We were soon shooting 300-grain bullets at 1,200 fps from a 7.5-inch-barreled Ruger revolver. Sep 8, 2016 (Edited) Greetings, recently I received a quantity of .45 185 gr LSWC's. Stay tuned. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) On paper, the 357 Magnum was the first cartridge to exceed the 45 Colts muzzle energy, but many knowledgeable sixgunners, Elmer Keith included, believed the 45 Colt actually offered more practical power than the First Magnum. Today, it remains one of our most popular sixgun cartridges. All Rights Reserved. Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. With the Winchesters, equipped with receiver sights, most of my shooting is done around 30 to 35 yards with relatively mild loads. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Handgun Data. It is superbly accurate and will often shoot well in sixguns that are cranky about shooting plain-based bullets. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In fact, an axiom with me is, When all else fails, try IMR 4227 before giving up. Years ago, after tiring of oversized 45 Colt chambers in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and New Frontiers, I started with a 357 Magnum New Frontier, had the cylinder rechambered properly and tightly to 45 Colt, and then had a new 4.75-inch Colt New Frontier barrel fitted. from virtually all manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Great Western, USFA and Uberti. A roll crimp is generally preferred and should be applied as heavily as the bullets crimp groove or cannelure will permit. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. His #452490GC was originally made for the 45 Auto Rim cartridge for use in the Smith & Wesson 1950 Target revolver, but I also use the Thompson design, which weighs around 255 grains, for heavy-duty loads approaching the energy of the 44 Magnum in the Ruger Blackhawk. My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Rifle Data Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. It is a good choice for self-defense, long-range shooting, hunting everything on four legs, and just plain fun shooting. Even with their short barrels, they still carry nine rounds in the tubular magazine. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. The Colt SAA .45 Colt with a 4.75-inch barrel ranks as one of Brians favorite handgun configurations. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. Also slugged were guns 121xxx (1887) and number 134xxx (1890) that measured .4515 inch and .451 inch, respectively. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. There are many outstanding cast bullets for the .45 Colt. Energy in foot-pounds (ft-lbs) is not a good method to measure a straight-walled cartridges effectiveness, particularly when using nonexpanding bullets. Using a 250-grain cast bullet, 37.5 grains by volume of Pyrodex P results in a very potent 987 fps and a five-shot, 50-foot group of 0.88 inch in my revolver. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. I found both of these on the shelf of a little gun store, actually a small gun department, in a local grocery store. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, State Agency: His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. about 175 fps and from 7 1/2 by 50 fps. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: But in guns with large throats, dont expect top accuracy from any bevel-base bullet. The Colt Single Action Army, Colt New Frontier, Ruger New Model Flat-Top, Ruger New Vaquero, and Smith & Wesson Model 25/625 are all very close strength-wise. There are now 25 states with so-called Constitutional carry and Florida appears to be approaching permitless carry, which translates to more citizens S&W Set The Bar For Magnum Handgun Performance 50 Years Ago. Before I discuss handloads for the 45 Colt, we have to acknowledge there exists such a wide range of revolvers accepting the 45 Colt that great care must be used in assembling loads and choosing which guns will safely accept them. Copyright. While there were multiple experiments with different cartridges, the .45 Colt was a joint development between Colts Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and Union Metallic Cartridge Company. (In fairness, many historians maintain that original loads contained 40 grains of black powder with 255-grain bullets, including noted Colt authority John Kopec.) All of the Keith-style bullets mentioned feed and chamber even though they have shoulders in front of the case. With these bullets sized .452" and cast of 16 parts lead to 1 part tin, try this loading with 19.0 grains of WW-296 or 19.5 grains of H-110 in Star-line cases with Fed 155 primers and Bubba lube, or Javelina or NEI pistol lube. They include a (1) restored 1900 revolver with carved grips, (2) 1903 custom engraved, (3) 1901 with carved pearl grips, (4) 1899 with carved grips, (5) 1957-era custom, (6) custom 1901 with stag grips, (7) 1903 with custom carved grips and a (8) Colt New Frontier SAA with custom carved grips. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. For something with more thump, it would be wise to find some published load data and buy some bullets that match that data. I have found 5.0 grains of Clays under a 250-grain bullet delivers a very pleasant-shooting load at 725 fps and will group all its shots in 0.63 inch at 20 yards. These two examples were produced in 1875 (left) and 1887 (below). A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. However, there are two problems associated with it: case capacity and cylinder throat diameters. . check out the. With the coming of Rugers Blackhawk chambered in 45 Colt in the early 1970s, we finally had a sixgun that could tap the tremendous potential of the 45 Colt cartridge. That brings us to the next level, which includes 45 Colt revolvers built on the Ruger Super Blackhawk frame and the Ruger Old Model Blackhawk, the arrival of which led to two separate load sections showing up in loading manuals. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Make sure your gun can handle it before I would think that the load you are using would be safe. The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. When tactical lights first came out, we all thought the 50 lumens they offered was astounding and could never get better. Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? This load will certainly handle deer-sized game. Some of my most accurate loads are as follows: The Lyman/Thompson #454490 GC over 20.0 grains of #42274 gives a group at 1,275 fps or 20.0 grains of #2400 for 150 fps more velocity and a group just over 1. