Testing 325 gr. 45 Colt with a pair of Henry carbines......

[BrokenolMarine]

I was lucky enough to find a rabbi when I left the Corps. Not the kind most folks think of when you say Rabbi. In LE a Rabbi is an advisor/mentor that looks out for you and guides your career. Not always someone in power as you see in the movies, but someone with experience you can go to for advice and counsel. Mine happened to be a shooter as well, distinguished with everything that shoots. He and his best friend ran the two largest police firearms programs in the area until they retired and both were gunsmiths and took reloading VERY seriously. When I met him I was loading on a single stage RCBS press. He advised me to save up for a Dillon. He had three... of course he was three times retired so he could afford them. I have been happy with the Dillon equipment for decades of competition and shooting. But, Sadly, lately the CS has not been what it used to be. I have not been buying anything from Dillon. It's been Brownell's for me.

[Vaquero]

Forty, sorry about the thread drift buddy.
I use a Lee 4-hole turret press, and have a separate turret for each set of dies pre-setup, so all I have to do is take one out put the next one in and change the shell holder. I have like 17 turrets with dies and 3 of 4 other die sets in their boxes that I don't have any longer.
I also have a single stage setup with a universal decapping die, I also use the SS for sizing cast bullets when necessary.

RP

[Vaquero]

Hey, forty, my sample pack arrived this past week, loaded a dummy round.
Mine came out 1.65" and cycled perfectly in both the Marlin Cowboy & Rossi rifles.
Did fill one with 8,0 grs. of Unique just to try, at 50 yds. it was a bit low compared to the 250's I usually shoot.
I can honestly say that was probably the first time the Rossi shot low.

RP

[DsGrouse]

Have either of you tried these?
https://thebluebullets.com/product-cate ... point-452/

or

https://www.mattsbullets.com/315-Grain- ... p_156.html

I've had good luck with the 315's

I might see if i can sneak a couple of these next.
https://www.mattsbullets.com/345-Grain- ... p_157.html

[Vaquero]

Ds, I can tell ya before lookin, No.
This is my first adventure into anything heavier than the 250's.
I've loaded some lighter but none above.

Now, I did look and of the three, I like the 315 the best.
As these that I just got will be tried on some whitetail this Fall.
I like the wide meplat design as a hunter, not that there's anything wrong with the other.
Just a personal preference, swc's and Keith style both work as I have used both in 41 & 44 mags.
Never lost one, and most have dropped on or very near the spot they were.
I shoot some heavier than average stuff in the 41's and 44's not sure why
BUT, here we are...
Well, enough I guess the grandsons and I have been out checking the ditches after last night's rain.
Now they chillin in the living room and I'm going to stuff a few test cases.

RP

[fortyshooter]

Hey, forty, my sample pack arrived this past week, loaded a dummy round.
Mine came out 1.65" and cycled perfectly in both the Marlin Cowboy & Rossi rifles.
Did fill one with 8,0 grs. of Unique just to try, at 50 yds. it was a bit low compared to the 250's I usually shoot.
I can honestly say that was probably the first time the Rossi shot low.

RP

Well it most likely had more drop to it than a standard 250 gr. bullet with same 8.0 gr. Unique at that distance. Load a few more and see how they group at 25 40 and 50 yds. It looked to be a good load for suppressor use with rifle and still some good groups for steel plinking or other use within 50 yds.
I'm loading some 405 gr. 45-70 right now with my favorite 13 gr. Unique.

[Vaquero]

Hey, forty, my sample pack arrived this past week, loaded a dummy round.
Mine came out 1.65" and cycled perfectly in both the Marlin Cowboy & Rossi rifles.
Did fill one with 8,0 grs. of Unique just to try, at 50 yds. it was a bit low compared to the 250's I usually shoot.
I can honestly say that was probably the first time the Rossi shot low.

RP

Well it most likely had more drop to it than a standard 250 gr. bullet with same 8.0 gr. Unique at that distance. Load a few more and see how they group at 25 40 and 50 yds. It looked to be a good load for suppressor use with rifle and still some good groups for steel plinking or other use within 50 yds.
I'm loading some 405 gr. 45-70 right now with my favorite 13 gr. Unique.

Oh, I agree, I was just make mention of it.
I just finished loading a few to try later, 5 ea. 8.0, and 8.2 of Unique, 6.2 Red dot and 15.0 and 15.5 of 2400.
Did you find any accuracy with your 2400 loads?

RP

[fortyshooter]

Hey, forty, my sample pack arrived this past week, loaded a dummy round.
Mine came out 1.65" and cycled perfectly in both the Marlin Cowboy & Rossi rifles.
Did fill one with 8,0 grs. of Unique just to try, at 50 yds. it was a bit low compared to the 250's I usually shoot.
I can honestly say that was probably the first time the Rossi shot low.

RP

Well it most likely had more drop to it than a standard 250 gr. bullet with same 8.0 gr. Unique at that distance. Load a few more and see how they group at 25 40 and 50 yds. It looked to be a good load for suppressor use with rifle and still some good groups for steel plinking or other use within 50 yds.
I'm loading some 405 gr. 45-70 right now with my favorite 13 gr. Unique.

Oh, I agree, I was just make mention of it.
I just finished loading a few to try later, 5 ea. 8.0, and 8.2 of Unique, 6.2 Red dot and 15.0 and 15.5 of 2400.
Did you find any accuracy with your 2400 loads?

RP

At the 15 gr. level the groups were not as tight as the Unique load. The Unique being a bit faster powder seemed to be what I was looking for.
If not trying to keep the speed below 1100 FPS you could bump up the 2400 load a bit. Think the max is 17. gr. but double check that.