.45 Colt

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Pigslayer posted this 07 September 2012

I have always used bullets of gas check design in my handguns with great success. I used a non-gas check design in the 9MM once (long time ago) with incredible leading. O.K., here is where I'm at. I'd like to try a plain base SWC in my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt. I normally use a Lyman #2 alloy & use 8 grs. Unique behind a 255gr. SWC which pushes it between 800 & 900 fps.. LEE offers a couple of molds in that weight range . . . nice looking bullets too! I guess what I'm looking for is anyone who has used PB bullets in the .45 (Long) Colt and what their loads/experiences were.

 

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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6pt-sika posted this 07 September 2012

Pigslayer my experience with the 45 Colt is mostly in a pair of Marlin lever rifles although I did have a Ruger Vaquero or two also chambered for the round .

 

The only molds I ever purchased for either were the Lee 200 and 250 RN FP PB . And as well as I can remmember I didn't use anything but Unique . Everything I cast was plain old aircooled wheelweights .

 

Incidently the two rifles I had were a Marlin 1894CB with the 24” octagon barrel and the other was a Marlin 1894 SSLTD , that one had a laminated stock forend , stainless metal and the barrel was only 16 1/2” . Shot the short barreled one maybe 50 times and the 1894CB maybe 400 times . As to the Vaquero's I had I doubt if I shot the pair a combined 500 times .

The 1894Cb with the Lee 200 grainer worked very nicely for the pistol cartridge silhouettes at 40 , 50 , 75 and 100 meters . Shot the big bore lever silhouettes using the 250 grainer , they did okay on the chickens and pigs but not so hot on the turkeys and rams . But that coulda been my lack of ability as much as anything else because lord knows the loads I was using were on the light side .

 

Sorry but thats about the extent of my use of the 45 Colt in both revolvers and rifles .

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GBertolet posted this 07 September 2012

My experiences also with the 45 LC are with the Marlin Cowboy Limited rifle. I like the Lyman 452664, a 250 gr RNFP. This is a copy of the traditional 45 LC bullet. I have had good results with 9 gr Unique and with 7.5 gr of 231. Either of these two powders with just about any good bullet in the 250 gr weight range, tend to deliver satisfactory results. For traditional LC velocities I believe your bullet alloy is unnecessiarily hard. Sometimes softer is better, as the softer alloys tend to slug up and seal the often oversize cylinder throats when fired, curtailing the main cause of leading.

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Ed Harris posted this 07 September 2012

I use the .45 Colt in an M1909 DA revolver and an H&R CR45LC break-open Handi-Rifle. I use 6 grains of Bullseye with the Saeco #955 traditional cowboy bullet which weighs 260 grains in 1:40 tin/lead alloy. I load bullets as-cast and unsized, tumbled lightly in Lee Liquid Alox. Velocity is 770 fps in the Colt New Service and 1030 fps in the H&R carbine with 22' barrel. Low noise, low recoil, shooting the 100 yard gong with the sun over your back you can watch the bullets flying downrange.

Average iron sight groups are 5-6” at 50 yards from the New Service Colt and 12” at 100 yards. The H&R carbine using iron sights shoots 5-shot groups a little better than half the size that the big Colt does at the same range.

In the Ruger Vaquero you can safely increase the charge up to 7 grains of Bullseye, using wheelweight alloy, I see no advantage to doing so.  I find the .45 Colt performs best with mild smokeless loads of the fast burners, which approximate factory levels, using soft alloy of 8-10 BHN. More than 6.5 grains of Bullseye exceeds safe levels for my M1909 Colt, original or replica Colt SAAs, and goes supersonic in a rifle.

The resulting “crack~!” exceeds my desired noise level for rural country small town yard plinking. 

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 07 September 2012

I use the .45 Colt cartridges in two revolvers. One is a Ruger Bisley Vaquero. The Lyman 452664 Cowboy bullet 30/1 works exceptionally well with a case full of black powder or equivalent (Goex, Swiss or Pyrodex P). I get groups under 2” at 25 yards. No leading. I can shoot about 70 shots before fouling starts to increase cylinder drag. Five minutes cleaning with a good black powder solvent and I am good for another 70 shots. The Bisley Vaquero also works well with the same bullet (WW's+2% tin) sized at .452” ahead of 8.5 grs of Unique. Accuracy is under 1” at 25 yards.

