Recommendation for .45 LC bullets and reloading
- Thread starter 15567
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hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
45 Colt bullets are generally the same diameter as 45acp bullets, .452. Unless your gun is old production, putting the diameter in . 454 territory.
My friend @ ProjectileKing.com stocks the Campro line of plated style bullets. Mention my name. You can also source cast lead bullets from my friends at Lawry’s Shooting Sports.
Bullet weight & powder recommendation run the whole gambit. Perhaps you can offer more info on your revolver & what you wish to achieve....
My friend @ ProjectileKing.com stocks the Campro line of plated style bullets. Mention my name. You can also source cast lead bullets from my friends at Lawry’s Shooting Sports.
Bullet weight & powder recommendation run the whole gambit. Perhaps you can offer more info on your revolver & what you wish to achieve....
Pretty certain Cowboy shooting requires raw lead bullets, so plated Campro would be a no-no.
The .45 Colt round was often used in a lever gun, so a 200 or 250 grain lead RNFP (round-nose-flat-point) was usual to give a nice safe flat nose against the primer of the round in front. That was a good format for revolvers too. For powder, Unique was the old standby, but Trail Boss seems to be the thing for at least a chunk of the Cowboy crowd. For that, you're almost certainly staying down at the minimum starting powder load and not trying for any more oompf than that.
The .45 Colt round was often used in a lever gun, so a 200 or 250 grain lead RNFP (round-nose-flat-point) was usual to give a nice safe flat nose against the primer of the round in front. That was a good format for revolvers too. For powder, Unique was the old standby, but Trail Boss seems to be the thing for at least a chunk of the Cowboy crowd. For that, you're almost certainly staying down at the minimum starting powder load and not trying for any more oompf than that.
I am using a Lee mould, 452-200, 200 grains flat point bullet ( safe in rifle tube ) and 5.7 grains of bulleye or 8 grains of Unique.
They are as slow as it can be and accurate enough for cowboy shooting.
Avoid semi wadcutter bullet - they do not feed well in lever gun.
You can get your cast bullets here :
http://www.thebulletbarn.com/bullets-lead.html
They are as slow as it can be and accurate enough for cowboy shooting.
Avoid semi wadcutter bullet - they do not feed well in lever gun.
You can get your cast bullets here :
http://www.thebulletbarn.com/bullets-lead.html
I am a newbie to CAS and decades ago I reloaded. I wish to begin reloading for a Colt SAA in.45 LC and also have Uberti in same.
Lawrys is not far from Toronto so when things hopefully return to normal I will be able to buy either their 200 Gr. or 250 Gr. 45 LC bullets. I have ordered Trail Boss powder from Cabelas (wont arrive soon) and have Federal larger pistol primers, and W231 and Unique. The press is a 1990s Dillon 550 not the newer 550B whatever the difference is Dillon tech. support was unable to tell me. I have the conversion kit, dies and quick change assembly. Will need to setup the press and do whatever maintenance and oiling needed and re-familiarize with reloading.
I have some reloads and no spare brass at the present but the brass is Starline. So the loads have to be suitable for CAS and I'd prefer lighter ones so less recoil which should be desirable I suppose anyways.
Lawrys is not far from Toronto so when things hopefully return to normal I will be able to buy either their 200 Gr. or 250 Gr. 45 LC bullets. I have ordered Trail Boss powder from Cabelas (wont arrive soon) and have Federal larger pistol primers, and W231 and Unique. The press is a 1990s Dillon 550 not the newer 550B whatever the difference is Dillon tech. support was unable to tell me. I have the conversion kit, dies and quick change assembly. Will need to setup the press and do whatever maintenance and oiling needed and re-familiarize with reloading.
I have some reloads and no spare brass at the present but the brass is Starline. So the loads have to be suitable for CAS and I'd prefer lighter ones so less recoil which should be desirable I suppose anyways.
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You might try getting some Wolf Re-manufactured ,45 Colt ammo from SFRC (maybe a special order)
I started with that and Wolf's Starline brass and I've reloaded that for quite some time.
I buy my cast bullets from a small producer.
I'm using 250 grain .456 in my older Uberti Yellow Boy and .454 in my NMV's and my '73 carbine, but they all work well with the .454 RNFP
I started with that and Wolf's Starline brass and I've reloaded that for quite some time.
I buy my cast bullets from a small producer.
