So I just bought a Rossi 92 in .45 LC, 16" bbl and I'll be loading for it. Main use will be cheap plinking loads, I'm not focusing on hunting loads right now. I've loaded lots of rifle and a little shotgun but this is my first pistol cal. I'm loading on a single stage. I'd like to hear from those with some experience with the .45 colt, your favourite bullets, loads etc. Will most .452 molds work or are there certain designs preffered for both the colt or for use in a levergun? How about weight, I see lots of 200gr molds but are they suited for levers or are some meant for pistol? I have some HS-6 on hand along with a lb of red dot. For dies and molds I like to stick to Lee. Not because I think they're better, but because my wallet thinks they're pretty alright. Thoughts? Comments?
.45 LC experience?
- Thread starter supernova
- Start date
You grab that stainless one off the EE?
I have a Rossi in .44 mag, very similar when it comes to plinking loads and bullet shapes. Use a RNFP lead bullet for smooth functioning, never found SWC'S to be as good. I'd stay away from round nose bullets, as unlikely as it may be they can potentially detonate the primer in front in the tube magazine. I'd go with a 200 grain for plinking, anything more is unnecessary for target shooting, but do as you please. I really like Clays and Titegroup powders, use between 4 and 5 grains for a light target loads, and more if you want more punch. Myself and others I know stick with about 4.6 grains of titegroup in the .44's and .45's, and clays is very close.
I use Lee stuff too, so far I haven't needed anything else. I have all Lee dies and presses, several bullet molds and nothings ever broken other than one decapper, which isn't a huge deal.
I have a Rossi in .44 mag, very similar when it comes to plinking loads and bullet shapes. Use a RNFP lead bullet for smooth functioning, never found SWC'S to be as good. I'd stay away from round nose bullets, as unlikely as it may be they can potentially detonate the primer in front in the tube magazine. I'd go with a 200 grain for plinking, anything more is unnecessary for target shooting, but do as you please. I really like Clays and Titegroup powders, use between 4 and 5 grains for a light target loads, and more if you want more punch. Myself and others I know stick with about 4.6 grains of titegroup in the .44's and .45's, and clays is very close.
I use Lee stuff too, so far I haven't needed anything else. I have all Lee dies and presses, several bullet molds and nothings ever broken other than one decapper, which isn't a huge deal.
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Only thing I'd add is maybe throw a reduced power spring kit in the gun, or take a few coils off of the mainspring, and that usually the magazine tube springs are really long and sometimes by cutting them down you can fit one more round in the tube. My general rule, (not a pro gunsmith) is to take the plug out of the end and cut the spring about 3 " longer than the magazine, but that's just me.
I have the same gun albeit it's blued, in 45 Colt as well. I have not found cast 0.452" bullets (designed for 45 ACP to shoot well. I use heavy 0.454" bullets. The action is strong enough to use full strength 45 Colt and 44 Mag load data, but I prefer mid-level loads. A good shooter - I had my gunsmith add a Tang Sight.
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Your HS6 is an excellent powder for medium power and stronger loads. I suggest a magnum primer. HS6 is harder to ignite and there is a lot of empty space in that case.
DRG makes a 200gr round flat nose that would be a good cheap plinker. There are 255gr RFN bullets made for the 45Colt that might be better.
DRG makes a 200gr round flat nose that would be a good cheap plinker. There are 255gr RFN bullets made for the 45Colt that might be better.
For bullet shape you need to see what feeds well in your rifle. RNFP of some description will work. 200gr is lighter for a 45colt, 250 gr is what the cartridge was designed for. Any pistol powder and up to H4227 will work for powder. 2400 is quite good. One of the determining factors on which powder/bullet you use will be your sights - you need the load to shoot to where the sights are pointed, at the distance you want to be sighted in for. If your load is too slow or too fast you might find that your POI falls outside of the range of your POA.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
I'm loading for an M92 in .45/.454
Titegroup unique and trailboss have all shown good results with 230-250gr lead and plated bullets and Titegroup has been a stand out performer for JHP's... Nothing really likes to feed 100% except for the 300gr XTP in .454 tho... Some of these Rossi's are picky.
CAS shooters and .45ACP would see benefits running a 200gr cast bullet... Mild recoil and less lead poured... im sure you could find a load that shot well with it.
Titegroup unique and trailboss have all shown good results with 230-250gr lead and plated bullets and Titegroup has been a stand out performer for JHP's... Nothing really likes to feed 100% except for the 300gr XTP in .454 tho... Some of these Rossi's are picky.