My Ruger SS Bisley Convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP with the Colt cylinder shoots well (under 1” at 25 yards) with the same 8.5 grs of Unique using an NOE 454424 250 gr Keith bullet sized .452". The .45 ACP cylinder and the H&G #68 (from a Mihec mould)sized at .452” ahead of 4.0 grs of Bullseye or equivalent also shoots as well. Another GREAT bullet for the .45 Colt is from a Mihec mould - a clone of the RCBS 45-270-SAA either hollow pointed or solid. In the large frame Ruger single action this bullet can be used with 8.5 grs of Unique (safe in modern SAA Colts as well) or loaded up to “Ruger only” levels for hunting purposes with a stiff charge of H110/296/or WC 820.

As a matter of interest, I regularly shoot plain base cast bullets in everything from .32 S&W Long/.32 H&R Mag,.38/.3457,.44 magnum (up to 1400 fps), 45 ACP/.45 Colt in both revolvers and 1911's with NO leading and excellent accuracy.

It's just a matter of proper operating practices. I haven't shot a jacketed bullet in my revolvers for years.

Dale53

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shooter93 posted this 07 September 2012

I shoot 45 Colt in a pair of Colt SAA's more than any other pistol round, literally thousands of them. I shoot the keith 255 plain base with 8-8.5 grains of Unique and have never had a problems. My alloy is air cooled WW's ith 2% added tin.

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Pigslayer posted this 08 September 2012

Thanks for all the information everyone. Duane M. is going to hook me up with some plain base bullets to try out.The only reason that I restricted myself to gas checked bullets was the fear of leading. I'm going to try using a little softer alloy too as I'm using a Lyman #2 right now. BHN of about 15 . . . pretty hard. If I can shoot a softer PB bullet using the same charge of 8.0 grs. of Unique without leading I'll be a happy camper. Gas checks are getting real expensive and are about $38.00 per box. I was going to purchase a FreeChexIII and still might but right now I can buy two LEE PB molds for the price of one box of Hornaday Gas Checks.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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oscarflytyer posted this 08 September 2012

Shooting the 255 grn pb Lee mold.  Air cooled WWs + 2-3% tin.  Lubed w/ 45/45/10.  Sized .452.  Haven't bothered to slug the bore. 

Shooting a Ruger BH 4 5/8” bbl.  Loads are running ~900-975 fps (no chrono).  No Leading.

Don't hold me to these loads, but think I am running one 1 w/ 9 grns unique, and also ~9 grns Power Pistol.  Also think I tried ~7-7.1 grns of HP-38?

If you want the specific loads I have used, let me know and I will look them up and get the exact loads.  All are shooting very well.  Getting as good or better accuracy than in the same gun in 44 SPC w/ Keith bullets.

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LeverBob posted this 10 September 2012

Ed Harris wrote: I use the .45 Colt in an M1909 DA revolver and an H&R CR45LC break-open Handi-Rifle. I use 6 grains of Bullseye with the Saeco #955 traditional cowboy bullet which weighs 260 grains in 1:40 tin/lead alloy. I load bullets as-cast and unsized, tumbled lightly in Lee Liquid Alox. Velocity is 770 fps in the Colt New Service and 1030 fps in the H&R carbine with 22' barrel. Low noise, low recoil, shooting the 100 yard gong with the sun over your back you can watch the bullets flying downrange.

Average iron sight groups are 5-6” at 50 yards from the New Service Colt and 12” at 100 yards. The H&R carbine using iron sights shoots 5-shot groups a little better than half the size that the big Colt does at the same range.

In the Ruger Vaquero you can safely increase the charge up to 7 grains of Bullseye, using wheelweight alloy, I see no advantage to doing so.  I find the .45 Colt performs best with mild smokeless loads of the fast burners, which approximate factory levels, using soft alloy of 8-10 BHN. More than 6.5 grains of Bullseye exceeds safe levels for my M1909 Colt, original or replica Colt SAAs, and goes supersonic in a rifle.

The resulting “crack~!” exceeds my desired noise level for rural country small town yard plinking. 

Ed...I remember the beautiful old 1917 Convertable you wrote about in the '81 gun digest. Still have it?

Living out west, we need a load that will reach out to 100 yds. for deer, bear & elk. My midrange load is the Keith 454424 swc, 10.5 grs. Unique ( another fine article you wrote for the nra cast book) in my old ruger BH. I've backed off on all my loads as I grew older. Just didn't need all the advertised horsepower from my experience.

