Question regarding bullet size for .45 Colt cartridge in 1858 Remmie R&D

[SeeThirty]

I'm looking at a repro 1858 Remmie (either Pietta or Uberti, as yet undecided but that's another thread), and I've got the idea to eventually put an R&D cylinder in it. Looking through all these lead slugs that can be put in a .45 Colt cartridge, and seeing so much variance in factory loads (200 gr, 230 gr, 250 gr, etc..), what kind of bullet size can I really expect to put into a cartridge if I reload myself?

Not really expecting to get into any matches yet, but the possibility of hunting does appeal to me.

Thanks. 

[Flint]

In deference to the slow rifling twist in the cap & ball barrels, and the impact of the harder bullets into the forcing cone, I stay with the lighter 200 grain bullets as they don't need as fast a spin as the longer, heavier bullets.  I use the standard .452 bullets, as that is the diameter usually sold for the post WWII Colt bore.

Use lead bullets, and if you load black powder, use soft lead bullets, such as Black Dawge, with bp appropriate lube.  With smokeless, I use Bear Creek round nose flat points, the usual 45Colt bullet shape.

[SeeThirty]

Thanks Flint.    Great info.

But I'm looking for the maximums. 200 grains can't possibly be "it".

[Silver Creek Slim]

I use 250gr Big Lube bullets sized .454" on top of a case full of FFFg Goex. I only shoot them in my Pietta. When I shoot them in my Uberti, my middle finger gets banged against the trigger guard. The Pietta has more space between the grip and the trigger guard.

Slim

[SeeThirty]

Thanks Slim. That's handy to know.

So, is 250 gr the largest slug for BP .45 Colt, or are there more options?

[Silver Creek Slim]

There are heavier bullets than 250 but I am not sure any are good for BP shooting. I have a mold fer a 300 gr gas check. I wouldn't use the 300 gr bullets with BP because they don't carry enough lube.

Slim

[Tuolumne Lawman]

A load I have used in both the Foirged Frame with an R&D and the Uberti factory 45 Colt conversion is 230 grain .452 bullet with 25 grains (volume) of 777.  With BP I use 27 grains and compress.

I have not tried it in my Kirst yet, as I have just used black Hills factory Colts and schofields.

[sundance44`s]

A word of warning about useing the 250 gr bullets ...If you sight your pistol in with round balls or lighter bullets , and then try the 250gr bullets you`ll be shooting 6 or so inches high ..I sighted in my 1858 Uberti with round ball ....and lucky for me the Uberti has a dovetailed in front sight ...I bought a new front sight and with me useing the conversion cylinder and 35 grs of Goex under a 250 gr bullet ...She shoots POA at 25 yards now with the new sight installed . Glad I have so many Remmies to play with I`ll keep some sighted in with round ball and some with the conversion cylinder and heavy bullets , I still like shooting cap and ball on those lazy warm days in the fall and spring ...but as a possible hunting load , I like heavy bullets .

[SeeThirty]

Thanks sundance.

Yeah I know. That's why I like the dovetail sight myself.