Need some .45 Colt loading tables for 265 grain lead bullets

[Bigbore44]

All my reloading manuals came over on the Mayflower, there isn't too much on 265grain .45 Colt lead bullets, I can also make these with gaschecks.

Can anyone recomend a manual that deals with that bullet weight.

I don't want hot loads, just medium velocities in the 750 to 850 fps range.

Thanks, Jim

[kg42]

Hi Jim,

Try the online resource of your favorite powder maker; they mostly deal with JHP's which should be to your advantage if you don't cast too soft.
You can also use 300gr data; speeds are usually similar for a given load.
Of course they sometimes don't use real guns so the speeds are general infos...

http://www.accuratepowder.com/loadda...n_standard.htm
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45colt.php
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt45lc.htm

....and check the exits diameters of these cylinders

kg

[Bigbore44]

Thanks, KG42. Just what I was hoping for.

Jim

[kg42]

I forgot theses two; topping at 250-255gr but very detailed with starting loads and mostly lead fodder.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/cowboy/spc45lc.php
http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm

I think that for a 15gr (6%) difference you can safely extrapolate a good load.
What's your bullet by the way?

kg

[Bigbore44]

My main bullet these days seem to be the Lee 255 grain RNFT cast lead bullet from a six cavity gang mould.

Here's pix of it being swaged to take gaschecks using a C-H swage die.

Jim

[ebner glocken]

If memory serves correctly try Hodgen #26 manual.

[kg42]

So I gather it weights 265gr with the check? Hopefully you won't need the extra work with your guns.
I used a two cavs of that design some years ago; it looked more flat nosed than yours:

It seems they reviewed the design when they re-introduced the 200gr version:

I shortened that 255 to 200gr (cut 1 band and 1 groove off) and was much happier with the ease of casting; not to mention being able to use it in 45 auto

[Bigbore44]

I have this same 255 grain Lee bullet that actually weighs that much, lead must be a bit harder to weigh more. Its a real good bullet and shoots to POA with 8.0 grains of 800X, or 7.0 - 7.5 grains of Unique, or 7.0 grains of HS6.

Guess I'll try using the same loading on the 265 grainers but cut it two tenths of a grain. Heck, it might work out OK at the same levels.

Today I cast a couple of hundred #429470 Lyman RN 210 grainers that came out 215 grains. This was time consumming as it was a single cavity mould...but nice little bullet. It cast .432 diameter which is just about right for my .430 sizing die.


Jim

[kg42]

That LEE design takes more space in the case than most standard bullets, which raises pressure, but didn't cause me any worries.
On the plus side, it gets a better grip in the case neck without abusive crimp.... assuming that your dies are realistically made for 452 bullets ....life is too short for regular case trimming
I used 45 auto dies and resized the case only enough to slip into a dirty chamber... most of the time; the short expander really helped for neck tension too; I still got too many split necks thanks to generous chambers dimensions.

kg

[Bigbore44]

Wow! Glad I don't have all those hinky problems, that would aggrivate the dickens out of me.

So far so good on loading .452 and .454 bullets in their respected revolvers...just have to use two sets of loading dies.

Its odd though, I've got two calibers that have casted the same 265 grain weight...the .44s and .45s.

The .44 is a #429244 GC bullet, and the .45 is a RNFT #454 Lee double lube groove bullet. (Same one in picture with GC)

It will be interesting to see what comes from loading these lard butt bullets.

I plan on loading in the early 800 fps range.


Jim