Cowboy Action Loads

Chuck McCann

Chuck McCann

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I'm wondering how much I can reduce loads in the 45 LC for CAS. I currently load 71/2 gr of 231 on a 200gr SWC lead bullet for my Marlin rifle. I'm wondering if I can safley reduce that to a load similar to loads for a 45acp? I was thinking that if I could find a good reduced load that is accurate enough for CAS distances I would try it in both the revolvers and rifle. I'm currently shooting 38's out of a pair of Vaqueros so I'm not worried about knockdown power. I have a pair of 45's on the way and it will be nice to be able to shoot one bullet and load. I'm not interested in shooting different loads in the rifle and revolvers. I just got thinking and sometime that's dangerous for me:D:D:D
Thanks in advance Chuck
 
"...not interested in shooting different loads in the rifle and revolvers..." You'll have to work up a load for each firearm. You might get lucky and find a load that shoots well out of both your rifle and revolvers, but it's not likely.
The Alliant Powder site has 'Cowboy' loads for the .45 Colt. Nothing for the ACP though. It's not a 'Cowboy' cartridge. Mind you, target load velocities for both the Colt and ACP using 230 grain lead bullets are fairly close. Different powders though.
Add the W's and go to the 'Reloading Data page.
.alliantpowder.com/
 
According to the IMR literature that I have...200gr.cast, 5.5 gr. TRAILBOSS,706 fps., 8000psi....Trail Boss rules for cowboy action loads.(.45 Colt's) It is a very bulky powder and 5.5grs. will take up over 1/2 of the case, so will prevent double charging, and is not position sensitive.
 
I'm shooting 2x Ruger Vaqueros and a Marlin M1894S in .44 magnum for Cowboy Action Matches. No matter how much I tried could I find 1 load for all 3 firearms. My Vaqueros for maximum accuracy like 5.1 grains of W231 pushing a 240 grain bullet and my Marlin can accurately hit 1" rebar at 50 yds with 7.2 grains of Unique pushing the same 240 grain bullet. In order not to make a mistake in the ammo, when I build the rifle ammo I put a thick black mark from a permanent marker on the base of the cartridge case of the rifle rounds.

The 5.1 grains of W231 gives me about 640 fps out of my 4 3/4" pistols. This works well for steel targets which are stationary. Every once in a while a steel reactive target will get tossed in the mix so I'll slip a rifle round into the pistol. Accuracy is not as good but the muzzle velocity is increased to 912 fps. Good luck in your search for a good load.
 
Thanks Guys
I arrived at 7.5 gr of W231 because it shot good in most of the 45LC revolvers and rifles in the family. It wasn't the best in any of the firearms but it was one of the best all round, 8.8 gr of unique was a bit better but way dirtier. At CAS ranges it's plenty good, my son shoots golf balls at 50 yards with his Marlin and also uses them for swingers at 20 yards for his revolvers so it's not likely we can blame the load for any of our misses. I can't get near a range here we have way to much snow so that leaves the indoor range to play with my new toys on. I have several older manuals and the Hornaday 3rd edition lists a starting load of 6.3 gr of w231. I'll load up a couple hundred for inddoor shooting and then likely use 7.5gr for an all round load once we get outside again.
Chuck
 
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CAS doesn't place that much of a premium on accuracy, as the targets are all quite large and close up.....and seem to be going even more in that direction all the time. So, find a load that your rifle shoots well at 35-40 yds and it should be fine for your handguns at the typical 10-12yd distance that most CAS handgun targets are set up at. If necessary, adjust your handguns so they zero with this load. Then go out and practice. And practice some more. You want to be absolutely confident that your guns will cycle whatever load you cook up all the time, every time. The big problem you'll encounter with 45LC at CAS velocities is sooting the cases. I'm using 6.8g of HP38 which is tolerable in the summer, but the cases come out black in the winter. Switching to 45 Schofield brass is an option, if your levergun will cycle them. Oh, yeah, and practice ;-)
 
rhs said:
CAS doesn't place that much of a premium on accuracy, as the targets are all quite large and close up.....and seem to be going even more in that direction all the time. ;-)
Click to expand...

That's what my wife and I like about CAS. Not only are the targets large enough to see with our old eyes they are close enough to hit most of the time.:D:D:D I'm with you on the 45LC sooting up the brass. I lkely have the load that I will be shooting through the summer I was just looking for some ideas around reduced loads to play with on the indoor range for the winter.
Chuck
 
Chuck; Don,t I know you from CHINOOK COUNTRY That jack looks awfully familiar!

I,m not sure that .45 Special is available in Canada, but I cut off my split-necks and trim with a LEE .45acp hand trimmer. BTW ACP stands for Action Cowboy Pistol in some circles! I had the idea from making .455 cases. Only diff is the rim thickness. For .45 Spl., Adirondack Jack has lots of data on Cascity.

There are two possibilities for loading down .45LC ;
1. TITEGROUP, see cowboy data from Hodgdon.
2. TRAIL BOSS, look for data online.

Sir Chas......
 
Hi Carlos
Yes you do know me from Chinook Country and thanks for the tips. I had no idea 45 ACP could be misconstrued.
Chuck AKA Grey Beard
 
Adirondack Jack won't ship to Canada, but he distributes through Double Tap Sports (Josko Kovic). I picked up a couple hundred brass last year. Bought it mainly to shoot the EPP Ultimate Gamer bullets (155g) that I use in my Ruger Old Armies. Loaded in the 45 Special with BP, I should be able to recreate the cap and ball ballistics in R&D conversion cylinders, thereby negating any sight picture changes.
 
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x2 on ben hunchak's comment.
I'm using the same load in my RV's and a Uberti 1866 Yellow Boy clone.
The RV's like the load just fine (colover leaf from a rest) and the Yellow boy shoots it well enough for CAS rifle distances.
I like the bulky T.B. powder in my .45-70 as well and it shoots it just fine, with clover leaves at 100yd, from a rest.
Now if I could just hold that steady free hand......
 
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