LB

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LeverBob posted this 10 September 2012

Ed Harris wrote: I use the .45 Colt in an M1909 DA revolver and an H&R CR45LC break-open Handi-Rifle. I use 6 grains of Bullseye with the Saeco #955 traditional cowboy bullet which weighs 260 grains in 1:40 tin/lead alloy. I load bullets as-cast and unsized, tumbled lightly in Lee Liquid Alox. Velocity is 770 fps in the Colt New Service and 1030 fps in the H&R carbine with 22' barrel. Low noise, low recoil, shooting the 100 yard gong with the sun over your back you can watch the bullets flying downrange.

Average iron sight groups are 5-6” at 50 yards from the New Service Colt and 12” at 100 yards. The H&R carbine using iron sights shoots 5-shot groups a little better than half the size that the big Colt does at the same range.

In the Ruger Vaquero you can safely increase the charge up to 7 grains of Bullseye, using wheelweight alloy, I see no advantage to doing so.  I find the .45 Colt performs best with mild smokeless loads of the fast burners, which approximate factory levels, using soft alloy of 8-10 BHN. More than 6.5 grains of Bullseye exceeds safe levels for my M1909 Colt, original or replica Colt SAAs, and goes supersonic in a rifle.

The resulting “crack~!” exceeds my desired noise level for rural country small town yard plinking. 

Ed...I remember the beautiful old 1917 Convertable you wrote about in the '81 gun digest. Still have it?

Living out west, we need a load that will reach out to 100 yds. for deer, bear & elk. My midrange load is the Keith 454424 swc, 10.5 grs. Unique ( another fine article you wrote for the nra cast book) in my old ruger BH. I've backed off on all my loads as I grew older. Just didn't need all the advertised horsepower from my experience.

LB

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Ed Harris posted this 10 September 2012

Don't have the M1917 convertible anymore. I gifted to a co-worker when I was on the NRA tech staff, who has since retired and still has it.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Pigslayer posted this 10 September 2012

The mailman came today and at my doorstep I found a really heavy package from Duane M. He sent me a variety of plain based bullets for my .45 Colt. And a lot of them! He casts a really nice bullet as all are nice & shiney with no frost & good fillout. I am in his debt. The generosity of people on this forum is unequaled. There is one that Duane sent me that I am really looking forward to playing with. It is a RCBS 45-250FN. It looks to be a really good candidate for my Forster hollowpoint attachment.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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gnoahhh posted this 11 September 2012

That old article of Ed's was what prompted me to buy my first New Service. The one I shoot now, a 1920-vintage .45 Colt, is fed a diet of Lyman 454424 255gr soft (8-9bhn) bullets over either 6gr. B'eye or 7gr. Universal Clays.

My days of 'magnumizing' New Services are well behind me. I had one in .38/40 that I loaded to the max and with those loads was a real attention getter. Now, as long as the bullet makes it to the target, I'm good to go.

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Pigslayer posted this 11 September 2012

gnoahhh wrote: That old article of Ed's was what prompted me to buy my first New Service. The one I shoot now, a 1920-vintage .45 Colt, is fed a diet of Lyman 454424 255gr soft (8-9bhn) bullets over either 6gr. B'eye or 7gr. Universal Clays.

My days of 'magnumizing' New Services are well behind me. I had one in .38/40 that I loaded to the max and with those loads was a real attention getter. Now, as long as the bullet makes it to the target, I'm good to go. I'm with you on the “attention getters". I used to be the “Belted Mag” recoil junkie! Got rid of the Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum & got a Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt. Love that .45 Colt!!! I sure would like to get a Ruger .44 special . . . if I only had the coin. I've found that the .45 Colt will kill a big hog just as quick as the .44 mag. & maybe quicker. I've had about three different .357 mags. Nice gun but they are ear piercers! Had them in S/W mod. 19, 27 & 28. Don't really miss 'em. 

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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oscarflytyer posted this 12 September 2012

If you get a chance at a Ruger 44 SPC - jump on it!  Love mine.  Parted w/ the 44 Mag SBH and a 357 mag for a pair of the Ruger BHs w/ 4 5/8” bbls - one in 44 SPC and one in 45 Colt/ACP.  I can't seem to get either of them to shoot bad with about any load/powder I use. 

240-256 gr LSWCs in both, although the 44 SPC will do ok with some 217 grn Lee RNFPs (no - not custom, and no not catalog'd!!! - but MY listed 200 grn mold drops at 217 grn!  Almost returned it, but turns out I kinda like it, so it has stayed!)

