.45 Powders

Shotgun Franklin · December 01, 2011, 05:48:36 PM

I've been trying a few different powder for reloading my .45 Colt ammo. I want a clean burning, case filling powder that I can safely get 925 fps MV with a 200 gr lead bullet. I tried Unique, Clays, Trail Boss and Red Dot. Ya'll have any other suggestions?

Ranch 13 · December 01, 2011, 07:07:58 PM

Bludot

Jefro · December 01, 2011, 07:15:03 PM

Well.....for case filling there is nothing better than real Black Powder

For everything else I use Red Dot, burns cleaner than the other powders I've tried, it's not temperature sensitive, and it's very consistant. Good Luck

Jefro

Relax-Enjoy

Cliff Fendley · December 01, 2011, 09:11:39 PM

I've been happy with trail boss. That's about the velocity I get through a 20 inch rifle barrel, less from a revolver.

Lucky R. K. · December 02, 2011, 07:49:39 AM

When I am not shooting black powder I shoot Trailboss in my 45's.

Lucky

Tornado · December 02, 2011, 08:12:22 AM

Another vote for Trail Boss. I did try some Universal once for some hotter loads and it worked well.

Stu Kettle · December 02, 2011, 12:36:29 PM

Quote from: Jefro on December 01, 2011, 07:15:03 PM
For everything else I use Red Dot, burns cleaner than the other powders I've tried, it's not temperature sensitive, and it's very consistant.
Jefro Relax-Enjoy

You fergot to mention it's easy to find, economical, & not particular where it ends up in the case if there ain't enough to fill it. I loaded some .45-70s with it last week behind some 405 gr bullets, case looks pretty empty with only 13 gr, but I think it's my new favorite load.

Popa Kapoff · December 02, 2011, 04:34:42 PM

Plus 1 Trail Boss.

Some one tld me Tin Star is good too.

Cliff Fendley · December 02, 2011, 07:31:10 PM

Little trick I figured out for any of you using a Dillion with Trail Boss.

Use the large powder bar that is normally for larger charges in rifle cartridges. The Trail Boss is so bulky and it meters more accurately in the large bar closed up rather than the small one opened up nearly all the way.

I started out using the small bar for 5-20 grains that is normally used with pistol cartridges. It had to be almost all the way opened for 5.5 grains of Trail Boss and it would spill and not always drop right.

cpt dan blodgett · December 03, 2011, 11:41:39 PM

Nothing I have ever shot in 45s comes anywhere near case filling unless it was BP.
Generally use Red Dot, Nitro 100 or AA2. They can double or triple charge in a case.
Actually I a more worried with squib loads. Can also be a little sooty but thats why I have a tumbler.

Essentially the slower the powder the more you can put in the case, but you end up on the high end of the velocity range
You want to stay at 925 more or less. The most case filling will be trail boss.

The specific reason is not important, but I have started charging cases as a separate operation, sit the charged cases in a loading block and visually inspect to insure power is in each and there are no double or triple charges, I then seat the bullets.

Cliff Fendley · December 05, 2011, 07:05:57 AM

Been a while since I actually checked but I think a double charge of the starting load ofTrail Boss will overflow the case. I know it will be to the point it's noticeable.

A big reason I like Trail Boss is for the case filling but I don't notice a difference in velocity with position like with many other powders of less volume.

Try some of the other powders that barely fill a 45 colt case, lean the powder to the front or rear of the case and notice how they shoot different, that is not good.

skunkhouse · December 20, 2011, 03:59:43 PM

it took me a while but anymore its trail boss , it just works period

PJ Hardtack · December 20, 2011, 05:25:49 PM

Cliff

Good tip re: the Dillon charge bar! I'm lucky, I can get a full 6 grs of Trail Boss using the small charge bar. That's what I put under a .45 Colt 255'r.

I can vouch for the fact that a double charge of 6 grs TB overflows the case! Using TB obviates the need to block check.

Pappy Myles · December 26, 2011, 04:39:08 PM

What reloading equipment are ya using?

I'm on the road a lot so I have a portable rig with me. It's an old Lyman spar t turret press with an rcbs little dandy thrower. Slow, all manual but it does crank them out.

I've used trail boss with a #22rotor for about 5.8 grains
Tite group with a #6 rotor for about 5.2 grains
about same velocity out of a om model vaquero. About 800fps

Beauregard Hooligan · December 30, 2011, 05:14:00 PM

Well, you folks have me convinced. I need to buy some Trail Boss and give it a try in my Vaqueros, Blackhawks and Marlin Cowboy. Thank you for the information being already on the forum, as I was going to post a new thread to ask if there was a powder just like this. Your info, and a visit to the IMR web site, have convinced me that serious investigation is due. I'll post my results back when I have produced them. Thanks again amigos!!

Steel Horse Bailey · December 31, 2011, 12:23:51 AM

Quote from: Beauregard Hooligan on December 30, 2011, 05:14:00 PM
Well, you folks have me convinced. I need to buy some Trail Boss and give it a try in my Vaqueros, Blackhawks and Marlin Cowboy. Thank you for the information being already on the forum, as I was going to post a new thread to ask if there was a powder just like this. Your info, and a visit to the IMR web site, have convinced me that serious investigation is due. I'll post my results back when I have produced them. Thanks again amigos!!

While I advocate BP highly, I've heard nothing but good about Trail Boss. I got some T/B at the 2009 NCOWS National Shoot when I traded MY door prize for the T/B so I could give it a try. However, I can barely keep up with loading my BP rounds and have to pick up a Round Tuit and actually USE the Trail Boss.