Any 45 LC recipe recommendations?

[swampdog]

This is for that Chiappa 1892 in 45 LC. I'm no expert on reloading so need a bit of help. I would like a fairly powerful cartridge, without blowing up the gun.

I'm thinking of using Unique powder, although suggestions certainly are welcome.

Would 10 gr of Unique behind a 250 grain lead bullet work well? Or is that too much or not enough?

 

[Andy]

The M92 action is good for the 30K psi loads that are published. I like SR-4759 in mine, but the next 20 posters will suggest at least 10 other powders. Depends on how heavy you want to load it - for light-medium loads you will like Unique.

 

[Ganderite]

That load looks rather stout. I use 10 gr in my 44 mag.

My manual says 7.0 gr is max. Suggest you start at 5 and work up to see what works well in your gun. There are hot loads for the Ruger, you do not have a Ruger.

here is an online recipe book:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[swampdog]

The Alliant Powder Catalog lists a maximum of 9.5 gr Unique for a 250 gr Speer LWSC bullet, in .45 Colt calibre - 941 fps. I suppose that it might be best to load this down a bit? Maybe to 8 or 9 gr? I'll be using RNFP bullets.

Available at: http://outdoorwriters.atk.com/resource_library/catalogs/AlliantPowderCatalog.pdf

 

[saskgunowner101]

There are loads listed in the Lyman cast bullet handbook with unique/250 grn bullets. The first level (safe for all 45 Colt firearms I believe) lists between 6 and 9 grains Unique with velocity between 595-875 fps.

For the second level (Ruger and T/C contender) they list up to 11.5 grains Unique, with that max load running 1185 fps. I would think a lever action should handle these loads, but if in doubt, work in the 8-9 grain range.

 

[Beater]

i love 2400 for the 45 LC but for the RIFLE ONLY loads worked some up to around 1600 fps with the 225

 

[Andy]

Follow this logic:

- that same gun is chambered in 44 Mag, so the action can handle 44 Mag pressures;
- the 45 Colt is a larger case and larger bore than the 44 Mag, so 44 Mag loads used in a 45 Colt would be lower pressure than in the 44 Mag; and
- there are hundreds of 44 Mag loads available, far more than for the 45 Colt.

Use any published 44 Mag powder load and you'll be well within the pressure limits of that gun.