Good reduced load for .45 cal patched ball

[M. De Land]

I've been shooting 65 grains of 3F Goex for many years in my percussion .45 cal and more recently flint, match guns with good results but of late have been shooting in doors where wind deflection is not an issue. I would like to find a lighter load that is accurate to the 25 yards we shoot indoors. Could use some imput on what is working for others to test out for my indoor load.

 

[martin9]

My A weight colerain 1/48 twist shoots great with 20 grains of 3f to 25 yards.much beyond that and the light load won't group though. I'm using .440 hand cast ball with an (I think) .018 patch with just spit for lube.

 

[Walkingeagle]

40gr 3fg proved quite accurate out of one of mine. The other I just got and am shooting it for the first time tomorrow.
Walk

 

[martin9]

I misspoke. my barrel has a 1/56 twist. Still shoots great at 25 with that load.

 

[mooman76]

Instead of working up your load, work down. Start at 45gr and move down 5gr at a time until you see accuracy drop off. My guess is you could probably go down to around 20gr but that's just a guess.

 

[M. De Land]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a go!

 

[SDSmlf]

I have found accurate to 25 yards or so powderpuff loads with a powder grain setting around half the bore diameter. For a 45 I would expect your accurate light load to be between 20 and 25 grains, +/- depending on your specific gun. Most of my 32s are very accurate with 12-15 grains of powder. Multiple 58s are happy between 25 and 30 grains. Most of my 45s work great with 20 grains. Have a fixed 20 grain measure so I start and usually settle there. Just my opinion based on a few samples. Not difficult, just go out and shoot some loads. No one here can tell you with certainty what load will work best in your gun.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

I was using 50 gr if Swiss fffg and still hitting targets at 80 yards at a Labor Day muzzleloader competition. I was impressed enough with that combination to use it for hunting deer during our regular rifle season. .440 ball, blue stripe pillow ticking (.012) and homemade lube (lamb tallow, beeswax and canning wax). I've heard that Swiss is a somewhat "hotter" powder.... YMMV

Good luck and shoot straight!
Rodd

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have my grandson shoot 20 grain FFF in his 45 Cherokee with good groups at 35 yards.

 

[M. De Land]

Instead of working up your load, work down. Start at 45gr and move down 5gr at a time until you see accuracy drop off. My guess is you could probably go down to around 20gr but that's just a guess.

I tried the 45 grain load then had to shoot awhile to get the sights regulated after shortening my barrel 4 1/4inches since the last match. The load worked OK as I won the match but I still need to bench it and see what charge wt is the most accurate for it. Thanks for the help!