I'm using 250 grain .456 in my older Uberti Yellow Boy and .454 in my NMV's and my '73 carbine, but they all work well with the .454 RNFP
Lawrys has decent prices on Starline brass as well, and powder too. Starline makes 45 colt "cowboy" brass , it's shorter almost 45acp length
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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The "45 Cowboy" loads are meant for the revolver only, if you're trying for really really light loads and wishing you'd bought .38 shooters instead and up against the minimum you can reasonably load in full-length .45 Colt brass. They're basically the same base as .45 Colt so they load the same in a revolver cylinder but the internal volume of .45 ACP so you can use its load data (never mind that every popular load in that calibre is meant to cycle a 1911).
A .45 lever-action rifle really really wants normal-shaped and length rounds so that the lifter and all will cycle cleanly.
One of the big decisions in setting up for Cowboy is whether to make the compromises that let you have the simplicity of all the same ammo for revolvers and rifle, or to accept having to bring two kinds and be able to do what makes best sense for each.
A .45 lever-action rifle really really wants normal-shaped and length rounds so that the lifter and all will cycle cleanly.
One of the big decisions in setting up for Cowboy is whether to make the compromises that let you have the simplicity of all the same ammo for revolvers and rifle, or to accept having to bring two kinds and be able to do what makes best sense for each.
Trail Boss works great for that application. I’d advise against Unique for CAS. Loaded at cowboy speeds, you won’t get a very good burn. I tried it when I first started loading for CAS. Shot some to try when there was snow on the ground and half the powder was on top of the snow between me and the target. I’ve found Unique needs higher pressures to burn well. I could never get it to meter consistently through a Dillon either. I love the stuff in 45 but measure each charge and don’t use reduced loads.
I notice guys recommending 231/HP38 for 45 cowboy loads. When the big powder drought was on, I had some on hand so I tried that too.
I had the chronograph set up so I tried some muzzle up and muzzle down before firing....huge difference in velocity so I ruled it out due to position sensitivity. It’s been a couple years since I played the cowboy game but myself and others were having good results with Tite-group in our 45’s.
Just my .02 worth.
Have fun shooting!
Thank you all for your advice! It is true that Cowboy folks are good and helpful.
I have purchased 250 Gr. DRG bullets and Trail Boss and Red Dot powder. Will begin reloading .45 Colt when I have spent brass from my Wolf reloads.
Had picked up a 1956 Winchester 1897 take down model out of town via FTF transaction maintaining distance from a CAS shooter with some 30 years experience and who had about eight 1897s in the past as he claimed. I paid by EMT provided my details and PAL and given the sellers impeccable ratings I had full trust and had no information about him. It looked like new as the seller claimed BUT the Winchester and North Haven markings were missing from the barrel and the other markings looked correct and pristine. Finding this strange I had the idea to take a flashlight to the area where they should be present and behold slightly visible remains of the missing markings were visible!
It was s very well done refinish and also the seller told me not to take it apart because it will not go back together easily ... I do not want to pay a premium like-new price for a refinished 1897 and don't want a refinished one at all.
I did not tell the seller I noticed the faint missing markings and requested a refund by email.
His correspondence became very unaccommodating and vindictive but he did show up to return the money the next morning. He inspected the rifle and handed me the cash not like the EMT I sent him because his wife preferred it to cash in this pandemic time and made me sign a receipt.
Later that day he sent me an email in which he stated that I must have been blinded by the shine of this shotgun and unable to see properly that the markings are correct.
I sent him a reply about the faint visible markings to which I received no reply.
Sorry for this bit of a digression, but I just had to state this in my thread and wonder what feedback this seller deserves?
I have purchased 250 Gr. DRG bullets and Trail Boss and Red Dot powder. Will begin reloading .45 Colt when I have spent brass from my Wolf reloads.
Had picked up a 1956 Winchester 1897 take down model out of town via FTF transaction maintaining distance from a CAS shooter with some 30 years experience and who had about eight 1897s in the past as he claimed. I paid by EMT provided my details and PAL and given the sellers impeccable ratings I had full trust and had no information about him. It looked like new as the seller claimed BUT the Winchester and North Haven markings were missing from the barrel and the other markings looked correct and pristine. Finding this strange I had the idea to take a flashlight to the area where they should be present and behold slightly visible remains of the missing markings were visible!
It was s very well done refinish and also the seller told me not to take it apart because it will not go back together easily ... I do not want to pay a premium like-new price for a refinished 1897 and don't want a refinished one at all.
I did not tell the seller I noticed the faint missing markings and requested a refund by email.
His correspondence became very unaccommodating and vindictive but he did show up to return the money the next morning. He inspected the rifle and handed me the cash not like the EMT I sent him because his wife preferred it to cash in this pandemic time and made me sign a receipt.
