I want to try some 2400 in an LC load. My #14 shows data for a 250 gr. jacketed bullet, but nothing with 2400 and a cast 250 gr. bullet.

Can I safely use jacketed bullet data for a cast lead load? I'd have to go by seat-of-the-pants indications like extraction problems and recoil, no chronograph available.

My favorite load for the .45 is Elmer Keith's standard load of 18.5gr of 2400 under the Lyman/Keith 255gr bullet. with wheelweights my mold drops 265gr bullets. this is a top end load for the Colt style SAA. it shoots around 1150fps from a revolver and close to 1500fps thru my 24" rifle. Jim.

It very much depends on the gun it's being fired from; but as a general matter, "Keith" load data scares the bejeezus out of me. His definition of a safe load (much like PO Ackley's) was "the load that blew up the last gun, less one grain."

I'm more cautious than that.

Any Lyman manual will have published data for the 45 Colt, using several different-strength guns (be sure to use the right data tables!) with both jacketed and cast bullets.

Generaly Jacketed bullet load data should be fine with hard cast bullets. Hard cast generaly gives lower pressure than the same wieght jacketed with the same powder charge

Generaly Jacketed bullet load data should be fine with hard cast bullets. Hard cast generaly gives lower pressure than the same wieght jacketed with the same powder charge

Well, that was my gut instinct too. Glad to see it corroborated.

I don't believe I'll crank it up to Mr. Keith's level, but, IIRC, the jacketed 250gr. loads started around 16.5 grains, so I'll try that for openers.

Thanks, folks!

about 30 years ago i tried some of keiths recomendations in the 45 colt using my ruger blackhawk, it was 22- 23 grains of 2400 behind a 250 grain bullet. they did ok and i had no ill affects but i understand that todays 2400 is a little faster although i havent confirmed that. actually that was his recomendation for both the 44 mag and 45 colt but not for the colt single action army, just the ruger. i read that from his own article and tried them. i wouldnt recomend it today.

I loaded up a box using 16 gr. of 2400. Saw a definite increase in recoil over the 8.5 of Unique but still comfortable to shoot, and no problems with extraction. In fact, most of the cases fell out if I tipped the barrel up.

I need to get or borrow a chronograph before I play much more, as the max recommended load in my Lymans manual is 16.8

How many guns did Elmer Keith blow up?

How many guns did Elmer Keith blow up?

i only heard of one blown gun. i think it was when he was hot rodding an old colt single action.

i only heard of one blown gun. i think it was when he was hot rodding an old colt single action.


That was the old Colt in 45 Colt.Elmer then concentrated on the 44 Special in the S&W Hand Ejector as it was strong for the hotter loads..

That is my recollection.

If You Guys haven't seen this article it is one of the best ever written, by John Linebaugh.... http://www.johnlinebaugh.net/

The link didn't work. go to "writings" "the .45 colt".

If You Guys haven't seen this article it is one of the best ever written, by John Linebaugh.... http://www.johnlinebaugh.net/


An excellent read, and just what I was looking for. Thanks!

i only heard of one blown gun. i think it was when he was hot rodding an old colt single action.


The load Elmer Keith blew up a .45 Colt Single Action with was a 300 grain lead bullet on top of all the fffg black powder that would fit!

The load Elmer Keith blew up a .45 Colt Single Action with was a 300 grain lead bullet on top of all the fffg black powder that would fit!


that was the day he was on his balcony celebrating july 4th wasnt it?

iirc
he ground that b/p down with a mortar and pestle, probably had about 50gr worth in there.

I seriously doubt 50 grains of black powder would fit even if ground as fine as talcum powder. The SAA was most likely a 19th century version that let go with a somewhat oversized 300 grain rifle bullet seated on all the fffg that would fit. The event was in the 1920's and some of the brown powders of the late 19th century that were finer and hotter than the usual fffg black powders were still around. Regardless, the safety margin of that particular gun was exceeded by a charcoal based powder - not a smokeless propellant.

I would imagine that about 30 grains woulod be very compressed

however much he got in there it was too much, and i aint gonna try it to find out.