I'm wanting to take my .45 Colt 4 5/8" Blackhawk deer hunting this year. What's a decent JHP load? I was thinking either a Gold Dot or XTP around 240-250gr. I'll be trying to get set-up for a 20-25 yard shot and the deer around here are only about 120lbs, so I don't need anything super hot. I haven't loaded anything but cast bullets so far. Thanks for the help.

I would use a 250 XTP with about 20.5 Grs of 2400 and a Mag primer.

This load work great in all my Blackhawk 45 Colts

I too was going to suggest the 250 grain XTP......

I shoot the 250Gr.Gold Dot in my 45 Hunter.It shoots just as good as the XTP, Big HP and is a bonded bullet.I think the GD will do more damage if thats what you want...Both are good deer bullets. Good hunting

Bisley

I'd recommend the 250gr XTP, too, along with 26.0grs H110. *This load is safe in my Ruger*

X3

I would go with the 250 XTP over the 250 GD.

I load 18.5 gr of 2400 & 250 gr XTP in my M97 45 colt. It is a mild load that is very accurate in that revolver (also in a Ruger Bisley). It does about 1150-1200 fps.

Good luck.

I have been using the 300 gn XTP in my .45 Blackhawk because that is what I shoot out of my FA .454, and I have had good results. I have been using H110 or 2400.

One more endorsement of the 250 XTP. I use 19.5 gr. of 2400 & CCI 350's.

For a high velocity, low recoil load I use 15 grains of BlueDot with.........the 250 XTP. That gives 1183 fps in my 8" DW and great accuracy. Burns clean, notably less recoil than H110 and plenty of power for that bullet.



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why not just stay with the cast?

I have never gotten Blue Dot to burn thoroughly in any 45 Colt gun with a barrel from 3 inches to 20 inches. In the winter, when there is snow on the ground, I call Blue Dot black snow.

I just gave a majority of my last pound away.

The numbers for loading Blue Dot look great. I never had any luck loading it though.

What is the secret to making Blue Dot work in a 45 Colt ?

Giving it away and using 2400.

You can't get any powder to burn completely without enough pressure/temperature. I have no problems with BlueDot using near-Ruger-level loads in the .45LC, it burns no dirtier than Unique does. It is messy in SAA-level loads though - it is not a low-pressure powder, neither is H110 for that matter. I have tried magnum primers and see no difference in high-pressure loads.

I often use BD in my .45-70s, burns fine there too in Trapdoor-level loads.


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