Working on a .45 Colt cowboy load

[Digger]

I've been working up a .45 Colt load to shoot in my 3rd generation SAA. I'm using Federal large pistol primers, starline brass, Trailboss powder, and 200 grain (0.452 dia) bullets from the Deperado Bullet Company (very soft lead). I've gotten good results with 6.0 grains and 6.2 grains of Trailboss, but both loads shoot about 3-4 inches high at 25 yards. I'd like to up the charge some, to bring the POI down, but the IMR website lists 6.2 as the max load for a 200 grain bullet. I see no signs of pressure issues in either load.

I know I shouldn't be considered heading of max, but a few other sources list 6.4 grains and up as the max load for this bullet. Should I stick with IMR's data, or do you al lthink its safe to push it a bit? Trailboss seems like a powder that might be okay to push, but I'm wondering if I should just forget it and stick with the max load.

[220combat]

Go to www.hodgdon.com  they list the loading for Trail Boss for a 200gr lead bullet as 5.5 - 6.5 grains.  That is a Cowboy Action loading, meaning that the pressure for 6.5 grains is only 11,000 CUP.  You can exceed that pressure with your gun.  Also, with Trail Boss, you will likely run out of case capacity before you get TOO hot of a load in there.  I load at 6.3 grains, and that is in a conversion cylinder.

[Digger]

Thanks, 220Combat. That's pretty much what I thought about Trailboss and not exceeding the pressure, so I was planning on pushing the loads up a bit. I'll run some at 6.4 grains and see what happens.

[220combat]

In my .45 Colt, any trailboss load under 6.2 grains with a 200 grain bullet leaves the case very sooty.  If the case does not expand fully against the chamber walls, it doesn't seal, and you get soot down the length of the case.  After you shoot Trail Boss, feel your cases, they're barely warm.

[220combat]

I have also messed around with 45 colt rounds loaded with Pyrodex RS.  A little more fun to shoot than smokeless, but I couldn't shoot them all day.

[Digger]

I've come to expect sooty cases in any "Cowboy loaded" .45 Colt. Generous chambers, big brass, and low pressures just don't make for a good seal. I did not notice more or less with my Trailboss loads as I have with factory cowboy loads.

Thanks for the tips though. I'll shoot the 50 that I have loaded up (25 @ 6.0 grains and 25 @ 6.2 grains) and the work some up at 6.4 grains.