Bulky Powder for .45 Colt?

I'm a little cautious, (OK, a lot) after My chum and I bought some powder from a fellow who was moving and didn't want to bring the powders and primers in the moving van.
We learned soon after he was an experimenter and often mixed powders.
When we poured out the powder from him, it was obvious there was at least two other types mixed together.
We dumped it.
 
I was in crappie tire today looking for powder, primers. I got some weird primers from Bosnia. Was talking to the counter guy and he didn't seem to think powders like red,bluedot, unique would be available anytime in foreseeable future.
There is a powder I do see called tightgroup. It may have value.
Sr 4759 was awesome powder and of course discontinued.
 
Valiant said:
I was in crappie tire today looking for powder, primers. I got some weird primers from Bosnia. Was talking to the counter guy and he didn't seem to think powders like red,bluedot, unique would be available anytime in foreseeable future.
There is a powder I do see called tightgroup. It may have value.
Sr 4759 was awesome powder and of course discontinued.
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The genix primers they have been around a while under other names mainly campro I do believe.
 
Being a fan of keith and using the Lyman cast bullet #454424, 250gr,
- 5 to 6grs Bullseye - target load
- 10gr Unique - Moderate load
- 18.5gr 2400 - Heavy load
And, in guns like the modern day Rugers
-20gr 2400 -Top load
 
G_Alan said:
And, in guns like the modern day Rugers
-20gr 2400 -Top load

My favorite 45 Colt load in my SBH Hunter . Saving my last keg of 2400 for them
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On an added note, when I first really got into handgun shooting and reloading, I ended up corresponding with Elmer Keith to satisfy some of my beginners questions. He was very helpful and I still have some of the letters of info he sent me. Then, one day on an impuls, I asked about the possibility of visiting him. Arrangements were made and in '73 a shooting buddy and I went to Elmer Keiths home in Salmon Idaho for a day long visit. That day stands out as the most memorable day in my years of guns, shooting, reloading and hunting. Then in '75, I had the opportunity to see him again at a gun show in Kalispal Montana, where at a dinner at the Outlaw Inn where he was being recognised/honoured and awarded with the 1st ever award of the Handgunner Of The Year award & trophy. Have many of his books and I treasure them.
 
Great loads, but I'm just shooting CAS, at steel plates and up close now.
The days of being able to hunt with a handgun here are long gone.
That ended after a year, thanks to the twits that wore them into a bar in Lanark County years ago, after being told by the MNR and the OPP, not to wear or carry them into a bar.
 
I’d personally go with the hs6 idk what the rules are for you guys but I’d also choose a round ball plinker load if it was me though.

I was looking at .45 acp data the other day with thoughts of using it in .45 Colt with the hs6 and 140gr(think .454 round ball) it was around 8gr.
 
CAS Max handgun velocity is 1000 fps and rifle 1400 fps
Minimum power factor is 60 so it's an easy minimum/max to meet.
I just get twitchy looking at the small appearing powder charges in a .45 Colt case.
So much so that I've gone to .45 Cowboy Specials (Similar in size to .45 ACP) with 4.6 Gr of Titegroup driving a 200 Gr LRNFP in my Ruger SAA's, saving my .45 Colt for use in my 1873 lever gun.
 
The Cold Lake Kid said:
CAS Max handgun velocity is 1000 fps and rifle 1400 fps
Minimum power factor is 60 so it's an easy minimum/max to meet.
I just get twitchy looking at the small appearing powder charges in a .45 Colt case.
So much so that I've gone to .45 Cowboy Specials (Similar in size to .45 ACP) with 4.6 Gr of Titegroup driving a 200 Gr LRNFP in my Ruger SAA's, saving my .45 Colt for use in my 1873 lever gun.
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I have always wanted to give cowboy action a try but don’t thing anyone does it here in this part of southern Ontario. With that and the fact that we can’t register new revolvers it’s kind of a deal breaker. Always wanted a pair of 1858 Remingtons with the loading gate conversions.
 
antiqueguy: There's plenty of cowboy action to be had in SW Ontario. Chatham, Sarnia, London being only three in the immediate area that host regular matches. A bit further afield: Guelph(occasional), Burlington, Dunnville, Decew(Thorold) and Wentworth(Hamilton).

