I was a little surprised to see that there weren't a gaggle of 45 Colt loads that were in the upper power end of the spectrum, listed in the loadswap.com section. I am NOT "power hungry", but with my new RUGER 7-1/2" SA, I would think that it could be somewhat comparable to the .44 Mag. I am careful and don't just jump into loads as posted, but I would appreciate some suggestions.

I have used 11.0 gr of UNIQUE for approx 1200 fps with a 250 gr cast bullet for years with satisfaction in the accuracy and power department. I would like a similar load in my .45 Colt.

Thanks.

High performance .45 Colt load data is not too difficult to find these days. I don’t believe we have ever had a serious thread on loading for the heavy handguns.
Marlin Collector started a thread on loading heavy bullets for the .45 Colt rifle. John Kort and I added a rough bibliography of high performance .45 Colt articles. The thread is not in keeping with heavy handgun loads for the .45 Colt but the articles mentioned are useful for load development.
Here is a link to the thread and the posts listed below have a list of significant magazine articles and a few links to on-line articles dealing with high performance .45 Colt loads.
<O:p</O:p
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=22882&highlight=457122 (http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=22882&highlight=457122)
<O:p</O:p
Post #30
Post #41
Post #44
Post #47
Post #48
Post #61
Post #70

I've read much on loading "modern" 45 Colt firearms and componants to "full potential". I believe much of it to be very credible and safe to do.

Never have found a "need" to make that big, heavy bullet go past 1000fps to do good work. 255 grains at that speed still impress me. Is kind to the firearm and shooter. Is hard on the intended target. Only reason to "hotrod" it is because you can.

You can enjoy the "moment of harvest" 33.3% longer at 1000fps. than at 1500fps:).

Cheezywan

Google "Taffin loads", and you'll find plenty of data on mild to wild loads in 45C. Check the cylinder throats before you start serious load development. They need to be close to 0.452. .448 is what the smallest of mine was before I used Marshal's technique to make all of them uniformly close in size. Here's a link to Marshal's article:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/59

The Colt isn't a magnum and doesn't need to be loaded as one.I have loaded it from 800 to 1900fps in rifles and for general shooting My favorite load is Keiths Lyman 265gr over 18.5gr of 2400. one of the best articles is this from John Linebaugh.Good Shooting.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

I loaded up some 240 Sierra with 20 grains of AAC Number 9 behind it for consumption by my modified Ruger .45 convertible. I am glad I had that experience. The pistol handled it much better than I did. The load was accurate but the grip geometry was uncomfortable for me with this load. I had the forcing cone reamed and the cylinders honed to spec. This allowed me to shoot cast with comfort. I now am loading a 240 Keith with 8.5 grains of Unique behind it. It is accurate, powerful enough and relatively inexpensive to load. This is my favorite BBQ gun.

My best deer thumping load is the 335 gr LBT and the 325 gr Lyman, loaded with 21.5 gr's of 296 with a Fed 150 primer. Velocity is 1160 fps.