Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns best powder in 45 Colt for mid range loads?

I would like to come up with a very accurate load for my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt using a 260 grain to 280 grain Keith type bullet. Velocity preferably in the 900 to 1100 fps range. Can you guys recommend a best powder and charge that might get me there? Thanks, Rufous

You cannot beat Alliant 2400 for mid-range Ruger only .45 Colt loads. Try about 17.0 grains with your 260 Keith. Even better, go to John Taffins website and read some of the articles - you will read for days! http://www.sixguns.com/

Alliant 2400 is great, but I prefer Blue Dot, as it doesn't leave as many kernels and those loads are more in its pressure range for that speed/bullet weight.
Some guys use Unique, and I can agree with that one as well, but watch the charges closely.

We used to load a lot of 255grn SWC in 45Colt with Unique. Nice load.

Try 10 grains of Unique or 13 grains of HS6.


Okie John

My pet load is 17 grains of 2400 behind a 270 grain (mine drop at 276 grains) RCBS 45-270-SAA Keith type SWC. Out of my 4 3/4" Peacemaker it makes an even 900fps.

My load for Unique is 9 grains.

I use 20 grains of 2400 under a 250 gr XTP. Les

24.5 gr's IMR 4227 under a 250 XTP. I am about to start development with Power Pistol. It works great in my 45 Super.

I still do, 8.5 grains Unique under the 255 Keith with Winchester WLP primers. VERY nice load IMHO but not for old guns!!!

I'm running 19 under a 230. I admit to using an old book, but that "old book" lists those type loads for only the Contenders and Ruger Blackhawks

Yep, but remember the Redhawks and Super Redhawks are even stronger still, than the blackhawks. I darn sure wouldn't shoot my loads in anything else. Les

9.0 grains of Unique seems to be the most accurate charge weight of that powder with 255 grain cast bullets across 4 or 5 of my .45 Colt Rugers - all Blackhawks of various configurations.

8.0 gr. of Winchester 231 seems to be another "sweet spot" loading that works well in every .45 I've owned. Got that load from a Dave Scoville article who says he got it from one of the big bore gunsmiths, Linebaugh perhaps?

Both of those will run around 900-1000 fps depending on bullet weight and barrel length.

I guess I thought a 280 at 1100fps was more than a midrange load!! When I think midrange Im leaning towards a 255 at 900fps...

I use lil'gun with a 265gr LBT at 1200fps and have not found a pig that can stop it yet. Super accurate and real clean burning. It also meters great through a dillon press so that is another plus.