Henry Rifle Forums

Howdy, folks. I have a Big Boy in 45 Colt, and I'm trying to work up a good load for it. So far, about the best I can get is 2-3" at 100 yards, with many loads far worse than that. I'm working with both jacketed and lead bullets in the 255-260gr range, using H110 powder.

For those who have the BB in either 44 or 45, is this about what I can expect? Is it just the limitation of the round, and I really shouldn't expect to see 1-2" groups at that distance?

Thanks,
Brian

can't speak for a 45 but most certainly can for a 44 .... the picture below shows 100 rounds of our loads using 23.8 g of W296 pushing a Nosler 240 g JHP at 100 yards .... while I have no doubt that the rifle is capable of doing better, that target is about the best I am capable of firing ... conditions were as close to perfect as I've ever seen .... fired from a solid bench rest with no rush to pull the trigger .... I guess one could call it a 3" group, I do know I'm content with it

Yeah, I would be very happy with that group. I haven't yet tried any of the Nosler bullets, waiting to find them at SPS.

Have you run those loads over a chrono? Wondering what the velocity is.

If you are shooting 3" groups at 100 yards, I would have to say that is pretty darn good. I would not expect much better from a pistol caliber rifle.

I would be thrilled to have that group at 50 much less 100. Nice shooting Jim!

Im guessing accuracy is the priority over the speed. You might give 2400 or HS-6 a try. 2400 is really good in accuracy dept I have found with the right bullet of course. Im not sure which jacketed you are using but Hornady XTP bullets are also very good.

bdbrown66 wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 10:28 am

Have you run those loads over a chrono? Wondering what the velocity is.

yes we have .... average velocity of 6 rounds 10 ft from the muzzle 1746 fps ....

per our ballistics program: .6" high at 25 yds --- 1.9" high at 50 yds --- 2.3" high at 75 yds --- 1.7" high at 100 yds --- Zeroed at 125 yds --- 3.0" low at 150 yds

in the real world coming close to a .6" high impact point at 25 yards doesn't mean its an exact measurement .... for big game hunting the trajectory shown above meets our needs .... out to 150 yards I do my best to put the cross hairs dead on where I want to hit and the bullet impact will be just above or below that spot

SPS is where we purchase our Noslers .... if you get on their email notification list, they will let you know when more arrive

I'm too new to my 45 Colt Carbine (Brass) to be able to answer your question completely, but RifleTom has done some pretty extensive reloading and shooting of his 45Colt and loves it.
I believe he's using a 250 gr (non-coated) FN lead projectile from Missouri Bullet Co., and about 8.0 or 8.5 gr of Unique. You might browse the Reloader subforum or reach out to him via PM for more details, as I'm not sure what kind of accuracy he's seeing from what distances.
Sorry to not be of direct help, but Tom would be a great one to chat with...

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 10:44 am

I would be thrilled to have that group at 50 much less 100. Nice shooting Jim!

the picture below shows 50 rounds at 50 yards with the same load given above .... the conditions weren't as good but most certainly weren't bad at all .... that picture was taken back in August of 2018 .... since then I had to remove and remount the scope twice .... right now its close but I haven't gotten it zeroed back where it was

JEBar wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 11:28 am

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 10:44 am

I would be thrilled to have that group at 50 much less 100. Nice shooting Jim!

the picture below shows 50 rounds at 50 yards with the same load given above .... the conditions weren't as good but most certainly weren't bad at all .... that picture was taken back in August of 2018n in late December .... since then I had to remove and remount the scope twice .... right now its close but I haven't gotten it zeroed back where it was

Dang!!...nice Jim!

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 10:55 am

Im guessing accuracy is the priority over the speed. You might give 2400 or HS-6 a try. 2400 is really good in accuracy dept I have found with the right bullet of course. Im not sure which jacketed you are using but Hornady XTP bullets are also very good.

Really, I'm trying for both. I want to use it as a woods rifle for deer. The idea is a 75-yd zero and enough velocity to be effective out to about 125 without much holdover. I've been looking at the stuff from Linebaugh and Paco Kelly about heavy 45 Colt loads. I think if I can stay at about the 1600fps range I'll get the trajectory I want, just need to work on the accuracy part. So far, I've been using the Speer 260gr JHP and the Missouri Bullet 255gr coated Keith bullet.

I tend to agree with Flinch (above) who likes a 3" group at 100 yds, especially for what you describe above. Are you using iron sights or a scope?

2-7x scope. And I can live with 3" at 100, if that's the best I can expect.

255 gr cast over 10.0 grs. of Unique has worked well for me in my Marlin 1894 CB.
Have two friends that own Henry BBS's and it is their go to load also.

RP

Hmm. Haven't gone with 10.0gr Unique[250gr LRNFP lead and coated], but, 8.0-8.5gr Unique in my BB steel with 20" barrel. Granted, I don't hunt with this rifle; simply a desert plinker. Furthest I've shot targets with that load is 75 yards. Very accurate load. Easy on the rifle and shooter. But, I believe OP is looking for something a bit more stout.

Rifletom wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 9:40 pm

Hmm. Haven't gone with 10.0gr Unique[250gr LRNFP lead and coated], but, 8.0-8.5gr Unique in my BB steel with 20" barrel. Granted, I don't hunt with this rifle; simply a desert plinker. Furthest I've shot targets with that load is 75 yards. Very accurate load. Easy on the rifle and shooter. But, I believe OP is looking for something a bit more stout.

Yes, you are correct. It would not appear that Unique will get me to where I want to go. I do see some interesting data for AA #9 and 4100. May have to give them a shot.

I haven't done Vaquero's 10.0 gr of Unique, either, but it's easy enough to do. No experience with AA#9 or 4100 (Alliant?).

ESquared wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 9:55 pm

I haven't done Vaquero's 10.0 gr of Unique, either, but it's easy enough to do. No experience with AA#9 or 4100 (Alliant?).

They are from Accurate (Western Powders)

bdbrown66 wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 10:07 pm

ESquared wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 9:55 pm

I haven't done Vaquero's 10.0 gr of Unique, either, but it's easy enough to do. No experience with AA#9 or 4100 (Alliant?).

They are from Accurate (Western Powders)

Gotcha. I've also read that Red Dot is a good powder for the 45 Colt crowd. No experience, but maybe worth researching. I'm just getting my 45Colt Henry broken in, so I'll be messing with different Unique loads at different distances. Will post what results seem pertinent.