45 colt powder

[timberjack]

I have been reloading 45 colt with several diff powders and cant seem to find a clean burnin one ,anyone have any luck finding a clean burning powder for the 45 colt?
I am using a 460S&W with a 5.5 inch barrel , I have tried some loads for the 45 thompson/ruger loads with IMR4227 aswell as 2400.I just tried some universal clays with 6.5 gr the groups were awesome i mean touching at 25 yrds, but the powder is so dirty.
I like the cowboy type loads for the range as they are nice and fun to shoot,but can barely get 30 rnds with out cleaning.
I would also like some tips on reloading lead cast bullets , like to crimp or not and should each case be expanded and belled then crimped?
I am headin to gunshop today to get saome unique powder maybe it will burn a lil cleaner.any tips or suggestions you can throw this way will be great thanks all.

 

[SandRoad]

For lighter loads go with Trail Boss. It is a slightly faster powder and clean burning in light loads. Slow powders will not burn cleanly in light loads because they don't generate enough pressure to burn fully.

If you are using lead bullets, you will never get really clean burning rounds. There is always lube burning off and lead vapourizing. If you want clean, then get some copper plated bullets.

 

[anchor3593]

I will blame the low pressures for not expanding the case enough to seal the cylinder - I assume that the cases have a smoke streak up the side. I don't blame much of the dirt on the powder.

The .45 colt is a big case to bring up to pressure - more powder - tight crimp - mag primers - maybe cotton stuffing - Trail Boss - heavier bullets - anything will improve it some.

Smoke crud builds up in the chamber/s also and gets driven into the side of succeeding cases until cleaned out.

Autoloaders don't dirty the cases as badly if you clean the chamber occasionally.

A little lead streaking up the bore is not such a big deal - if your groups open up, that might be the problem, but shooting lead does that - insert flippant saying here.

Copper plated or jacketed bullets - like Sand said, will shoot cleaner - for a price.

Chemically clean lead out at home later, by plugging bore with earplug and filling with 50/50 mix of vinegar and peroxide and leave it sit for a few minutes, then pour out and swab, or mechanically by wrapping a bore brush with a long strand of copper ChoreBoy ( Buy that today at a grocery store ) and stroking the bore a few times. I use ChoreBoy - less mess.

Tumble lubing with Alox will help keep the leading down. Even factory cast and lubed bullets benefit from a very light coat of Lee Alox. Buy that today - Alox.

For the sake of increasing case life, don't overdo the belling or the crimping. Bell just enough to prevent shaving, and crimp enough to prevent bullets from sliding out from recoil.

Listen carefully to this caution though : After shooting .45 in a longer chamber, clean the cylinder before shooting long cases.

Deposits from the short cases will prevent crimps from opening up on the long cases, causing wicked pressure spikes in the cannon loads.

 

[timberjack]

I will pick up some trailboss later today and give it a try, yes my jacketed bullets shoot alot cleaner.I dont mind cleanin the gun for the price diff.I like to shoot so it gets a few rnds threw it.thanks Sandroad

Thanks Anchor , some great info there, I have been using barnes cr10 to get the fouling out , i am gonna try the vinegar/peroxide. Choreboy never herd of that but when at grocery store I will look for some.Tumble lubing with Alox, can you give me a lil more detail (sorry never herd of alox) do you mean just greese up the leads before i load em or after loaded?
On the pressure points (shooting longer bullets after shooting 45 colt) you are so very right these pistols should come with a warning right in the case about this.I was fortunate enough that after my first 10 rnds I cleaned the gun, then did another ten and cleaned it then i shoot 10 more and thought well i will try a 454 now then upon putting the cartridge in or trying i realized hey this thing is so dirty the 454 wont enter the cylinder fully for all the fouling.

The belling and crimping I have been doing exactly as you say just enough to prevent shaving and crimp just enough to hold bullet tightly.Do you bell and crimp for jacketed bullets?

with shootin fishing and hunting who has time for work!!