[rushtofer]

Ruger Bisley Blackhawk 5.5" barrel. Will be shooting 250 gr XTP bullet. Available powders on hand:H110,Longshot, Titegroup,Lilgun,Universal. Looking for the most accurate load based on your experiences. Would like something in the 1000-1100 fps velocity. Running out of time deer season right around the corner. Out of my typical 255SWC bullets. Only bullet available locally (without ordering) is the XTP. FYI, I have had great results with the 255 SWC Hardcast with 21 grains lilgun. Looking for that mythical "magic load" with the XTP. Please help.

 

[broom_jm]

Truth be told, there is no such thing as a mythical "magic load". Since you mentioned 21gr of Li'lgun, QL predicts that will create ~16,000psi and ~1040fps, out of your gun. For ranges appropriate to the task, I would imagine that load to be very effective. Accuracy from such a gun is usually more a factor of shooter ability and the optics/sights chosen. Presuming you're working from 75 yards or less, and have practiced for such, a 250gr XTP will be quite authoritative, with a solid hit.

Of the powders you listed H110 and Li'lgun are the only ones I would consider using. The other three are way too fast for hunting loads out of the 45LC, IMHO. For that bullet, I would be inclined to use Alliant Reloder 7, as it will run out of powder space before the pressures get crazy and I prefer cases that are close to 100% full, if good accuracy is the goal.

 

[Rocky Raab]

Hodgdon has data online for most of those powders. Ramshot doesn't list LongShot in their online data. Rather than risking my typing ability, visit the Hodgdon site for loads.

I don't use jacketed bullets in my 45 Colt any more, so I have no personal input.

 

[kludge]

Here's a copy/paste from Hodgdon...


45 Colt Ruger & T/C Contender Only

250 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon H110 .452" 1.600" start= 25.7 1398fps 27,000 CUP max = 26.5 1455 29,800 CUP
250 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Lil'Gun .452" 1.600" start = 23.5 1331fps 25,800 CUP max = 25.5 1410fps 29,800 CUP
250 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Longshot .452" 1.600" start = 12.0 1129fps 22,100 CUP max = 13.4 1252fps 29,900 CUP
250 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Titegroup .452" 1.600" start = 8.0 983fps 21,100 CUP max = 9.5 1124fps 29,100 CUP

source: www.hodgdon.com

H110 should not be reduced below listed start load, and that is more FPS than you are looking at wanting. Lil'Gun is also above your desired velocity.

Longshot looks like it will get you where you want to be, and maybe Titegroup.

 

[broom_jm]

Wow, that is a tight range on the H110...less than a full grain between min and max!

Does anyone know if Trailboss would be able to generate the velocity the OP is looking for, with a full case?

 

[kludge]

Good question.

Here's what I could find:

.45 Colt case holds 13.3gr of Trailboss (NOT load data!)

.45 Colt data from hodgdon.com

250 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR Trail Boss .452" 1.600" start = 4.5 606fps 8,800 PSI max = 5.8 727 12,700 PSI

IF the IMR people use their own formula then it's probably not possible.

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

This report says the 5.8gr load "pretty near fills the .45 Colt case to volume capacity." http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0901.html

No.7 as you stated, or No.9 would get him where he wants to be and do a good job of filling the cases and are well within pressure limits.

...from www.accuratepowder.com

45 Colt Ruger & T/C Contender Only
Barrel: 7.26" ■ Twist: 1-16" ■ Primer: WIN WLP ■ Bullet Dia.: .452"
No.7 240 SIE JHC start = 14.0 1,010 max = 15.5 1,148 20,400 1.570
No.7 250 NOS JHP start = 13.7 971 max = 15.2 1,103 19,600 1.585
No.9 250 RAN FP start = 16.2 1,008 max = 18.0 1,146 20,000 1.585
No.9 300 HDY XTP start = 13.5 710 max = 15.0 807 19,500 1.580

 

[Rocky Raab]

Nope. A load of trail Boss right up to the bullet base (you should NEVER compress Trail Boss!) will give you only about 700 fps.

The Hodgdon loads so kindly posted by kludge are wrist-breakers -- WAY hotter than I'm willing to shoot. The Ruger will handle them, but I don't care to. Frankly, there aren't many critters that won't topple over quite nicely after a 900 fps injection of 250 grains of 45 Colt medicine.

Broom, the reason for the very tight range on H110 is that H110/W296 can produce hangfires and secondary ignition detonations if reduced more than about 5% from maximum. It's full throttle or not at all with H110/W296.

 

[MikeG]

Yeah, the problem with H110 in that application is that the minimum pressure to get it to burn completely, is right at about the max anyone ought to ever think about running in a Ruger .45 Colt. A pretty fine line.

250/255gr. bullets can give some spectacular fireballs with the stuff!

I found that 300gr. bullets are much better combo with H110/WW296. The extra bullet mass helps the stuff get lit. Bisley grip only, though. The standard aluminum frame Blackhawk grip isn't any fun with heavy loads.

 

[tacklebury]

My previous goto load with the .45 Colt is 23 gr. H-110 and the 250gr. xtp. I prefer to shoot 10 gr. Unique though as the recoil and fireball is pretty hefty with the H-110 load. I did find data for the 250 XTP down to 19 gr. but saw no real improvement with the load for accuracy. 10 gr. Unique has plenty of power to get good expansion and is more than sufficient for anything I'm shooting. I have recently switched to the 300 gr. XTP Magnum and have had better luck with the higher power loads and the jackets holding together. I've had 2 batches of the 250 gr. XTP's that de-jacket at 75 yards. I found out after that started happening occasionally that Hornady rates these to about 1400 fps and recommends the magnum at velocities higher than that up to 2100 fps.

