Light .45's

[Wiley Lazlo]

    What is the lightest safe load you are using with  200 gr. .45's and Unique powder?  Trying to help out a friend.

        Thanks

[Angel_Eyes]

If you are loading light, I would explore the method of using an inert filler on top of your powder so that you do not get flash over, which might cause auto-detonation which could ruin your pistol and your day!!

Shoot proper loads, that is what they are designed for (more fun per bang!)

UKshooter.

[Adirondack Jack]

Howdy, Lazlo,

Unique is not the best powder to run real light loads with.  Like any smokeless, Unique needs a certain amount of pressure upon ignition to get a good burn.  As Unique is a mid-range powder, not slow, not fast, it tends to need a 'middling" load at least in order to burn well.  A too-light Unique load will "popcorn" on ya, where the rounds are so inconsistent they shoot all over the place and sound like "pop, bang, pfft".

If yer wanting the best ya can get in terms of light recoil out of LONG Colt cases, look to FAST powder such as bullseye, 700X or Red Dot and a hot primer.

For light loads, reduced case volume and fast powder is small doses is the ticket. In the Cowboy .45 Special I run bullets as light as 120 grains (though since I have to cast them one at a time, my normal bullet is a 160) with very modest recoil using Bullseye or 700X powder.

[Singing Bear]

Howdy, Lazlo,

Unique is not the best powder to run real light loads with.  Like any smokeless, Unique needs a certain amount of pressure upon ignition to get a good burn.  As Unique is a mid-range powder, not slow, not fast, it tends to need a 'middling" load at least in order to burn well.  A too-light Unique load will "popcorn" on ya, where the rounds are so inconsistent they shoot all over the place and sound like "pop, bang, pfft".

Yup.  Used to goof with 38 spec and Bullseye.  Got exactly that result when dropping the
charge to 2.5 grs.     I like that description, AJ.  "Popcorn".  Works for me. 

Btw, I have CTS and Trigger Finger problems in both hands, so recoil is a concern for me.

My 200 gr. 45 Colt Unique load is about 5% below the published minimum in my Hodgdon 26th edition,
which has the lowest minimum of my 4 manuals, and is very consistent and have never had a problem. 
They also work fine out of a rifle.  YMMV.  If I really feel the need for less recoil, I use my guns
chambered for 38's and load them with Goex 2f.   

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,
I must CAUTION AGAINST using Unique, Universal, or other medium-burning smokeless powders below the minimum shown by the manufacturers, especially with light bullets!  It takes at least 5,000 psi (NOT CUP) of pressure to get these powders burning stabily, and the slower the powder, the tougher it is to ignite it.  DO NOT GO BELOW THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE VARIOUS LOADING MANUALS!

I would definitely go to a FASTER-BURNING POWDER, but do NOT reduce charges below what the manual says for that powder and bullet weight!  Use as firm a ROLL crimp as you can without distorting the case mouth. Be sure your expander plug is small enough to give good neck tension on the bullet.

Due to the spacious capacity of the .45 LC case, WATCH OUT FOR DOUBLE CHARGES!

Ride easy, but be careful!

[Curley Cole]

I have been using Unique in my 45lc for longer than I have been SASS shootin. My load is with 205gr Bearcreek rnfp, and 8.1gr of powder. It works well in all my pistols and works fine in both my 92 and my 73

After a match recently the guys were shootin some of their guns and I thought I would see how well my EMF 73 would do "long range" about 85-90 yards away at the end of the berm were some old clay pidgeons. I sighted on the first one dead center and split the clay, second shot at a half clay hit just below it and third shot broke that clay. I can barely see that far away, so the gun and the load will surely shoot anything i can see and pretty much dead on....

Your mileage may vary....

curley

[Jefro]

Howdy Wiley, try AJ's 45 Specials, no muss no fuss, save the grits breakfast. Look under "User_data" for a few loads. They work best full of 3f  Schuetzen. Good Luck.
http://www.cowboy45special.com/

Jefro

[Pit Mule]

If your wanting a lighter .45 load you might want to change powders, and possibley handgun bullets. I know its tough to give up on old reliable Unique. But it just won't slim down enough and be safe. Tried a lot of powders and settled into VihtaVuori N320. About the cleanest powder I've found.

Rifle rounds: 6.2 grains N320 pushing a 200 grain bullet with Federal 155 magnum large pistol primer.

Pistol rounds: 6.4 grains N320 pushing a 160 grain bullet with Federal 155 magnum large pistol primer.

Nice easy shooting .45 loads. The 160 grain bullet for pistol is not a 'gamer' move but a matter of economy move. 500 160 grain bullets are cheaper than 500 200 grain bullets, so I save some money there.

Just a thought,

Pit Mule

[Fairshake]

You can also do as many do and use 45 Schofield cases with a load of Clays powder. Or you could load them same cases with some 2F for real fun and do it the 1880's way!!!