By the standards of the day when it arrived in 1873, and even to this day, the 45 Colt was and is a powerful cartridge. A quote from Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition states, The grooves of pre-World War II revolvers normally measure .454 in diameter. It is a good choice for self-defense, long-range shooting, hunting everything on four legs, and just plain fun shooting. My most used powders for these loads are #2400, #9, #4227 and H110. However, there are two problems associated with it: case capacity and cylinder throat diameters. 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. (In fairness, many historians maintain that original loads contained 40 grains of black powder with 255-grain bullets, including noted Colt authority John Kopec.) 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 bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. I have been surprised by the fact the Marlin feeds Keith-style bullets perfectly. No purchase necessary. 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. These will still work in the vast majority of sixguns with the exception of the old short cylinder Smith & Wesson N-frames produced prior to 1978 and a couple of others not commonly encountered. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: I also have been having good luck lately with 10.0 grains of HS-6 and 250- to 260-grain bullets, which duplicates the performance of the early black powder loads. Later production revolvers and lever action rifles are built with .451 diameter grooves., This statement has been repeated many times but holds very little truth. Alas, the days of gun departments in grocery stores, department stores and drugstores are long gone. This revolver and cartridge proved to be a great teacher as I learned how to shoot a big-bore single-action sixgun accurately. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Make sure your gun can handle it before you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: 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. Actually, we can divide 45 Colt sixguns into several reloading levels, and I have moderated these somewhat over the past several years, with the first two levels being very close together. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: 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. Use a COL at 1.572". I normally stay under 900 fps with a 250-grain bullet in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and its replicas. 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. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. However, when using versions that weigh 250 grains, it is sometimes difficult to reach high enough velocities to achieve reliable expansion while staying within industry pressure guidelines. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. 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. 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. 45 Colt is a pistol round. However, in those long-gone days I was able to find two Winchester Trappers both in .45 Colt and the Marlin versions in both calibers mentioned. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources, Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Keith bullet, the Lee 452-255-rf 250gr bullet and the RCBS 45-270-SAA for .45 Colt. and other smokeless cartridges were introduced. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. It takes at least two rounds to be able to see if the rounds are too long to accomplish both operations. The original .45 Colt bullet profile is known as a truncated cone or round nosed flat point (RNFP). SAAMI pressures for STANDARD .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI MAXIMUM, but for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are considered more the norm. 458 is a rifle bullet. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. 1,578 fps from a 24" universal receiver (all use rem brass and rem 9-1/2 primer). 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. Cartridge Type: Pistol/Revolver. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. None of these loads will work through the action of my Rossi .45 Colt Model 92. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. A Modern rifle should handle these loads equally as well, such as the Winchester Model 94. The Freedom Arms Model 97 also is in this group. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: Two other powders for standard loads include W231 and HP-38. Lyman 49 says reloader 7 has been a long time favorite for .45-70. John with the Winchester Trapper in .45 Colt; the neckerchief is moderate recoil and substantially less muzzle report. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. 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. Wyoming Game & Fish Department, State Agency: 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. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. For example, the .45 Colt with a 255-grain bullet at 860 fps (Winchester) generates 419 ft-lbs, while the .44 Magnum with a 240-grain bullet at 1,180 fps (Remington) generates 741 ft-lbs. When the new 454 Magnum revolvers (as they were first called) arrived, however, the brass was lengthened so it could not be used in standard 45 Colt sixguns. I soon developed an appreciation for reliable performance on game using. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. This is a great all purpose load for the .45 Colt. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. This same bullet can be loaded to much higher velocity in Rugers large-frame single- and double-action sixguns. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: My gun was a new model Bisely blackhawk long barrel. Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. 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. It shoots VERY well, the recoil is tolerable, and it cuts a clean hole in both targets and small game. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. I have found two things necessary gas checks and hard alloys, also in most cases muzzle velocities over 1,200-1,300 fps. i even just recieved an awsome holster rig new,lined,scroll work, you name it , looks fantastic quality for only 40.00,,,got hooked up with this awsome lady on ebay,whos selling them for a friend who makes them. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Marlin Trapper. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. About the same time the Winchester Trappers arrived, Marlin had a very limited run of 500 each of .44 Magnum and .45 Colt Trappers. