Impressive but perplexing load

[wvfarrier]

So.....

I decided to load some 250gr "Ruger Only" 45 colt loads for my Winchester 1892 (24" octagon barrel)

These 6 loads should have been between 1400 and 1500 fps however!!!

#1- 1840fps (avg)
#2- 1848fps (avg)
#3- 1850fps (avg)
#4- jumped to 1901fps (avg) Recoil was AWFUL
#5- 1904fps (avg)
#6- 1913fps (avg)
The steel buttplate was beating the stuff out of me.

I thought my charges were wrong so saved 1 rd of each group, pulled the projectile and weighed the powder charge. All were correct. These loads are WAY faster than they should be but every one of them shot .75" to 1.0" at 95 yards using a 3moa red dot.

The powder was H110, new starline brass and CCI large pistol mag primers. No pressure signs on the brass, except the brass is dirty which seems to always happen with 45 colt.

I do not think it wise to push them any harder, that top load is 1800ft lbs at the muzzle....from a 45 colt!!!!

Anyway, I am perplexed out by the velocities.....any thoughts?

[samsi]

What barrel length was referenced in the load data? Seems that most 45 Colt data is shot from a 7 1/2" barrel.

1800 fps is easily reached in 44 mag with 240 XTPs and H110 from a 20" carbine so I don't see much issue with the speed you're getting from 45 with a 24".

[Tycer]

Have you checked case volume? There might be a measurable difference between Starline and say Winchester

[Bob Hatfield]

Velocity is right on the money. 25 years ago, i used Ruger only loads in a Rossi 92 with a 20-inch barrel and they did 1700 or so. This was with max loads of H-110 and a 250 xtp.

[wvfarrier]

I pushed them a little harder today and the juice WAS worth the squeeze. It made it to 1940fps, SD was 4!!! yes 4!!! Accuracy was 1.25" (3 shot group at 100 yards with a 3moa red dot). The recoil is stout, on par with my non-muzzle braked 300wm. I tested 12 loads and by the end I was glad it was over . Most definitely not a good plinking load but fearful as a hunting/personal defense load. If the math is right, that is 2008 ft lbs at the muzzle and 1400ft lbs at 100 yards.

[wvfarrier]

Oh and no pressure signs on the brass (new starline). Primers are still well rounded with no cratering. On average the brass stretched .013".

[GunnyMack]

Your loads are on par for barrel length. It is eye opening how much velocity is lost to barrel/ cylinder gap and short barrels.
Most of the shotgun and pistol powders give everything they have for velocity around 16" of barrel.

[Griff]

Using QuickLOAD, and Hodgdon's Ruger Only data, plugging in a 24" bbl and 26 grains of H110, it predicts:

45 Colt Ruger Only.jpg

Your outcome is not surprising. Your expectations would coincide with the same load from a 6" bbl.

[COSteve]

If you think that performance is surprising, swap out your H-110 powder with some Lil'Gun. You'll see even more impressive gains in velocities and Lil'Gun has significantly lower peak pressures to boot!