Gents, You fellas have enuff experience that maybe one of you can advise me.. I do load for a big rifle, HOWEVER my Dad has given me a Colt 45 made in 1894 and I intend to load proper ammo. I use GOEX because it is what is available around here and works nicely in my rifle. What granulation is the right one for the 45 Colt ctg, and should I use a newsprint wad over powder or a card wad?? I am not even averse to using (shudder) Pyrodex if it works right. Given the revoling cylinder it actually may not be a real bad idea, but you guys are the longer experienced in this. Thanx

Personally I doubt that I would shoot it

I've been shooting that gun since I was 7 when my Dad first got it. I'm 56 now so I think it works ok. My Dad always was crazier than me but not by much. I ain't much for hangin' guns on a wall. I shoot an original Sharps so why not a Colt 45 as its companion??

ET,
FWIW, I don't shoot original Colts, (Vaqueros- which will take a pretty hot smokeless load), but use enough 2f Goex to allow 1/16"-1/8" compression with the bullet seated properly (around 30 grs.), 250 gr. LFN- no wad. I'm surprised that you have shot smokeless in that '73 SA- everything that I have read indicates that there is a fair chance of blowing up the cylinder. We have a match every year with .45 Colt SA's where we move the Silhouettes in 100 yds. (chickens at 100 instead of 200). The Rams only ring, but the Turkeys sometimes go down if hit high. The outhouse at 600 yds. takes almost 50' over with a regular sight alignment- try it with the whole front blade + 1/4" of muzzle showing. Make smoke, ..Dennis

I should have clarified it some. My bad. My Dad fitted a smokeless proof cylinder to the gun so he could shoot it. I have the original cylinder IF I decided to mount it, but I consider the frame to be the soft spot so to speak. I intend to shoot the hell out of it but with BP ammo. Hmmm. I would've thought it woulda been 3f but I bow to experience.

ET,
I have used 3f also, but just have more 2f around! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Glad you clarified the cylinder question!
As a side note to your 101st signature- I got to hear first hand last year from General Kinard (he was Gen. McCaulum's(?) XO at Bastonge), about how the German Col. reacted to the "Nuts" reply. "Nootz, nootz- vas ees NOOTZ??" That kept them confused for 36 hrs., during which time, two Pathfinders parachuted in & directed in a heavy drop of food & ammo. ..Dennis