45 Colt load development

Boolit Mold Join DateJan 2013LocationFloridaPosts18

I recently have recieved a Mihec mold that casts nice 330 gr boolits for the 45 Colt. It is a 'ruger only' 45 load that I am trying to develop and right now, I only have 2400 powder to work with. There's a lot of info online about 300 gr boolits, lots with 110 powder, but I haven't found anything about 2400 powder with 330 gr boolits. This is in a Ruger Blackhawk, 5.5" barrel.
This is the first load I will 'work up' that is outside published data, and I'm looking for some help.

Handloads.com shows a 325 gr unknown type of boolit with 17 gr = 27,700 CUP.
per Linebaugh - 310 gr LSWC with 19 gr of 2400 produces 1172 fps and 29,400 CUP.

So, I believe that I should be working up from 17-19 gr of 2400 with these 330 gr, maybe not exceeding 18gr to account for the increased weight?
Any thoughts? This will be for deer/bear/???? hunting. I don't care to push every last ounce of energy out of it, accuracy at 1050-1100 fps would be perfect. The mold is plain based, if that matters.

If anyone knows of a source for published data I'd like to know of it.

Thanks

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2010LocationTom, in Gloucester, VAPosts753

Hi Wade,

Alliant 2400 is fairly forgiving of reduced loads. I don't have my loading manuals here at the office. If it was me, I would go to the loading manuals, and look at the starting loads for the heaviest bullets I could find for the 45 Colt and 2400. If I could find a 300 gr jacketed bullet load with 2400, that would be worth considering. Start low and work up. Don't exceed the speeds in the manuals.

BTW, those loads you published in your post look stout to me. While they may be safe, I would have to work up to them.

Take care, Tom

Here are some published loads from the April/May 2007 issue of Handloader Magazine for the 285 grain RCBS 45-270-SAA cast using 2400.

32,000 CUP

2400 / 19.0 grs. / CCI 300 for 1145 fps
2400 / 20.0 grs. / CCI 300 for 1195 fps
2400 / 21.0 grs. / CCI 300 for 1262 fps

The would be Ruger ONLY IMO

I don't load for 330 grain boolets and my Mihec SSA clone casts 293 gr solids for the 45 Colt using a soft alloy. That being said, I probably would start at 16.0 grains and work up with the heavier 330 grainer.

Winelover

Boolit Mold Join DateJan 2013LocationFloridaPosts18

Thanks for the replies. I'll revise my thought to work from 16-18 grains for now, then. These would definatly be stout loads, Ruger only. I figure on soon buying a 250 (ish) grain mold as my standard/plinking boolit.
I did just find a reprint of the Hogdon manual online showing a 325 gr boolit, using 17.5 to 19 gr of 2400. 19 gr is 1122 fps and 29,900 CUP. I'm only whitetail hunting, so I'll plan on working up to and staying around 18 gr. More seems excessive for my needs. Seems like that will get me just over 1,000 FPS.

i'd definately be looking to start in the 16 gr area.
i'd also compare how much more case you are using versus a 300 gr bullet, and reduce that much more powder.
18 grs might be right up there close to max, the nose shape will allow more weight out of the case even though they weight the same.
you might be on the good side or the other side there...
and bearing length has an influence on engraving/engagement pressure.
look at the whole picture not just weight.

it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled.

the more i find out about shootin boolits, the more it contradicts everything i ever learned about shooting jaxketed.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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