W-231 for Marlin 1894CB 45 Colt, any luck?

[rollingrock]

I've been working on this recipe for the last couple of days. I know I can safely load 9 gr of W-231 for 250 gr RNFP cast bullets. LOL

But what's the max load using W-231 for this bullet and this gun? Anyone any luck out there?

 

[bexan]

The Hogdon load data center lists 7.1 grains of 231 as maximum for this combination, so 9gr sounds a little umm optimistic. They also list separate loads for Ruger Thompson Center and Freedom arms only but all these use slower powders and 231 is not among them. With the safety nazi lecture out of the way, I have tried 13.5 grains hercules blue dot and 250gr lswc. This was one of Elmer Keith's loads for 45 colt. It worked well in my Ruger Bisley Blackhawk, very accurate. Play safe...

 

[Ganderite]

231 is a good cowboy powder for that bullet. It is too fast for a load where you want more velocity. A slower powder would take advantage of that long barrel. Blue Dot would be about right. 2400 and 4227 would give you a lot more velocity, but the cast bullet may not perform well at high velocity.

If you want to try high velocity, start with 23gr of 4227.

 

[rollingrock]

WOW! I thought this thread would have sunk. Anyway, I developed some loads with 231 for my 1894 20" octagon barrel CB. Even though rarely someone would use this powder for higher velocity, someone came forward and provided their loads....I started with 8 gn and up. Now the bullets broke sound barrier. Pretty cool! There wasn't much sign of excessive pressure with my load. So I will stay where I'm. I will try 2400 or RL7 for the loads too.