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Post by shootist---Gary on Feb 17, 2022 14:58:38 GMT -7
Hi Daniel.
I have not been able to find reloading data, using the .454, 330 grn. Keith SWC bullets that you cast for me to use in my new Uberti Cattleman .45 LC, with a 7 1/2" barrel. I have talked to local shooters that use it in Rugers & T/C's with higher pressure loadings, but not in Colt SAA pressure ranges. I called Alliant Powder today, & they do not have any data for this bullet, except in higher pressure loads. One local oldtimer that buys & sells reloading components at gun shows, & shoots CAS, & also hunts up north, recommended using Unique, starting around 7 grns., but to be very careful. Being that I don't have a chronograph, I want to find out what would be safe before I start loading anything. Hopefully, you, or anyone else can help me. Thanks.
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Post by Bullshop on Feb 17, 2022 15:55:04 GMT -7
From Lyman 4th edition cast bullet Saeco 300gn Trail Boss 3.8gn/538fps/9300psi--- max ---4.8gn/668fps/13900psi Titegroup 3.7gn/614fps/10800psi --- max --- 4.7gn/737fps/14000psi Red Dot 3.8gn/604fps/10800psi --- max --- 4.8gn/726fps/14000psi 231 4.5gn/636fps/11900psi --- max --- 5.6gn/749fps/14000psi unique 4.8gn/628fps/11200psi --- max --- 6.1gn/764fps/13900psi This data is for the Saeco 300gn Keith type bullet. Since your bullet is 10% heavier I believe if you reduce these charges by a corresponding 10% then the pressures should run very close to the same. With bullets in the 255gn range I like 5.8gn Trail Boss.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Feb 17, 2022 18:43:09 GMT -7
Thank you very much. Now I can get started, so when our weather clears up, I can start testing my gun. I'm going to a gun show saturday, so maybe can get a good deal on powder & primers.
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Post by missionary on Feb 18, 2022 0:51:44 GMT -7
I enjoyed reading through that list Dan. Thank you !! Unique is still our "go to" powder for any revolver load and most other "one handed" loads. It just works and unless you get way past Load Manual guidelines there is little to be concerned about. Full blown "Mag Loads" are another realm of containers but old Unique takes care of 95% of our needs if we desire. First pound of powder I bought when I ET'sd from the "Green Machine" (1974) was some Unique in the cylindrical cardboard steel ended containers. Still have enough on hand in storage to run us out of primers.
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Post by Bullshop on Feb 18, 2022 8:37:32 GMT -7
Yes once Hercules Unique now Alliant Unique is aptly named for its unique performance not only in handguns but also for use with mid velocity cast bullet rifle loads.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Feb 18, 2022 12:38:01 GMT -7
Mike & Daniel, just awhile ago, rummaging thru my stash, I found a box of my reloads from the early 1970's. 40 loaded rounds, using "new" Remington Brass, 240 grn. Keith hollow point wad cutter bullets, over 7.0 grns. of Unique powder. I'm glad that I wrote the load recipe on the box, as back then, I had 2 "old" Colt SAA's, & the Ruger "New" Model Convertible Blackhawk that also had a .45 A.C.P. cylinder. I loaded it hotter than this box. I still have more than 1/2 of the 13 oz. yellow can left, that has been stored in sealed army ammo boxes in my garage since I moved here 19 Oct. 1973. Also, found a box of 45 loaded reloads that I bought about 15 years ago from a friend at a gun show, that have the normal 255 gr, rfn bullet loaded to standard factory pressures for the Colt SAA's. When I start reloading your bullets, I will have a buffet of loads to try.
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Post by missionary on Mar 31, 2022 5:39:30 GMT -7
Good morning Gary Did you get out yet to light up any of those old loads you found?
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Post by shootist---Gary on Mar 31, 2022 17:53:48 GMT -7
Hello Mike. No, I haven't loaded anything yet, as I am tumbling about 350 Remington once fired brass from 30 & more years ago. I didn't have a tumbler back then, so just removed the spent primers & then resized & opened the case necks a bit, then put them back in the boxes & packed them away. I have learned not to remove the old primers before tumbling the cases in corncob media. Now, I have to pick corncob from the primer pocket on almost every case after tumbling them. I bought a Uberti Cattleman .45 Colt, with a 7 1/2" barrel after selling my old BP frame Colt. Daniel cast 300 various types of bullets for me, & a couple weeks ago, on a daytrip, found a small sporting goods store that had Unique powder in 1 lb. bottles (1 per customer) @ $39.95, so I bought 1, along with 200 CCI LP primers, $57+ total. Yesterday, I found 225 #457190 cast bullets that I made back in the early 1970's, that I'll have to lube. I have sizing / lube dies for .452 & .454, that fit in my Lyman 450 that is 50 years old, but only used for maybe 250 rounds, & is still in the box. I also found a box of my reloads for the Ruger Blackhawk "Convertible", .45 LC & .45 ACP cylinders, that I bought shortly after they came out, then sold about 20 years ago, with 240 Keith SWCHP bullets loaded with 7.0 grn Unique. I am now going to remove the bullets & powder, & reload them with about 5 grn. of Unique. Also, yesterday, while trying to learn what sizing dies I need to use for my old Colt .44 W.C.F., made in 1906, I read that we need to be very careful, even with very mild smokeless powder loads, for the older black powder era guns, that the frames are made of iron, rather than steel. It is recommended that if we do shoot them, it is best to use mild BP loads. The one that I had, I only shot 10 rounds thru it after re-barreling it from .38 spl., as I had heard about stressing the iron frames. Be careful.
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Post by missionary on Mar 31, 2022 18:14:40 GMT -7
I have been the corncob in the primer hole route also. Bought some back a few years when I could not find my box of crushed walnut shell. One option with old BP 73 frames is the 45 Schofield brass. Holds about 25 grains.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Mar 31, 2022 19:27:30 GMT -7
I knew that after the government bought the Schofield pistols, they went to that cartridge, as it worked in the Colt also, & as it was a shorter case, dropped the powder charge, I thought to 28 grains, but you maybe correct at 25.
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Post by missionary on Apr 1, 2022 14:57:04 GMT -7
New solid head brass holds less as the balloon head cases have that extra space around the primer area.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Apr 1, 2022 17:08:27 GMT -7
Rooting around my stash of old ammo & brass, I found a bunch of balloon head .44-40 cases. I ran them thru the Lyman Turbo vibrator with corncob media & Lyman case cleaner. I probably won't use them, but maybe someone for period accuracy, that will use BP in them, will want them.
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Post by missionary on Apr 2, 2022 5:03:49 GMT -7
Howdy Gary If no one else pipes up we have a late Model 1866 with a Center fire breach block they would work fine in.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 2, 2022 15:47:44 GMT -7
Should be good for black powder loads but be careful they can age harden. If they crack at the mouth when belling that could be a sign that they have become brittle.
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Post by missionary on Apr 3, 2022 15:24:33 GMT -7
Thank you Dan. I plan on annealing them before working them.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Apr 3, 2022 16:07:38 GMT -7
Michael, I attached pictures to an email I sent you.
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Post by missionary on Apr 3, 2022 18:25:36 GMT -7
Got them. Thank you and sent you an e-mail.
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