180 gr vs 250 for cowboy .45colt

G

Gasoline boy

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It's just about time to load up some more .45 colts. Down to the last 400. I was looking on bullet barns web site and see they have 180 gr lead. The last batch I used were 250s.
The question is how will they function? Has any one used them?
They will be run through old ruger vaqueros an uberti open top and a marlin lever?
I will probably load some 250s as well. But I've watched some of these guys on utube and they have no recoil when firing the revolvers.
I'm sure bullet barn will have some loading info on powder and velocity
What do you think?
 
If you have fixed sights, the trick is to find a bullet weight and powder charge that puts the bullet where you want it. If your current load shoots to POA, you don't have much to gain with another bullet.

if you want to try a different bullet, buy 100 and test.
 
Make sure that any bullet that you buy has a crimp groove in the right place and is not a bullet meant for the .45 Acp.
 
Thanks for the replies. I am interested in the lighter bullet because I believe it will have less recoil. The reason I want less recoil is because I want to shoot faster. Less recoil = faster target acuisition in my mind. Has any one used this 180 gr for the .45 colt.
I understand the difference between the .45 colt and the .45acp
 
I have used the 180 (185 grain actually) in my .45 Colt New Vaquero. The tricks are:
- A load that will shoot to point of aim, as this bullet weight is really different from 250s. That usually means more powder for higher velocity!
- A load that will have any chance of obdurating the brass, as the bullet weight is so light and CAS loads are normally so low pressure.
- Overall length. If your lever action is length sensitive, this bullet might not work as the weight is so different from 250s that the nose length is often reduced.
If you want to run fast, try to make your .45 into a .38 - your choice. If you want to shoot .45, then use 250s and accept the fact you will never run as fast as those shooting loads that would have a hard time penetrating a cardboard box.
 
Huh. Ai are you saying that if I use the same amount of powder to launch a 180 it will go slower than a 250? That doesn't make any sence
 
Possibly. The lighter bullet provides less resistance and sometimes, especially at low pressures, the powder does not generate the same pressure and velocity as with the heavier bullet. Depends on the powder used as well, as some are less sensitive to low pressure. I always chronograph new loads when developing them.
But, same velocity (or slightly higher) with the same powder charge will still result in a significantly different point of impact. I have found up to 8-10 inches elevation difference at 15 yards between the two bullet weights. Your experience might vary.
 
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