CAS shooters and .45ACP would see benefits running a 200gr cast bullet... Mild recoil and less lead poured... im sure you could find a load that shot well with it.
I agree with you on the 200 gainers for .44 mag, .44-40 and .45 colt for CAS. It's all you really need to make the steel ring. However I have to say that, at least in a GI 1911 like we use for Wild Bunch, the 230 grain bullets at a slower velocity have less felt recoil. I've shot alot of 200 grain, and 230 grain round nose ( both within power factors for WBAS) and without a doubt the 230 grain are easier to manage. I shoot traditional (one handed), and it makes a big difference.
Well I ran to WSS and was a little surprised they had dies and primers instock. Grabbed 1000 CCI 350 mag primers, Lee 3 die carbide set and a Lee 255 gr .452 RF double cavity mold. The only .452 6 cav. molds were a round nose unfortunately. I'll have to order brass and a couple other bits from budget. On a side note, they had 200 ct boxes of .454 255 gr RFN hornady bullets for $60. I was tempted but figured I better do my research on them first. Any experience with them?
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
I bought a box of the Hornady .452 230gr LRN... Carnuba wax no lube groove very basic bullet... But they group 3" with irons at 25 yards with 6 grains of trail boss... Cheap plinking bullet an no recoil.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Just loaded up some 265gr LSWC over 6grs of Titegroup. Using it in my Blackhawk. A good load I used years ago was 8grs Unique with a 255gr LSWC.
All excellent advice and info, much appreciated guys. I ordered 100 pcs of Starline brass from Henry, I'll cast up some Lee .452" 255 gr RFNs and tumble lube. Should have plenty of time as Canada Post bicycle delivery service takes an awfully long time. Almost 3x the shipping time of just a few years ago and more expensive to boot. All well, saves me having to go get it myself.
ginsingjones
Regular
- Location
- castlegar B.C.
Just hope your bullets cast out bigger than .452" you may encounter leading and poor accuracy due to undersized bullet. Most .45 colt prefer cast to .454" dia.
Contrary to what other posts have said a lead round nose is perfectly safe in a tube mag. Many shooters fire rn in their lever guns. I shoot them all the time in my 357 mag carbine. As well as my 30-30.
Contrary to what other posts have said a lead round nose is perfectly safe in a tube mag. Many shooters fire rn in their lever guns. I shoot them all the time in my 357 mag carbine. As well as my 30-30.
Well Ravage and I hit up our local shooting spot for some much needed plinking. The loads I brought were 9.0, 9.5, 10.0 and 10.5 grs HS-6 and ten rounds charged with 10 grs from a Lee pro auto disk and charge bar. At roughly 40 yds they all shot pretty well. Hard to tell if it was me and the semi buckhorn rear sight or the loads but 9.5 seemed the best.
For plinking a 200 grain bullet will keep your "lead" cost down a bit. And as the others have suggested stick to a RNFP design. Don't get into any SWC shapes unless you want to find out what problematic cycling is like.
Contact Rusty Wood for a spring kit. And there's a few spots on the web that describe how to slick up these guns both with installing the spring kit as well as a little deburring and smoothing of the insides. But even if you ONLY install the spring kit you'll be amazed at what a difference it makes.
Contact Rusty Wood for a spring kit. And there's a few spots on the web that describe how to slick up these guns both with installing the spring kit as well as a little deburring and smoothing of the insides. But even if you ONLY install the spring kit you'll be amazed at what a difference it makes.
Well HS6 is not a suitable powder for light loads in 45 Colt. As Ganderite said, it's dirty when loaded down. Brass comes out filthy and the tumbler isn't getting much of it off. I had some leading and lots of powder fouling so I tumble lubed a bunch of the Hornady bullets with LLA and the leading is gone. I shot 40 with LLA and 6.0 grs trail boss, 30 with LLA and 9.5 HS6 and 30 with the factory wax lube and 9.5 HS6. The TB was much cleaner both in the bore and the brass. After 40 rnds the barrel was luke warm. The 30 HS6 with LLA were still dirty with powder fouling but no leading whatsoever. After the first 10 the barrel was piping hot. The remaining 30 had no LLA and for the first bit showed no signs of leading. Once I was done there was a little bit starting towards the muzzle. Possibly not enough lube held by the bullet for the 16" barrel? At any rate, TB and LLA will be used from now on. The HS6 will be shotgun fodder, which is what I originally bought it for.
