Ruger only load data

[dirtydusty]

I am working with 2 cast bullets in ruger pistols. 45LC with a 310gr WFN and .44 mag. Using 300gr lfn with a gc. I am going to work up a load with H110. Can anyone point me to the max load for these combo’s? Or a good source for load data?

[blackmamba]

I found a load published for a 325 gr 44 mag LFN @ 1.73" OAL with 22 gr of H110 as max, 20 gr. to start. With the lighter bullet and the ultra strong Ruger platform you could start at 21 gr and work up to possible max of 23 gr. The 45 Colt load should be about the same, 22-24 gr.

[kevshell]

hodgdonreloading.com

H110 would be my choice. 4227 is another good choice.

[bigbore5]

H-110 is good, but don't discount 11FS or 300MP either. I've found 4227 or #9 to be more accurate than any of those in my guns, more important to me than the extra velocity since they penetrate basically the same depth, as in completely through in anything in the US.

[dirtydusty]

I already have a jug of H110 so that’s what I am working with for now.

[gnappi]

AA#9 and 4227 are my long time .44 mag faves.

[bigbore5]

I just realized I was out of 45 Colt bullets after reading this earlier. Since deer gun season is fast approaching, out to the shop I went. It's rough casting in 90 degrees weather!

Broke out the NEI 6-cavity 451-310 swc mold and ran a couple hundred. It's steel, so it gets heavy fast. Powder coat in two weeks and seat on 22gr H-110 for 1090fps from my 4-5/8" Blackhawk. It's the only 45C I have that shoots that load better than the 18.5gr #9 for 1225fps in my Bisley and Blackhawk 7-1/2"ers

[lar4570]

The length of "your individual bullets" and the seating depth plays a big part in the powder charge.
So It's hard to give an accurate load with all the variables involved.
Jacketed bullets like the 300gn XTP have known nose lengths, so standard load data is easier to find for them.
With H110, most of what I've read is to keep the load density between 90% and 100% of available powder space. It can get kind of erratic below 90%. My personal experience has been to use around 95% as my bottom charge. I haven't run into any problems at that load density in the 44mag or 45Colt in a Ruger.
Back when I was shooting the 44mag, I tried some heavily compressed charges of H110 and got some amazing velocities with 330gn Cast Bullets. Now that I have Quickload and can estimate what the pressures were, I wouldn't recommend a compressed charge quite that heavy. For the 44mag, in a Ruger, with H110, a good top load not to exceed might be fill the case to the bottom of the bullet(100% load density)(length of bullet and seating depth are variables) Use a mag primer and a heavy crimp.
Compare to published load data of similar bullets, before you commit to a load and drop the hammer on a primer...

I have a 4 5/8" 45 Blackhawk and 5 1/2" Bisley that I have loaded pretty heavy with cast bullets from the Lee 300 up to a .458" 405gn sized to .452". H110 is a good powder here also. Again, I don't like to go lower than 95% of available powder space. Use mag primers and a heavy crimp with the 45Colt also. Compare to published Ruger only loads of a similar bullet. For a max load, stay away from flat primers. If you get flat primers, you are probably way beyond the comfortable zone. Keep the edges of the primers rounded. I realize there are not any real hard numbers there. The first Speer manual I had had pictures of primers in various stages of round to almost flat to ironed flat, to cratered and pierced with approximate pressures to go along with that. I don't remember which # Speer Manual that was and my copy went up in my shop fire several years back. I think it was a mid 80's publication, anybody have that copy and can post pictures of a couple of pages? Speer Number 13 sticks in my mind, don't quote me on that though.

www.Hodgdon.com has a great free reloading database with a 45Colt Ruger section. When you find the data you want, you can always print the page, stick it in a folder and save for future reference...

[lar4570]

www.larrywillis.com/pressure_signs.html



www.levergunscommunity.org/viewtopic.php?t=5017

[messybear]

Great info from Lar 45/70 on this subject.

[bigbore5]

With H-110, I have seen best accuracy usually between 97-102% density. Don't try that in anything less than a Ruger or Anaconda. It'll beat a Smith to death quickly.

4227 likes 100-105% best. Again pretty rough on the weaker Smiths.

That's in both the 44 and 45 with bullets above 280grs. The 250's for my carrying around 45C loads are much lighter with book loads of Longshot for 925fps from my 4-5/8" Blackhawk or 5" Redhawk. That's still enough for defense from anything in the US

[45MAN]

GUYS: WHEN YOU SPEAK OF "density" WHAT ARE YOU REFERRING TO? CASE CAPACITY BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE BULLET OR WHAT?

I LOAD A LOT OF N110 IN 45 COLT, 480 RUGER AND 500 JRH, AND MY FEELING IS THAT ITS "sweet spot" FOR ACCURACY IS AT OR CLOSE TO WHEN THE BASE OF THE BULLET TOUCHES THE POWDER, JUST A FEELING AND NOT BASED UPON SCIENTIFIC MEASURING.

[bigbore5]

When speaking about density of charge, I am referring to the empty portion of the case with the bullet seated to the final depth it will be crimped at. That's 100% density. Compressed charges demonstrate how much over full the powder is compressed.

To find 100%, I will use pure distilled water which has a specific gravity of one. Put a scratch in the side of the bullet just barely big enough for a little of the water to be forced out as it seats. Put some of the distilled water in the primed case and seat the bullet without crimping. Wait a moment for any water pressure to seep out. Dry the outside of the case and weigh it. Subtract the weight of the case and bullet. That's your capacity in grains of water.

Your powder will have it's specific gravity weight in the data sheet. Multiply the powder specific gravity by your capacity in water. This will convert to the weight of a 100% capacity charge.

[kevshell]

I've not going through the exercise yet but I did have an idea in mind for myself. That is to seat and crimp a bullet in the case then turn it upside down and use a syringe or something like that to put water into the primer flash hole until it's flush with the primer hole not to the top of the primer cup. Then you could just weigh it that way. On another note I had found some rather accurate loads with far less than 100% using 231 or HS6. I totally believe in what you're saying with the Magnum powders loaded at 100% density or capacity

[bigbore5]

Sept 9, 2024 14:08:07 GMT -5 kevshell said:

I've not going through the exercise yet but I did have an idea in mind for myself. That is to seat and crimp a bullet in the case then turn it upside down and use a syringe or something like that to put water into the primer flash hole until it's flush with the primer hole not to the top of the primer cup. Then you could just weigh it that way. On another note I had found some rather accurate loads with far less than 100% using 231 or HS6. I totally believe in what you're saying with the Magnum powders loaded at 100% density or capacity

Never load fast powder except for trailboss anywhere near 100%