Dumb question for today: How many grains of pyrodex will a .45 Colt casing hold?

Question

I'd seriously like to know.

I would check myself, but I don't have a powder measure to go by. If it was big enough, I thought one made out of one of my .45 casings would be nice for my brother.

skipjack: I wasn't going to use the pyrodex in my .45. I was thinking about using an old .45 hull to make a powder measure for my brother if it was big enough.

DT89ACE: My question is NOT about reloading. I wanted to know the volume of a .45 colt casing, to see if it would be big enough to make a powder measure for my brothers muzzleloading rifle.

Ũniνέгsäl Рдnтs™: And that my friend is the story of my mental breakdown! lol

crash: THATS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR! Much appreciated.

Fallen Angel© VT aka ♥Dixie!♥: You can stalk me anytime ;)

Answer 1

just tried it with P pyrodex (dont have any R S) 45 colt holds 40.1 grains of P pyrodex level with the top. that would be an awfull light load for a rifle. a 45-70 shell holds 67.8 grains of P that would be O K for a round ball 45 to 50 cal rifle but would be alittle light for a 54.
he will be better off with a cheap adjustable measure as every rifle likes a little different load & you have to try a lot of them to find just the right one then you can cut a measure to hold just that amount for your field bag.
charges for muzzle loaders should be measured by volumn as the weight will vary between types of powder & even between brands, you cant make a mistake if you always use a full measure.

Answer 2

Edit: I see what you want to do now - you want to make a dram out of a case. You could buy a dram measure - they do sell them. You still need a scale if you're going to find this out.

I'll leave the answer I typed before the addition info got posted below..

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Reloading is nothing to screw around with. If you over-charge a cartridge there is a real possibility you will harm yourself or others as the over-pressure may cause a major failure of the firearm. In other words, it very well may blow up like a gernade in your hand, and take your fingers and hand with it - not to mention the shrapnel hitting other parts of your body. This isn't an exaggeration - it has happened.

Experimenting with no clue is dangerous.

You have no idea how much Pyrodex is in the case, its burning characteristics, the pressures it will create, or anything.

If you're going to reload, use published recipies to the T. You could easily find very light .45 Colt smoke-less powder loads that mimick black-powder characteristics, but are tested and safe.

Don't try fitting as much powder as you can in a case!

You can use Pyrodex to load metallic cases, but you MUST follow the recipie and put the exact measured amount, maximum - never exceed it!

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/muzzleloading/pellets/metallic.php

If you don't have a scale, you shouldn't be reloading. A scale is a MUST.

Answer 3

I used various sizes of .22 LR cases as powder measures when I started loading .38 Special--the short one for target loads, the big one for defense loads (using Bullseye Powder)My great uncle had used them for years before I got them. He soldered a wire handle on the side to make them easier to use. You really need a scale to determine how much Pyrodex a .45 Colt casing will hold. Unfortunately, there can be no specific answer because there can be capacity variations from one case to another. That's why reloaders who are interested in ultimate accuracy sort their cases according to brand. If you don't have friends who reload check out a local gun club, explain what you are doing and I'll bet that someone will be willing to help you out. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Not a dumb question. I think about 30-35 grains and make sure you use a greased wadding between the slug and powder. But are you sure you want to clean your 45 every time you shoot it? Pyrodex is very corrosive and needs to be cleaned out every time you shoot. I use American Pioneer Powder brand because it is a water washable less corrosive alternative. Also, make sure that you use FFFG as FFG and FG are too slow of powders for pistol.

PS One made out of a 45ACP shell should be very close to the right amount of powder. You may have to file down the casing so as to not make the load too hot.

Answer 5

45 Long
Colt
Grade of Pyrodex: P
Grains: 37 gr.
Bullet: 250 gr. RNFP
Velocity: 955 fps
Pressure: 13,500 CUP

45 Long
Colt
Grade of Pyrodex: RS
Grains: 37 gr.
Bullet: 250 gr. RNFP
Velocity: 918 fps
Pressure: 11,900 CUP

45 Long
Colt
Grade of Pyrodex: Select
Grains: 37 gr.
Bullet: 250 gr. RNFP
Velocity: 848 fps
Pressure: 9,800 CUP

Answer 6

14

Answer 7

Dunbar is off his meds again. . .

Answer 8

I don't have a clue - just stalking you ....
*wink*

Answer 9

You're right... baloney always tastes good when you're REALLY hungry... lol

Answer 10

up to 150 grains......Does that answer your question.