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: I didnt think I could shoot this well! (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Rim Rocks 255-grain SWC with gas check is accurate and alleviates leading issues with revolvers (or barrels) that are prone to that. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. I certainly dont know of anything in the lower 48 that cannot be handled with this load. Moving up to 22.0 grains increases the muzzle velocity to 1,300 fps and then 24.0 grains is right at 1,400 fps with both putting three shots in at 45 yards. Contest open to U.S. residents only. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 9 with 15 gr. And about 1450+fps out of the 20" 454 Puma Levergun. so when i find my gun,,i can get busy asap with this . Loading the .45 Colt It's vital to understand today's loading manuals typically include .45 Colt loads at two different power levels: under 14,000 CUP and under 29,000 PSI. The 45 Colt brass could handle the pressures, but standard sixguns could not. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) After all the work and expense, it turned out to be a somewhat mediocre performer. Federal Ammunition History: 14 Things You Didn't Know, SIG Sauer Custom Works P320 Spectre Comp Pistol: First Look, .224 Valkyrie Small Precision Rifle Cartridge: Everything You Need to Know, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, SIG Sauer Announces New P320-XTEN 10mm Pistol, SIG Sauer P322 .22 Rimfire Pistol: Full Review, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. selected. My powders of choice are Clays, HP-38, HS-6, Universal, Trail Boss, H110, IMR 4227, W296, and W231. However, it cannot be approached the same as smokeless. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The only 456 bullet I am aware of is a conical made for Ruger Old Armys, so Lyman saying that is the right bullet for 45 Colt makes no sense. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Handgun Data. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. 53 pg. Checked and verified, page 285, 4th Ed.Lyman cast bullet handbook. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. In the event that a bullet walks out of the case slightly from recoil, Brian suggests an overall cartridge length that is at least .010 to .015 inch below flush with the end of the cylinder. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Most are either .451 (jacketed) or .452 (lead) and Sierra even makes jacketed bullets for the Colt SAA that are .4515 splitting the difference. Jacketed bullets are also more difficult to push down the bore and therefore produce less velocity than a cast bullet of equal weight. The on-line Hogdon load data shows the following for TiteGroup and a 255 gr LSWC: Starting load of 5.0 gr for an approx 716 feet per second and a pressure of 7.6K cup. That is, until I tried IMR 4227 with Lymans #452424 and a 20.0-grain load, and that combination produced one-hole groups. I shoot the .44 and .45 in rifles and pistolas, but I have only a rifle in .38-40. : .451" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. Bullet is .452 diameter. It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. Unique is better. This database has 6400 loads for cast bullet loads. Deployed military should use stateside address. Use 10% UNDER any values you see here for N-100. for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are If I had to shoot only one factory ammunition the rest of my life, I would. Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Subscriber Services. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start, unless it is lesser of several loads or other indications like mild or cowboy etc.) Moving up to the second level, loads at around 1,000 fps with the same-weight bullet are used in the Colt New Frontier, Smith & Wesson Model 25/625, Ruger Flat-Top New Model, and the Ruger New Vaquero. We are blessed to have many excellent cartridges and sixguns available to us, but it would be hard to find any cartridge that is as versatile as the old 45 Colt. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Soon after smokeless powder came into use, throats were increased to .4555 inch (according to Colt specifications), which worked fine with .456-inch lead hollowbase bullets contained in Remington and Winchester ammunition. I usually select an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter, which helps prevent bullets from jumping crimp and aids in achieving consistent powder ignition. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. considered more the norm. The 9.2 got the best SD and EP, if that means much to you. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI. (I) Giveaway ends February 28, 2023. I have yet to find any levergun or sixgun that does not shoot this Dick Casull-designed bullet exceptionally well. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2021. The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The Hornady 225-grain FTX bullet should be loaded in cases trimmed shorter than the industry standard of 1.215 inches. sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition. This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: The 45 Colt brass was up to the task. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. One problem inherent with the original #454424 was the fact that when sized to 0.451 to 0.452 inch, the crimping groove almost disappears. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. 11; firearms used: Universal Receiver & Ruger Blackhawk; barrel length: 7 1/2"; twist: 1-16"; groove dia. For loading black powder 45 Colt loads, I use Goex as well as Pyrodex and Triple Seven. Cast bullets in both plain-based and gas check versions are available from 260 grains to 325 grains. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. RCBS also offers an excellent bullet of standard weight with the #45-255KT that has a better crimping groove than the Keith bullet. Today the throats of most Colt revolvers measure .457 to .458 inch, which is the same dimension used by Smith & Wesson during the late 1970s, Uberti and others. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) has established the maximum average pressure for .45 Colt at 14,000 psi (commonly referred to as standard pressure), which should only be used in guns originally designed for smokeless powder ammunition. 454190 (255 grains) shares a similar profile as the original Government bullet but is a plainbase design that is generally very accurate and can be sized to around .454 to .455 inch for guns with larger throats. