I just bought a new Ruger Bisley with a 7.5 inch barrel in .45 Long Colt. I had a Vequero a long time ago and traded it for something else because I didn't like the fixed rear sight and the small handel. The Bisley fits my hand better and of course, has an adjustable rear sight.

I bought a big box of 500 lead bullets for target shooting. 200grn. I loaded some light loads at 8.5 grn of H. Universal. I picked up a box of 200grn Hornady JHP. I also have some 2400 powder. My reloading manual lists a pretty hot load for the 2400 and 200grn JHP. 18.3 - 20.3 grns gets you up to about 1200fps. I think I am going to load up a few at differnt powder charges and see which one shoots better, but am willing to change bullet and powder, so I was wondering if anyone hunts with a similar gun and has a load that they have used with some sucess.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance,

Greg

I did look in the member services under the reloading section and see a load using 2400 and 250grn bullet ...

The 250 XTP over 20.5 grns or 2400 and a cci350 primer--Ruger/T/C load only

Sub 2" at 100 in my Bisley BH

This and a 250 HC Berry Bullet over 16.0 gr of 2400 are my main 45 Colt loads

Both shoot very good

I wonder why my topic got moved to a different forum, but at least 6 or 8 others with a similar subject are left alone? It would be nice to at least be notified so that I could find a post to follow up on without having to look all over the place for it ...

Cottonstalk worked up some really accurate loads for his Bisley .45 Colt Blackhawk. Where are you, Cottonstalk??

I'm using a 250xpt and 29gr of H110 in my FA. It's very accurate and devastating on whitetails! Is kinda a sub-454 casull load. I think I got the load from one of Taffins articles, but not sure. This load is safe in a FA, but not sure about a Ruger...

Greg, This is a valid question and I will try to answer you. I am speaking for me only and not any of the other moderators...

Your post was not singled out for a personal attack; I certainly hope you don't feel that way.

I try to ascertain and determine the main "GUTS" of the post, and if it has more "load data" elements to it vs. actual handgun hunting then I feel it is more appropriate under Shooters Bench. (This is only ONE FACTOR looked at) And granted, not everybody thinks alike, that is why we have "forums."

If you like, you can p.m. me with the "at least 6 or 8 others with a similar subject are left alone?" and we can exchange thoughts privately without making this post into a b---h session.

As far as marking it as "MOVED," I have had feedback from members saying that THAT is rather embarassing; ie. telling the whole internet community that (you) put your post in the (wrong) forum; and therefore they prefer to have the post just moved quietly; since most members are very familiar with this website and shouldn't have the problem that you describe as "having to look all over the place for it ..." [/quote]

If I ever move one of yours again I will try to remember to mark it as moved.

In the meantime I will use discretion on the others.

I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.

Good Shootin'!

Gregg

Hi Gregg
As I read you Post above about moving it.
Might I suggest a PM to notify the Topic starter where it was moved to.
That way No one is embarassed and they know what is Happening to there post.
Just a thought.

Mike

I have several loadsI like but probably the 4 most accurate are a 255swc over 25.5 gr of H110 and a 310swc over 13gr of HS-6 and a 300wfn over 20gr of H110 and a 255swc over 8.5gr of 231.These loads are safe in my gun.I have some bigger loads that shoot well but these are definately the most accurate for my gun.

What about that 350 grain load of yours?

Took boar with a 280gr swc-gc over 22.0grs H-110 in Ruger 45Colt
with 4 5/8 barrel. You can substitute the 280gr cast with a 250gr XTP.....

Since it was asked for I got some very good groups using the 350gr bullets from Penn Bullets.I worked up carefully and stopped at 22gr of H110 and out of my 4 5/8s barrel got 1200fps.
Once again these loads worked in my gun.

And they REALLY work well!

I own a Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt, and it really prefers 300 gr XTP's over 23.5 grs of H110. Very accurate load and it chronographs 1240 fps. For lead bullets, I use 360gr True Shot WFN over 21.0 Grs of H110, this load chronographs at 1100 fps. Both of these loads have been devistating on deer and black bears.

Well, I purchased 100 LBT 300gc bullets From cast performance. They recomend IMR4227 as the powder to use with this load in 45 colt. They should be here about the same time my gun and scope arrive.

