loading the 45 Long Colt

[ChromeArty]

Hey there folks,

I am about to buy a beautiful Ruger New Vaquero in 45LC. I was wondering what successful cowboy loads people have been using...bullet weight and powder charge.

I am also really excited to load some up with black powder. I have no idea what kind of black powder to use, or how many grains to use....?

Thanks for any responses,
Trev

 

[fredfiset]

In my Cimmaron and Uberti SAA, it's a 255gr bullet over either:

- 5.5 gr of Trail Boss (mild recoil load, shoots well and very easy to reload)
or

- 30 gr of 3F black powder (roaring load, lot of smoke and acurate enough for cowboy action)

Have fun!

 

[ben hunchak]

For Black Powder you load as much as the case allows with the bullet seated and some compression of the BP either with a compression die or by drop tubing the charge, there should be no airspace in your loaded round. Bullets should be soft cast and lubed with Black powder lube.

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

I've been using 5.5 grains of Trail Boss under a 250 grain lead bullet in my 1866 as well as my old model Ruger Vaqueros.
Seems to work well.

 

[ChromeArty]

thank you very much for the responses helpful indeed

 

[Doc.Holliday]

For Black Powder you load as much as the case allows with the bullet seated and some compression of the BP either with a compression die or by drop tubing the charge, there should be no airspace in your loaded round. Bullets should be soft cast and lubed with Black powder lube.

I agree; and another good one is 5.0 to 6.0 grains Red Dot over 255 gr cast boolit. VERY CLEAN.

Regards Doc