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. It was submitted to the U.S. Army in 1872 and would become known as the Colt Single Action Army, Model of 1873, Peacemaker, Model P, Thumb Buster and a host of other affectionate names. and how they grouped at ther yrds. Smith & Wesson revolver throats have varied significantly. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. You find load data for cartridges in caliber .45 Colt with all common powders and bullets by clicking the "Loads in this caliber" button above. IMR Trail Boss, 4227, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. A gun with these internal dimensions offers a much fairer assessment of the accuracy potential of all data. Although far from perfect, the old Taylor Knock Out (TKO) formula, which is caliber x bullet weight x velocity 7,000, is far more accurate. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. I soon developed an appreciation for reliable performance on game using. The performance level is pretty close to the original Black Powder load but far more effective due to the bullet I use. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. I advise staying away from loads intended for custom sixguns with five-shot cylinders and it has also been proven the lever-action is not strong enough for .454 loads. Pyrodex P is the equivalent of Triple-F or FFFg black powder. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, State Agency: Contest open to U.S. residents only. Due to their reduced velocity combined with greater resistance in the bore, I dont recommend loads that produce less than 750 fps because there is a significant chance of sticking a bullet in the bore. Exactly when the .45 Colt factory load containing 250-grain bullets propelled by 40 grains of black powder was first offered is unknown, but it was probably assembled at the Colt factory. These can be safely driven to 1,200 fps in the Ruger Blackhawk. The same load in a Jim Stroh custom 5-1/2 Bisley has the same accuracy with more . Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. Their max load is 6.2 grains for an approx 881 feet per second and a pressure of 13K cup. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. This prevents bullets from being sized down when seated into an overly tight case. The top of the can says NOT FOR HANDGUN LOADS. For a heavier bullet with #4227 I use 22.0 grains with the 305-grain Lyman #454629 gas check at 1,315 fps while grouping in 5/8 for three shots. Contrary to popular belief, the Mason patented spring-loaded, cylinder-pin release catch first appeared in 1896 around serial number 164,000, which were still black powder guns. - 9.4 grains Unique Lyman 452460 , 200 gr. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: This revolver and cartridge proved to be a great teacher as I learned how to shoot a big-bore single-action sixgun accurately. Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. The larger diameter ring that sizes the lower half of the case provides longer case life and eliminates the typical swaged bulge just ahead of the solid head. For example with the 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk, I use the NEI 310-grain Keith bullet over 21.0 grains of WW296 or H110 for 1,125 fps in the sixgun and 1,445 fps from the Trapper Barrel. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. In addition to outstanding terminal performance and accuracy in guns with correct internal dimensions, it offers low pressures, mild muzzle report and controllable recoil, all of which make it especially practical for an outdoorsman who uses a sixgun daily. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. If you want those speeds and power, buy a .44 magnum. Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance. The standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt is .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. If your Hornady book says 45 Colts use a 458 bullet, they are wrong. Contest open to U.S. residents only. The key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. Bullseye is a bit fast for this big cartridge and I dont especially recommend it, but it will work. I have measured Colt revolvers with throats that run from. In ranking the various 45 Colt sixguns now in production from the least strongest to that capable of a handling the heaviest loads, I would set the following order. A gun is like a parachute: If you need one and don't have one, you won't be needing one again. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Reddings excellent Dual Ring Carbide sizing die was used to prep cases as it works the case less, results in longer case life, seems to improve accuracy and eliminates the Coke bottle shape forward of the head. SWC - 9.0 grains Unique Lyman # 452664 , 250 gr. A Redding Dual Ring Carbide sizing die was used to develop handload data. Here is what Lyman #4 has to say on 45 Colt, maximum Unique , standard pressure loads: Lee 452-200-RF , 200 gr. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. No data for RX7 and this bullet in the 1886 Winchester & 1895 Marlin section. Share to Twitter. It also is a most versatile powder as it can be used for standard loads for the Colt SAA and heavy loads for the Blackhawk. Contest void where prohibited by law. * which is just a little over maximum Colt loads (but mild for Ruger) shot an average of 880.2 fps pointing up and 708.0 fps pointing down, but the spread between shots was 146 fps and 235 fps respectively. I have found HS-6, Universal, and W231 powders work very well for standard loads, while IMR 4227 bulks up nicely in 45 Colt brass. Improving the Keith Bullet Keith's #454424 was an excellent bullet, however it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. Quality 300-grain jacketed bullets are also offered by all three of these manufacturers. El Hombre Sin Nombre Members 6.3k Gender:Male Location:Oakland, CA SASS# 101096 Richmond Roughriders, Coyote Valley Cowboys, Faultine Shootist Society,Two Rivers Posse, River City Regulators Posted February 18, 2017 The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Share to Facebook. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. These two bullets in a custom five-shot Blackhawk or Freedom Arms Model 83 five-shooter can be driven to 1,450 fps with W296 or H110. For several years Smith & Wesson cut throats at 0.455 inch or even larger, but now they seem to be running at a more proper 0.451 to 0.452 inch. For loading black powder 45 Colt loads, I use Goex as well as Pyrodex and Triple Seven.