Bullets & Brass

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45 Colt Rifle Hunting Loads

Q: First, I want to thank you for offering such an amazing magazine. I have learned so much from Handloader. I always start with your articles first and then read each issue from cover to cover.

Now my question; I have many rifles chambered for high-velocity hunting rounds, but a friend of mine shoots a variety of lever actions. At his suggestion, a couple of years ago, I purchased a Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy Carbine chambered in 45 Colt. It shoots very well and is especially fun. My 13-year-old daughter shoots it more than I do, but as you know that is a good thing. I also have a 45 Colt Ruger New Model Blackhawk built on the Flattop 50th Anniversary-style frame. I generally use it with loads that more or less duplicate original factory loads with 250-grain cast bullets at around 860 fps using 6.5 grains of Alliant Bullseye powder. These same loads are used in the Marlin 1894 Carbine that shoots well in that rifle and are fun.

The dilemma is that both my daughter and I have decided to use that rifle to hunt our local whitetail deer this fall. We hunt from blinds and distances rarely exceed 50 to 75 yards. I don’t know how fast the 250-grain cast bullets are going in the 20-inch barrel of the rifle, but I want to bump velocities from 1,400 fps to 1,500 fps and use a jacketed expanding bullet. My reasoning for keeping velocities to that figure include that I don’t want my daughter developing a flinch and second, I don’t want high-pressure loads for the rifle only and that are too much pressure for the handgun. Rather, I want a load that is safe for use in both the Marlin rifle and Ruger handgun. Would you have a preference for bullet choice?

Any load recommendations that you can offer will be appreciated.

T.S., Alabama

A: I generally recommend that loads are held to 23,000 psi for your Ruger New Model Blackhawk that is built on the 357 frame size. While these sixguns can handle greater pressure, this is the same pressure level as 45 ACP +P loads and loads in that pressure range are safe. Many of these Ruger revolvers were offered with an extra cylinder in that caliber and yes, Ruger recommends them for +P pressure ammunition.

With those thoughts in mind, you can easily reach 1,400 to 1,500 fps in your rifle with the same loads that are safe in your Ruger sixgun. Since you don’t mention a powder that you would like to use, I will offer a few options. Also, I think you will be happy with the performance of either the Hornady 250-grain XTP or Speer 250-grain Deep Curl (formerly known as Gold Dot HP) for hunting your whitetail deer.

I hope this information helps and that you and your daughter have a successful and memorable hunt together.

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Winchester pre-’64 Model 70 in 280 Ackley Improved

Q: I recently acquired from my uncle, a beautiful Winchester pre-’64 Model 70 in 280 Ackley Improved that was custom-built with high-grade wood, hand-cut checkering, beautifully finished, etc. According to him, the chamber has the same specifications as the SAAMI version. It has a 24-inch match barrel, but I don’t know who the manufacturer was.

I am using the Nosler 140-grain Ballistic Tip and the Hornady 139-grain SST bullets. I would like to reach 3,200 fps, but so far, the published data that I have tried is barely reaching 3,000 fps as measured with an Oehler Model 35P chronograph. I am using Nosler custom cases and have most of the powders on hand that fall within the proper burn rate. Any suggestions to reach 3,150 to 3,200 fps would be helpful.

M.S.T., via Facebook

A: You probably won’t reach 3,200 fps from a 24-inch barrel (unless you have an unusually fast barrel), but you should be able to easily reach 3,100 fps and maybe 3,150 fps. I would suggest starting with 60 grains of Alliant Reloder 22 and work up to 64 grains for a maximum charge that will give around 3,150 fps. Another excellent load that will produce a similar velocity includes 65 grains of IMR-7828, but naturally, begin with 60 grains and work up to the maximum charge. Use a standard large rifle primer, such as the Federal No. 210 or CCI No. 200. The above powder charge weights will work with either the Hornady 139-grain SST or Nosler 140-grain Ballistic Tip bullets.

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Bottleneck Rifle Cartridges

Q: While I still handload for several straight-wall handgun calibers, I have not handloaded for my bottleneck hunting rifle cartridges for several years, as premium factory loads perform very well and I don’t shoot them in the high volume that I do my handguns.

Recently, my 300 Remington Ultra Magnum ammunition supply has begun to run low so I went to several area gun stores, but soon discovered that premium ammunition availability is very limited. So, I have prepared a quantity of once-fired Remington cases and capped them with CCI No. 250 Large Rifle Magnum primers and purchased Hornady 220-grain ELD-X bullets. I was hoping to duplicate Hornady factory load velocities that are around 2,900 fps. But in working up loads using IMR-7977, powder cases are sticking before I reach maximum charge weights and using 80 grains is still around 150 fps below factory load velocities and the accuracy is pretty average. Can you suggest a load that will reach that velocity without excess pressure and duplicate the accuracy of the factory load?

T.J., Pocatello, ID

A: IMR-7977 is a good powder; however, it is too fast-burning to achieve top velocities in the 300 RUM when loaded with heavy-for-caliber bullets such as the Hornady 220-grain ELD-X. I would suggest switching to slowing-burning extruded propellants such as Hodgdon H-1000 (91 grains), Retumbo (92 grains), Alliant Reloder 25 (90 grains) or Reloder 26 (88 grains). If a spherical (aka ball) powder is desired so that you can throw charges with accuracy, try Ramshot Magnum powder (93 grains). The above loads will all more or less duplicate the velocities of Hornady factory loads. Due to the large powder charges of the 300 RUM, a large rifle magnum primer is strongly recommended to achieve proper ignition, with the Federal No. 215 or the CCI No. 250 that you mention being a top choice. Naturally, the above charges are maximum and should be reduced by 5 grains for starting load charge weights.

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38 Super +P Cases

Q: I recently purchased 1,000 pieces of Starline 38 Super +P cases. After learning from you that the 38 Super standard case as offered from Starline is different from the +P counterpart, I’m not exactly sure how to adjust my handload recipe. I have been using the Speer 124-grain Gold Dot HP bullet with 8 grains of Alliant Power Pistol powder, which is a load that I obtained from a credible source.

Do I need to make any adjustments to my load with these new +P cases?

J.R., via email

A: First, I am unsure where you obtained your data, but it is a very high-pressure load that exceeds the SAAMI maximum average for the +P 38 Super that is established at 36,500 psi. Your maximum load using the Speer 124-grain Gold Dot HP bullet should be around 7.2 grains of Alliant Power Pistol, which will still reach more than 1,300 fps in most pistols.

The standard non +P 38 Super case offers slightly more capacity, so pressures will be lower in that case as opposed to the +P counterpart. However, the latter case is stronger and will better handle higher pressure loads and is better suited to multiple reloads. I hope that helps.