The Ashtray Flies Again - 45 Colt

[FN509Fan]

I found a stash of what appears to be 200 gr 45 JHP Speer (#4477) Ashtrays. I believe I bought them for loading 45 Auto Rim back in the 90s. I want to try a few loads for my 45 Colt New Vaquero. I've found published data for Unique: start 8.8 gr., 1.555" @ 940 fps in the Speer #12 manual and loaded up a couple dozen rounds. I have AA#5, Clays, 231 & VV-N350 powders and am looking for published data for a second preferably milder load.

Alternatively, the same Speer manual has 231 at:

260 gr JHP 1.590" 7.2-8.0 grs 725-843 fps
225 gr JHP 1.590" 7.5-8.3 grs 804-870 fps
200 gr L-SWC 1.515" 7.3-8.3 grs 854-998 fps

And for 45 Colt Ruger Only:

200 gr JHP (bullet I have) 1.555" 10.0-10.5grs 1198-1239 fps

So I know to stay clear of 10 grs and I need to stay near 1.555" to keep the crimp in the cannelure. It seems something like 7.7-8.5 grs would be reasonable place to try a few rounds.

The only other close data I have seen is for Hornday 200 gr XTP with AA#5 and it is about the same speed as the Unique so I might try a few rounds with it as well.

 

[RegionRat]

The good news is.... for a modern revolver like your Vaquero, the components you mentioned are all well behaved and you don't have the additional issues with getting a 1911 to cycle reliably.

This is the place where having a chronograph can certainly help get you "calibrated" since it isn't easy to estimate pressure by feel. Keeping the velocity in a reasonable range helps keep you out of trouble. YMMV