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Pigslayer posted this 15 September 2012

Went to the range today . . . finally! I needed some empty .45 Colt brass so I could load up some of the plain base bullets that Duane sent me. I put 100 rounds through my Ruger & completly took out the centers of two targets at 15 yds. I've never shot it at 25 yards but will on the next trip. My 60 year old eyes are still working O.K.. As I had mentioned in another post, I'm not the recoil junkie that I used to be. 8.0 grs. of Unique behind a 255 gr. SWC is enough for me. I can shoot those comfortably for a long time. It was a beauiful day & a comfortable one too. Our range is never crowded (& no loose cannons!) and all good, respectful people. I see a lot of new members & a lot of fathers bringing their boys . . . and girls to shoot. When I can, I offer all the good information I can to the younger shooters. I really enjoy that.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Pigslayer posted this 15 September 2012

oscarflytyer wrote: If you get a chance at a Ruger 44 SPC - jump on it!  Love mine.  Parted w/ the 44 Mag SBH and a 357 mag for a pair of the Ruger BHs w/ 4 5/8” bbls - one in 44 SPC and one in 45 Colt/ACP.  I can't seem to get either of them to shoot bad with about any load/powder I use. 

240-256 gr LSWCs in both, although the 44 SPC will do ok with some 217 grn Lee RNFPs (no - not custom, and no not catalog'd!!! - but MY listed 200 grn mold drops at 217 grn!  Almost returned it, but turns out I kinda like it, so it has stayed!) Yeah, I've had several Rugers over the years. Both in Blackhawk & Super Blackhawk & all shot extremely well no matter what I fed them! What a forgiving handgun they are!  I am looking hard for a .44 Special.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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.22-10-45 posted this 15 September 2012

Hello, Pigslayer. Last Thursday, I took a Colt .45 7 1/2” S.A.A. out for first time..this had been sitting NIB for 10 years! B.P. framed Colt by Turnbull. Gun first went out to Hamilton Bowen for action/trigger work..and to have a .44 Cyl. chambered to .45 long colt with .452” dia. throats fitted. Bowen also regulated sights. Shipped back to Turnbull for an early 1880's revolver with extra finish..Carbona blue, color-case, fire blue all pins, screws & trigger. Fancy Sambar stag grips. Gun was just too beautiful to shoot!..even though I did make up various test loads. Finally, I thought enough is enough..It was time! I decided that since I can no longer see open sights sharply..without a diopter on glasses..I use a Gehman adjustable clip on..it's like magic..when dialing that appature smaller..all at once the sights are clear and sharp just like the good o'l days! After blackining sights, I loaded up. First up was a mild start load using the Lyman 454190, over 5.0gr. Hodgdon Tightgroup.
Considering my eyes, sights & what I was shooting..I decided to try first at 15yds. Shooting was standing two hand hold. Taking my time, & resting between shots when needed..I got a group that was right on top of that thin knife edged front sight..that could be covered with a quarter! Now folks.. .that ain't supposed to happen that quick and easy! Using same bullet, in Starline .45 Schofield brass, with 4.5gr. Tightgroup...repeat of above! Increasing charge weights started to open groups..printed higher. Now if I had known it would have been this easy...and FUN..I wouldn't have waited so long! But the interesting part is..I was using a fairly soft alloy of pistol range scrap+50-50 solder. Fingernail could really tage a gouge out. But there was absolutly no leading anywhere..maybe it was worth getting that cyl. fitted with smaller throats?

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Pigslayer posted this 16 September 2012

.22-10-45, Sounds like you had a good day! Good shooting at that. There is no way that I could have left that revolver in the box that long. I have found that the .45 Colt is an absolutely glorious & addicting handgun.

Pat

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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.22-10-45 posted this 09 October 2012

Last Thursday, I took the Colt .45 out for it's 2nd. range day. Mostly verification loads from 1st. outing. Main difference was 1st. outing bullets were moly-coated with NECO impact tumbling process..I decided not to use this product on handgun bullets in future..not needed & might make them too slick..fear of lessening barrel time & shooting high with fixed sights..so these Lyman 454190's were uncoated. Lube was differen't also..1st outing I used commercial Micro lube..this time I pan lubed with my #5A1..a fairly soft mix of Beeswax, Anhyd. Lanolin, & Castor oil.
The start load of 5.0gr. Tightgroup again prooved most accurate..ragged hole to sights...increasing charge opened group & higher p.o.i. The Starline Schofield brass also proved most accurate with start load of 4.5gr. Tightgroup..again just 1 ragged hole. Then I tried a new powder..IMR TrailBoss. 5.5gr. gave same accuracy as T.G. to sights...Schofield brass liked 4.8gr. for same accuracy. all in all, I fired 70 shots that day. Clean up was easy..just very slight streak leading in a couple of chambers and on edge of rifling in forcing cone..easily removed with a few passes of bronze brush. Carbon in the cyl. was the worst part..cleaned up ok with Bore-Tech Carbon Remover. Never noticed any greasyness or buildup on frame from softer lube. I have found for light target loads in revolvers...and smokeless loads in rifles for that matter a softer lube is often more accurate than a harder commercial lube.

