jimbrassell
Moderator
MODERATOR EDIT:
This post contains loading information beyond that published in recognized loading manuals. The Hodgdon website does NOT recommend 4227 in this application.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
The Firing Line assumes no responsibility for use of this information.
No one here is against legitimate experimentation, but it should be accompanied with proper cautions.
Thanks, and Be Safe!
Johnny Guest
Handloading & Reloading Modferator
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After reading Ross Seyfried's article in Handloader magazine about the .45 Colt and Ruger handguns, I started a quest to get the max out of my two Ruger Blackhawks. One is a 4 5/8 inch and the other is a 7 1/2 inch barrel length in newer Ruger Blackhawks. I looked at a number of powders and bullet weights. I settled on a hard 255 gr cast lead SWC and Hodgdon H4227. Then I ran into trouble. Little or no data on cast bullets and H4227. Well, I ventured into 'no mans land' and began experimenting. I've settled on 26.0 grains of H4227 and the 255 gr SWC (be mindful that that load is only for T/C or Ruger guns). No signs of pressure and empties nearly drop out of the cylinder. But it makes my 24.0 gr H4227 / 240 gr lead cast SWC load in a .44 Magnum seem tame by comparison. I'll chrono the .45 Colt load the next trip to the range, but I suspect I am pushing the bullet at about 1200-1275 fps. Anybody had any experience loading near max, max, or over max .45 Colt loads? By the way, my .454 Casuall in a SRH is at my friendly FFL's now.
[Edited by Johnny Guest on 03-27-2001 at 12:00 AM]
This post contains loading information beyond that published in recognized loading manuals. The Hodgdon website does NOT recommend 4227 in this application.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
The Firing Line assumes no responsibility for use of this information.
No one here is against legitimate experimentation, but it should be accompanied with proper cautions.
Thanks, and Be Safe!
Johnny Guest
Handloading & Reloading Modferator
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [
After reading Ross Seyfried's article in Handloader magazine about the .45 Colt and Ruger handguns, I started a quest to get the max out of my two Ruger Blackhawks. One is a 4 5/8 inch and the other is a 7 1/2 inch barrel length in newer Ruger Blackhawks. I looked at a number of powders and bullet weights. I settled on a hard 255 gr cast lead SWC and Hodgdon H4227. Then I ran into trouble. Little or no data on cast bullets and H4227. Well, I ventured into 'no mans land' and began experimenting. I've settled on 26.0 grains of H4227 and the 255 gr SWC (be mindful that that load is only for T/C or Ruger guns). No signs of pressure and empties nearly drop out of the cylinder. But it makes my 24.0 gr H4227 / 240 gr lead cast SWC load in a .44 Magnum seem tame by comparison. I'll chrono the .45 Colt load the next trip to the range, but I suspect I am pushing the bullet at about 1200-1275 fps. Anybody had any experience loading near max, max, or over max .45 Colt loads? By the way, my .454 Casuall in a SRH is at my friendly FFL's now.
[Edited by Johnny Guest on 03-27-2001 at 12:00 AM]