CR-45LC rifle help a newbie start reloading.

[Doublebass73]

Hey all,

Just picked up a new 45 Colt Carbine. I decided since 45 Colt ammo is so expensive it's time for me to finally get started reloading. I'm starting off very slow and simple with a Lee Classic Loader and Lee improved powder measure kit. I have about 90 pieces of once fired brass so I still need to buy primers, powder, bullets, case lube and a reloading manual. I have 2 shops close by that sell reloading supplies. I went into one today and will check the other tomorrow which has a much bigger selection. The one I went into today only had 230 Gr. .4515" JHP's for bullets and had CCI for large pistol primers. He had maybe 15-20 different powders to choose from. I'm hoping the store I go into tomorrow will have more to choose from.

The starting loads that come with the Lee kit are obviously geared toward revolvers so my question is what would be a good powder to start with given that this is a rifle? Any opinions will be greatly appreciated as this is all new to me. My goal is to start off with some light plinking loads and slowly work my way up to some heavy hunting loads in time for November deer season.

Thanks

[dpe.ahoy]

Depends on what ya want to do.  Sounds like you were lookin' at 45 ACP bullets, ask at the gun shops for 45 Colt bullets.  If ya just want plinking loads, stay with the faster powders.  BEFORE ya do anything, get at least 2 good reloading manuels and read em real good.  Then if ya can, find someone who has been reoading for many years and still has all their fingers, eyes, ect.  Then if they tell ya something other than what the book says, go with the book.  For hunting loads, look at the Ruger/TC loading data.  Mosey on over to the reloading section here on GBO as well, lots of good info there too.  Good luck and be careful and safe.  DP

[cwlongshot]

The old colt is pretty easy to load for. the case is fairly thin, but usually not a problem, be careful crimping as the mouth can crumple as it is thin.

Unique is an old favorite for lite stuff. IMR 4227/Green dot/Blue dot make some nice med loads. 296/H110 gets my nod for heavy stuff.

I load 255/260 SWC for lite stuff. DID load 200's for cowboy shoots back when I did that. Various 250 HPs for the med loads and 300 hard cast lead or Sierra/Hornady/Speer jacketed bullets and 296 powder.

GREAT advice of a good Manuel. If just starting out, get the LYMAN Manuel. Then get one for what every manufacturers bullet you choose to use as a second. Having at least two is needed to cross reference a new load.

One big tip, members here will be very helpful and I'm sure no one will knowingly give false information. BUT mistakes happen. Please double check any and all loads provided. NEVER TAKE THEM AS GOSPEL.

Good luck and have fun,
 CW

[spooked]

Hodgdon (sp) has some loading data online , if yer gonna go beyond the dipped loads you'll probably need a scale...Like you I'm just gitting started and I plan on using Little Gun for my .45 lc, and my .22 hornet which I bought it for..

[Doublebass73]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll definitely pick up a scale at some point but for now I'll stick with some light loads to get started. I'll be looking for a Lyman manual, the general consensus seems to be that is the manual to start with. I'll try to find some lead SWC bullets, the shop I'm going to today should have some. They usually have a decent inventory.

[Blackhawker]

Try this link:

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings.htm

Then click the link that says "45 Colt, dissolving the myth..."  (try the other ones too...good reading)

John Linebaugh has some great info on the 45 Colt and loading higher pressure loads for it...for when you start to work up those deer loads.  Most of his data refers to sixguns but your CR-45 will take the higher pressure loads and do wonders with them out of that 20 inch barrel.  Personally, I don't go to the extremes because I shoot A LOT of 45 Colt and I don't want to shorten the life of my guns with loads that are similar to 454's or 500 SW....I would have bought guns in those calibers if I wanted that to begin with.

AT the bottom of the page, the author actually mentions a very similar load to what I use on a regular basis and have been using it for over 20 years.  I typically shoot hard cast 255 SWCs, over a charge of HS-6 that is very close to what is mentioned in that last table.  While it's not the traditional powder that comes to mind when thinking of the 45 Colt, it does the job well.  (DO NOT start off with this load....this is a higher pressure load than a standard SAA load!!!)  I only mention this load because you mentioned deer loads.

Always use caution when reloading, especially when loading at higher pressures than the standard Colt Single Action Army pressures.  What works in one guys gun might not work very well (or safely) in yours.....always keep that in mind when reading loading manuals etc and work your loads up.  Don't start at a hot load and work them down via your visual inspections of cartridges that have been overpressured.

Another link to look at is this:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm

Definitely read this article...there is some good info here as well as some load data at the end of the article. 

For starters, I second CW's recommendations....get the Lyman manual.  There are some good loads listed in this manual for both cast and jacketed bullets of varying pressures.

Good luck and have fun with that CR-45.  I LOVE mine and I'm sure you're gonna love yours too.

[Chas.]

Another website I use for reference is http://www.reloadammo.com/reload.htm .  Also read the notes at the bottom of the 45 Colt page.

[blind ear]

A friend that reloads with thier eyes on you while you are learning can pick up mistakes that can be major that you might miss even if you know it could be dangerous, if you had only thought of it. Choseing loads that can't be double charged or setting up proceedure sequence and stations to self check proceedure, etc. good luck, have fun. eddiegjr

[Doublebass73]

Good points on safety. I've worked for many years in the electrical/electronics field so I know first hand what can happen if you don't pay attention just one time.

I visited the gun store near my work today at lunch and picked up the latest Lyman manual along with a box of 250 grain LRNFP bullets and a pound of Unique powder. I'll be doing some reading tonight