255 to 200 45C

[Sleepy Floyd]

I've just finished off my stash of 255g 45colt bullets.  Thinking of going to 200g.  Advantages or dis advantages of doing this? 

I have found some loads for Trail Boss but the FPS are higher than I like.  Any ideas what the load should be to get 600 FPS.

Fergus AKA Sleepy Floyd.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I've been shooting 200 gr RNFP bullets for years. They shoot to point of aim with my Colt's. I do however, shoot them at a much higher velocity than you're wanting. Try Trail Boss.

[Silver_Rings]

When I tried 200 grain bullets instead of the 250 grain bullets I usually use, I found they shot low.  If you lower the velocity of the 200 grns you may have the same point of impact.

Silver Rings

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[Trailrider]

I am not saying you'll have any problems going to the lighter bullets...BUT...if you reduce the bullet weight and want those low velocities, you are going to go to a faster-burning powder to get decent ignition. But, faster-burning powders will take up much less space in the already "cavernous" .45 LC cases. You may be fine, but as the powder moves around in the large volume of space, you may get some larger variations in muzzle velocity. Trail Boss is supposed to reduce the problem. However, I have found that Trail Boss works best with loads in the mid-range of the published data. Also, with ALL smokeless powders, and regardless of bullet weight, I strongly recommend a firm roll crimp on the case mouth. How firm? Enough that you can see the curvature, but NOT so much as to bulge the case wall away from the bullet's side.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I've been using a .45 ACP taper crimp die on my .45 Colt loads for longer than I can remember. You can actually see the taper, but not as well as a roll crimp, and they work great. And yes I use'm in my '73 lever gun too.

[Sleepy Floyd]

Thanks guys,

I have decided to stay with what works and continue with the 255.

I do get just enough roll crimp that the bullets do not move or creep when using either my 1860 Henry or the improved 1866.