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45LC reloading question?

3K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  sharps4590 
#1 ·
Im going to have to start reloading 45LC.Ive been reloading 45 acp for awhile and have that pretty will mastered so my question,Is there much difference in reloading them vs the 45 acp.One thing Ill be able to use lead instead of only fmj's that i fired in the Glock.Just wondering if you all had any tips or knowledge you could pass my way?
 
#2 ·
Well the size of the brass makes them a breeze to handle and reload.
45colt is a very versatile cartridge.
I have a target load that uses Trailboss powder and round nose flat point lead. I have a hunting /defensive load that uses unique and deep curl gold dot.
I have a varmit load that uses 120 grains of#8 shot topped with a 120 grain round ball that uses unique powder.
 
#5 ·
I have. .230 grain FMJ.
 
#6 · (Edited)
The .45 Colt is a GREAT shooting/reloading round. If you want to keep it simple and have a terrific load, I'd make it easy and go with Unique powder and Oregon Trail cast 250 grain bullets. Unique is a time-proven favorite powder for the .45 Colt, and those Oregon Train bullets are superb. I've found that 'Cowboy Loads' are very accurate in my 7 1/2" barrel SAA, and while I use my own Lyman cast 255 grain bullets these days, those store bought Oregon Trail cast bullets are still tops. Not all that pricey, either.

As far as using the same bullets for both the .45 ACP and the .45 Colt, you 'can' - but then you will have to compromise performance. If you are going to reload anyway, why not just load your 230 grain FMJs in the .45 ACP and use a heavier cast bullet in the .45 Colt? Don't get me wrong - I like the 230 grain FMJ, but those are best served up from a .45 automatic.
 
#7 ·
True. The .45 can be loaded up to .44 mag performance levels.
 
#8 ·
You don't mention what revolver you'll be shooting the 45 Colt in so I'll assume it's a Colt SAA or a clone thereof. It will be hard to beat a 250-255 gr. cast bullet over 8 to 8.5 grs. of Unique.

If it's in a Blackhawk or similarly strong revolver then your options are vast.
 
#9 ·
Reloading the .45 Colt is just such a joy. Those big old cases seem like trash cans after loading some of the other handgun cases. I have settled on the tried and true 250 grain lead round flat nosed bullet and Unique powder. I seat and roll crimp in two separate operation, not necessary just my preference. You are going to really enjoy loading and of course shooting this old cartridge. I shoot most of them in a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. Had a beautiful S&W 25-5 but sadly I sold it to one of the other Old Guys. There is a lot of discussion as to whether a particular gun needs .452 or .454 diameter bullets but I haven't gotten into it and am just using .452 Meister bullets.
 
#10 ·
I love my Conv.Old Blackhawk,loading is great as I can go from nice light recoil load to very heavy recoil.I like Trailboss and 2400.Accurate and brass is on 5th loading..My Ruger sits in drawer right beside computer stoked with 250gr Deep Curls with a whole lot of 2400,chronoed at 1275fps.I also shoot a lot of 300gr LFN in her.
 
#11 ·
I also use trail boss for a cowboy load. I cast my own so I use a 255 gr rnfp bullet sized at .452. I have a real interesting load with 2 .454 round balls and bulls eye! It's slow loading but a lot of fun to shoot, I bet every one my gun can shoot twice as good as there's. You get a nice 12 hole six shot group.
 
#12 ·
I sometimes wonder what ever happened to Ryan42, and his wife. The phone # I have for him hasn't been good for a couple of years now.
 
#14 ·
Yeah, his wife was trying to get on a heart donor list, and was hospital bound there at the last. I guess she didn't make it, and Ryan just moved off somewhere to get on with his life, and cut all ties. At least that's what I hopped happened if by chance she didn't make it. He was taking it really hard.
 
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