Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 45 colt, 300 gr loads

Bullet weight will not stress a SAA within it's pressure limits, too much pressure will stress a SAA even with a light weight bullet

You're right about pressure.

But, you and I know 300 gr. slugs significantly increase recoil. I was concerned about increased recoil battering the gun, maybe increasing end to end cylinder play and causing excessive wear and tear. To me, that would be more of a concern that pressure, especially when using H-4227.

DF

Hodgdon list a max load of 10 grains of HS-6 behind the Sierra 300 Grain JFP for 730 FPS at 13,700 CUP. No way this load will stress a SAA in any way

+1 and make it a proper cast bullet and stress it even less and not worry about one sticking.

Exactly

You guys make good points. Still don't think I'd use 300 gr. slugs in a 1st Gen. SAA. That's just me.

DF

As far as 1st Generation Colt SSA .45 Colt rounds go, I wouldn't be too worried about stoppng most anything with the 255/265 grains hard cast bullets, loaded to the old standard factory loads, if I shot accurately.

In his book, FIFTY YEARS ON THE OLD FRONTIER, As Cowboy, Hunter, Guide, Scout, And Ranchman, by James H. Cook, Yale University Press, �1923, Cook relates how he used his Colt's SAA .45 Colt to shoot through the spine of a large bull buffalo. The buffalo fell and then Cook walked up to within "eight to ten paces" and put a .45 bullet through his skull, front to back. Doesn't sound like too bad penatration to me.

Although in his book Cook did not mention "reloading" his own ammo, I'd hazard a guess he was using the standard factory .45 Colt black powder cartridge of the day. I haven't looked it up lately but wasn't that old standard b.p. load at that time running about 925+/- FPS from a 7�" pistol barrel?

If one is stepping up the velocity for a Ruger B.H., then I'd bet there's not much out there that could not be downed with a good 255/265 bullet running at 1,050+/- FPS, placed in the right spot.

Perhaps I'm prejudiced but I really like the Beartooth Bullets 265 grains g.c. bullet in my Ruger B.H. at about 1,000 FPS. Works for me.

L.W.

10grs Unique will reach your goal. It's my only load for Ruger Bisleys, and is a great balance of "enough" while being comfortable and fun to shoot. A pound of powder goes twice as far as the heavy H110 loads too.

Not quite 300 grs. but bad to the bone...

Penn Bullets Thunderhead, 270 gr. Check out that meplat...

DF


http://www.pennbullets.com/thunderheads.html

R.

a game STOMPER !?

or just target only??

I have two Ruger 45 Colt Bisleys. The first one I bought was a blued version with 7.5" barrel. The second was the stainless version with 5.5" barrel. I had some custom gunsmithing work done on both and both are certainly more accurate than I can shoot them. I use the stainless one much more than the other. I have two loads for it that shoot quite well. One for year round use and one for big game. I highly suspect that the year round load would work just fine for big game 95% (or so) of the time but I do not mind the recoil of the heavier load. The lighter load uses a 290 grain Keith bullet and 18 grains of 2400. Velocity is about 1100 fps. My heavier load uses the 345 grain BTB WLNGC bullet and 22.5 to 23.5 grains of H110 (depends on lot) to give 1170 fps. When I first started shooting the heavy loads they sure battered my fingers. I would get bruised knuckles from the trigger guard. I bought a padded shooting glove but stopped using that years ago. I really do not know what changed but now I do not get battered knuckles and do not find the recoil objectionable. I have killed 3 black bears with similar loads.

A real "Thumper", for meat...

I haven't killed anything yet with this bullet. Gunner500 shot a doe with one and said a hunting buddy near by heard the bullet hit. I've got to get one of these into a hog. I think the shock effect will be note worthy.

DF

ever since i saw the pic of that bullet, i've been thinking about the sound it would make on impact. no surprise someone nearby heard gunner's shot on that doe.

i wasn't sure if you were a handgun hunter, or if you just used your revolver for recreational target shooting--when we've visited in the past, i didn't remember you mentioning hunting with the handgun--a great surprise!

if you use that coffee can on a hog--it will be "hog heaven" for sure...

I was shooting rabbits and squirrels with a pistol when I was a kid.

I go thru phases. Am now more into rifles, even some big ones. Plan to shoot a S. TX Nilgai with my newly built .404J in March.

DF

Revisiting older threads is sometimes more useful than ...just experimenting..
Useful powders: Have 2400, 4227, Unique. 300 gr plain base-lead cast. Lyman.

Not only a NM Blackhawk. A 7 1/2 inch Colt New Service will have to be watched.
Have some Hawk 260 grs for use in the West or Alaska. The problem with
bear spray is wind direction and bear temperament.

300 gr WFN (Montana Bullet Works) over 10.4 gr of plain ol’ Unique gives me an average of 1044 fps w/ 11 fps stdev out of a Clements large frame SS Ruger Bisley Vaquero with adjustable sights and 5.5” barrel.

It is also accurate and soft shooting.

Make sure you have enough front sight for the heavy loads.

This is not second hand information. This is my load and these are my measurements.

for sure............my 4 inch redhawk will not shoot anywheres close to point of aim with the 300 and up heavyweights


shoots way , way , way, high

John Linebaugh: Writings-- site is most helpful/ Dissolving the 45 Colt myths.
Actually the weaker loads may need more ft sight. Adjustable sights really help.
Just put together some 300 gr heavies with 2400. Worked well in a NM Blackhawk.

Linebaugh has done the research big time for the 45 Colt.

Jacketed bullets have more friction, cast lead bullets may well be your best bet.

My aim is a 1050-1100 FPS 300gr cast Keith bullet for bears in the alders or on WY-MT fishing trips.
Worked this past summer in the Wind River range. Felt more secure with the Ruger
backing up the red canister. An Alaskan was found mauled and dead -next to his empty bear spray can,
earlier this year.

It's all I use in 480 Ruger and 454 Casull these days, and have also used it in 45 Colt with good results. I agree with Dirtfarmer in that recoil feels milder than with other slower powders like H110.

I've been shooting my Ruger Redhawk 45LC quite a bit of late. Wanted the same as you. I recently ran 12.0 of Longshot last week under the 300 grain XTP. I did NOT chrono the load. Book specs put it right around your requirements. Think I've found Uptopia. Recoil is manageable. Accuracy is very very good. And Longshot seems to be one of the most readily available powders I can find locally and not priced at $50 a pound.