45 Colt - Standard Pressure

Handload Data - Handgun
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Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5% as a starting point for development where cartridges have greater than 40 grains in capacity and 10% for cartridges with less than 40 grain capacity following safe handloading practices as represented in established mainstream reloading manuals. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.

45 Colt Standard 14.0 KPSI
Firearm Ruger Blackhawk
Barrel Length 5.5″
Max Case Length 1.285″ +0.000″/-0.020″
Min – Max COL 1.515″ – 1.600″
Primer CCI 300 – Large Pistol
Bullet Diameter 0.4560″ +0.000″/-0.0060″
Reloading Dies RCBS
Bullet Type Bullet
Weight
Grains		 Net H2O
Grains
Capacity		 COL” Powder Type Powder
Charge
Grains		 Muzzle
Velocity
fps		 Muzzle
Energy
ft/lbs
Speer HP 200 30.5 1.545 Alliant Unique 9.5 1083 521
Speer HP 200 30.5 1.545 Hodgdon HP-38 8.5 1041 481
Speer HP 200 30.5 1.545 Hodgdon HS-6 12.5 1108 545
Speer JHP
 225
 30.6
 1.590
 Alliant Power Pistol
 10.5
 1028
 528
Speer JHP
 225
 30.6
 1.590
 Alliant Blue Dot 14.0 988 488
Speer JHP
 225
 30.6
 1.590
 Hodgdon HS-6
 11.5
 974
 474
Sierra JHP 240 28.0 1.565 Accurate No. 9 14.5 917 448
Sierra JHP 240 28.0 1.565 Alliant Power Pistol 9.5 927 458
Sierra JHP 240 28.0 1.565 CFE Pistol 9.0 905 437
Hornady HP/XP 250 27.3 1.595 Alliant Unique 8.0 911 461
Hornady HP/XP 250 27.3 1.595 Alliant Power Pistol 9.0 886 436
Hornady HP/XP 250 27.3 1.595 Hodgdon CFE Pistol 9.0 894 444
TrueShot Cast SWC
 255 27.0 1.595 Hodgdon CFE Pistol 9.0 966 529
TrueShot Cast SWC
 255 27.0 1.595 Hodgdon HS-6 10.5 941 502
TrueShot Cast SWC
 255 27.0 1.595 Ramshot True Blue 9.0 919 478
Speer JHP
 260
 27.6
 1.590
 Accurate No.9
 14.0
 889
 456
Speer JHP 260 27.6 1.590 Alliant Blue Dot 12.5 910 478
Speer JHP 260 27.6 1.590 Hodgdon HS-6 10.0
 906
 474

Comments appearing below are posted by individuals in a free exchange, not associated with Real Guns. Therefore RGI Media takes no responsibility for information appearing in the comments section. Reader judgement is essential.

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One Comment

  1. Michael Stewart
    March 26, 2024 at 11:26 am  ·  

    I have used the 7.2-8.0/Unique/250-260 gr. LRN/LSWC load for over 4 decades in probably a dozen different .45 Colt caliber firearms. I find its capacity to deliver superb accuracy and uniform performance simply astonishing. The 8.0/Unique/250-255 gr. load delivers 850 +/- 50 f/s in revolvers with barrel lengths in the 4.75″ to 7.5″ range, and slightly over 900 f/s from carbines.
    In articles of this type, there is inevitably a time/space constraint that limits the number of propellants used with any given cartridge. Consequently, I DO NOT fault the author for not experimenting with Alliant Herco in .45 Colt. I nonetheless offer Alliant Herco an “honorable mention” as another medium-rate pistol propellant which delivers superb accuracy and consistency in the venerable .45 Colt round. Reloading data will be very similar to that for Alliant Unique, and will tend to deliver slightly higher velocities at maximum charge weights, especially in longer barrels.
    Very informative and interesting article. Kudos to the author.

    1

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