This is a reloading question, not about the personality

I recently picked up a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt. Or 45 Long Colt for those so desiring to call it that. I have everything to reload this caliber including brass, primers, dies, bullets, many suitable powders, 5 manuals, know the Hodgdon, Nosler, Alliant sites and have plenty of data. So looking at collective wisdom as to what "works". Not looking to load hot, or bunny fart loads. Not looking to go into SASS either. I have some 210 grain tumble lubed cast and some 200 gr. pre lubed LRNFP. I have several jacketed .45 Auto bullets too that I know would need to be loaded at the top of the recommended range to make certain they exited the barrel with the jacket intact. I do not cast and will not but will shoot cast bullets.

I have started loading and testing the cast bullets. I will be shooting more this weekend. I have Red Dot, Bullseye, W231, W244, Accurate #2, Accurate #5, CFE Pistol, Clays, Clays international, Clays Universal, Unique, and Titegroup. I have 5-6 magnum pistol powders, but like I said, not wanting to go that hot. I have a lot of Titegroup and W244.

So from the guys that load this, what works for you?

Thanks

I have a load for a 250 grain lazercast bullet using HS-6. It’s about 900 or so FPS. It is tons of fun to shoot. Have shot some hogs with it the cast doesn’t expand much just rounds out a little and penetrates well. Have some hot loaded Sierra 240 grain JHC using IMR 4227 that is not as pleasant to shoot but shoots well. Always wanted to take a deer with it but never have.

Unique is my go to for mid level loads. I’ve never ran that lite of a bullet though. I shoot 255s mostly. Good luck.

I'm confused just trying to keep up with all your options. I load 45 Colt (and a ton of other cartridges) but not the bullets you are using.

That said, here's my 2 cents. For now only load with Unique. There is extensive history with 45 Colt and Unique. Follow good reloading practices and work up until you find what you are looking for. Trying to develop the best load among 5 different powders will drive a man crazy. If there is an ideal load for those bullets, chances are somebody has already done it with Unique.

Bullet diameter and hardness will play a role in the pressure required.

It is a learning progression. Have fun!

I would highly recommend reading the many articles that Chuck Hawks has written about the 45LC. He has published a lot of good information about loading the 45LC, including data on loading cast bullets. It is a fun caliber. ENJOY.

My middle of the road load is around 8 grains of unique with a 200 gr laser cast, i have loaded 255’s with 8 gr of unique which is a bit snappy, but not crazy.

I also load a 335 cast precision over a case full of H110, which is a Linebaugh load and its down right border line crazy.
However very accurate.

I have a blackhawk also, mine is manga ported as well. The 8 gr unique load is fun to shoot and can easily go all day.

I found the best accuracy with my Bisley using H110 and a cast 300 grain. Whitetails don't like it. Unique and a commercial cast 255 SWC was most pleasant.

I am not a Unique fan. It works in everything but works really well in nothing. W231 is my favorite on your list. I use TiteGroup for .45 AUTO but not .45 Colt. I cast my own and stay under 1K FPS as my Italian Colt clone isn't made for silly hot loads. I much prefer the original style mechanics over the Ruger transfer bar system. Old Model Ruger .45s are much more uncommon than .357 and .44 so I made that concession.

I’d probably go with unique.

8 grains of unique in my Blackhawk off a sand bag at 25 yards shoots about 1” and I have managed a few 6 shot groups at 50 under 2” so to me that’s pretty awesome.

I use unique in 45 acp with some really good results to with hard cast 200 rnfp, and 255 semi wad cutters.

Trail Boss powder works great, unique shoots out of alot of handguns well.

Trail Boss is for exhibition loads and is so fluffy the same container other powders go in only holds 9 ounces yet it still costs more per bottle than regular powder.

I've tried many different powders but I always come back to Unique at around 8 grains, =/-, depending upon the bullet I'm pushing down the barrel and the accuracy it delivers.

I load 7.2 grains of Universal under RCBS 255-grain cast for my New Frontier. Seems to be a good load.

I just wish my eyesight would allow me to work open sights better than it does. Leaves me wondering what I'm "missing."

For those shooting Unique, do you find it to be a little dirty given this is a low pressure load and the case is so voluminous? My previous experience with Unique was only in 38 special and it was not always the cleanest powder.

I loaded 7, 7.5 and 8.0 with the 210 gr cast bullet for the first trials. I also loaded the same load with a 200 gr Swaged bullet ( hard lube groove). Shooting it seemed the 7.0/210 tumble lubed was good. The 8.0 gr 200 gr swaged (Zero Bullets Cowboy ) was equally as good.

Using a Win LP primer, RCBS dies and all cases get a decent roll crimp.

I have not seen Trail Boss in over 3 years. It might be the most applicable powder for this case due to the volume. I am worried that I am going to run into position sensitivity with these loads that take up about 1/4 of the case volume. This case was originally designed to hold up to 40 grains Black Powder with a 255 grain cast bullet. I am thinking that would have been a handful.

I load Unique with bullets I cast. Normally in the 250g range. 7-8 grains work great. Be sure to slug your cylinder throats to determine proper sizing for the bullets for best accuracy. Good luck and have fun.

Yes, same here. One of the reasons I prefer other powders in almost every cartridge.



The second reason I prefer other powders to Unique and Bullseye. They are better suited to small high pressure rounds like 9mm Luger.