE OTBC BULLET. HAVE FINISHED SEVERAL DEER THAT WERE NOT DOWN AND TAKEN SEVERAL CRITTERS WITH THESE BULLETS TOO.

GOING TO POST MY CURRENT LOADS WITH THESE BULLETS LATER TODAY.

ANY OF YOU HAVE FIELD EXPERIENCE WITH THESE BULLETS?

[wendigo]

I do not, but I do have an old single cavity Ideal 454190 that I'll sometimes cast a few of. I load them at standard pressure and have been especially pleased with their accuracy in the carbine.

Looking forward to loads and field reports.

[kevshell]

I have not taken game with them. But as I put in another post a few days ago, my go-to load since I bought my first 45 colt was that same round nose flat point design and eight grains of 231. It's been accurate and virtually every 45 Colt I put it in. I still have quite a few loaded up that are from Missouri bullet company.

[blackmamba]

No game but plenty of shooting. 6.7 gr. of 700X is my go-to target load at around 900 fps, and for a heavier field load I use 11.2 gr. of Herco for about 1070 fps. Both loads are accurate in a variety of handguns.

[bigmuddy]

Definitely my “ most used” Rey. I’d hate to guess how many thousands of these bullets I’ve sent down range. No big game, but every pest imaginable. They blow sizable holes and I would not hesitate to use one for deer, just haven’t yet. Missouri Bullet has recently added a plain base version of this one, which is working out well so far. Not sure it’s any better than the bevel base, but I like it. The black bullet on the far right in your picture looks like it may also be plain based, but may just be my eyes. 🤪

I have loaded the RNFP in the “medium” range at times, but never got them into the Ruger Only levels. Accurate bullets with Titegroup, Unique, Power Pistol, 231, Longshot, 4227, and probably a few others I can’t remember. I know I haven’t tried them in any 45 Colt that couldn’t be made to shoot them well.

Dan

[bigbore5]

I shoot the rnfp on 4227 and red dot for fun. For a hunting load it's #9 loaded to 1100fps. Works great.

[webber]

Some load that bullet in the 45 Auto.
Must be a good bullet.

[bigbore5]

Aug 19, 2023 19:15:48 GMT -5 webber said:

Some load that bullet in the 45 Auto.
Must be a good bullet.

I shoot it on Universal in 45 Super for 850fps. Feeds just fine in my guns

[fm027]

For the size of its Meplat, that bullet works surprisingly well on game.. I load it in 45colt & the 45cowboy special, and both cases are loaded to shoot it around 900fps. Killed 2 bears with it in my guns.

No, it wouldn't have been my first choice if I was intentionally going out for bear, but it was what I had with me at the time so made due. I used a single round on one bear, and 2 shots because I could get 2 off with other bear. Anyone reading for specific forensics will be pleased to read that this RNFP bullet exited, and even did so on one bear with a glob of internals hanging out its exit hole ... and both bears were someplace in the vicinity of 20 yards when shot. So for having such a small meplat, I myself was quite surprised to see what they could suffice to do in a pinch.

I personally think this bullet loaded to the very moderate levels my loads are, paints a guy a pretty good modern image as to why the old blackpowder 45colt round was so highly regarded for so long, and why so many old timers held the faith in it they did. Just works. Plain and simple. Isn't the biggest or baddest but it gets the job done, and has done so for 150 years.. literally

[bitterroot]

If anyone is interested, I still have the T & B Bullets (that Rey references above) for sale in the lounge. Or PM me.

[x101airborne]

I have used that bullet on farm pests for years and I am impressed with it's versatility but it's ability to put down small animals is less than stellar. No doubt about it's penetration but it's ability to transfer shock is lacking. I once had to shoot a raccoon 6 times before it even fell out of the tree much less died. Opossums would be slowed with a body shot but would required a follow up head shot. Even hogs shot on the run made it quite a way before slowing down. Mine was the Lee 250RF. I loaded them over 5 grains of Bullseye which is a Colt SAA safe load and hence could be why it didn't impress me.

[45MAN]

PICTURED ABOVE ARE: 1) A 4 5/8ths" NICKELED COLT SAA WEARING GENUINE IVORIES. THE BARREL IS MARKED 45 ACP BUT IT CAME WITH AN AUXILLARY 45 COLT CYLINDER. I SENT IT TO EDDIE JANIS FOR ACTION WORK AND FITMENT OF A PROPERLY DIMENSIONED 45 COLT CYLINDER (RECHAMBER BY EDDIE FROM A 357 CYLINDER). and 2) AN ORIGINAL VAQUERO CUSTOMIZED BY GALLAGHER AND FITTED WITH A COLT 45 COLT BUNTLINE BARREL. 

FOR MY SAA AND PRE-WAR DA COLTS IN 45 COLT I USE THE ACME 250gr RNFP PC'ed BULLET IN W-W CASES, 7grs OF TRAIL BOSS AND WLP PRIMERS. THE GALLAGHER BUNTLINE CAN HANDLE LOT STOUTER LOADS BUT IT REALLY LIKES THIS LOAD. THIS LOAD AND THE COLTS DO NOT GET MUCH USE OTHER THAN AN OCCASIONAL FUN TRIP TO THE RANGE. 

[45MAN]

FOR MY "S&W LOAD" I USE THE ACME 250gr PC'ed RNFP BULLET IN STARLINE 45 COLT NICKELED CASES, WLP PRIMERS AND 10.5grs OF UNIQUE. IT CHRONO's 1,067fps IN A 5" MODEL OF 1989 AND A 4" STAINLESS STEEL MOUNTAIN GUN. DO NOT RECALL IF I EVER HAVE SHOT ANYTHING WITH THIS LOAD, IT IS A FAIRLY NEW LOAD FOR ME AND MY RUGER BISLEY 45 COLTS GET 90% + OF THE FIELD CARRY TIME. BTW, THAT SAME LOAD DOES ALMOST 100fps BETTER IN A TIGHT 5.5" BOWEN PERFECTED BISLEY.

FOR MY "RUGER LOAD" I USE THE BLUE BULLETS 250gr PC'ed RNFP BULLET IN TOP BRASS HEAD STAMPED BRASS, FED 155M PRIMERS AND 21.5grs OF VVN-110. THIS COMBO DOES OVER 1,200fps IN 5.5" RUGER BISLEYS. THIS IS THE LOAD I HAVE DONE MOST IF NOT ALL OF MY KILLLIG WITH USING A 250gr RNFP.

SO THE "COLT LOAD" IS FOR FUN, THE "S&W LOAD" AND THE "RUGER LOAD" ARE FOR WORK.

[handloadingnotes]

This is a good bullet. I've been using the one from Bear Creek Supply <https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com/45255> for shooting at soda cans at 100 yards, and it seems to fly right. It's the most fun I've had missing over 90% of my shots 🤣. At about 900 to 1000 feet per second it's been about the best balance between manageable recoil and kicking up enough debris that near misses can knock over a can.

[marcruger]

Missouri Bullets makes some great 255 grain roundnosed flatpoints, with selectable hardness. Their Hi-Tek powder coating works super at preventing leading. Great bullets and service. Just thought I would pass that along.