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Pigslayer posted this 09 October 2012

.22-10-45 wrote: Last Thursday, I took the Colt .45 out for it's 2nd. range day. Mostly verification loads from 1st. outing. Main difference was 1st. outing bullets were moly-coated with NECO impact tumbling process..I decided not to use this product on handgun bullets in future..not needed & might make them too slick..fear of lessening barrel time & shooting high with fixed sights..so these Lyman 454190's were uncoated. Lube was differen't also..1st outing I used commercial Micro lube..this time I pan lubed with my #5A1..a fairly soft mix of Beeswax, Anhyd. Lanolin, & Castor oil. The start load of 5.0gr. Tightgroup again prooved most accurate..ragged hole to sights...increasing charge opened group & higher p.o.i. The Starline Schofield brass also proved most accurate with start load of 4.5gr. Tightgroup..again just 1 ragged hole. Then I tried a new powder..IMR TrailBoss. 5.5gr. gave same accuracy as T.G. to sights...Schofield brass liked 4.8gr. for same accuracy. all in all, I fired 70 shots that day. Clean up was easy..just very slight streak leading in a couple of chambers and on edge of rifling in forcing cone..easily removed with a few passes of bronze brush. Carbon in the cyl. was the worst part..cleaned up ok with Bore-Tech Carbon Remover. Never noticed any greasyness or buildup on frame from softer lube. I have found for light target loads in revolvers...and smokeless loads in rifles for that matter a softer lube is often more accurate than a harder commercial lube. I have one of my lubrisizers for .45 Colt only. Been using SPG lube for the last 500 rounds. It works well. I have some homemade lube that I have had excellent results with and as soon as the SPG is gone I will use my homemade lube. But, if one is not into making their own lube, I find SPG to work extremely well for subsonic velocities.

Pat

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Ed Harris posted this 10 October 2012

I have been using the H&R CR45LC handi-rifle with peep sight for accuracy testing of my .45 Colt ammunition. I have quit working up loads and have standardized on one only.

Most accurate load I have found of all tested so far is the Saeco #954, 230-gr. flatnose cowboy bullet, cast 12 BHN and lubricated with diluted Lee Liquid Alox, loaded, as-cast and unsized at .455” in Starline cases with WLP primers and 6.5 grains of Bullseye. Bullets are seated to and roll crimped in the normal crimp groove using the RCBS Cowboy dies. I am not using the Lee Factory Crimp die because the chambers in both my guns are sloppy enough that they don't need it.

Velocity is 1093 f.p.s. from the H&R carbine and 900 f.p.s. from my Colt M1909 DA New Service revolver with 5-1/2” barrel. Standard deviations of 10 or 12-shot strings are in single digits.

Firing the rifle from sandbags, using a peep sight, six consecutive 5-shot groups at fifty yards averaged 1.63” with the largest group 2.45” and the smallest 1.2".

From the New Service Colt, firing from sandbags at 25 yards, single-action, six consecutive 6-shot groups averaged 2.19” with the largest group 2.93” and the smallest 1.68". Considering how hard the tiny sights are to see on this revolver I consider this quite good.

FYI for those who are curious, the otherwise same shape 260-gr. Saeco #955 also shoots best with the same charge of 6.5 grains of bullseye, which is a full-charge load.  However, it is less accurate than the 230-gr. #954 in my guns, about 2-1/2” at 50 yards from the rifle and at 25 from the  revolver. 

If anyone wants to try the heavy cowboy bullet in your guns I have available 4-cavity blocks for sale or trade which drop .455-.456 in wheelweights.  Was good in S&W 25-5 with oversized throats, which I don't own anymore.  I'm buying another set of #954s.

PM me if interested.  4-cavity blocks for $75 shipped Priority Mail to your door.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Tom Acheson posted this 10 October 2012

Maybe a side subject here.

What was the original barrel length of a SAA where the 4"+ barrel is concerned? Was it 4 5/8” or 4 3/4"? Yeah, it's only an 1/8” difference but “I got to know".

Thanks!

