Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 45 colt/300 grain XTP/ramshot true blue powder

I was looking for a load for a Marlin 1894 45 colt. Ramshot data says 7.5 grains of True Blue powder pushes a Hornady 300 grain XTP at 811 fps(seven inch barrel). Has anyone tried this load or Ramshot True Blue powder?

That would be a very mild load. Speer lists 9.5 grs. of Unique, which is a much faster powder, at 880 fps in a 7.5 inch Blackhawk with their 300 gr. jacketed bullet.
With HS-7, which is slower, their start load is 14.0 grs. AA#7, which is faster, they list a starting load of 15 grs. All with their 300 gr. bullets. E

If to be used on big game, you might not get expansion. The 300 grain XTP is a magnum bullet constructed to open at faster velocities than those mentioned.

Should I use a slower or faster burning powder?

My thought - and what I use in my M94 Win Trapper- is W296. Use the standard version XTP if you want soft-flesh expansion. The Mag version is too hard unless you really crank the speed - more than you can reasonably expect to get out of a Colt even in a longer barrel. You can safely use 20-21 grains of 296 (or H110) in a strong Colt chamber. I often actually shoot a grain or two more in mine, and usually with a hard cast bullet. You can see 1000-1200 fps in a Ruger (or other strong) revolver; 1500-1600 in the 16" Trapper barrel.