45 Colt loads vs recoil from lever guns

[J Miller]

There are several threads running where posters have mentioned they find shooting the Rossi 92s with full 454 Casull loads like going 10 rounds with a young Cassius Clay. The only experience I have with the 454 Casull is from a S&W 460V, so I really have no idea how it feels from a light lever gun.

In your experience what is the best load type (bullet weight vs velocity) for the 45 Colt for use in rifles that has good long range, 100+ yards, ballistics with tolerable recoil? I realize recoil is different for everybody, but I'm curious as you have to be able to practice if you want to hit your target consistently.

Joe

[Hobie]

I load 23 gr. H110 under the 300 XTP-Mag in my .45 Colt Rossi carbine. This gives slightly better ballistics than the .45-90 BP load in a light gun. I don't think it hurts to shoot. I think (IIRC here!) 45Stomp used 25 gr. under a cast 325 gr. bullet in his .45 Colt Winchester.

I have a .45-70 barrel for my Contender (24") that brings that gun's weight to about 5½-6lbs loaded. 300 gr. FACTORY ammo goes 1800+ fps from that gun. At first the recoil bothered me a bit as the gun went to vertical in a nano-second, or so it seemed. After 20 rounds or so I was enjoying a pleasant plinking session. It was a lot of fun to bust cow paddies out to 100-150 yards with that gun and load.

I think recoil is so subjective that most comparisons are a moot point. Stock design can really change that perceived recoil.

[kooz]

I also use 23gr/H-110 with 300-320gr bullets out of both my Rossi's and my trapper.

[Old Savage]

The CowboyTutt super loads use 18.5 gr of 110 under a 360 gr Keith type for a bit over 1350 fps. Not bad in the 20" 92 Rossi. Shot 1 1/8" for three shots at 50 yds. Recoil not bad.

[J Miller]

The CowboyTutt super loads use 18.5 gr of 110 under a 360 gr Keith type for a bit over 1350 fps. Not bad in the 20" 92 Rossi. Shot 1 1/8" for three shots at 50 yds. Recoil not bad.

That's an interesting play on numbers. The original Keith load used 18.5 gr of 2400 under a 260 gr Keith type for around 1200 fps.

Who makes and sells the 360gr Keith bullets?

Joe

[86er]

I like the 300 gr's at 1600-1700 fps for 100 yd shooting.

[J Miller]

I like the 300 gr's at 1600-1700 fps for 100 yd shooting.

Joe, which 300 gr bullet do you prefer?

Joe

[Old Savage]

Joe - you will have to get that info from Tutt. It is a special order.

[JReed]

I really like the Sierra 300JSP over 18gr of 2400. this closely duplicates the Cor-Bon 300gr +P ammo. Out of my 94 trapper it shoots great out to 150 yards and hits like a sledge hammer. Recoil out of such a light gun is brisk but tolerable.

[Griff]

And at the other end of the spectrum, I like my 160grain Big-Lube™ boolits over a full case of Goex "Cartridge!" Reaches out to 100 yards and beyond! Don't even feel recoil with either the 1873 or 1860; you could probably not damage an egg held betweem the buttstock and shoulder!

[Buck Elliott]

The 300-gr. Speer Unicor (PSP) over 23 gr. H-110, or a 325-Gr. CPB GC over the same charge, will give you about all the fun you can have with the .45 Colt case. I shoot those in a Vaquero, and in a Winchester/Miroku '92. No problems with either gun -- just make sure you have a good hold on your pistol...

[J Miller]

Buck,

That 23 grs H110 under the 300-325gr bullets seems to be a very popular load.

I'll add it to the future "give it a try" list.

Joe

[.45colt]

Joe, that charge with the 325 gr slug "ran" under the sod in my back fourty 42" when I was shooting a varmit one day from my rifle. Just don't forget ear protection when shooting it from a revolver....

[J Miller]

Joe, that charge with the 325 gr slug "ran" under the sod in my back fourty 42" when I was shooting a varmit one day from my rifle. Just don't forget ear protection when shooting it from a revolver....

42" under the sod?! Wow, that's digging ditches ain't it?
I always wear ear protection when I shoot ..... well, except the last time when I forgot it in the indoor range and touched off a full house .357 from my short barreled Ruger BH. h ...... my ....... g sh ..... that was LOUD!!!!

In reality I'm thinking of these loads specifically as a rifle load. It's doubtful I'd shoot them from my OM BH. Maybe a couple but that's about all.

Joe