45 Colt----Red Dot

[HEAD0001]

Guys I am about to load some Gallery Loads for my 45 Colt. These shells will be shot from a new(to me) 10" Contender. I use Red Dot in my 44 magnum and 45-70 for Gallery Loads. I would also like to use Red Dot for my 45 Colt gallery Load. I am thinking 3.0 grains of Red Dot should do the trick. Just wanting to check in with you guys first, to make sure Red Dot would work the same in my 45 Colt as it does my other firearms. It makes a great Gallery Load in my 45-70's. The bullet is an RCBS 255 grain pill.

I do not use any filler for my other loads. Do you think I need a filler for the 45 Colt load?? I just prepped 300 cases so I am ready to load some shells. Should I crimp these cases?? It is for a single shot handgun?? Thanks guys, Tom.

[awp101]

OK, I'll be the first to admit it: I thought you were asking about adding a red dot sight to a .45 Colt of some sort...

[adirondakjack]

Whatever works in .44 manglem ought to be real close in .45. Maybe go up a shade from yer .44 load and give er a pop and see what ya get? When dealing with real low pressures, if yer darned sure ya don't get a squib, what bad can happen?

[Bob A]

Lyman #48 calls for a min of 4.5 grains of Red Dot with a 255 LFN for 550 fps. Max is 6.0 for 780 fps.
I have some old RCBS data for their 255 SWC, 5.5 to 6.5 gr of Red Dot.
You might be a little low at 3.0.
You wont need any filler with Red Dot. It lights very easily with no case position issues.

Bob A

[Griff]

My CAS load for the 45Colt is 6.5 grains of RedDot. Everything from a 160grain to 225 grain pill. Never have a problem with squibs. I've used as low as 5.0.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Just checked my old Lyman loading manual and they say 4.5 as a minimum... As easy as RD ignites I would not be afraid to begin to work backwards at .2 grain increments.
Better I would get some .452 or .454 (depends on your chamber) round balls. As you are a single shot you can thumb press them into the case. A "roll around a small plastic container" with most any lube is all you will need. Again I would load 1 round at 4.5 grains and work back to where velocity is right for you. A round ball at 400 fps will topple garden bunnies with a head shot at 20 yards.