You can't go wrong with that bullet or powder. If you don't get the accuracy you want with 4227, try 23.0 grains of H110 or WW 296.

Thank you everyone. I guess I better shoot up the box of 200 gn XTP's I bought and get some 250's. Maybe a pound of H110 also. Last night I had about an hour without the wife or child, so I grabbed the 45 long colt and 50 rounds and took a walk out back .. I was hitting a 12" X 24" steel plate at 100 yards off hand with open sights. I hit 6 for 6 using 200 gn XTP with 19 gn of 2400. It seemed to shoot pretty good groups at 25 yards also, but I'm still working on finding the "best" load for this gun. I should have a fun summer with plenty of shooting ahead of me!

All of those loads are great for hunting. My problem with the 335 gr LBT is velocity is only 1160 fps at the accuracy point. It is a slower killer on deer so I would say a 300 gr a little faster is better.
I never tried 4227 in the .45 because I had heat problems with it in the .44. It was only accurate in a cool gun. But it worked great in the .357 max.

I spoke to the owner of Cast performance. It was his recommendation to use the 4227. He said it was much more stable when it came to temp extremes. And we do get extremes here in Eastern NC. 100+ in the summer and in the teens in the winter. I have used H110 and 296 considerably in my 44mag and 357 mag. So 4227 is new to me. Can't wait to ge the scope and gun together and load up some ammo as well. Picked up a decent pistol rest today so that my sight in time should ge better then it has in the past.

I just ordered a box of 250 grn XTP's from Cabelas. I will load some up and give them a try next.

If they will shoot good in your gun; it's a great bullet on whitetail.

I have to find a spot to hunt deer that isn't quite as open as where I am ... it's getting more rare for me to get a shot under 100 yards latley. If I am going to use my .45 Bisley and not my 7TCU my shots are going to have to be closer!

last night I loaded up 6 rounds with 17.5gn of 2400 with a 250 XTP. This is the listed (MAX) load in my TC Contender load manual for Contender or Ruger only. Then I loaded up 6 at 20.5 gn 2400 with the 250 XTP. This was listed on this sight as a most accurate load in the loading section. (I'm a little nervous since this is 3 gn of powder over listed max. I know they error on the side of safety, but I usually do too ...) I also know it wouldn't be posted if it was dangerous ... right?

Now I just need a day to get out and shoot some groups and see which one shoots best through my Bisley Blackhawk.

It should be ok. My Hornady reloading manual lists 20.8 as the max listing of 2400 with a 250gr XTP in the (Ruger & TC) listing. If there is any doubt in your mind work up to the max load. It is ALWAYS the safe thing to do!

lea...,

Just make sure that you do NOT use a magnum primer! Alliant has officially stated that magnum primers should not be used with 2400. It may lead to significant pressure spikes. As TCTex states, always slowly work your way up. 50-100 fps isn't worth a blown up gun OR handgunner!

Doc

I have loaded 20.5 gr of 2400 under a 250 XTP for several years --I have never had an issue with pressure
I have shot close to 5000 rounds over the year and found this this is the most accurate load in my Ruger 45'S

This is a Ruger only type load and I would not shoot it in my 625

I also load a 250 cast bullet over 16.0 gr of 2400 that I shoot in my S&W

I do use CCI 350 primers in the ruger load.

I use winchesrer in the S&W load

I would be careful each gun is different

Thank you H2OBUG! My Ruger Bisley Blackhawk is (new), so I should be ok.

I usually work up all of my loads, but I have a 10 month old son who likes to use up most of my free time, which I gladly ablidge!

Trying your "most accurate" load may very well save me a bunch of time!

I have 6 rounds loaded and waiting with a CCI-350 primer, 250 gn Hornady XTP, and 20.5 gn of 2400 powder. I just need to get out and shoot a target and check my group! Thanks again for the help.

I have never heard anything about noy using the Magnum primers and Aliant powders ... I thought that the magnum primers should give a more consistant burn rate.

