Reloading .45 Colt with fffg American Pioneer

[Doug.38PR]

http://www.americanpioneerpowder.com/loading.html

American Pioneer website lists 22 gr of FFFG for .45 Colt in 230 and 200 grain bullets. 

I have 250 grain bullets but AP doesn't list loadings for that heavy a bullet.   230 is the closest.   To be conservative I started out by backing down to 20 grains to start with.   Fired them in my Ruger New Vaqero.   Pretty powerful recoil (I know that in and of itself doesn't say anything) so to be even more conservative I backed even farther down to 17.4 to start from there.   17.4 felt a lot more manageable and still had a bit of recoil.   I need to set it to my Chronograph to see what's going on in terms of velocity. 

I was wondering what everyone else's experience is using this powder in .45 Colt.   What kind of loadings do you use?

[Coffinmaker]

Hopefully, your using some form of filler and not leaving an Air Gap.

Normally, with BP and Subs, the load is simple.  Fill the case to the base of the bullet (App) or enough BP past the base of the bullet to
give about 1/6 inch of compression.  If your loading less than that, your pretty much on your own.

Coffinmaker

[Doug.38PR]

Okay....I'm NOT using any kind of filler.  There may be a little air gap.   What is the danger?  

On the 20 gr load it felt like it was compressed somewhat but even that may have been too much

I'm loading this based on the powder weight on AP website and cutting back from their recommended 22 gr on 230 grain bullets since I'm shooting a slightly heavier bullet.  

[Peddler Parsons]

I have been using 3F APP for 10 years (was clean shot) air space ok; not like true black, but you will get a lot of difference in bullet speed, at the distance we shoot it does not make that much difference if they happen to have some long shots I have full loads for that.

[Doug.38PR]

I have been using 3F APP for 10 years (was clean shot) air space ok; not like true black, but you will get a lot of difference in bullet speed, at the distance we shoot it does not make that much difference if they happen to have some long shots I have full loads for that.

Ha!  I'm actually loading from a leftover can of Clean Shot FFFG that I've had for about 12 years sitting next to a new can of American Pioneer FFFG.

I've been using that clean shot and AP in my 1851 piettta colt navy for 15 years.  Never had a problem reducing loads as long as they were compressed as hard as I could get them with an 80 gr ball in front of a wad

More recently I started dusting off the old clean shot can and using it in my navy pietta using .38 long colt conversion cylinder.   Fun but not much recoil or pressure since the .357 lead bullet is slightly too small for the rifling on the .36 caliber bore.

I then turned my attention to .45 long colt in my new vaquero with 200 gr Speer lead bullets using the listings on AP website.


Now I'm trying for 250 gr .45 bullets

[Charles B Gatewood]

Thought I should let you all know, the American Pioneer shop burned down this weekend. No clue if they will re-open.



CBG

[Charles B Gatewood]

Some good news. The folks at American Pioneer indicated the damage was isolated in a building they stored shipping boxes and stuff. So it sounds as though there will be delays in delivery for a awhile, but still this is good news!

CBG

[Coffinmaker]

CBG,
Leaving Air Space in the case can result in "Hang Fire" and Miss-Fire.  Large Air Spaces can result in a pressure spike similar to a
barrel obstruction and cause severe damage to the gun and possibly you.  But, you already knew that ..... right??

The load data for BP and Subs is basic.  Approximate.  A guide-line.  It is not exact science.  The load for a 200Gr bullet is arrived at,
exactly the same as a 230Gr Bullet or a 250Gr Bullet.  Fill the case with powder to the base of the Bullet (APP and other subs), or
to the base of the bullet + 1/8inch for compression (BP).  For reduced loads that include filler, your on your own.

Coffinmaker