2nd Henry centerfire

[fortyshooter]

Very nice color case on that Henry side loader 45 !

Those are some nice loads to try and can't go wrong with 8.0 to 9.0 gr. of Unique with a 250 gr. 45 Colt. I found that 6.0 grain of Red Dot works really well in the revolvers giving a tighter grouping. Keep up the great loading work!

[richg87]

Nice looking gun!

[Rifletom]

Agree, you have some good loads going there. Not to mention a darn good looking rifle. If you have any Universal, 7.2gr under a 250gr rnfp works rather well. You're certainly going in the right direction. .45 Colt's are a hoot.

[Ceapea]

An update on some of my loads.
It seems that Red Dot is working really well for me. The 200 gr Speer LSWC is proving to be very good with both 6.5 gr and better yet with 6.8 gr of Red Dot. But the really big surprise was the Dardas 230 gr LRN and what seems to be the magical load of 5.6 gr Red Dot. Even though it is not really a 45 Colt bullet, and I have to single load them (Or a max of two to begin with in the tube), it is spectacular!! From a sandbag rest, at 50 yd, four rounds went into a diamond shaped, one hole group. All touching...using open sights!! A fifth round went 1/4" to the right opening the group to just a skoosh over 1" overall. I'm gonna start pumping those out in quantity.

As a side note, and I know that this is a Henry site, but does anyone here have experience with Winchester/Miroku 1873 rifles in 45 Colt? A buddy of mine has one and is looking for advice on poor accuracy from it. We both have read that the Jap Winchesters, specifically the 1873s in 45 Colt, experience pretty bad accuracy issues due to bore and/or chamber size. Also, other than stepping up to .454" bullets, some think that swaged bullets in .452", rather than hard cast, might be an answer.

Thanks!!

[Travlin]

Has he slugged his barrel to see what his cast bullets should be sized to? If he hasn't he will just be guessing about what size bullets will shoot the best.

[Ceapea]

Has he slugged his barrel to see what his cast bullets should be sized to? If he hasn't he will just be guessing about what size bullets will shoot the best.

No, not slugged yet. He doesn't reload...yet. He only shoots factory "cowboy" loads. From what I can tell, all are .452"
I was curious more than he. Gonna have to run an 'ole fishing sinker down the tube.

[Slugnut]

Just beautiful ! Nice shooting and good luck.

[Rifletom]

You guys using Red Dot in the .45 Colt, how is the case fill with RD? Thanks.

[richg87]

Yes, beautiful rifle!

[Ceapea]

You guys using Red Dot in the .45 Colt, how is the case fill with RD? Thanks.

6.8 gr Red Dot fills ~1/3 the case. That is a 1.277" case. I specify that because I have once fired, factory brass from Hornady that ranges in length from 1.220", to 1.287"!! And Starline too, that brass ranges 1.242"-1.285"
That 1.277" case held 19.6 gr Red Dot filled to the rim, and not compressed at all...just poured loosely into the case.