45 Colt

[aussie]

Hi. I own a Winchester 94 model Legacy in 45 Colt and would like to do some hunting with this rifle. I will be re-loading and prefer to use a 250gn hard cast lead projectile. Firstly, what velocities are you guys getting for this weight pill for hunting purposes? And, secondly, will I need to use a gas check?

Cheers
aussie.

[J Miller]

aussie,

With a 250gr bullet you can use a lot of powders, but my two favorites are 9.0grs of Unique and 18.5grs of 2400. Most likely they are in the 1100 to 1300fps range. I say this based on what others have reported as I don't have a chronograph.
At this velocity you won't need any gas checks.

I've loaded up to 300 gr Bullets at 1200 fps from a revolver ( no idea what they come out of a rifle at ) and then shot them from my two rifles with zero leading. As a matter of fact, my rifles will shoot bullets that lead like crazy from my revolvers with no leading at all.

Good luck on your hunt.

Joe

[O.S.O.K.]

Use the load data that is listed for Ruger revolvers. You can easily push that up to 1700+ fps with H110 or W296. I think the top load is 26.5 grains - but check your manual. If the bullet fits the bore (+.001-.002 over bore diameter), a gas check should not be required - just use a good lube - I've found that the best is Lee Liquid Alox (which comes with their excellet bottom-push sizing dies).

I will say that a gas check design will simplify your efforts and will be much more forgiving in the bore. Hornady or Lyman gas checks both work well for me and are applied when I size the bullets in the aforementioned Lee die.

For hunting, I would strongly suggest a proper Keith bullet (which is plain based) - semi wad cutter with square bottom lube grooves and sharp shoulder or one of the LBT wide flat nosed designs - which are gas check types. If you want a gas check semi wadcutter and use the Liquid Alox, then the lube goove design is unimportant and opens up your options for moulds.

[bigbore442001]

What do you plan on hunting?

[BigSky56]

Aussie, I load a rnfp 255 hc bullet for hunting and a rnfp 255 cast for practice with 17.8 grs of AA5744 it makes 900 fps in a 71/2" ruger revolver and shoots thru on whitetails.danny