45 long reloads, Help. - The Firearms Forum

smokey salsa · 12-05-2008, 09:16 AM

Im starting to reload, never done it before, my dad has only done rifle reloading. I have a 45 black hawk. this is what i have, Hodgedon Titegroup powder, hornady 300gr jhp bullets, and i have Winchester brass. my question is i cant find how much grain of powder to use, i went to hodgen's web site but i cant find anything on what exactly what i have . also is the Winchester brass the same as Winchester mag. like I said Im new with this reloading stuff and any help would be great.

smokey salsa · 12-05-2008, 10:24 AM

Any Body, Any Body,, Buler ?

smokey salsa · 12-05-2008, 12:39 PM

no one has any info!!!

artabr · 12-05-2008, 12:48 PM

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

You really should study a manual if you have not done so. You'll find the info you need.
Most of the guys here will give you the same advice.

There is no such thing as a .45 long, just as there is no .45 short.
You'll find the data you're looking for listed under .45 Colt in the link above.

Blue Dot has also given me good results in .45 Colt in my Blackhawk.

Art

Bindernut · 12-05-2008, 05:17 PM

Yup...a little more homework is in order before you start stuffing your shells.

According to the latest Hornady manual, they are using Lil Gun, AA#9, VV N-110, 2400, WIN296, H4227, & IMR4227 with the 300gr XTP/HP.
I think Titegroup might be a little too fast of a powder for 300gr out of the .45 Colt. Titegroup will work better for lighter weight cast bullet loads...good for light-recoil practicing before you beat yourself up with those 300 grainers!

Hodgon's website does have loads listed for 300gr and Titegroup, but you'll see the velocity is kinda low compared to some other slower powders.

I've used H4227 in the past in 250gr & 300gr hunting loads for a .45Colt Bisley Blackhawk. AA#9 would be another good choice for heavy-bullet loads out of the .45Colt

Oneida Steve · 12-06-2008, 08:49 PM

I find Unique powder works well in .45 Colt also. 7.0 grains is a good load to start with.

I have no problem with someone calling the .45 Colt by the name .45 Long Colt, since this is the common name for this round.

pls1911 · 02-08-2009, 10:57 AM

I'm a bit tardy posting to this question, as I just joined the page.
All the advice above is good, especially that you should consult several loading manuals for source data.

In my experience, after too many years with too many calibers, and too many variables, I've matured to the point where simplicity makes sense.
Keep it simple you'll enjoy it more.
Although I'm working off other powders, I now focus on four powders: Unique, 2400, RL7 and 4064. These are used for all loads in .38/357, .44, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 30/30, .308, .30/06. .270, and 45-70. For shot guns I keep some red dot on hand. Unless you're bench resting, you'll find a workable load with these powders.

Your question regarding 45 Colt loads:
I'd recommend 8 to 9 graines of today's Unique powder, Large pistol primer of choice, and any bullet, cast or jacketed, around 250 graines. Velocities will range between 800 and 900 fps depending on combination.

These rounds will be mild enough for target work, and good medicine for deer or ornery old hogs as far as normal folks should be shooting with a pistol (30-40 yards).

Be careful, and have fun.
Pablo

muddober · 02-08-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindernut

Yup...a little more homework is in order before you start stuffing your shells.

According to the latest Hornady manual, they are using Lil Gun, AA#9, VV N-110, 2400, WIN296, H4227, & IMR4227 with the 300gr XTP/HP.
I think Titegroup might be a little too fast of a powder for 300gr out of the .45 Colt. Titegroup will work better for lighter weight cast bullet loads...good for light-recoil practicing before you beat yourself up with those 300 grainers!

Hodgon's website does have loads listed for 300gr and Titegroup, but you'll see the velocity is kinda low compared to some other slower powders.

I've used H4227 in the past in 250gr & 300gr hunting loads for a .45Colt Bisley Blackhawk. AA#9 would be another good choice for heavy-bullet loads out of the .45Colt

While this post is correct it is also a prime example why you should get a reloading manual. The slower burning powders like Win 296, VV N 110 and H 110 all need magnum primers to be consistent and do not perform well unless you use a lot of it and a manual will most likely tell you that. The only thing I use IMR 4227 is in my 30 Herrett so I cannot comment for 45 Colt and as for Titegroup I know nothing. 2400 is really in my opinion the best choice of all because you can load medium plus loads and it unlike the three others you don't have to load max or near max loads. Your Ruger will take loads all day long that will blow a Colt or Colt clone to flying pieces so do not share your ammo with a friend who has a Colt, especially if you opt for any of the three slow burners I mentioned. I have been hot rodding the 45 Colt for years and I cast a 335 grain LBT bullet I drive over 1300 fps out of a 5.5" Grover Number 5 using 21 grains of VV N-110. I would not suggest that load even for your Ruger. I think about 17 grains of 2400 behind your 300 grain bullet is all you are going to want to shoot out of your gun which I would guess should drive your 300 grain bullet about 1100 fps.

army mp · 02-09-2009, 07:22 AM

Some things you can do on the cheap. But a Good Reloading Manual will pay for its self Many times over, $30.00 for a book or $600.00 for a New Gun

clb1793 · 02-19-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey salsa

Im starting to reload, never done it before, my dad has only done rifle reloading. I have a 45 black hawk. this is what i have, Hodgedon Titegroup powder, hornady 300gr jhp bullets, and i have Winchester brass. my question is i cant find how much grain of powder to use, i went to hodgen's web site but i cant find anything on what exactly what i have . also is the Winchester brass the same as Winchester mag. like I said Im new with this reloading stuff and any help would be great.