Tom

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Pigslayer posted this 10 October 2012

Ed, That's good shooting any way you look at it. I'm shooting about the same at 25 yards on sandbags with my Ruger Blackhawk using the LEE 452-255-RF, 8.0 Grains Unigue & CCI primer.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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boltgnrx posted this 20 April 2013

I've had excellent results with the Lee 45-230-TC (wheel weights with a little lead) over 7.0 grs of 700X in a Uberti 1875 Remington replica. A nice stout load but accurate and not abusive. The bullet casts easily but leads with only the Lee liquid alox treatment so I size and lube. Haven't found any need for a gas checked bullet. Bullet also works very well in the 45 acp.

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R. Dupraz posted this 20 April 2013

Lyman 454190 and 7.5 - 9.5 grns of Unique shoots very well. 9-9.5 grns shoot to sights. Old unique.

Send you some if you want.

RD

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Pigslayer posted this 20 April 2013

I have used Unique for about 40 years and have always found it to be a very versatile powder. I would though, like to get some Bullseye only because I can get more shots per pound. But getting ones hands on pistol powder right now is like pulling hens teeth. I do have on hand 3 lbs. of Unique & a lb. of Titegroup & that will last me a good while. Some complain that Unique is dirty . . . Wah, wah, wah! I find great pleasure in sitting on the front porch, having a beer & cleaning Unique “residue” from my handguns. don't mind one bit. Think I'll take my Ruger BH .45 Colt to the range tomorrow & dirty it up with some Unique.

Pat

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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R. Dupraz posted this 20 April 2013

It's a matter of priorities. Never paid no mind to dirty or clean. Cuze the target is the ultimate judge.

RD

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TRKakaCatWhisperer posted this 21 April 2013

Pigslayer wrote: ... Some complain that Unique is dirty . . . Wah, wah, wah! I find great pleasure in sitting on the front porch, having a beer & cleaning Unique “residue” from my handguns. don't mind one bit. Think I'll take my Ruger BH .45 Colt to the range tomorrow & dirty it up with some Unique.

Pat

Unique doesn't have to be dirty. I use it in my .405 Winchester under 300-400 gr bullets. 10-11gr. AND by using a 3/4 x 3/4” square of paper towel half way down in the case (to locate the powder in the bottom half of the case) it burns CLEAN!

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JohnM posted this 12 July 2013

Saw the Lyman 454190 mentioned above. I just got one of those from a guy a couple months ago. Evidently it's a later production because all I can get it to drop is ~.452, I've been told the earlier ones dropped ~.454 pretty easy.

It's a nice looking bullet, pretty much a classic for the 45 Colt, but that thing is driving me nuts trying to find the right combination that'll shoot without leading. According to every thing I can measure I have a good fit for bore, cylinder mouths, etc; but everything I've tried so far leads up bad. Different alloys, different powders, sized, unsized. :)

Oh well, some times these things just don't want to cooperate.

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Uncle Russ posted this 13 July 2013

I am surprised at the absence of S&W's here. I mean what was first the .44 Russian or the .45 Colt? The chicken or the egg?

I will admit the Colt SA is one heckuva shooter but my nod goes to the S&W 25-5. Along with my S&W 29-3 they are two of the straightest shooters in the flock. What marvelous handguns.

Mr. Pigslayer, we are all glad you have seen the light. May your walk through life never be dim again!

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Ed Harris posted this 13 July 2013

I've had a couple S&Ws in .455 and. 45 ACP/AR as well as postwar 1950, 1955 and Model 25 and all suffered from oversizex cylinder throats. 456-.458+

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Ed Harris posted this 13 July 2013

I've had a couple S&Ws in .455 and. 45 ACP/AR as well as postwar 1950, 1955 and Model 25 and all suffered from oversized cylinder throats. 456-.458+

Only one I kept is Hand Ejector 3rd Change Model of 1950 Military, which has .455 throats and like same bullets as my New Service Colt.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Chargar posted this 13 July 2013

I looked in my records and found the throat dimensions on six different Smith and Wesson DA sixguns in 45 ACP/AR. Three are pre-war and three are 1955 Target Models (Model 25).

The tightest is .455 and the biggest is .457. The rest fall in between these two numbers, mostly on the large side.

Here is a pic of the one with .455 throats. It is a 2nd. Contract Brazilian made after WWII of left over 1917 parts and new production parts. The frame and barrel are 1917 and the cylinder is later production. A few years back, I conned Smith and Wesson into doing a factory reblue. When I got it the muzzle crown was buggered, but I straighten that out and it shoots very well with cast bullets.

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Pigslayer posted this 13 July 2013

The throats on my Ruger Blackhawk are .454.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Uncle Russ posted this 18 July 2013

Had some fun with one of those Brazilian pistols a while back when they were cheap. Ordered three and got three examples of scrap iron. Sent them back and said try again. This time we received two not so bad and one with a really bad barrel.