 

[rushtofer]

Finally got the right recipe

After six differnt loads and two trips to the range today I finally found the right recipe 250 gr XTP, 26.5 grains H110, starline brass, winchester large primer. First group at 25 yards 1 1/8 ", (group on right) minor sight adjustment 1" group on second attempt(group on left). Keep it under your hat, don't tell the Nebraska muledeer about this-they only have nine days of peace left.

 

[tacklebury]

Nice shootin. 8) Tested POI on my 300 gr xtp mags today and right on with the Blackhawk and carbine.

 

[MMichaelAK]

Yeah, the problem with H110 in that application is that the minimum pressure to get it to burn completely, is right at about the max anyone ought to ever think about running in a Ruger .45 Colt. A pretty fine line.

250/255gr. bullets can give some spectacular fireballs with the stuff!

I found that 300gr. bullets are much better combo with H110/WW296. The extra bullet mass helps the stuff get lit. Bisley grip only, though. The standard aluminum frame Blackhawk grip isn't any fun with heavy loads.

Yep, what Mike said.

 

[Blue357]

After six differnt loads and two trips to the range today I finally found the right recipe 250 gr XTP, 26.5 grains H110, starline brass, winchester large primer. First group at 25 yards 1 1/8 ", (group on right) minor sight adjustment 1" group on second attempt(group on left). Keep it under your hat, don't tell the Nebraska muledeer about this-they only have nine days of peace left.

Great shooting! I just got a new Ruger Blackhawk Bisley 7.5? 45 Colt and am about to use Hogdons data to work up the same load. Did you get lucky and harvest a deer with that load, and if so how did the bullet perform? I have three boxes of the 250gr XTP so I am very curious about on game performance at the h110 speeds in 45 Colt.

Thanks

 

[dmsbandit]

personally, just get a few pounds of 2400 and put 17grs of it under those 250gr XTP.

You'll see about 950fps and kill anything you need to point a colt at. if you need more fps, 2400 can deliver it if desired.

it is by FAR the most versatile powder for the "magnums" and colt. Paper puching loads, or grizzly thumpers are easily obtained with 2400.

 

[JonP]

Yeah, the problem with H110 in that application is that the minimum pressure to get it to burn completely, is right at about the max anyone ought to ever think about running in a Ruger .45 Colt. A pretty fine line.

250/255gr. bullets can give some spectacular fireballs with the stuff!

I found that 300gr. bullets are much better combo with H110/WW296. The extra bullet mass helps the stuff get lit. Bisley grip only, though. The standard aluminum frame Blackhawk grip isn't any fun with heavy loads.

Disagree. That Bisley is pretty stout stuff. The fireballs can be epic but it will take a great deal as H110 will run low on the pressure and well under Mr. Ruger's design. Of the powders listed by the OP I have tried them and would strongly lean towards H110. For upper velocity loads in the 45LC that is my powder of preference

 

[MikeG]

I'm not telling you it won't work. I'm telling you the muzzle blast and fireball will be spectacular, and unpleasant

300gr. bullets are MUCH quieter at max loads with that powder as you are burning less powder, and it burns more completely before exiting the barrel.

An extreme example is 500gr. loads in the .500JRH, vs. 300gr. in the same cartridge. The 500 gr. loads had a touch more recoil, but the 300gr. loads would literally blow everything off of the shooting bench. Not kidding!

 

[Carpe Diem]

It seems that instead of giving the OP what he wants - a load giving 1000-1100 fps with the 250 XTP, some are listing their favorite very high power load. IMO H-110 is NOT appropriate for what the OP desires - too much report and recoil. Twelve grains of Longshot (starting load from Hodgdon data) will meet the OP’s velocity target with a far more pleasant load. Accuracy depends on the firearm, but it is a LOT easier to shoot a milder-recoiling load accurately than it is a case full of H-110 giving velocities in excess of 1250 fps.


.

 

[black mamba]

I agree with Carpe Diem on the LongShot choice. Even 9 gr of TiteGroup or 10.5 gr of Universal would fall right in the OP's velocity window and give much less recoil and blast, with likely improved accuracy as well.

 

[JonP]

I'm not telling you it won't work. I'm telling you the muzzle blast and fireball will be spectacular, and unpleasant

300gr. bullets are MUCH quieter at max loads with that powder as you are burning less powder, and it burns more completely before exiting the barrel.

An extreme example is 500gr. loads in the .500JRH, vs. 300gr. in the same cartridge. The 500 gr. loads had a touch more recoil, but the 300gr. loads would literally blow everything off of the shooting bench. Not kidding!

I disagree with the fireballs. Until your up into Linebaugh loading ranges they are not that bad of course that is relative. When in Linebaugh territory which i have visited with H110, 2400 and Unique you will get some epic stuff but the Blackhawk took it with little trouble.

 

[landag]

.45 Colt noise & recoil

Try 5.6-6gr of Tite Group behind 4-Sigma's 72gr bullet . . . then hand your revolver to your wife or 10 year old grand daughter! It works.