Loading data .45LC+p for a Henry Big Boy

[salon_1928]

Hey clegger, just curious if you got to load/shoot much over the summer? I'm going to start reloading for my Henry in the next couple of weeks and would like to hear how things went.

 

[clegger]

So as per request here is my update....

I have currently 3 loads I am very happy with,

1st (most used and loved)
Around 16 cents per round
Around 800 fps from a 20" barrel
255G SWC Lee home cast
6.5g W231
WLP
Starline brass

2nd (most fun)
255g SWC Lee home cast
Full case /40g fff black powder
WLP
Starline brass
Around 1300fps very smokey!!! High recoil lots of barrel heat

3rd (most deadly)
$1.15 per round
250 Hornady xtp JHP
26.5g IMR 4227
CCI Mag large pistol
Starline brass
Around 1950fps

 

[burnt_servo]

I would not go as high a pressure as 44Mag. The larger chamber of the .45Colt barrel leaves the walls a little thinner than for the .44Mag. So I'd want to respect that by not loading THAT hot.

Most loading books as well as the Hodgdon reloading center have recipes for "Ruger, Freedom Arms and TC only loads". I'd not go any hotter than those options. The pressures they list hit a max of around 30K CUP and give you up to 1400fps for muzzle velocity from a handgun. From your henry you'll be up around 1700fps with a 250gn round. And it'll hit your shoulder pretty hard.

this .......

remember this is a action made out of brass NOT steel .
the more you stress brass the more brittle it gets ...... heck some respected guys here claim that as brass ages it gets more brittle .....

even a 30,000 k cup load is around double the factory 45 colt loading .

if you want a rifle to load hot , go buy a rossi 1892 copy .
they are the company to successfully chamber them in a high pressure round ( 454 casull ) , leaving a guy with a 45 colt rifle lots of safety margin to play with +p loads , and with a action you don't have to worry about having it work harden and fail .

 

[clegger]

Henry receivers are not made of brass... they are made of brasslite.

A combination of steel, tin, and some form of brass"ish" alloy. What I'm trying to get at is, henry says that the alloy receiver is just as strong as ANY steel receiver levergun. Heck the receiver is good to shoot 45-70, 30-30, and 44 mag, the only difference being a different chamber reamed into the barrel. Should be able to hold a hopped up 45C.

Big debate on the 45C holding more powder then a 44mag and therefore must create more pressure with a compressed load of the same powder right? Well not always... the bigger chamber and caliber spreads out the CUP more, like surface area wise.

Anyways, she shoots fine, no pressure signs, to hard extractions, not even case lengthening after 6-8 high pressure reloads.

I'll let you know if anything happens, but it's safe to say;

The henry big boy needs more credit then it gets.

I would pit this up against any marlin, winchester, rossi, remington, or whatever else is out there for strength. These things aren't just for show. The just look pretty.

 

[tylerjwitty]

clegger, do you have a updated reloading recipe book you could sent my way? I have a big boy on the way and am eager to get a head start on the reloading.

Also have you compared against hornadays leveroltion?

And second question is regarding possible scope options. Thinking a 2-7 would be just fine.