Users Load Data
WARNING! Cowboy .45 Special must not be loaded using .45 COLT load data. High pressures with the risk of injury or death will result Cowboy .45 Special must be loaded with data safe for .45 ACP or .45 Autorim. Data provided on these pages are examples provided by users of Cowboy .45 Special. This data MUST be cross checked with powder or bullet company data to assure that is falls within acceptable guidelines for .45 ACP or Autorim. See Hodgdon.com, Alliant Powders, Lyman's manuals, etc for published data. The user is solely responsible for the safe loading of Cowboy .45 Special. We cannot control, nor do we accept liability for, any use of our brass. Consult handloading manuals, press operation instructions, and data for .45 ACP and Autorim for guidance. You MUST cross check data with published sources before use. |
| Notes on load data. From the data so far, it appears the practical limit for VERY ACCURATE shooting with Cowboy .45 Special is a "recoil equivalent" (mass X velocity) just about equal to commercially loaded 158 grain .38 Special ammo. This translates to a "power Factor"of about 125. With a 150 grain bullet, we're talking approximately 825 FPS. With a 200 grainer, 650 FPS is a very good target velocity. So, I guess it boils down to this. If you like the recoil of a .38, but love the sound and feel of the .45s, ya came to the right place. Note,you Could go lower yet in many cases, but you may see groups begin to open up. I like a "target stretcher" load, where they print into one hole, and see little to gain in further reduction of velocity at the expense of accuracy. Bullet weight Powder Charge (grains) velocity Remarks 160 Trail Boss 3.8 520 A winning load from a State Champion 200 IMR 700X 4.3 650 Accurate, POA in 5.5:" Rugers (A favorite) 200 Unique 5.2 580 Dirty, reasonable accuracy, real mouse phart 200 Trail Boss 4.0 ? soft shooting, accurate 230 Power Pistol 6.2 750 Snappy 200 Triple Seven 13.2 (weight) 680 A sweetie 230 Triple Seven 13.2 (weight) 710 Works good 250 Triple Seven 13.2 (weight) 730 Consistent, a snappy load. 200 Goex FFG 15.0 ? A minimum load, very soft shooter 250 Goex FFG 15.0 ? Slight compression, soft shooter. 200 J/P original nose 777 FFG 12.0 (weight) 765 Bullet seats deep, this load is very consistent 200 J/P (original) Red Dot 4.2 740 shows promise 200 J/P (original) 700X 4.3 740 NICE! 200 J/P (long nose) 777 FFG 13.2 (weight) 700 Very accurate, good case seal. Nice bullet/powder combination 160 Shooters choice 777 FFG 15.0 (weight) ? Soft shooting, accurate, guns ran well. 200 Bald Head RNFP 777 FFG 13.0 (weight) 680 Worked well 150 EPP/UG BIG LUBE 777 FFG 12.5 (weight) 675 about as light as I'd go with 777 Fair accuracy 150 EPP/UG BIG LUBE 777 FFG 13.4 (weight) 780 soft shooter, fairly decent accuracy 150 EPP/UG BIG LUBE 777 FFG 14.9 (weight) 830 Nice burn, acccurate, pretty clean cases 150 EPP/UG BIG LUBE 700X 4.3 735 VERY consistent, Could be a winner, 150 EPP/UG BIG LUBE 700X 4.7 790 Fair. Rifle load data (24 inch Marlin "Spur Special" conversion) 150 EPP-UG BIG LUBE 700X 4.7 930 Worked fine 150 EPP-UG BIG LUBE 777 FFG 13.4 WEIGHT 1020 VERY accurate, a good load. 150 EPP-UG BIG LUBE 777 FFG 14.9 WEIGHT 1070 SUPERB accuracy, nice clean cases. J/P 200 (original) Big Lube Red Dot 4.2 840 Very consistent J/P (original) Big Lube 700X 4.3 870 Might be a winner J/P original Big Lube 777 FFG 12.0 (weight) 935 Very consistent J/P original Big Lube 777 FFG 13.2 (weight) 960 Not too shabby!! All 150 EPP loads shown with smokeless and 777 FFG sized .4525 and lubed with Lyman Orange Magic. Seated to 1.080 OAL and GENTLY crimped. NON-CAS LOAD DATA 150 EPP-UG BIG LUBE Power Pistol 8.5 1130 Fair accuracy. Fair trade off between penetration and initial "shock"in a water jug. NON-CAS RIFLE DATA 150 EPP-UG BIG LUBE Power Pistol 8.5 1215 Accurate, fair water jug results Mild primer sign 200 Gold Dot Power Pistol 10.0 (1.120 OAL) 1280fps Wicked expansion. A hot load. Not for use in Colts/clones or toggle links. |
| Don't forget to submit your favorite recipes for Cowboy .45 Special. Include bullet weight & type, Powder type & charge, velocity from pistol if known, and any comments. Send via email to info@cowboy45special.com |
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