I put a set of XS ghost ring sights on my 94 45 Colt. For me, it is a major improvement over the factory sights. 25 yard groups were one ragged hole. 50 yards about 1.5". 75 yards, 3.0. I was shooting a bullet from Lee's 300 rfn mold which end up 315 gr. with lube and gas check, which brings me to my question. I am shooting 23.0 gr. of Win. 296. Starline brass and WLP primer. They crono 1565 fps at 10 feet from the muzzle. Is this about max for a 94AE? I would really like to get to 1600 fps. I have some VV N-110 on hand but have not found any load data for this powder in heavy 45 Colt loads. Any input is appreaciated.

I put a set of XS ghost ring sights on my 94 45 Colt. For me, it is a major improvement over the factory sights. 25 yard groups were one ragged hole. 50 yards about 1.5". 75 yards, 3.0. I was shooting a bullet from Lee's 300 rfn mold which end up 315 gr. with lube and gas check, which brings me to my question. I am shooting 23.0 gr. of Win. 296. Starline brass and WLP primer. They crono 1565 fps at 10 feet from the muzzle. Is this about max for a 94AE? I would really like to get to 1600 fps. I have some VV N-110 on hand but have not found any load data for this powder in heavy 45 Colt loads. Any input is appreaciated.

Hi Ted, I recently mounted XS ghost rings on my 94AE Ranger Compact .357, and must concur with you, great sight system especially for these short barrel guns increasing the sight radius, and thus increasing accuracy. I've been using H110 forever but read somewhere online that the VV N110 is superior to H110/W296, that you can use the loading table for the H110, but you'll get higher velocity at less pressure, with better accuracy. Sounds to good to be true don't it. Let me do some searching, and get back to you with the acticle website.

I put a set of XS ghost ring sights on my 94 45 Colt. For me, it is a major improvement over the factory sights. 25 yard groups were one ragged hole. 50 yards about 1.5". 75 yards, 3.0. I was shooting a bullet from Lee's 300 rfn mold which end up 315 gr. with lube and gas check, which brings me to my question. I am shooting 23.0 gr. of Win. 296. Starline brass and WLP primer. They crono 1565 fps at 10 feet from the muzzle. Is this about max for a 94AE? I would really like to get to 1600 fps. I have some VV N-110 on hand but have not found any load data for this powder in heavy 45 Colt loads. Any input is appreaciated.

Hi Ted, go here: http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/download.asp and if you have adobe acrobat reader then you can download their reloading manual. Only problem is their loads for 45 Colt are for low pressure Peacemakers so you have to look at the 454 Casull table low end, and reduce at least 10% further, i'm still looking for the original article stating h110 n110 interchangabilty in load tables.

I already have the Vihtavuori manual, and have used N-110 extensively in 357, 41, and 44 Magnums. It has proved to be a major improvement over 296/H110 in those calibers, at least in my guns. By comparing load data for those calibers with 296 and N-110, it certainly does not appear that you could safely substitute load data. N-110 is a faster burning powder. Somewhere between AA#9 and 296/H110.