My bad experiences with both 4227's was in the .44 mag. I had just started IHMSA and most guys were using those powders so I bought some. It was VERY accurate when I worked loads and sighted the gun. I went to a shoot to find I was hitting lower and lower with each chicken at 50 meters. Primers got flatter as I went along. The gun was getting HOT and pressure along with velocity was climbing. I actually was looking at my barrel to see if it was bending.
At the ram line I hit the first center, the next lower, then under the next. By time I got to the last ram I was 16 clicks over normal and hit the ground 50 meters short.
What sticks in my mind were all the other guys using the powder was all the cussing going on down the line.
I switched to 296, won the next shoot with a 39. We went to the next shoot to find it was Ohio state and they fit us in. I shot a 79 out of 80 to win it. Missed the last ram because I just lost it after hitting 79 straight.
That stops me from using it in the .45. It would be OK for a few shots or hunting. I would not let the gun get warm.
4227 worked great in the .357 max. I shot a 39 with a new Ruger with no sight settings. I went to the shoot just to sight the gun in.
I went to the next shoot and took a brand new Ruger Mark II in case we had time for the .22's after big bore so I could get some settings. There were no big bore targets on the range at all so I asked in the clubhouse. It was .22 state! He fit us in and I won that one with 57 out of 60 and hit all the shoot off chickens at 100 yards. I missed the first pig, turkey and ram but my spotter seen the hits so I could adjust.
Been there, done that so I try to pass on what I have learned.
After IHMSA I turned to 100% cast boolits and hunting. I even started to make my own molds. I have learned to make a revolver shoot better with cast then a jacketed bullet out to 500 meters. I am not happy with any load over 1" at 50 yards and many will do under 1" at 100.
Back to the .45 Colt. I posted what I was getting and someone said I was not truthful so I grabbed 5 shots, went right down and shot them at 50 yards from Creedmore with my old eyes so I could post a picture. This Vaquero has shot 1" groups at 75 yards with 2 different boolits and I killed deer over 100 yards off hand.
My pictures and calling cast, "boolits." made Taffin angry so I got kicked off the single action site. Small loss!
What bothers me most is the resistance I get when I want EVERYONE to shoot the revolver to it's full potential. I show what is possible and give suggestions for all to try but it is still up to all of you to test and not get stuck in a rut. If ANYTHING does not work, toss it quick and never expect it to get better. You only need 5 shots to give something up. Yes, FIVE, not 10 or 5000!

430man,thanks for the info on 4227,I was thinking on trying it out.I've always had great results with H110 and W296 so I'll stick with them.

Both loads shot decent groups. about 2 inches low at 25 yards. The only differance I noticed was more recoil with the heavier load ... (go figure) I can probably just adjust my sight up and load a bunch more to shoot and get comfortable with.

I have a S&W M625-13 .45 Colt Mountain Gun. I would like to shoot a deer with it, but the manuals advise using only Single Action Army level loads. Does anyone have experience with these guns? Load recommendations would be appreciated.

I have a 625 Mtn gun they say you can shoot a bit hotter but I have not--just not over worth it when you have a Ruger to do the heavy work.. Now I do load mine right at max --- in my mind would be fine for deer. I shoot a 250 gr cast bullet over 2400 --moving right at 975 FPS-- my load is the max in the alliant powder book for a std pressure colt

I would expect you could load a XTP about the same--but on this gun I plan to stay with cast

I think I told some of you but I picked up my 25-5 today--It is a nice 6" model with a very nice Hogue wood grip (photos will follow later in the week. I plan to load a 255 LBT for this gun plan to load it just at the max for std pressure 45 Colt loads I expect around 950+ with the 255 LBT GC.

I just might mount a scope on this dude in that I have the 625 & the 25 (1955) w/o the scope and I have an extra base and rings handy.

If I do go that route it will get a 2X leupold-- should be a very nice gun.

Wheeler,

I have been shooting high pressure loads through my M25-7 for years, and have never had a problem. My favorite load is a 265gr Cast Performance WFN over 14.0 grs of Blue Dot @ 1040fps (chronographed). According to John Linebaugh the M25 is %80 as strong as the M29. Check his website for great writings on the M25 and load data. http://www.customsixguns.com

Adam

I use 4227, and 4756.

For my 454 the 4227 works very well, I get nice groups and good velocity. But when I loaded it into by 45colt the cases took a beating, they bulged out to the point where I had a hard time extracting them (Ruger Super Redhawk).

A 250xtp over 9.5grn of 4756 makes a nice load, might be a little slow for heavy game but I think it would work well on white tail.