.45 Colt pet loads...

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NINEROUND

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I'm looking for input on ya'lls favorite .45 colt loads. I'm shooting a Ruger New Vaquero, and just ordered some Keith-style 255 gr. lswc. I'm looking to get something in the same fps as original loads. Something with enough "umph" to take a deer and capable against the two legged animals.

Mainly just wanting to see what has worked for you guys in the past. I currently have some Autocomp powder, but have read that may not be the best for this caliber. So, what says OSA?
 

dennishoddy

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I've used 230 grain Hornady XTP HP bullets, 9.3 grains of Unique. That gives me 950 fps from my S&W 25-5.
I've killed two does with it. Complete pass through's on a double lung shot.
Second load is a Sierra 185 grain JHP using 12 grains of Unique that gave me 1150 fps. Nothing shot with this load, but I suspect it would give a complete pass through as well.
 

swampratt

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I shot all kinds of bullets and powders from my 45 colt from 200gr to 350 gr trying to find something that was better than the other.
Just about all loads shot the same . within an inch or 2 of each other at 50 yards.

My gun was a new model Bisely blackhawk long barrel.
My big issue with the gun was the cylinders were all a different size from .451 to .4535" at the end of the chamber That does not make for an accurate gun.
Then there was a pinch at the area where the barrel was attached to the frame.

So the bullet enters the forcing cone and then 1/4" later gets pinched way down.. 2" later it enters the larger portion of the barrel. Not good for accuracy.

Have you slugged your barrel and measured your cylinders and the cylinder throat?

Then I had the problem of Brass.
My brass was 2 boxes of brass from the 70's both measured a different thickness and then a box of newer Hornady which was .200" shorter and way way thick.

So thick that i could not load a cast bullet in it after sizing it without peeling the lead.
Not a flare issue it was a thick case issue ID was .441" after sizing!

If you are going to shoot Deer or other critters make sure you have accurate ammo shooting from that gun.

I used many powders Unique. tight group, red dot , 2400, 231, bullseye, AA5, I threw the kitchen sink at it trying to get an accurate load.

I sold mine as finding good brass was an issue and my chambers were way too fat for any accuracy work.

I suppose If I bucked up I could have starline brass.
I had some pip squeak loads that shot really well .5cc of bullseye or 231 and 200gr TL Lee.

So slow it did not matter the cylinder sizes.
I did hone all cylinders to the same it improved and i fire lapped the barrel and accuracy again improved.
I would think the Vaquero could not be that bad.

Basically try what you have on hand and pay attention to sizes on everything.

You can play with seating depths and crimp vs no crimp and vs light crimp and see if accuracy improves.
My best accuracy was with no crimp.
I did run the cases through die that ironed out the flare on the mouth
 

NINEROUND

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I haven't done any of the things you described yet. I have gotten 2 to 2 1/2" groups from a rest at 25 yards with Fiocchi and an old box of Remington 250 grainers, although they are about 4-5 inches low and a couple inches right. Since ammo is scarce even to non existent in my area, I'm planning on trying to get some loads together to adjust the sights to point of aim. I'd rather do the lswc design so that if an animal did present itself, I can use it to good effect. And they are cheap enough to reload that I can get a ton stored up if I find a load that I like. Sorry you had so much trouble with your Blackhawk. I kinda wish my Vaquero had adjustable sights to make the sight in process easier.
 

swampratt

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If you are crafty and like JB weld I could see you making a rear sight.
I made some attach to guns with No sights with the good old JB Weld.

Now you need to measure the cases and find ones of the same thickness etc.. or accuracy will be terrible.
There was not any factory ammo that i have shot that will shoot as good as a handload you worked up in a gun to be accurate.

Here is a really good read on the 45 colt.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

I got a 45 HI-Point carbine thinking the longer barrel length would really accurize the 45acp.
Well my 2 pistols in the same brand 45acp Hi-Point would shoot tighter groups at all distances. I sold the carbine.
Anytime I have a gun with lack luster accuracy it gets sold. But the buyer does get warned of what i did to it and gets told the reason i am selling it.
Just not accurate enough for me.

After the issues with chamber diameter and case thicknesses i think i will not own another Blackhawk in 45 colt.
Read that link.
 

aviator41

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Keep in mind the new Vaquero, out of the box, comes with a front sight ready to be filed for your loads. None of the NMV's will shoot POA out of the box - they should all shoot low. they have to be filed down if you want the sights to be accurate. It's not a hard process. I had two sets of NMV's shooting POA in less than an hour at the range. All you need is a good file and some patience. The rear notch can be opened up if you have a hard time picking up the front blade. There are a couple of folks that make a solid brass front replacement sight or a brass "wrap" for the front sight that helps as well.

As for pet loads, I only shoot light cowboy loads out of my 45's so I'm not going to be much help. Sorry.

Good luck with your NMV.
 

NINEROUND

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Keep in mind the new Vaquero, out of the box, comes with a front sight ready to be filed for your loads. None of the NMV's will shoot POA out of the box - they should all shoot low. they have to be filed down if you want the sights to be accurate. It's not a hard process. I had two sets of NMV's shooting POA in less than an hour at the range. All you need is a good file and some patience. The rear notch can be opened up if you have a hard time picking up the front blade. There are a couple of folks that make a solid brass front replacement sight or a brass "wrap" for the front sight that helps as well.

As for pet loads, I only shoot light cowboy loads out of my 45's so I'm not going to be much help. Sorry.

Good luck with your NMV.

I plan on working up the load that groups well before I file the sight. I just have to wait for the bullets to get here from Pennsylvania and decide on a powder. I have read and had several positive references on other sites about Unique. If I can find some, I may try it. I'll have to make a trip to OKC or someplace that has reloading stuff. I'm not paying for hazmat on that to be shipped.
 

GUN DOG

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9 great unique 255 sec. In a short 4 5/8 stainless Blackhawk. The heavy loads and a 250 grain Hornady are very accurate but you cannot use them in the new vacarro they are not as stout as the Blackhawks
 

NINEROUND

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Im thinking all go down on whatever the books say some to be safe. I found some data for autocomp running either 7.8 grains for a 250 grainer or 7.4 for a 260 grain to start. I'm planning on using 255 so I figure to split the difference in powder loads at 7.6, since the bullet weight will fall between the two.
 

Pulp

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Other than my favorite load of 35 grains of Goex FFFg, the only other powders I've used are Tite-Group and TrailBoss at mid range loads. Tite-Group will make everyone else on the range think you're shooting HOT loads, even at mid level. That stuff is loud.
Not sure if CFE Pistol is listed in .45 Colt, but if it is you might want to give it a look see.
Edit: I just looked at Hodgdon's website, CFE Pistol gave the highest velocity for a 250 grain XTP bullet.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
 
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