45 long colt question - The Firearms Forum

sansonea69 · 01-27-2010, 12:21 PM

Just getting started with reloading and purchased all the tools and I'm ready to get started.. I purchased alliant blue dot and looked on line for the grain count and it was 12.9 does that sound high. Where else do they publish info. Any help would be great. Thank you

Alpo · 01-27-2010, 01:10 PM

Just took a quick look in a Speer manual.

250 lead bullet was 11.9 to 12.9 grains.

225 to 260 Jacketed bullet was 12.0 to 13.0 grains..

So, your 12.9 is the max load, but it's safe, according to Speer. Normally, online sites only list the max load, and you are supposed to reduce it by 10% for a starting load. That would be starting at around 11.6 grains.

zkovach · 01-27-2010, 03:01 PM

I would buy a reloadinbg book for refereance. You cant trust everything you read online.

Claude Clay · 01-27-2010, 03:08 PM

it would be helpful to know the type & bbl lenght of what you are loading for
blue dot is kinda slow(56 i think) and ok for carbine and 5 1/2" hand guns
for shorter bbls Unique (35) is very popular. the CASS like it cause small amounts fire dependably--not very case position sensitive. 8.8gr with a 250 bullet is close to a factory round. 7.2 is a soft practice round and a commen CASS load.

Lymans current reloading manual is a must have.

312shooter · 01-27-2010, 03:11 PM

If you haven't read at least one reloading manual I would highly suggest you stop until doing so. I assume that you have not if you don't understand where to find data. The reloading manual is much more important than any other reloading tool on your bench. If you have a mentor thats a big help, however, the need for reliable literature that has lab tested data and techniques trumps every thing else in this hobby. Check out reloading manuals by Lyman, Speer, Hornady, etc. for some guidelines, and educate yourself first. I hope not discourage you from reloading, as you sound very enthused about the hobby, please, take your time, read and most of all be safe!

Please buy at least one of these!

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=217655
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=728299
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=438424
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=837228
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=537267

JLA · 01-27-2010, 06:17 PM

solid advice given above. I regard blue dot as more of a magnum pistol powder. It will work well in the .45 colt I would just hesitate to shoot it in anything but a ruger or freedom arms revolver or a T/C contender. If you are looking for a good accurate target load that will effectively dispatch the accasional coyote or feral pig, then I would suggest unique.

muddober · 01-27-2010, 09:00 PM

In my opinion your Blue Dot should work fine for you. However while I use Unique as well for jackrabbit loads, I always like to suggest to new guys to reloading to load with a powder that they cannot easily double charge with. With a double charge of Blue Dot (26 grains) while may fit in the case you would readily see it when you went to seat the bullet, which is not necessarily the case with a double charge with Unique.

Ron

Airborne80 · 01-29-2010, 11:32 AM

I strongly agree with 312Shooter. Buy them all! Read every book you can find on the subject. YOu can NOT have too many books in your reloading room. Stay safe!

John S Bryant · 02-08-2010, 10:39 PM

Bullseye also works well in Colt LC

01-27-2010, 12:21 PM	#1
sansonea69 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3	45 long colt question Just getting started with reloading and purchased all the tools and I'm ready to get started.. I purchased alliant blue dot and looked on line for the grain count and it was 12.9 does that sound high. Where else do they publish info. Any help would be great. Thank you --> Last edited by sansonea69; 01-27-2010 at 12:41 PM..

01-27-2010, 01:10 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 45 long colt question Just took a quick look in a Speer manual. 250 lead bullet was 11.9 to 12.9 grains. 225 to 260 Jacketed bullet was 12.0 to 13.0 grains.. So, your 12.9 is the max load, but it's safe, according to Speer. Normally, online sites only list the max load, and you are supposed to reduce it by 10% for a starting load. That would be starting at around 11.6 grains. __________________ 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.

01-27-2010, 03:01 PM	#3
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: 45 long colt question I would buy a reloadinbg book for refereance. You cant trust everything you read online.

01-27-2010, 03:08 PM	#4
Claude Clay V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 451	Re: 45 long colt question it would be helpful to know the type & bbl lenght of what you are loading for blue dot is kinda slow(56 i think) and ok for carbine and 5 1/2" hand guns for shorter bbls Unique (35) is very popular. the CASS like it cause small amounts fire dependably--not very case position sensitive. 8.8gr with a 250 bullet is close to a factory round. 7.2 is a soft practice round and a commen CASS load. Lymans current reloading manual is a must have. __________________ teachers may learn you the rules; experience will teach you the exceptions. NRA Instructor

01-27-2010, 03:11 PM	#5
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: 45 long colt question If you haven't read at least one reloading manual I would highly suggest you stop until doing so. I assume that you have not if you don't understand where to find data. The reloading manual is much more important than any other reloading tool on your bench. If you have a mentor thats a big help, however, the need for reliable literature that has lab tested data and techniques trumps every thing else in this hobby. Check out reloading manuals by Lyman, Speer, Hornady, etc. for some guidelines, and educate yourself first. I hope not discourage you from reloading, as you sound very enthused about the hobby, please, take your time, read and most of all be safe! Please buy at least one of these! http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=217655 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=728299 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=438424 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=837228 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=537267 __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin Last edited by 312shooter; 01-27-2010 at 03:16 PM..

01-27-2010, 06:17 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 45 long colt question solid advice given above. I regard blue dot as more of a magnum pistol powder. It will work well in the .45 colt I would just hesitate to shoot it in anything but a ruger or freedom arms revolver or a T/C contender. If you are looking for a good accurate target load that will effectively dispatch the accasional coyote or feral pig, then I would suggest unique. __________________ 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!

01-27-2010, 09:00 PM	#7
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: 45 long colt question In my opinion your Blue Dot should work fine for you. However while I use Unique as well for jackrabbit loads, I always like to suggest to new guys to reloading to load with a powder that they cannot easily double charge with. With a double charge of Blue Dot (26 grains) while may fit in the case you would readily see it when you went to seat the bullet, which is not necessarily the case with a double charge with Unique. Ron Last edited by muddober; 01-27-2010 at 09:34 PM..

01-29-2010, 11:32 AM	#8
Airborne80 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5	Re: 45 long colt question I strongly agree with 312Shooter. Buy them all! Read every book you can find on the subject. YOu can NOT have too many books in your reloading room. Stay safe!

02-08-2010, 10:39 PM	#9
John S Bryant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: N.J. Posts: 37	Re: 45 long colt question Bullseye also works well in Colt LC __________________ Blessed are those who expect nothing....for they shall not be disappointed