45 Colt powder question.

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  • bobjones223

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    Ok....for you guys that follow this forum you know I have been playing with the 45 Colt reloads. I am using a Rosi M92 that is rated for Ruger +P rounds. Currently I am using CFE Pistol at 9.2 grain. This is getting me right at 990 fps at the barrel. I have been looking at doing some +P loads with H110 but also know H110 doesn't play well with short loads.

    What is a good powder to use for the 45 Colt that I can step up on from standard loads to +P loads without having to worry about the pressure spikes with the H110....I am looking for something in the 1,200 FPS range.

    There is not a lot of information on CFE Pistol and I have NO IDEA if I can keep stepping it up till I hit the +P mark.
     

    Mgderf

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    O.K. a quick check of my Lymans 49th edition says you can get (rifle data) over your desired 1200fps using a 185gr JHP and any of the following powders, N320, AA#5, Unique, HS-7 Note, to get above 1200fps with any of these powders you are nearing max load data.

    225gr JHP
    Over 1200fps, AA#5, Unique, HS-6, Blue Dot, IMR-4227 Again, nearing max loads to break the 1200fps threshold.

    Good luck, and be safe.
     

    Seancass

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    For specific loads, of course we need bullet weights. :D

    Regardless, 2400 and AA#9 are excellent go-tos. I use 2400. It runs from mild to wild, it steps in just above minimum loads and runs right up to the heals of what H110 can do.
     

    Broom_jm

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    You can definitely push the 45 Colt to +P limits in a Rossi '94 clone. I'll second 2400 as a very good choice for a wide variety of loads in that rifle...1,200fps with a 240gr bullet is doable, depending on your barrel length.
     

    BehindBlueI's

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    I've been using #9 for loads for my Redhawk, but can't give chrono info. I guess the batteries were about dead or something, but my last outing with it, everything was registering over 2,000 fps...
     

    bstewrat3

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    1,200fps should be no issue with the powders above. I am getting just over 1,500fps out of my 12" T/C Encore 45 Colt using the max T/C Ruger load of 2400 under a 240gr XTP-Mag. I would not be surprised to see you get to the 1,600 mark in your longer barrel with some of the slower powders.
     

    bobjones223

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    Sorry.....I am using a 250gr Hornady XTP in the 45 Colt. with a 24" Oct. barrel.

    It is sounding like 2400 is one option I am also thinking Unique.

    I have ready a ton of good things about Unique as being a super versital powder but wasn't sure if I would run out of room in my brass before I got to the +P range? (Side note I am wanting to bump up the charge a bit more every year as she gets older but don't want a new powder every year.)

    The other reason I was thinking H110 is because I have some 44 dies in the mail that should be arriving soon and seems H110 it the 44 mag. standard.
     
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    Broom_jm

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    Sorry.....I am using a 250gr Hornady XTP in the 45 Colt. with a 24" Oct. barrel.

    It is sounding like 2400 is one option I am also thinking Unique.

    I have ready a ton of good things about Unique as being a super versital powder but wasn't sure if I would run out of room in my brass before I got to the +P range? (Side note I am wanting to bump up the charge a bit more every year as she gets older but don't want a new powder every year.)

    The other reason I was thinking H110 is because I have some 44 dies in the mail that should be arriving soon and seems H110 it the 44 mag. standard.

    For the reason in bold, above, 2400 is definitely the powder you should look for and test. It's arguably the most versatile powder for the 45 Colt, if you want both modest and +P pressure/velocity options.
     

    billybob44

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    For the reason in bold, above, 2400 is definitely the powder you should look for and test. It's arguably the most versatile powder for the 45 Colt, if you want both modest and +P pressure/velocity options.

    AAA+++To Broom--AGAIN..

    You will find the 2400 hard to beat in .45 Colt, .44 Mag.+Special, .357 Magnum, and several others..

    Go ahead and do what I did--Buy yourself an 8# Jug, and don't look back...Bill.
     

    djones

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    20779F3D-FDCB-44C7-8415-1BED088F360B.jpg

    I'm shooting the Lee 452-300 RFGC and 20 grains of lil gun in my Marlin 1894 which has a weaker action than your Rossi. Velocity is above 1400
     
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    djones

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    I have downloaded lilgun. I started at 16 grains and worked up to the 20 grains with the Lee bullet pictured.

    I will NOT download H110.
     

    ScouT6a

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    I use a lot of Herco in my .45 Colt loads. With my 240 grain truncated cone cast bullets over 8.6 grains of Herco, they run right at 900 fps from my 5.5" Vaquero and 1,100 fps out of my 24.25" 1873 clone lever gun.
    1,200 fps out of your 24" 92 lever gun should not be difficult.
     

    bobjones223

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    I use a lot of Herco in my .45 Colt loads. With my 240 grain truncated cone cast bullets over 8.6 grains of Herco, they run right at 900 fps from my 5.5" Vaquero and 1,100 fps out of my 24.25" 1873 clone lever gun.
    1,200 fps out of your 24" 92 lever gun should not be difficult.

    According to the load data I have and the charge I am using with the CFE Pistol you are correct I could be getting 1,200 fps but that is with lead bullets. The copper jacket has made the velocities fall off a fair bit and I don't want to risk trying to push the CFE Pistol without more information on it. Just not a lot of data on this powder for some reason.

    Once I get some 2400 I will just throw the CFE Pistol into my 9mm and burn it up at the range.

    On a side note...I had been using the XTP Mag. because it was the only XTP I could find before deer season. After examining the wound path it confirmed my concerns that I didn't have the velocity to make the Mag's expand. I have found some regular XTP's, packed some rounds up and headed to the range with the same load and die set up as the Mag's. (Same weight bullet and same size.)

    Interesting thing happened...elevation and accuracy was the same but they were hitting three inches left of the Mag's. What causes this? I could understand up and down movement but left and right always perplexes me.
     
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    djones

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    Yep,Bob..Sometimes it is easier to find Hens Teeth.
    I found my jug @ The Indiana Gun Club about 6 months ago..Bill

    Bill you lucky dog. I think the people at Indiana gun club are sick of me calling and asking if they have any 2400! I found some one here and am now feeling good with 8 pounds in my powder closet.
     
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