In my quest to look for a .45 Colt handload that I can use for target shooting with my Pietta 1873 SA with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, I would like to keep track of what I come up with. All of the loads are trying to stay within or close to the 14,000 PSI standard given that this revolver is a SAA clone and is not expected to survive loads that one would put through a Ruger Blackhawk or Winchester 92. A Ruger Blackhawk or a Rossi R92 are not in my possession so if you are wondering why I don't use that, that's why. The Pietta is what I have for now so that's what we're starting with.
The project starts with gauging the chamber throats of the Pietta for uniformity. A lack of uniformity will negatively impact accuracy as each chamber being different may widen the group. I've heard of some guns shooting 5 inch groups being reduced to 1 inch groups with corrections to the chamber throats. I ordered three pin gauges starting at 0.451 to 0.453 inch to test the Pietta's chamber throats. We're looking for 0.4525 inch for cast bullets meaning the 0.452 pin should pass but the 0.453 pin should not. That's exactly what ended up being the case. A pleasant surprise from an inexpensive revolver. Now that the gun checks out, let's look at the loads.
As usual, if you try to duplicate these loads, that's on you and I am NOT responsible for your actions.
I am using data found here.
https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/
I'm starting with GT Bullet's 225 grain cast lead semi wad cutters sized to .452 inch but I will also try to tinker with the Laser Cast 200 gr .452 RNFP I have for target. They have a 15 BHN which is too hard for use in hunting at these velocities. I will only use them for target shooting. I've ordered 200 of the bullets are waiting for them to be cast, shipped and delivered. There is currently a 21 week backorder so it will be a while before I can get started.
Unlike the .357 Magnum post, I will be focusing on powder selection instead of trying a bunch of different bullets. I'll be starting with HS-6 because I have close to 2 lbs of it at this time but if I can't get a satisfactory load from it, then I will move on to other powders. I am very interested in CFE Pistol as the Hodgdon reloading data shows the highest velocities. I have some alternative powders I would like to look at in the future depending on local availability such as Universal, 2400 or Unique. Universal actually has the highest velocity data according to the Hodgdon website but I can't get it easily without online ordering. I don't want to pay HAZMAT fees if I don't have to.
Update Feb 2024: The below data is specific to keeping the chamber pressures below 14,000 PSI. However, there is speculation that the newer SAA clones can handle as much as 23,000 PSI. I'm not trying to Elmer Keith my gun but there's only one way to know. Well, two or more actually, but I don't have QuickLoad. That's $155 software package that gives you probable pressure curves. There are other calculators but PMAX doesn't have HS-6.
Update 2 Feb 2024: Looking at the math, the 225 grain bullets I ordered are likely to show up around June. I ordered a bullet mold from MP Molds. It's a 4 cavity hollow point version of the H&G #68 mold from a long time ago. Apparently, that mold was great for target loads which fits right in line with what I'm trying to do here. It's also a hollow point mold so I can use it for other things latter on. These are 185 grain bullets according to the site but we'll need to see what weight they actually cast at. I'm seeing some data that says the bullets will drop out closer to 195 grain. I'll start adding this bullet to the list when I have loading data. Apparently, Hodgdon only has 1 load for 185 grain bullets for .45 Colt and that's using Accurate Number 5. I can get #5 from Bas Pro if needed. I'll have to check my Lyman book for more but what I am able to find in forums has that this bullet will do nicely for what I have in mind. That bullet should also work for my .45 ACP guns as needed. Seems like a good choice. Looking further, Hodgdon does have a load for a 180 grain bullet using CFE Pistol which just reinforces the notion I should get a bottle. I pulled several points of data for the 180 grain bullet and each are noted as such.
Update 3 FEB 2024: I loaded up some 200 grain cast using both HS-6 and Triple Seven. I wanted to see if 777 was usable in this instance. It turns out to have done pretty well with the 200 grain. I also now have a 185 grain mold from MP Molds to make hollow points. During the testing, the Pietta show very low. I don't know that I could file enough front sight to fix how low the drop is at 25 yards. I need to do more testing but I didn't hit the paper target once when shooting over the chronograph and aiming directly at the paper IDPA target. A different firearm is likely needed.
