45 Colt loads for winchester 94 trapper

Lorne3006

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Looking for some loading ideas for a 94 trapper, I have Hornady 250 XTP's and bullet barn 255gr hard cast. Looking for a good "rile load"..

Any ideas welcome

Thanks
 
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My rifle load in .45 colt uses a LEE 300gr RNFP gas checked bullet pushed by H110 and I have be getting just shy of 1700 fps out of a 20 inch barrel. You won't find this load in any manual. Go to leverguns.com and there is a good article written by Paco Kelly of heavy .45 colt loads. He gives a few good hints but doesn't come right out with his powder charge either. This load is pretty accurate out to 100 yds with iron sights but accuracy starts to fall off after about 30 rounds due to leading which is not an issue with a hunting load.

BE SAFE
 
I seem to recall that Mysticplayer had a thread running on that a year or so ago. PM Jerry and see if he can help.

:) Stuart
 
I doubt the longer round would feed without modification?

I have a winchester 94 trails end, Nice little gun, Put a 45cal hole through a doe on a cronic waste tag last fall... droped it on the run.

What brass are you guys using? Anyone notice a difference in accuracy between brands? I find that the winchester stuff is thinner walled than say starline.
 
I shoot cast 200gr SWC and 325gr GC RNFP. Both using wheel weights. For the lighter bullet, titegroups works very well lit by Win LP primers in Starline brass.

I use H110 for the 325gr monster. You can find load data on the Hodgdon site. There is new data for modern 45LC rifles and HG's now.

I also found lots of great info and data in Handloader/Rifle magasine. Actually, where my project started.

Both loads shoot extremely well and do give a sizeable increase in velocity over a HG. The 200gr goes 1100 to 1200fps depending on how I load them. The heavy goes 1550 to 1600fps and will cut one big hole at 40yds using open sights.

As to whether Win brass is stronger or weaker, no feedback as I have started with Starline and haven't used up the brass yet. I do have a bunch of Win used stuff that will continue being used for reduced loads. I doubt any brand will wear out at reduced cast loads.

At my higher pressures, the Starline brass does develop a slight bulge around the case head. I thought the brass would certainly separate but after several reloads using my Lee dies, it is still going. I guess the brass is quite durable. Very impressed so far.

You can find a Lee 300gr GC mold but no longer the 315/325gr. What a hoot these bullets are. They just hammer and explode things at short and long distances. I water quench them and they hold together amazingly well. Haven't been able to stop one yet using water filled jugs and phone books and lumber.

This summer I hope to do a side by side with a 12ga slug and see which prevails. My bet goes to the 45LC and my trapper.

Jerry
 
I used one powder for 2 bullets . H110 . The bullets are 300 grain XTP's and 300 grain Beartooth hardcast , gaschecked . 23 grains . Winchester brass and CCI 350 primers . 2.5"- 5 shot groups at 100 yards with the Marlin Cowboy . 24 grains of H110 was ringing my brass so i backed off one .
 
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