A couple gun shows later came home with a new looking 1955 TGT barrel. That started “The Project". I did learn a lot. Like why that barrel was at the gunshow.

Tore the pistol down to basics and removed the barrel. Using a Chiefs Special as a pattern I copied the round butt “K” profile to the “N” frame. Welded in filler metal where needed and slowly reshaped the grip to the smaller size. Next was the barrel. I centered the barrel in the four jaw chuck and fit the cylinder gap with no problem. Never having done it before I was really nervous but all went well and was actually kinda fun. But then the real fun started. I screwed the barrel into the frame hand tight then went for the vice and blocks with the frame wrench. Pulled it into the twelve o'clock and it snugged up. Removed it from the vice and lo and behold the ejector shroud did not line up. I quickly backed it off and lined it up. Then the rib was crooked. What is going on?

Took it to my local smith and showed him. He chuckled and put it in the vice only to get the same results which left us both in wonderland. He figured I just did not screw it in far enough because it was getting really tight. Nope, not even close.

Putting it on the layout plate we applied the parallels. It soon became obvious. The barrel's top rib was about eight degrees out of square. That barrel made it all the way through S&W's manufacturing procedures, was polished, buffed and blued before being caught and sent to the guns show to be available to some unknowing dipstick (like me).

I cut the front sight off and crowned it at five inches which was part of the plan anyway. Made a jig to rigidly hold it and machined the rib flat. Using a 3/8” ball end mill contoured the sides into the now much lower rib. Then soldered on a newly made front sight with a McGivern gold bead, my favorite. The last project was to mill the slots for an adjustable S&W rear sight. I could not find a cutter to make the undercut for the sight base and no tool grinder in my area would even try to make one. So I laboriously cut that slot with a modified needle file. What a chore.

Then the action was tuned and because it was going to be a working gun I parkerized it. What a cutie. And quite a good shooter too. I must say I know that gun is much happier now in it's new configuration. A whole lot like a S&W M625.

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woyaochuan22qunzi posted this 29 September 2013

With the release of patch 3.2, there is an entire herd of mount changes for players. Here we will take you to have a look at the patch 3.2 mounts. Here is just an outline of the changes about all the mounts you can ride in patch 3.2, new tweaks to old mounts like the Ulduar Proto-drakes and the TCG items, and brand new mounts like the hippogryphs from the Argent Tournament and the long-awaited Ravasaur.It is really the http://www.topdiablo3.com/>Diablo 3 Gold  biggest news that Blizzard has made major changes to the mounts with a large amount of fund. When the new patch arrives, all of the mounts will have their level demands reduced. Regular land mounts now can train at level 20, epic land mounts can be trainable at level 40, regular flying mounts can be trained at level 60, and epic flying can be trained at level 70. It means that you can ride at an epic speed from level 40, and you are able to train flying mounts at level 60. You will have the ability to ride around Outland in with a flying mount http://www.mmotank.com/>WOW Gold  from the first time you step in. Here are the full details on all of the riding skills and the new costs of mount:Apprentice Riding (Skill 75), marked 4 , has 60% land mount speed and requires level 20. The mount cost is 1WOW .Journeyman Riding (Skill 150), marked 50 , has 100% land mount speed and requires level 40. The mount cost is 10 .Expert Riding (Skill 225), marked 600 , has 150% flying mount speed and 60% land mount speed and requires level 60. The mount cost is 50WOW .Artisan Riding (Skill 300), marked 5,000 , has 280% flying mount speed and http://www.fifa13coinsmall.com>Fifa 14 Coins land mount speed and requires level 20. The mount cost is 100 .

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PETE posted this 29 September 2013

Pigslayer,

I've never had any trouble shooting PB bullets in ANY pistol or revolver. In my Ruger .45 Colt/ACP I've used anywhere from 6 to 8.5 grs. of Unique when working a load up with no leading. My bullet is the Lyman 452424, a Keith copy, at 250 grs. cast out of range lead and sized .4505, with Win. LP primers, and using Javelins lube.

Pete

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billglaze posted this 19 February 2014

Late again to the party, but,,,,I've been shooting the same load in the .45 Colt for an embarrassing number of years. Lyman 255 gr.Keith bullet,and 8.5 gr. of Unique. Depending on the gun, it gives just over 900 fps to over 1000. Recoil is manageable, and the accuracy is definitely there. I've shot it in an 1892 Manufacture Colt Single action, (Converted from Black Powder via a new barrel and cylinder) a made-in-1917 Colt Frontier, a Smith and Wesson Model 25, and a new Colt Cowboy. No leading; bullets sized to .452, cast of wheel weights. Lubed with whatever was in the Lyman Model 45 at the time. I'll be shooting some tomorrow. Bill

In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is. My fate is not entirely in Gods hands, if I have a weapon in mine.

