Just wondering. I really enjoy my .45 Blackhawk. I've been using 255 swc with 9-9.5gr unique. I've tried 250gr xtp's with 16gr of 2400. Took a deer with both loads. Would like to try to warm things up a bit. One load I hear a lot about is the 250xtp with 20gr 2400. Thought I might try to work up to that. Have also seen same load with 25.7 gr H110. That load seems a bit more than I'm interested in at this point. Can you guys tell me about some of your experiences with some of the warm loads you use? Does it shorten the life of your brass? I'm only hunting whitetails, is it even worth it. I was just thinking that moving that xtp or even a swc along at appx 1100fps would be a little more authoritative on the hunt. I really appreciate your help. I did try the search function also, and I'm not saying it isn't there, just saying I couldn't find it. Thanks guys. Oh yeah, if it helps, my bh has a 5.5" barrel, open sights and will be most often used at less than 50 yards.

you may have a problem with the warm loads. the blackhawks like to spit the cylinder pin out under heavy recoil. but you can fix that with a aftermarket pin. i tried some warm loads in my 4.5inch blackhawk and after 2 shots the pin was backing out locking the gun up.

My best 45 Colt load is a 250 XTP with 20.5 gr of 2400 and a CCI 350 primer. It will shoot close to 2" groups @ 100 yds in my 45 Colt Bisley Ruger. I have also used this same load to take several hogs both in the Bisley and in my 4 5/8 Blackhawk. My MGM 45 colt Barrel on my G2 will shoot this load at about 2" @ 100 also. This is by far my best hunting load for the 45 Colt for me. This load is great for Rugers and T/C's but just a bit hot for the S&W

My Encore 45 Colt likes the 300 gr Sierra with 18.0 of 2400 and the 350 primer. Now this load is on the upper end of the range where the 250 load above is more of what I would call a 80% load. The encore shot this load better than the 250 above.

For my 625 S&W Mtn Gun I shoot a 250 Gr Berry HC bullet with 16.0 gr of 2400 and the 350 primer. This is no cowboy load it is pushing the 250 slug about 1000fps but it is all the heat I care to shoot on my S&W frame.

Hope this helps

JMHO The 250 XTP is a great bullet for the 45 Colt when pushed at about 1200 fps

Bug knows his 45LC loads... I have seen the results first hand. LOL Or is that first eyeball?

Thanks for the info. How does the brass hold up to your 80% load? That is kind of just what I was looking for. No need to go pushing limits here.

I have loaded them as many as 8 times before I have to scrap them. It is not a real high pressure load.

Now the 300gr load is a squeaker.

Loaded some of the xtp's up to 20 grains of 2400 and tried them today. It seems like a new gun. Lots of fun, recoil not bad. Best group with open sights was about 1.5" at 25 yards, and that was at 20 grains. Someone else could probably do better I'm sure. I think this will definetly do the trick on whitetails. The flash is pretty awesome, I like it. Now do you guys find a load for a gun and stick with it. Only cast or jacketed or do you switch back and forth. This is my only big bore and when I shoot bull-x swc hard cast I get quite a bit of lead. Maybe not driving them fast enough, I don't know. Thanks again. My wife came home from work and new something was up by the smile on my face, I tried my new loads.

I try to dial a gun in on a load that I can use on both deer and hogs and stick with it in that gun. Now that is just me other may do someting else. If I find a good load I stay with what works. The ones that do not shoot so good wind up being the practice rounds at the range or the perfect load for another gun.

You went from Pow to Boom! You have to love the Boom!

You just gave me my signature. I really appreciate your help, Thank you.

HA HA HA HA... LOL

Enjoy the .45 Colt. I keep my .45 loads in the 11-1150 range and never had a problem with deer or hogs. It's all the load I need.

For loads in the 1200 FPS range with 300 to 325 grain bullets H-110/296 can't be beat IMHO

Lil'Gun also works well with Penn 340gr cast from my Hunter model .45LC. I'm getting VERY near 1300fps.

I agree with H2OBUG. I try to work up a load that will serve my purpose for that firearm. I contentrate mostly on accuracy not velocity. Then I only load that load for that gun. If I want more power, I choose a different gun. Thus, my handguns are always sighted-in and ready to go.

For example, yesterday my cousin & I were shooting at our little range. I had a 41 mag revolver (scoped) that I had not used in a couple of years. I also had some "practice" ammo -- same amount of the good powder & 210 bullets (but not XTPs). We were making brass. We have a 3/4 size metal deer at 125 yds. Hitting him in the head was not difficult.

Thanks for all the responses, great info. Did I mention how much I enjoy this site.

Thanks for the information I just received my Blackhawk combo 45 from John Gallagher. Plan to try it for next deer season

I've been using 20grn of H110 w/250 cast out of my 45LCs.
Ruger and S&W Mountain Gun. They seem to shoot pretty good so far. I still need to work with them more and maybe run them over the chrony but I know its not beating the guns up and is pretty comfortable to shoot. I just got a box of XTPs but haven't shot any yet.

The xtp's shoot pretty well out of my gun. Not sure if I'll stay with them or try to do more with cast. I'm my worst enemy with some of this stuff. I guess I like the economy and old school style of lead. I do really like those xtp loads with the 2400 though. The whole pow to boom thing....:)

Some loads I used for my SBH Hunter 45 Colt:

1) 250 XTP w/ 20.3 grains of 2400 and WLP Primers. My chronograph says avg velocity is 1246 FPS.

2) RCBS 270 SAA over 18.5 grains of 2400. I have not chronied this yet. My guess is that it is ~ 1200 FPS.

3) RCBS 270 SAA over 13.0 grains of HS-6. Avg velocity is 1140 FPS.

4) LBT 250 WFN plain base over 12.0 grains of AA #5. Avg velocity is 1105 out of the Hunter -- about 1000 FPS out of my 4-5/8 stainless Blackhawk.