onefunzr2
12-19-2005, 05:58 PM
I bought a Taurus Total Titanium (TTT) 5 shot revolver in 45 Colt for my CCW primarily as protection for black bears. I have a night job around the resorts in the Pocono mountains area where tourists tend to feed these critters so they have less fear of humans than usual. And some weigh in the 700 to 800 pound catagory. Well fed to say the least.
I have 225 grain cast lead bullets made from wheelweights with a little tin added for strength. They are from a Lee round-nose tumble lube mold I normally use in my 45ACP. I'd like to utilize these bullets as this gun will be carried much, but fired little. But if and when it is needed I'd like it to penetrate to the vitals if not through and through. I figure a hardcast lead bullet like this would do the trick.
As we all know, most gun manufacturers these days frown on the use of handloads. Well screw 'em! I intend on making up as powerful a handload as possible for this revolver. Taurus states that any factory load that does not exceed 900fps with a 250 grain bullet is safe in this titanium handgun but does not differentiate lead or jacketed.
There are more recipes for the 45 Colt than you can shake a stick at, running from wimpy cowboy action loads all the way up to 45 magnum hunting loads. Most are for either 250 or 255 grain bullets and a barrel length of 5 to 7 inches.
Anyway I thought I'd work up some trial loads. I used AA #5,
VV N-340, IMR SR-4756, and WW 231. The Winchester powder was the cleanest burning by far. Other powders I have on hand but yet to try are: AA #9, AA 5744, Bluedot, Herco, HS-7, VV N-320, PowerPistol and Universal Clays.
One recipe I found for WW 231 and a 225\230 grain bullet goes from 7.2 to 10.5 grains. No pressure or speed is indicated. As I worked up from the starting load I fired each 5 shot group over the Oehler 35 chrono using first my 45 Colt Taurus Raging Bull (RB) with 6" barrel then the Titanium 5 shooter with 2" barrel. I finally stopped at 10 grains even. Average speed for the RB was 1,085fps. The average for the TTT was 870.
No pressure signs or bullet jump. The empties (new Starline nickel) actually fell from the chambers of their own accord, same as with the starting load. I'd be happy to stop right here.
I know it isn't the perfect medium, but my liquid alox hardcast bullets penetrated
5 inches of dry phonebook at 15 feet. The bullets did not mushroom or deform. A slight smearing on one side of the nose is all.
So, my questions are:
1. Is there a relationship between cast and jacketed bullet load recipes?
2. If 250grain at 900fps is safe, what is safe for 225 grains?
3. Is 10 grains of WW231 over-pressure\over-power for this snubby?
4. If so, what IS a safe max for this alloy-framed pocket pistol?
I have 225 grain cast lead bullets made from wheelweights with a little tin added for strength. They are from a Lee round-nose tumble lube mold I normally use in my 45ACP. I'd like to utilize these bullets as this gun will be carried much, but fired little. But if and when it is needed I'd like it to penetrate to the vitals if not through and through. I figure a hardcast lead bullet like this would do the trick.
As we all know, most gun manufacturers these days frown on the use of handloads. Well screw 'em! I intend on making up as powerful a handload as possible for this revolver. Taurus states that any factory load that does not exceed 900fps with a 250 grain bullet is safe in this titanium handgun but does not differentiate lead or jacketed.
There are more recipes for the 45 Colt than you can shake a stick at, running from wimpy cowboy action loads all the way up to 45 magnum hunting loads. Most are for either 250 or 255 grain bullets and a barrel length of 5 to 7 inches.
Anyway I thought I'd work up some trial loads. I used AA #5,
VV N-340, IMR SR-4756, and WW 231. The Winchester powder was the cleanest burning by far. Other powders I have on hand but yet to try are: AA #9, AA 5744, Bluedot, Herco, HS-7, VV N-320, PowerPistol and Universal Clays.
One recipe I found for WW 231 and a 225\230 grain bullet goes from 7.2 to 10.5 grains. No pressure or speed is indicated. As I worked up from the starting load I fired each 5 shot group over the Oehler 35 chrono using first my 45 Colt Taurus Raging Bull (RB) with 6" barrel then the Titanium 5 shooter with 2" barrel. I finally stopped at 10 grains even. Average speed for the RB was 1,085fps. The average for the TTT was 870.
No pressure signs or bullet jump. The empties (new Starline nickel) actually fell from the chambers of their own accord, same as with the starting load. I'd be happy to stop right here.
I know it isn't the perfect medium, but my liquid alox hardcast bullets penetrated
5 inches of dry phonebook at 15 feet. The bullets did not mushroom or deform. A slight smearing on one side of the nose is all.
So, my questions are:
1. Is there a relationship between cast and jacketed bullet load recipes?
2. If 250grain at 900fps is safe, what is safe for 225 grains?
3. Is 10 grains of WW231 over-pressure\over-power for this snubby?
4. If so, what IS a safe max for this alloy-framed pocket pistol?