Loads for hot (Ruger Only) 45 Colt

[kingemandigger]

Hey guys, I am new at reloading and am just looking for a little advice regarding loads for a 45 colt. I want to make up some rounds for a cimarron model 1892 levergun with 24in barrel. My goal is to make up some general purpose loads good for both hunting and target with cast 300 grain WFP GC boolits. Being a glutton 4 punishment, I would prefer around 1100-1400fps and to stay under 30,000psi. Here are a few loads I am proposing to load and test at the range...
Allinant 2400 - 16 17 and 18 grain loads
IMR 4227 - 17 18 and 19 grain loads
H110 - 21.5 and 22 grain loads
Lil'Gun - 17 18 and 19 grain loads
Each of these is within the proposed min and max pressure range in the books and should bring velocities within my preference. As for my question, I am just wondering is these are good starting test loads for the rounds I want to make (results at the range should uncover a sweet spot for each powder, allowing for more precice adjustments) if the powders are good, primer recomendations (reg lp or mag lp), etc. I also would like to know about any forcing cone ersosion problems with the lil'gun and h110 that y'all have experienced.
Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[3leggedturtle]

Welcome aboard, If you have a steel buttplate; your shoulder will quit before the rifle will. I persoally have never of any problms with H110 unless you try to reduce the load too much.

[pwl44m]

And another Newby, Welcome !!
Perry

[BrianSH]

Greetings. You did not specify type of Ruger, but know that the RedHawk is stronger than the Blackhawk.
Anyway, get ahold of the Hodgdon annual reloading book, even though its more like a magazine than book. It has loads for the heavy 45 Colt with the exception of 2400. The loads in there will take care of what you seek. -Brian

[wecsoger]

Are these hard cast?

After you get some range time, please report back (pictures of course) of how things went. I would especially like to know if you have any leading problems.

[kingemandigger]

thanks for the info, ill do that as soon as I can. Anyone have any experience with imr 4227. Seems like a great powder giving high velocity w/o the increaced pressure and slow burn rate of the h110.

[kingemandigger]

about the leading, ill be using gas checks so it shouldnt be a problem, will probably water quench but range results will tell if there is a problem or not

[Pisgah]

Loads like you mention will be both very practical and easy on the shoulder. Looks like a good selection of loads to start out with, but my experence says you will find joy in the 2400 column, using standard primers.

[kingemandigger]

thanks, it does seem like the 2400 is a good powder. Unlike the h110 and other slow burners, you can load it down to the 16 grain level no problem. I may use magnum primers to try and ignite the slower burners though. only range results will tell.

[piller]

Just one more person saying that you can't load H110/W296 down much. Those 2(actually the same 1) powders are not reliable when loaded light and might give a firearm damaging detonation if loaded too light. That said, I have found them to be very accurate in my Ruger .45 with the 4 5/8 inch barrel. 2400 is just as good in the accuracy department and can be loaded down for those times when you want a little less recoil, at least for me it is. I haven't used IMR 4227 in the .45 Colt, but have used it in the .480 Ruger, and it gives great results in the Rossi Model 92. Get a pound of each powder and test the loads you want. Your gun may have a liking for a particular powder and bullet weight combination, and it sure is fun finding that combination.

[jdt]

Several years ago I contacted John Linebaugh about what to feed my Blackhawk. He sent me a list of pressure barrel tested loads for this and similar guns. His preference is for H110 and W296 as he claims to be able to gain significant velocity without a pressure rise.

I suspect he will still supply the information. I can't access his website from work, but it is easy to find.

I am using 260 gr cast over 24 gr H110 and a 300 gr cast over 23 gr H110. I have been using these for years in my blackhawk and just recently began using them in my 94 trapper. My thinking is that if my Blackhawk can handle them, my 94 should not have a problem. I have never had any problems (no deformed cases or flattened primers). They are manageable in the Blackhawk, and a pleasure in the 94. These rounds are far more accurate than I am (not saying much).

I too would love to learn about loads others are using for targets, deer etc.

[kingemandigger]

Just one more person saying that you can't load H110/W296 down much. Those 2(actually the same 1) powders are not reliable when loaded light and might give a firearm damaging detonation if loaded too light. That said, I have found them to be very accurate in my Ruger .45 with the 4 5/8 inch barrel. 2400 is just as good in the accuracy department and can be loaded down for those times when you want a little less recoil, at least for me it is. I haven't used IMR 4227 in the .45 Colt, but have used it in the .480 Ruger, and it gives great results in the Rossi Model 92. Get a pound of each powder and test the loads you want. Your gun may have a liking for a particular powder and bullet weight combination, and it sure is fun finding that combination.

As for the IMR 4227, what information is out there about this powder. I have seen that there is info for H4227. Since Hodgon has bought IMR, do you know if the new IMR 4227 is equivilant to H4227. If it is, I would probably load up some 19 grain loads. If not, 19 grains would be a little to hotttt.