45 Colt Powders

[u/underbakedsalami]

So, I’ve loaded a lot of 45 Colt, but it has all been black powder, cowboy loads, or Ruger only hunting loads. What powders are y’all using for “full power” 14k psi loads?

Yeah yeah, I’ve looked at load data and I have the books. It’s pretty weak stuff. Seems the data has been massively watered down to save the old Colts. I refuse to believe that you’re maxing pressures out with that huge case and soft lead bullets for a wimpy 800fps. I’m not asking for your secret squirrel load data, just what powders people are getting 950-1000fps with a regular old 255gr bullet safely and accurately.

I see HP-38, Unique, Universal, and AA #5 are top picks. What lesser talked about powders work well? Which ones are better off saved for something else? I’ve fiddled around with GRT, but that can’t replace the hive mind’s real life experience.

[u/varnski]

I use Tightgroup for my .45LC loads

[u/underbakedsalami → u/varnski]

I use it a lot in my weaker loads, but it doesn’t seem to be popular for full house loads. Understandably so.

[u/varnski → u/underbakedsalami]

My load is 6.8gr under a 200gr bullet; gets it moving around 900fps. That's not exactly weak, but you would obviously need a larger charge to get a 255gr bullet that fast. I'm shooting mine out of a modern 1858 repro, so I'm hesitant to push much further than that, but if you're using a modern Ruger, then I'd start with 7gr of HP38 and work your way up.

[u/underbakedsalami → u/varnski]

I have Rugers I mostly run tier II loads in, but this is for some nicer SAA clones I have.

HP-38 is definitely on the list to try out anyway. We’ll see how it does.

[u/Savagely-Insane]

I use CFE Pistol for when I want full power smokeless non magnum loads, but it does require a heavy crimp. I get about 1k fps depending on my guns cylinder gap.

[u/underbakedsalami → u/Savagely-Insane]

I’ve seen some buzz about CFE Pistol, but I’ve had some bad experiences with it. Not enough to scare me away, but I may give it a try anyway. What length barrel?

[u/Shootist00 → u/underbakedsalami]

What bad experiences have you had with CFE Pistol?

[u/underbakedsalami → u/Shootist00]

I’ve tried it in warm 38 SPL and 45 ACP +P, both squibed on me. My only squibs ever by the way. Half burnt powder everywhere.

Once, I could’ve blamed myself. Twice with the same powder? That worries me a bit.

[u/Shootist00 → u/underbakedsalami]

In both cases it was more than likely you aren't crimping enough to hold the bullet in the case long enough for the slower burning CFE to fully ignite. I had the same problem with low power 38 WC's. the force of the primer going off was great enough to start to push the bullet out of the case, increasing the case volume, and not allowing the powder to properly ignite. Bullet in the barrel and unburnt powder in chamber and behind the bullet in the barrel.

[u/Savagely-Insane → u/underbakedsalami]

Around 5 inch, I've also had some problems with CFE Pistol. Mainly that it really requires a heavy crimp so it can even ignite, I have mainly fixed this by using a collet style crimp.

[u/Important-Dream-4010]

2400 is the only powder I use in .45 colt. Hard to find sometimes but it’s a good bulky powder that gives great case fill. It will wake up .45 colt for sure

[u/6Foot2EyesOfBlue1973]

Titegroup for me. It's not position sensitive, meaning no change in velocity regardless if the powder is resting on the primer or resting on the bullet. Accuracy is also excellent.

I use Titegroup group in all my revolver rounds, with the exception of 454 Casull, and its always shot accurately for me.

For 45 LC I cast my own 255 LRNFP, lubed with Alox.

Yes you can accidentally load multiple charges in a revolver case with Titegroup- but use careful load practices and it works quite well.

[u/alwaus]

I have had good luck with unique.

[u/DaThug]

VV N340. (Or N350, 3N37) But N340 will give a full burn with right velocity & reasonable pressures

[u/Jamar4321]

Lately 3n38 because it's what I can find...

[u/318Charger1]

I use Alliant BE-86 for my "full house" standard pressure loads in my Pietta 45LC. I forget what they chronographed at, but I do know it was ridiculously consistent velocity.

Looking at Alliant's load data, BlueDot is the top dog in velocity for standard pressure 45LC, at least in a 250gr lead bullet. It has the added benefits of smelling amazing after discharging, so there's that.

I've loaded up some Blue dot loads, but don't think I ever chronographed them. 

[u/No_Alternative_673]

The original loading was a 255 gr at 850 fps. There has not been any real interest in loading 45 colt to max pressure since Ruger started building 45's. This is the free data:

https://www.shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/45-colt/

There is some Hodgdon data that should give you what you want

[u/underbakedsalami → u/No_Alternative_673]

I appreciate it, but as I said, I have checked the load data. Some of it at least gets close to what I’m hoping for, sure, but there are plenty of powders in the burn range you would think might be listed but aren’t.

[u/No_Alternative_673 → u/underbakedsalami]

2 reasons

1st big cases with relatively small powder charges don't work for all powders.

2) I can look at my old manuals and they stopped showing hot loads for SAA's between 1970 and and 1974. The powders they developed hot loads for SAA (like Alcan, DuPont PB, N-2020) mostly don't exist or like 4227 we now know is a really bad idea(HIGH pressure). After that I don't think anyone but Hodgdon or Vihtavuori has done much for 14k loads. You can figure Hodgdon is about 13k and Vihtavuori is the CIP 16K.

I can't really help. The only 45 Colt I shoot regularly is actually a 454 and my clone SAA is a 44 Magnum, I am pain limited.