.45 Long Colt powder charge question - The Firearms Forum

Deacon_Man · 06-16-2012, 06:27 PM

My older brother who has been reloading at least 50 years now is telling me I can load upto 7 grn of Red Dot powder in my Long Colts that I make up for my Rossi M92 rifle. The rifle is stainless steel with a 24" octagon barrel. Do you agree are not, or should I stay within the Lyman spec's for .45 long colt load.

Alpo · 06-16-2012, 07:13 PM

Fer sher stay in spec, but still you can load that high. Depends on the bullet.

I don't have a Lyman book handy, but I'm looking at an Alliant book (they make Red Dot).

Max loads, 300 grain jacketed - 4.8, for 550 fps; 250 grain lead - 6.0, for 830 fps; and last (and least, at least by weight) 200 grain JHP, 7.0, for 915 fps.

Alpo · 06-16-2012, 07:16 PM

He may be suggesting that you can use the "Ruger/Contender" loads in your new rifle. I believe the rifle is strong enough to take them, but the question is, why? A 255 lead RNF in front of 8.0 of Unique gives around 850 in a 5 1/2 inch pistol Out of that 24 inch rifle it's probably pushing 1100. Why would you need to hot that up?

Deacon_Man · 06-16-2012, 08:53 PM

Alpo, I bought 500 (200grn) lead bullets for the new rifle. Would you think 6.5 grains of red dot would be a safe load?

Alpo · 06-16-2012, 09:34 PM

This is straight out of the Alliant giveaway manual, 2004 edition. Page 45, Cowboy Action Load Data.

45 Colt, 5.5" barrel, 200 grain RNFP, minimum overall length 1.585", Red Dot, Minimum charge 6.0 for 785 fps. Maximum charge 7.0 for 897 fps.

Looks like 6.5 would be fine.

JLA · 06-18-2012, 07:13 PM

Yep 6.5 would be a good middle of the road load and would work well in either firearm. I suspect the rifle is gonna like em hot tho. My 1894 .44 mag likes near max loads. As did the Puma M92 carbine I had in .45 Colt. That one loved 255 gr RNFPs over 10 gr Unique. Which is nearly a .44 mag load in itself.

06-16-2012, 06:27 PM	#1
Deacon_Man V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 453	.45 Long Colt powder charge question My older brother who has been reloading at least 50 years now is telling me I can load upto 7 grn of Red Dot powder in my Long Colts that I make up for my Rossi M92 rifle. The rifle is stainless steel with a 24" octagon barrel. Do you agree are not, or should I stay within the Lyman spec's for .45 long colt load. Attached Images -->

06-16-2012, 07:13 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: .45 Long Colt powder charge question Fer sher stay in spec, but still you can load that high. Depends on the bullet. I don't have a Lyman book handy, but I'm looking at an Alliant book (they make Red Dot). Max loads, 300 grain jacketed - 4.8, for 550 fps; 250 grain lead - 6.0, for 830 fps; and last (and least, at least by weight) 200 grain JHP, 7.0, for 915 fps. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-16-2012, 07:16 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: .45 Long Colt powder charge question He may be suggesting that you can use the "Ruger/Contender" loads in your new rifle. I believe the rifle is strong enough to take them, but the question is, why? A 255 lead RNF in front of 8.0 of Unique gives around 850 in a 5 1/2 inch pistol Out of that 24 inch rifle it's probably pushing 1100. Why would you need to hot that up? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-16-2012, 08:53 PM	#4
Deacon_Man V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 453	Re: .45 Long Colt powder charge question Alpo, I bought 500 (200grn) lead bullets for the new rifle. Would you think 6.5 grains of red dot would be a safe load?

06-16-2012, 09:34 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: .45 Long Colt powder charge question This is straight out of the Alliant giveaway manual, 2004 edition. Page 45, Cowboy Action Load Data. 45 Colt, 5.5" barrel, 200 grain RNFP, minimum overall length 1.585", Red Dot, Minimum charge 6.0 for 785 fps. Maximum charge 7.0 for 897 fps. Looks like 6.5 would be fine. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-18-2012, 07:13 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: .45 Long Colt powder charge question Yep 6.5 would be a good middle of the road load and would work well in either firearm. I suspect the rifle is gonna like em hot tho. My 1894 .44 mag likes near max loads. As did the Puma M92 carbine I had in .45 Colt. That one loved 255 gr RNFPs over 10 gr Unique. Which is nearly a .44 mag load in itself. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!