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I have not loaded in a while so today I dusted off the Dillon square deal. I checked my notes and loaded 300 rounds as per my load data chicken scratch. I decided to double check the minimun load and I was .3 under. I am loading 45 Colt 200 LRNFP. I was dumping 4.3 grains of Clays and the data reads to start at 4.6. Did I go to light? What will happen? Do you think it will be light enogh to stove pipe in my USFA revolvers?

Thanks!

BSB

Unless someone has actually tried this load I don't think you can get a dependable answer. In general I would not be concerned that .3 below a minimum load would cause a squib. However that is a small amount of powder in a very big case so the amount of pressure drop is hard to guess. My recommendation is to go to the range and fire a round but carry a punch with you just in case. My bet is they will clear the barrel but I have no real facts to support this statement.

0.3 grains is only a 6.5% decrease from the original load. It's probably fine, but I would test a bunch of them, one at a time, to make sure they run OK. Between each round, I'd check the barrel with a rod to make sure you don't have a squib.

I would say if you're wanting to load light revolver rounds, try a different powder that was meant for it.

IMR Trail Boss is purpose-built for light cowboy-type loads. Do check it out, it will make developing light loads a snap without worrying about detonation or a host of other problems you'd have to worry about with traditional powders. It's light and fluffy, to the point where a normal IMR 1 pound can only holds 8oz of powder. Max Load with Trail Boss is as much as you can fit in the case, and even that ends up as a moderate load.

IMR's data for a 200 grain bullet shows a .45 Colt starting load at 5.5 grains and a velocity of 706fps, with a max load or 6.5 grains, and a velocity of 855fps.

By contrast, the starting load for the same caliber/bullet using Clays is 4.6 grains at 777fps and a max of 5.9 grains and 931 fps.

Something you might consider.

O.3 under should be fine, but you should really consider a different powder - trail boss would be my starting point for target loads.

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Thanks for the feedback. I didn't do this on purpose just didn't varify my info before loading......important step. I am just glad I wasn't way off or I would be pulling a lot of bullets. I use to shoot SASS but hard times and distance from clubs has put an end to that. My point is I tend to load on the light side but I have never purposely went under the suggested starting load. I will be using these for plinking and will take it slow. If I here a thump instead of a bang I know to stop and check for squibs. I have never had one and hope I don't with these loads.

Thanks again!

BSB

BSB wrote:Do you think it will be light enogh to stove pipe in my USFA revolvers?

BSB

Now I'm really confused! I always thought that "stove pipe" was the condition when an autoloading pistol failed to eject the spent case and instead clamps it between the slide and the barrel breach in an upright position resembling a stove pipe. For the life of me I can't imagine how a revolver could have one of these "stove pipes". Sombody please set me straight on this.

Thanks in advance,

Gerry

Wrong term but it seemed correct at the time.

BSB wrote: Wrong term but it seemed correct at the time.

BSB,
I understand completely. Happens to me all the time and the older I get the more frequently it happens.

Gerry

Glad y'all clarified the "stove pipe" thing ... I was confused by that terminology with a revolver as well