Somewhere in the foggy past I read about a double roundball load in the 45 Colt for self defense. I have need of a single roundball load for 45 LC and cannot find a reference. Anyone out there that can help me?? Don't want high power(obviously) something with one roundball at 750fps would be about right I would think. thanks

I certainly wouldn't use it for defense, but I've been playing with a two-ball load for my 45 Colt, using two .454" muzzleloader balls over 4gr Unique. I settled on 4gr because higher charges cause more spread, at this charge the two balls are usually within an inch or so at 15 yards.

A faster powder might work better. I found it helps to lube the balls with Lee's liquid alox to reduce leading.

This load doesn't go very fast, and only penetrates about halfway through a 2x10 board, but is quieter than a .22 rifle, with no recoil, and works fine on rabbits. Because of the low velocity, it really knocks them over without much meat damage.

My Lyman 47th gives three loads for a .454 round ball.
4.3 grains of Red Dot @ 536 fps
6.5 grains of Unique @ 521 fps
7.2 grains of SR-7625 @ 602 fps
It gives these loads as MAX, with no minimum listed.

Their test firearm was a 7 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk, according to the book.

Be a little extra careful with round balls. They have a tendency (especially at lower velocities) to rebound off a hard target. Ask me how I know...

Here's another vote for those Lyman 47th loads. They work fine for me. They'd also work with a double-ball load because of the almost zero airspace remaining after the first ball is seated. I always rub a little lube between the two balls and crimp the top ball lightly right at its equator. Sure is fun seeing two holes appear with every trigger pull! I'll also confirm that these are very short-range loads - about 25 yards being maximum.

Be a little extra careful with round balls. They have a tendency (especially at lower velocities) to rebound off a hard target. Ask me how I know...

Reminds me of a highschool buddy who shot a road sign with a cap & ball revolver. The slug bounced off the sign and whacked him in the forehead. Broke skin, but that's all. We teased him endlessly about it.

seems that would be a great two ball load for a derringer 45 colt, four holes two shots... cool..
dk

I'd be extra careful in fooling around with those loads. While the combined weight of two balls is about 280 grains you must remember that seating them down into the case will greatly reduce powder capacity and thus greatly increase pressure compared to a 280 grain bullet seated normally. I once cracked a chamber in a strong Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt with a double ball load which I had believed to be mild. I don't now recall the powder, probably Unique, but I just didn't take into account how much a ball and a half down inside the case impinged on the powder space.