.45 colt black powder loads

**ironcowboy** · November 25th, 2009, 04:06 PM

Well, i'm thinking about trying to load up some BP loads for my .45 vaquero, and i found this on google, just wondering how reliable it is. http://www.redriverrenegades.com/load_chart.htm

Anyone on here have any good recommendations on loads?

**knight0334** · November 25th, 2009, 07:31 PM

If you're looking to load black powder you need a few extra loading items.

1. a 18" or longer brass drop tube
2. a volumetric measuring tool.

Generally with the 45 Colt with black powder, you load 37-42grs by volume of FFFg powder and top it with a 250gr slug. In some situations or with some powders it may overflow the case, but if you use the drop tube gravity will help pack the case. You will still likely compress the load 5%, which is what you want. Like front stuffers - you do NOT want any airspace at all with blackpowder or you'll "ring" your chamber and blow the gun apart. You also do not want to compress more than 10%.

**tdyoung58** · November 25th, 2009, 07:47 PM

I'd like to know what a good load with Pyrodex is, have a can of it that I got with a muzzle loader but it's the pistol kind.

Have a .45lc, have some 200g lead have the Pyro and primers . . . would like some info.

**brian** · November 25th, 2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by knight0334

If you're looking to load black powder you need a few extra loading items.

1. a 18" or longer brass drop tube
2. a volumetric measuring tool.

Generally with the 45 Colt with black powder, you load 37-42grs by volume of FFFg powder and top it with a 250gr slug. In some situations or with some powders it may overflow the case, but if you use the drop tube gravity will help pack the case. You will still likely compress the load 5%, which is what you want. Like front stuffers - you do NOT want any airspace at all with blackpowder or you'll "ring" your chamber and blow the gun apart. You also do not want to compress more than 10%.

a drop tube is not necessary with pistol loads, that only comes into play with bp rifle cartridges.
doesn't matter how many grains of powder you have in the case, the important part is getting a good 1/8th of an inch(0.125") of compression. a compressed load makes it a gun, an air space makes it a grenade, this is a rule of thumb you do not wish to test. with bp +/- 5(five)grns will not be seen over a chronograph.
35grns of 3f is a stout load, it will get that 250g bullet to around 850ft/s. 35grns of 2f knocks about 100ft/s off the top.
regular large pistol primers will work, large magnums work better. .
bp subs work the same way....no air pockets, and they certainly need mag primers to work best.

bp also leads to some unique gun and case clean up needs.

**ironcowboy** · November 26th, 2009, 11:59 AM

WOW, thanks for the info guys! I'd have probably blown myself up! lol
I have a BP measurer for use with my muzzle loader, so i guess i'll start out with 30grns of 3F. So i load the case full, and then make sure the powder gets compressed, any clue how deep i should seat a 255grn bullet with this kind of load?

**brian** · November 26th, 2009, 01:06 PM

most lead rds for colt45 have a crimp groove in them, seat to that with a decent crimp. you need to keep the bullet on the powder.

with modern cases, ~35grns is good start, 30g's might not be enough.

**ironcowboy** · November 26th, 2009, 07:01 PM

Ok thanks, i'll give it a try and let you all know how it went.
One last question. I just cast a few bullets today, (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=775664) thats my mold. And before i try to load up a few test rounds, how important is it to lube the bullet? And if its needed, what should i use?