Thanks.
Hodgdon makes that statement, and their reloading data indicates that they use either or both to work up data. Like all powders, there is a +/- factor from lot to lot, that may give different results from either/both with a direct comparison. But it's usually small, as 25fps-50fpd means differences in pressure are also small. But some lots will be more/less, and it's worth checking. The reason for 4lb/8lb canisters.The handgun project here is also to work up heavier loads for 45 Colt in a Blackhawk Bisley. It was common to hear that 296 and H110 were the same powder. Has this changed or was it never true?
They are, and that isn't the issue with the loads asked about in this thread. The issue is too light of a bullet (in the caliber) with too low of pressure (for the powder) = pretty bad muzzle blast.The handgun project here is also to work up heavier loads for 45 Colt in a Blackhawk Bisley. It was common to hear that 296 and H110 were the same powder. Has this changed or was it never true?
It seems many prefer the 300gr+ bullet in hot 45 Colt loads. How was accuracy with the 255 SWC that you tested. Also, did you have your cylinder throats reamed? I see a lot of talk about under sized cylinder throats on the Blackhawks and noticed mine are very tight when I measured them last night. Very tight as in .450, .4505, and one being .449. I?m going to send the cylinder to a smithy his week and have them open them up some. I?d think a .452 lead bullet would have leading an accuracy issues after being squeezed down the small and entering the bore undersized.I can't tell you how that bullet will work on a deer, but I can tell you that some .45 Colt reloads with WW296 and 255gr. SWC bullets, produced some spectacular fireballs in one of my guns.
I think I would likely choose a different powder. 296 works fine with 300gr. bullets.
Everything I?ve read states that the charge weights are interchangeable. I?m no expert on these two powders so don?t take that for gospel. John Linebaugh has a great article that I think you may want to read about hot 45 Colt loads. He also talks about h110 and 296. He says they are interchangeable but that h110 is not as consistent from bottle to bottle. So as always work your loads up and retest when you buy a new bottle to ensure you are getting consistencies from one bottle of powder tot he next.The handgun project here is also to work up heavier loads for 45 Colt in a Blackhawk Bisley. It was common to hear that 296 and H110 were the same powder. Has this changed or was it never true?Thanks.![]()
I have an article over on the Beartooth Bullets site, in the 'Tech notes' section, on reaming cylinder throats. But that isn't the issue with the fireball you will get with loads proposed. There isn't enough bullet mass in front of 255gr. bullets to prevent objectionable (to me) muzzle blast.It seems many prefer the 300gr+ bullet in hot 45 Colt loads. How was accuracy with the 255 SWC that you tested. Also, did you have your cylinder throats reamed? I see a lot of talk about under sized cylinder throats on the Blackhawks and noticed mine are very tight when I measured them last night. Very tight as in .450, .4505, and one being .449. I?m going to send the cylinder to a smithy his week and have them open them up some. I?d think a .452 lead bullet would have leading an accuracy issues after being squeezed down the small and entering the bore undersized.
Good information. I?m dropping mine off to gun amithbto have the throats sorted out so I won?t have issue when I shoot lead through it. Pretty inexpensive, and I won?t risk doing a bad job. Appreciate the info!Unless you have a mill and indexing head, don't 'ream' chamber throats--lap them instead. Much less chance of cutting crooked because a lap can't unless you REALLY try.
Lap to the largest throat in your cylinder then have a mold made to match or lap a lube die to match.
I?m actually more interested than in a 250gr at 1100-1200 FPS for a load I will standardize on. I do have Longshot and will be working up some loads using that powder next week as well as with some Lil?Gun. I have handgun hunted but not with any that my that has some serious punch (as in 44 magnum and up). So I?ll be trying out he boomer loads because I do want to crack off some boomers however not something I wan to shoot all the the time. Mostly I?ll be shooting standard 45 Colt loads for fun. I dropped the pistol off at the gunsmith today to have the cylinder throats opened up and will be playing with developing a hard cast in the 260gr range and once I find the accuracy node this gun like I?ll most likely settled on a 255 - 260 LSWC type bullet between 1100-1200 FPS as a do it all load that way not be me or the gun to death. That?s what Linebaugh seems to prefer and he has infinite more experience than myself and I?ll take that advice. I?ll know where I stand more when I get the Blackhawk back from the smith next week and get to do some testing. That will tell me everything I want to know about accuracy and what level of recoil I am willing to deal with. As far as this post goes I?m really looking just for feedback on the 250gr XTP On game but any additional information is welcome as to what loads have worked well for you on game. Thank youDoes the OP have much handgun hunting experience? When I first started loading the .45 LC almost 45 years ago I went with the top-end W296/H110 loads and 250-grain bullets, believing I needed .44 Magnum performance to kill deer. Lots of noise and huge fireballs, so-so accuracy. Killed deer and caribou fine, but not so much fun to shoot at the range. As I matured I loaded XTPs (once they were introduced) to around 1100/1150 fps with BlueDot. Guess what, the animals didn’t know the difference and the pistol was much more fun to shoot.
I strongly recommend that the OP eschew H110 and instead use Longshot or a similar powder. He will shoot more accurately in the field and he will have no problem killing deer. Plus he will enjoy shooting the revolver even more given the lighter recoil and report.
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That is scary, A LR primer in a revolver cartridge??? Unless you cut pockets deeper, leave that alone. You will still increase pressures too much and move out bullets. LR primers are higher then LP and you can get a slam fire out of battery.I used 300 grain cast bullets sized .454 with gas check and 453 copper plated bullets that I resized in a Corbin set up. I used CCI LR Mag primers with H110. Both bullets were very accurate in my Colt Anaconda and Rossi 92. The first load was 20 grains and never changed.
Jim
I've been a W296 fan since it wqs introduced in the 70's. In the .44M, it was just the ticket for iron pigs and rams with a 7 1/2"+ barrel. In my handguns it was useless when pressure dropped below the pressures for top end .357/.44M levels. It's also one of the best for heavier jacketed bullet loads in the carbines. Again, accuracy falls out quickly below top end levels.I concur with Carpe Diem, concerning using something BESIDES H110/W296 for .45 Colt work-up.