If interested, just show up. Observe some matches. See what the competitors use for guns and gear....and why. Ask plenty of questions. No guns? No problem. Don't be surprised if competitors offer the chance to try out their guns...even shoot a stage or two. The cowboy action community is very welcoming.

For further information, be sure to visit the OSASF(Ontario Single Action Shooting Federation) website.

This Liberal plague infecting Canada can't last forever. Could be an altogether different ball game, after 2025.

Al
 
Antiqueguy, as Alex mentions, CAS people are about the most accommodating, friendly people around.
Go to some matches and speak with the participants. You'll find yourself fitted up and trying out all sorts of neat cowboy stuff, that will allow you to buy the SAAs you need, once the Conservatives are elected.
We have that in writing.
 
The Cold Lake Kid said:
Antiqueguy, as Alex mentions, CAS people are about the most accommodating, friendly people around.
Go to some matches and speak with the participants. You'll find yourself fitted up and trying out all sorts of neat cowboy stuff, that will allow you to buy the SAAs you need, once the Conservatives are elected.
We have that in writing.
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I’d go for a more historical approach couple of cartridge conversions a 1860 Henry or 1866 Winchester and a double hammer gun(may already have that if the norinco “couch gun” is allowed)
 
The Norinco Open Hammer was what I started with and it worked well.
Finish on mine was bit rough, with some burrs that laid my thumb open, until I did some judicious work with a fine file and a ceramic stone.
The 1866, in carbine or rifle is a great choice for authenticity. I didn't care for the 1860, because of the lack of a forestock and the loading tube etc.
It also got pretty hot if you were using Holy Black!
YMMD
 
The Cold Lake Kid said:
The Norinco Open Hammer was what I started with and worked well. Finish on mine was bit rough, with some burrs that laid my thumb open, until I did some judicious work with a fine file an a ceramic stone.
The 1866, in carbine or rifle is a great choice for authenticity. I didn't care for the 1860, because of the lack of a forestock and the loading tube etc.
It also got pretty hot if you were using Holy Black!
YMMD
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Mines of the short norincos 12 inch barrels she does make some fire balls and a lot of smoke with holy black though.
 
antiqueguy: There are entire cowboy action categories dedicated to keeping the sport as historically accurate as possible.

By far the best way to explore those categories that may interest you, such as: Plainsman, Frontier Cartridge, Classic Cowboy, etc., starts with a visit to the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS, for short) website.

Once there, pull up the Shooters Handbook, for complete descriptions of guns, calibers, costuming, rules and other aspects of these "Classic" and other, categories.
The guns you'd like to use would be perfectly suited in these roles. Including your Norinco hammer coach gun. ** You're part way there, already.

Shooting in these categories is a hoot and a half. As Plainsman and Frontier Cartridge for example, stipulate that only black powder (or bp subs) can be used as a propellant. Lots of flame, smoke and action.

Here's a great cowboy action source, on you tube: jeditv. Well worth watching.

Host "Jed I Knight", shoots exclusively in either Plainsman, or Frontier Cartridge (Gun Fighter) category.
The videos are shot at actual cowboy action matches. Including competitors (especially Jed) in action, full descriptions of stage instructions, etc. About the closest thing to actually being there.
So if this is the type of cowboy action you'd like to do, I highly recommend watching Jed's channel.

Al
ps: I'm with Cold Lake Kid. The 1860 is a fun rifle to shoot. Only problem is...that unprotected barrel gets hot, when shooting black powder. Still, I know competitors who like and use them. Plus, they are very historically correct and just plain cool to handle and shoot. So never a wrong choice. Just be aware of the rifle's limitations. A better choice: 1866. Arguably the most beautiful of all lever action rifles from the Wild West era. Plus, a joy to handle and shoot.

** Edit: Old303 is correct. Your 12" barreled shotgun would be disallowed at SASS sanctioned matches, due to barrel length. Many club level shoots are pretty informal, though. Ask the Posse Marshall in advance of a match, for permission. In the meantime, consult the Shooters Handbook, for detailed information on guns and gear, etc
 
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antiqueguy said:
Mines of the short norincos 12 inch barrels she does make some fire balls and a lot of smoke with holy black though.
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The Shooters Handbook says minimum 18 inch barrel on a shotgun, but club-level matches can be more informal so long as it's safe.
 
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