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frnkeore posted this 19 February 2014

Bill, How did it turn out? I also like 8.5 gr Unique in my 625-5. I use the H&G copy of the 454190 (larger meplate) and have gotten 1.5” 6 shots groups @ 25 yds off bags with it.

I've got TG, does anyone know how many gr it takes to get to 900 fps (5” bbl) with it and a 250 gr bullet?

Frank

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Dale53 posted this 20 February 2014

Hodgdon has it on their web site (Data Center).

FWIW Dale53

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Carbine Dave posted this 21 February 2014

I love the .45 Colt, In my older Ruger Blackhawk, Shoot a load of 7.9gr.s of Unique over a #wlp primer, And a remington 250gr. RNFP or a 250 grRNFP cast from a lyman mold and sized .454, lubed with my on mix of beeswax, liquid alox, graphite and filtered bacon grease, works about as good as nra alox, but not as smokie or stinky, it will keep most of the cylinder on the end of a soda can at 25 yd. if I do my bit and thats good enough for me, have tried #231,#2400,and red dot to some extent or other and still go back to Unique, even have a jhp load using Unique, 9.1? and rem. 185gr jhp, not as accurate at distance, but, that is not what it is for.I have an H&R carbine like Ed's but have sight work to do on it before load developement starts, I'll likely just shoot what I already load and go from there, I also have a round ball load,using .800” long .454 casull cases and about a 3.5gr.s of #231, shoots flat and not too loud.

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n9zls53 posted this 22 March 2014

hi pigslayer i have shot plainbase lyman bullets  for close to 40 years i have several 45 colt smith and wesson revolvers and use 454424 454424 452423 in them and 452460 my 45acp pistols. mostly ww lead with a little tin i live by elmer keith loads and bullets. he didnt belive in gas checks . i use bullseye 2400 and unique powder the most for these guns good shootin. dean shinneman 

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Pigslayer posted this 25 March 2014

I stopped using gas checks altogether in my .45 Colt. Found them to be unnecessary. The LEE 452-255 shoots very we in my Ruger Blackhawk & drops large enough to size to .454. Pat Reynolds

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Longone posted this 11 April 2014

I bought a Ruger BH convertible and I gotta tell ya I just love to shoot it. A load of either 6.0 or 8.0 grains of Unique will shoot much better than I can hold. I shot the gun from a rest and was pretty surprised at how well it does shoot @ 25 yds. I cast the RCBS 255 grain, they come from the mold ( with range scrap ) @ .454” and I size them to .452". I haven't done much work with the 45 ACP cylinder but it appears to shoot very well also. I have made the change to Carnuba Red from LS stuff and don't have any leading issues so I am a happy boy.

Longone

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billglaze posted this 06 May 2014

I've been shooting the .45 Colt since 1952 with the Lyman 255 gr. Keith design, cast of wheel weights.  First in S.A. Colts(s)  and later in a Model 25 S & W model 25, recently I bought another S.A.A. Colt new. (Not well made, poorly assembled, long story.)All these years, (good Lord, where did 60 years go while I wasn't looking?) I've used the same load with this Keith bullet:  8.5 gr. of Unique.  Lyman's book says (I seem to recall) 846 fps; has said so for about 50 years or more.  I've chronographed it over and over for years and I've gotten from 950 to 1050 fps depending on the individual pistol.  Said to myself many times:  "Do I really need these Magnums?"Since first using this combination it's worked so well for me, that I've never used another load.  Guess I'm just an old stick-in-the-mud.  BTW:  Not a bit of leading.  None.  Ever.   Bill

In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is. My fate is not entirely in Gods hands, if I have a weapon in mine.

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Chargar posted this 06 May 2014

I have also fired many thousand round of 45 Colt ammo loaded with 454424 over 8.5/Unique with good results. Lately I have been a slightly milder load of 6.2/Bullseye under the same bullets. Why 6.2? Because that is what my #11 RCBS Little Dandy throws. The chart says 6 grains, but the rotor can't read. I am finding the 6.2/Bullseye to be all I need for fun shooting, with a little less recoil and a little easier on my great  sixguns. The USFA below duplicates the 1873 Colt including the grips that are sharp where they should not be and thin where they should not be. The slightly less recoil gives a much better “shooting experience".  

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