Later that day he sent me an email in which he stated that I must have been blinded by the shine of this shotgun and unable to see properly that the markings are correct.
I sent him a reply about the faint visible markings to which I received no reply.
Sorry for this bit of a digression, but I just had to state this in my thread and wonder what feedback this seller deserves?
15567: Personally, I would look at a 'refinished' '97 with a very jaundiced eye. Particularly with a barrel buffed down to the point where the markings were nearly erased. You have to ask yourself: What else is hidden underneath that shiny new paint job? Used, but decent condition 1897's are still relatively plentiful. Keep your eyes open and you will eventually find one you like. At a decent price. But as always, buyer beware!
So far, it appears you are well on your way to reloading success. Dillon presses are exceptionally rugged and reliable. My 550B has been ticking along without a hitch, since the mid-1980's. I have absolutely no idea how many thousands upon thousands, of reloaded rounds it's produced, in that time. Will certainly outlive me. Either Red Dot or Trail Boss will serve you very well. As already mentioned by Rooster59...Titegroup is worthy of consideration, too.
Site sponsors: Rusty Wood Trading and Double Tap Sports, are good places to shop for Starline brass. The choice of many top Cowboy Action competitors. For DRG bullets, powder, primers, etc., Hummason, just outside Ancaster, may be another good source to consider. Good prices and service. Not too far a drive for you, either.
You are right. In my experience, the Cowboy Action crowd have always been the friendliest and most helpful folks to be found in any shooting sport. Always welcoming and inclusive.
Hope this info is useful:
Al
So far, it appears you are well on your way to reloading success. Dillon presses are exceptionally rugged and reliable. My 550B has been ticking along without a hitch, since the mid-1980's. I have absolutely no idea how many thousands upon thousands, of reloaded rounds it's produced, in that time. Will certainly outlive me. Either Red Dot or Trail Boss will serve you very well. As already mentioned by Rooster59...Titegroup is worthy of consideration, too.
Site sponsors: Rusty Wood Trading and Double Tap Sports, are good places to shop for Starline brass. The choice of many top Cowboy Action competitors. For DRG bullets, powder, primers, etc., Hummason, just outside Ancaster, may be another good source to consider. Good prices and service. Not too far a drive for you, either.
You are right. In my experience, the Cowboy Action crowd have always been the friendliest and most helpful folks to be found in any shooting sport. Always welcoming and inclusive.
Hope this info is useful:
Al
Thank-you AlexMckr!
Yes I will be able to reload and try Trail Boss, Unique and Red Dot powders when I find out the load data for the 250 grain bullets.
BTW I just wish to make clear, I did not have a worthy chance to examine the misrepresented like-new 1897 in his van which is made in 1956 and I had inherent trust in the seller.
I found out at home upon closer examination when I noticed the Winchester and New Have markings on the barrel missing but all the others were there clearly visible.
Seller insisted this is correct ... a person with 30 years CAS experience and some 8 or 9 1897s he claimed to have possessed in the past? He also advised not to use the take down. I wonder what I would have seen? He can list it on the EE and describe it like he did to me with the same very bad miniature pictures he provided.
Became Vindictive and very unaccommodating when I requested a refund. I had to miss an important appointment and drive early in the morning in snow and rain ... and go to the bank to deposit the money.
What rating does this vindictive member deserve?
Yes I will be able to reload and try Trail Boss, Unique and Red Dot powders when I find out the load data for the 250 grain bullets.
BTW I just wish to make clear, I did not have a worthy chance to examine the misrepresented like-new 1897 in his van which is made in 1956 and I had inherent trust in the seller.
I found out at home upon closer examination when I noticed the Winchester and New Have markings on the barrel missing but all the others were there clearly visible.
Seller insisted this is correct ... a person with 30 years CAS experience and some 8 or 9 1897s he claimed to have possessed in the past? He also advised not to use the take down. I wonder what I would have seen? He can list it on the EE and describe it like he did to me with the same very bad miniature pictures he provided.
Became Vindictive and very unaccommodating when I requested a refund. I had to miss an important appointment and drive early in the morning in snow and rain ... and go to the bank to deposit the money.
What rating does this vindictive member deserve?
If you put you city on your profile we will be able to give you better advice on where to buy heavy things like bullets.
DRG bullets are made by Frank M, in Guelph.
If you call ahead to make sure he is there, you can pick up the bullets from him. Price is good.
Frank 519 824-5040
DRG bullets are made by Frank M, in Guelph.
If you call ahead to make sure he is there, you can pick up the bullets from him. Price is good.
Frank 519 824-5040
