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Thread: Reloading .45 Colt for indoor use and bowling pins.

  1. #31
    Sorry to cause confusion, but I feel your pain. Reloading is rewarding, but it can be frustrating at times. I remember trying to find a minor load for .38 Special in a 4" gun to use in IDPA matches. Nothing I tried would reach the minimum velocity I needed.

    Slow powders are what is used in the loads for maximum velocity per bullet weight. They burn slower and and for a longer time in long barrels. For instance, 2400, N110, etc. Fast powders are such as Bullseye that burn faster and are for lower velocity target loads where less recoil is wanted. Medium powders are, well, medium.

    I noticed that your bullet has 2 crimp grooves. I'm guessing that they are to load to the same COL in both 38 Special and 357 magnum brass. If you are using 357 brass, then crimp in the groove nearest the bullet nose.

    Just keep trying. It's a Long Way to the Top If You Wanna Rock N' Roll.

  2. #32
    Here's a chart showing powder burning rates:

    http://www.frfrogspad.com/burnrate.htm

    Note that it includes rifle powders.
    Last edited by BN; 01-30-2018 at 09:45 AM.

  3. #33
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    To the op I'm writing my opinion. 45 years ago the Speer manual current then had an article titled "Why Ballisticians Get Gray". With humor I can say that you immediately understand that title. Now, I'm going to ramble a bit but will make a valid point or two. First I'll address the powders that I've used in handguns. Some are Green Dot, Red Dot, Blue Dot, Unique, Herco, H110, and Winchester 296. Did you know that these were designed for loading shotgun shells primarily? However, their burning rates permitted them to be used for reloading handgun calibers. H110 and Win 296 are identical powders made by Hodgdon. The popular 2400 powder is used in loading 410 shotgun shells as well as for loading heavy medium plus to heavy .357, .41, and .44 magnum ammo.

    Several companies have produced at least a score of reloading manuals during the last 50 years. None has identical data for the same loads. In fact, the data change over time. They have become more conservative--probably because of liability. In addition, powder manufacturers have provided their own data. And then gun writers have published favorite loads. The dot powders mentioned above were first made by Hercules. Now another company Alliant makes them, and some say that their powders vary slightly from the old Hercules brand.

    Handgun shooters can be served by three groups of powders: those in the fast, medium, and slow category. Right now you are working with a slow powder in a magnum case using a bullet that I consider to be heavy for its caliber. Note that I said heavy and not unsuitable. The best advice I can give is to set side the 180 grain bullets for later use and buy a box or two of 140-160 grain bullets. 158 grain is the grain weight most commonly seen in .38 spl/.357 mag data. With this grain weight you will find tons of data that will serve your purpose. You asked could a reloader use the same data for same weight bullets but of different brand. My answer is yes, but. The but part applies if the crimping grooves are in different positions causing one to be seated deeper than the other. Another but is that one may have a longer bearing surface than the other--meaning that one bullet has greater resistance(friction)to overcome. I would. You can if you are aware of certain factors.

    Consider using 158 grain bullets. I promise that things will get easier. And this is from a man who once blew up a nice revolver.
    Last edited by willie; 01-30-2018 at 11:19 AM.

  4. #34
    Thank you gentlemen for being patient, providing great knowledge, and pointing me towards more information. Plus some good laughs.
    I got a chance to run some more rounds thru the chrono this morning. We switched to Accurate No. 9 after doing a lot more research. Both the Hornady manual and Accurate's 6th edition manual show loads in the velocity range I'm looking for of 900 to 1000 FPS.

    At 10.0 grains it shows promise as the velocity averaged 841 FPS and I've got at least 0.5 grain left before hitting the max of 10.5 per Hornady's manual and 2.0 grains (for a max of 12.0 gr) per the Accurate manual.
    I'm beginning to think Hornady's manual is really conservative on the max. Additionally, I took a look at Accurate's Number 2 edition copyrighted in 2000, and the load for No. 9 with the 180 gr XTP bullet show the starting load at 11.7 gr and the max at 13.0 grains. The next steps, cautiously, are 10.2, 10.4, and 10.5 grains.

    I also tried Missouri Bullet Company's Hi-Tek 180 gr .358 pugnose bullet with the starting load for jacketed bullets out of Hornady's manual of 9.3 gr of Accurate No. 9. This combination looks like it will be great cheaper option. It produced 863 FPS with the 9.3 grains. Accurate has the starting load of 10.4 grains for a 180 gr WFNGC lead bullet. I'm going to try 9.5 and 9.7 and fine tune in that area.

    I'm having a lot of fun reading and researching this. It's quite therapeutic to load ammo. And challenging to find the right combination of powder and bullet.

    Now I have to figure out how remove the sheared front mounting screw of the LPA rear sight on my S&W 686 Plus...
    It never ends.

    I get to pick up my new Ruger New Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt next week. Can't wait to shoot it! I got some 250 gr RNFP Hi-Tek coated bullets from Missouri Bullet Company to try in it.
    Last edited by Exiledviking; 02-03-2018 at 02:20 AM.

  5. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by okie john View Post
    The cylinder gap is the likely culprit.


    Okie John
    Finally got to measure the cylinder gap this evening. It was right around 0.007 on all 7 cylinders. Thank you for making me explore that as I had no knowledge about it. Learned something new!

  6. #36
    Site Supporter Hambo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Exiledviking View Post
    Additionally, I took a look at Accurate's Number 2 edition copyrighted in 2000, and the load for No. 9 with the 180 gr XTP bullet show the starting load at 11.7 gr and the max at 13.0 grains.
    The brand new Western manual (including AA powder) lists the max of AA9 with that bullet at 12.0gr.
    "Gunfighting is a thinking man's game. So we might want to bring thinking back into it."-MDFA

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