Cowboy type loads for 45Colt

bushwhacker

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Shooting a Uberti reproduction of 1858 Remington in 45 Colt. Using a Lee Pro 1000 3-hole turret and Lee dies with the Lee auto-disk powder measure. Loading 255 Gr. lead bullets and 700X powder because I inherited a can of it. I am running presently at 4.5 Gr. which seems to shoot pretty well with moderate recoil. The thing I notice is that I have to go one hole size larger on the auto disk than specified in the pamphlet that came with the dies to get the mass in grains. The .61 disk hole should throw 4.8 Gr. but I am using the .66 hole to get 4.5, which should throw 5.0. I started at 4.0 Gr. and worked up to where I am now. Know this is no big deal, just found it interesting. Sure isn't much powder in that big case. Would be easy to get a double or triple charge if you weren't paying attention, although the way the press works advancing the case to next station every time would make it harder to do.

Another thing I noticed is a buddy gave me a part box of old Dominion cartridges. Fired them off, but found I can't reload them in the press, because the #11 shell plate won't let them fit. The newer cases are undercut in front of the rim while the old ones aren't.

Bill
 
Not sure if you are aware about 2 different numbers of shell holder listed on the Lee website for the .45 colt. Either a #11 or #14 can be used. My die set came with the #11
The #14 shell holder is also listed for the 44-40 Winchester cartridge! Perhaps it may fit those older .45 colt brass you have.
I also load .45 colt for my BH's & vaqueros, but use Red Dot & Trail boss powders mostly with 250 gr cast RNFP or SWC bullets for easy shootin, fun, no-buck loads. Many times I have had the same experience with having to use the next bigger cavity for loading the flake powders too.
Just throw a bunch of charges & weigh them for consistency & you will be good to go.

I love the Manitoulin Island & the 45c cartridge!
Happy shooting Bill....
 
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