Triple Seven (777)
Triple Seven is a black powder substitute and needs to be treated like BP. Be extra careful.
200 grain RNFP from Oregon Trail (Target Only) - I have a bunch of these from before
Staring data: 35 grains by volume
Ending Data: 40 grains by volume (this is not a full case load and has mild compression)
Velocities:
35 grain - 946 FPS Avg - ES 34 FPS
40 grain - 999 FPR Avg - ES 21 FPS (There was one reading that was much lower than the rest so I tossed it)
Shot Groups: No group data at this time as I didn't have enough loads to test velocity and accuracy. The Pietta's point of impact is very low and very left even from a rested position.
Notes: The Triple Seven loads with these bullets were fun. They were very smoky and the plume as entertaining. The 40 grain by volume load was very close to the 1000 FPS I'm looking for and I would bet that a 185 grain bullet would hit that. I don't know how these would do for hunting but I know how to find out.
HS-6
200 grain RNFP from Oregon Trail (Target Only) - I have a bunch of these from before
I bypassed the lowest starting level and went straight to 12.0 grains and making 5 rounds each level for testing. I increased grain weight by .2 grains for each group.
Staring Data: 11.7 grains
Ending Data: 13.0 grains
Velocities:
12.0 gr - 905 FPS Avg - ES 30 FPS
12.2 gr - 927 FPS Avg - ES 142 FPS
12.4 gr - 942 FPS Avg - ES 61 FPS
12.6 gr - 952 FPS Avg - ES 57 FPS
12.8 gr - 1002 FPS Avg - ES 43 FPS
13.0 gr - 1007 FPS Avg - ES 80 FPS
Shot Groups: No group data at this time as I didn't have enough loads to test velocity and accuracy.
Notes: Some of extreme spreads where okay and others not so great. I have heard that HS-6 prefers a near max load and that 12.8 did pretty okay. I may stick with that one. I'd like to see how the 185 grain cast loads do.
225 grain LSWC
Staring data: 7.0 grains
Ending Data: 9.3 grains
Velocities: (When I have it, I'll update)
Shot Groups:
185 grain Cast from an MP Molds #10112
All the data I have for this is from forums and most everyone is using Unique. I'm having to extrapolate data from my Lyman book and from Hodgdon's website. The Lyman book's data for a 200 grain bullet is 11.2 grains of HS-6. The book tends to step down in powder charge dropping to 10.5 grains for max charge with a 250 grain bullet. I suspect that operating in the same charge range with the lighter bullet than the 200 grain load will work. I will start with the Lyman Cast Handbook data for a 200 grain bullet and end with the Hodgdon data. I suspect that those 13 grain charges are going to be pretty fast moving. I'm currently looking for 1000 fps from the 4 5/8 inch barrel.
Staring data: 11.2 grains
Ending Data: 13.0 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
CFE Pistol
CFE Pistol is highly interesting as the Hodgdon website shows the highest velocities for .45 Colt with a 225 grain. Not that we are using it. I also found load data for .38 Special and 105 gr bullets meaning I can load subsonic plinking loads for the Marlin 1894 but I think this would specialize for 45 Colt.
225 grain LSWC
Staring data: 6.4 grains
Ending Data: 8.0 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
185 grain Cast from an MP Molds #10112 (Data is for a 180 grain)
Staring data: 8.5 grains
Ending Data: 10.2 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
Titegroup
225 grain LSWC
Staring data: 4.4 grains
Ending Data: 6.0 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
185 grain Cast from an MP Molds #10112 (Data is for a 180 grain)
Staring data: 6.0 grains
Ending Data: 6.9 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
HP-38
225 grain LSWC
Starting Data: 5.1 grains
Ending Data: 6.9 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
185 grain Cast from an MP Molds #10112 (Data is for a 180 grain)
Staring data: 6.0 grains
Ending Data: 8.2 grains
Velocities:
Shot Groups:
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