Consult a good manual, (Hornady Sierra, Speer, etc) You will see that they list Thompson Contender and Ruger separately from the regular Colt 45. Reason being; those two will stand a much heavier load. I have a Smith & Wesson Colt 45 that I load much milder than my Thompson Contender 10". I do a lot of reloading and silhouette shooting which involves .44 Mag loads using 300 grain Sierra bullets and a real heavy powder charge. I use the S & W for target loads with a mild charge (Hornady manual) Don't even THINK of reloading without a manual. As far as brass.....Winchester is crap. You will see why after roll crimping 3 or 4 times. Use Federal; much stronger although not as strong as a good 44 mag case. Good luck! Larry

gdmoody · 02-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Amen, clb1793, and allow me to welcome both you and smokey to TFF.

12-05-2008, 09:16 AM	#1
smokey salsa Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	45 long reloads, Help. Im starting to reload, never done it before, my dad has only done rifle reloading. I have a 45 black hawk. this is what i have, Hodgedon Titegroup powder, hornady 300gr jhp bullets, and i have Winchester brass. my question is i cant find how much grain of powder to use, i went to hodgen's web site but i cant find anything on what exactly what i have . also is the Winchester brass the same as Winchester mag. like I said Im new with this reloading stuff and any help would be great. -->

12-05-2008, 10:24 AM	#2
smokey salsa Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. Any Body, Any Body,, Buler ?

12-05-2008, 12:39 PM	#3
smokey salsa Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. no one has any info!!!

12-05-2008, 12:48 PM	#4
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp You really should study a manual if you have not done so. You'll find the info you need. Most of the guys here will give you the same advice. There is no such thing as a .45 long, just as there is no .45 short. You'll find the data you're looking for listed under .45 Colt in the link above. Blue Dot has also given me good results in .45 Colt in my Blackhawk. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!! Last edited by artabr; 12-05-2008 at 12:54 PM..

12-05-2008, 05:17 PM	#5
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,490	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. Yup...a little more homework is in order before you start stuffing your shells. According to the latest Hornady manual, they are using Lil Gun, AA#9, VV N-110, 2400, WIN296, H4227, & IMR4227 with the 300gr XTP/HP. I think Titegroup might be a little too fast of a powder for 300gr out of the .45 Colt. Titegroup will work better for lighter weight cast bullet loads...good for light-recoil practicing before you beat yourself up with those 300 grainers! Hodgon's website does have loads listed for 300gr and Titegroup, but you'll see the velocity is kinda low compared to some other slower powders. I've used H4227 in the past in 250gr & 300gr hunting loads for a .45Colt Bisley Blackhawk. AA#9 would be another good choice for heavy-bullet loads out of the .45Colt Last edited by Bindernut; 12-05-2008 at 05:19 PM..

12-06-2008, 08:49 PM	#6
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,029	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. I find Unique powder works well in .45 Colt also. 7.0 grains is a good load to start with. I have no problem with someone calling the .45 Colt by the name .45 Long Colt, since this is the common name for this round.

02-08-2009, 10:57 AM	#7
pls1911 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. I'm a bit tardy posting to this question, as I just joined the page. All the advice above is good, especially that you should consult several loading manuals for source data. In my experience, after too many years with too many calibers, and too many variables, I've matured to the point where simplicity makes sense. Keep it simple you'll enjoy it more. Although I'm working off other powders, I now focus on four powders: Unique, 2400, RL7 and 4064. These are used for all loads in .38/357, .44, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 30/30, .308, .30/06. .270, and 45-70. For shot guns I keep some red dot on hand. Unless you're bench resting, you'll find a workable load with these powders. Your question regarding 45 Colt loads: I'd recommend 8 to 9 graines of today's Unique powder, Large pistol primer of choice, and any bullet, cast or jacketed, around 250 graines. Velocities will range between 800 and 900 fps depending on combination. These rounds will be mild enough for target work, and good medicine for deer or ornery old hogs as far as normal folks should be shooting with a pistol (30-40 yards). Be careful, and have fun. Pablo

02-09-2009, 07:22 AM	#9
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. Some things you can do on the cheap. But a Good Reloading Manual will pay for its self Many times over, $30.00 for a book or $600.00 for a New Gun

02-20-2009, 08:17 PM	#11
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,408	Re: 45 long reloads, Help. Amen, clb1793, and allow me to welcome both you and smokey to TFF. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)