.45 colt BP loads

[ACP]

Has anyone worked up any load data on .45 Colt in a SAA or ‘73 rifle with BP? Working from the traditional 250-255g LRNFP over 35g, I’m interested to know if anyone has tried any of the Keith loadings or other combinations.

 

[phideux]

Fill it to the brim and crunch it in.

 

[Hellquest]

Tons of data on the SASS website. Lots of cowboys shoot black powder.
I've done 255gr SWC over 40grs before.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Fill it to the brim and crunch it in.

Wait, that isn't how you do all reloading?

 

[Charlie]

Wait, that isn't how you do all reloading?

Absolutely. I use one powder, Bullseye, for everything. I fill the cases to the rim and seat the bullet. I have loaded thousands of rounds from 38 Special to 458 WM doing that. I have not shot any of them yet since I am stockpiling for the upcoming unpleasantness. I always want to be ready.





Not!! Do not do that with smokeless powder. You might have some excitement that you do not enjoy.

 

[ACP]

Tons of data on the SASS website. Lots of cowboys shoot black powder.
I've done 255gr SWC over 40grs before.

We’re you running the 40g load in a colt clone and did you happen to chrono it?

 

[Hellquest]

We’re you running the 40g load in a colt clone and did you happen to chrono it?

1873 Colt clone. I didn't Chrono it. But black powder has different pressure spike vs smokeless. Lots of videos on it.

 

[Hellquest]

I have thought about getting a Chrono for work. Maybe I'll grab one and do some BP loads

 

[ACP]

I have thought about getting a Chrono for work. Maybe I'll grab one and do some BP loads

The data I’ve looked over generally is impressive when you consider the relatively low pressures yet very respectable speeds achieved. That smokeless is but a passing fad!

 

[Hellquest]

I like BP but the humidity in this area can cake up a cylinder quickly

 

[ACP]

I like BP but the humidity in this area can cake up a cylinder quickly

You’re certainly correct on that one, if you plan to do much shooting you better plan in some cleaning

 

[Diablo]

Youtube everything black powder. Jake does a lot with it. Even makes his own powder with different charcoal.

 

[ACP]

Youtube everything black powder. Jake does a lot with it. Even makes his own powder with different charcoal.

Thanks I actually saw his video on using toilet paper for charcoal awhile back. Who’d have seen those results coming

 

[Diablo]

Thanks I actually saw his video on using toilet paper for charcoal awhile back. Who’d have seen those results coming

He makes great videos. Goes beyond any loads I would try. The 45 magnum he loaded was crazy. Stuffed 45/70 bullet in a 45 colt case.

 

[ACP]

He makes great videos. Goes beyond any loads I would try. The 45 magnum he loaded was crazy. Stuffed 45/70 bullet in a 45 colt case.

Looks like he’s got quite a few experimental videos and a handful on .45 colt

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Fill it to the brim and crunch it in.

Also see: 9mm Major

 

[NoBodyImportant]

I load my 45 to the top with my homemade grapevine powder. Top it with a 255g biglube bullet made from lambs tallow and beeswax.

 

[ACP]

I load my 45 to the top with my homemade grapevine powder. Top it with a 255g biglube bullet made from lambs tallow and beeswax. View attachment 780664View attachment 780662View attachment 780660View attachment 780659View attachment 780658

Man you weren’t kidding on the large lube groove, what mold are you using for that one?

What ratio are you running with the vine charcoal?

 

[NoBodyImportant]

That is a Dick Dastardly BigLube. But he has been out of business for a minute. Lee made them for him to sale but he retired. NOE bullet molds now offers them through their custom shop. I use 75/15/10 but after finding that Everything black powder channel on youtube I think the next batch will be 77/13/10.
I have a few pounds left of vine powder though.
The vine powder works well but it's so low pressure that it does expand the case like I would like and the guns get really dirty. On the flip side the brass last forever. These primers I remade during Covid when large pistol primers were not available. So I mixed my own primer compound and hammed the dent out. Also during Covid i played with mining and purifying Kno3 from my chicken coup. I did get serviceable Kno3 but I ended up buying a 50lbs bag as it is not worth mining your own.

 

[ACP]

Thanks for all the info, I’ll do some research on the Biglube, how’s the accuracy for you with it?

Good info on the Kno3 mining, I’ve read on the process sone and seems like a lot of squeeze for the juice provided it’s available commercially.

 

[NoBodyImportant]

The big lubes do well for me. But with my black powder loads i dont really hole punch. But 8in steel at 25 yards I can go 6 of 6.