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. top notch work!! For many decades reloaders have been arguing over whether or not H110 and W296 were identical. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. This is probably when it became so common to use cast bullets sized to .454 inch with pre-World War II guns but was largely confused with groove diameter. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. For the 45 Colt, I especially prefer the 250-grain RNFP and the 255-grain SWC. They do provide identical results of muzzle velocities and pressures using the same charge weights, and I use them interchangeably. Cartridge Filter By Bullet Weight Powder Type Recipes - 9.4 grains Unique Lyman 452460 , 200 gr. This database has 6400 loads for cast bullet loads. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Elmer Keiths custom Colt single action was used to develop his heavy 44 Special loads in the late 1920s, and for a long time the 45 Colt cartridge was accused of being weak. For example, the most recent Speer Reloading Manual Number 15 states, Prior to 1945, most .45 Colt revolvers had a bore diameter of .454 inch. Basic Load Data Hornady Manufacturing Company develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. After a long days work on our remote cattle ranch, I would cast bullets and handload ammunition in the evening so that I could continue shooting the next day. Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. selected. I especially like the 260-grain Keith gas-check bullet which shoots exceptionally well using #4227, 20.0 grains is 1,115 fps for 5/8 and then it gets even better! No purchase necessary. Published .45 Colt rifle data tends to use the same medium burning powders as non Ruger .45 Colt revolver data, with 255 gr bullet velocities around 1100 fps - about 200 fps faster than in a revolver. My powders of choice are Clays, HP-38, HS-6, Universal, Trail Boss, H110, IMR 4227, W296, and W231. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) While only sporadically available as a component, the Remington .456-inch 250-grain lead hollowbase bullet will obturate to minimize bullet tilting. RF - 8.2 grains Unique Now we are all confused! The performance level is pretty close to the original Black Powder load but far more effective due to the bullet I use. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. HS7 is slowest of the group (Similar to 2400) There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. 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. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. With the Winchesters, equipped with receiver sights, most of my shooting is done around 30 to 35 yards with relatively mild loads. When loaded in the Colt Single Action Army at around 850 fps, it is a most powerful everyday working load. 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. 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. 2021. Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. now im looking for top performance load data to ass to my load data book for this caliber. 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. This was achieved with 40 grains of black powder. Again, a groove diameter of .451 to .452 inch remains standard by all manufacturers. My powders of choice are Clays, HP-38, HS-6, Universal, Trail Boss, H110, IMR 4227, W296, and W231. Contest void where prohibited by law. All Freedom Arms cylinders are held to very tight tolerances and whether using 45 Colt or 454 Casull brass, I size with a special 454 die. The .45 Colt was developed in 1872 and first chambered for the Colt Single Action Army revolver in 1873. Additional evidence can be found in Colt-published specifications dated June 1924 that list the .45 Colt with a groove diameter of .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum (with bore diameter being .444 inch minimum and .445 maximum). No data for RX7 and this bullet in the 1886 Winchester & 1895 Marlin section. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: There were no 45 Colt heavyweight bullets available at the time, so we sized down 300-grain 45-70 bullets in several stages, going from around 0.460 inch to 0.452 inch. 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. It follows Keiths original idea of three equally sized driving bands, one forming the base, the middle one serving as the top of the grease groove, and the front driving band helping true up the bullet in the cylinder and is located above a generous crimping groove. ), RCBS #45-270SWC (284 gr.). LYMAN Reloading Products A trusted Brand since the 1800?s. IMR Trail Boss, 4227, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. The smaller case-capacity means better performance with light loads, which is why I am interested in it. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. It is often associated with its vital role in settling the western frontier, where it found favor with lawmen, outlaws and anyone that needed a potent sixgun. Camp Guns: Sometimes Perfect, Other Times Not But Often Essential! Sep 8, 2016 (Edited) Greetings, recently I received a quantity of .45 185 gr LSWC's. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The 9.2 got the best SD and EP, if that means much to you. There are some excellent jacketed bullets available for use in the 45 Colt, including the Sierra 240-grain JHP,Hornady250-grain XTP-JHP, and the Speer 260-grain JHP, all of which I prefer for deer-sized game. This revolver is fitted with a new line-bored cylinder that is tightly chambered with .452-inch throats, a .003-inch barrel/cylinder gap and the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: I didnt think I could shoot this well! Knowing this measurement for a given revolver is critical to select the correct components to achieve accuracy. Cast bullets can be sized to .455 inch (assuming the mould casts bullets large enough), which again helps to reduce bullet tilting in the throat. I prefer to use 250-grain jacketed bullets in conjunction with +P loads, which is a subject for another day. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Agency: Load up some Low Recoil handloads. It is also noteworthy that many dies manufactured prior to around 1980 fail to size cases adequately to correctly hold .451/.452-inch bullets. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, State Agency: Smith & Wesson revolver throats have varied significantly. I seat and crimp just over the bullet radius. In contrast, Ruger only revolver data uses slower powders like IMR 4227, Win 296 and 2400, and 250 gr velocities in the 1350-1450 fps range. Cast bullet loads in the Marlin .45 Colt all the power and accuracy Contest open to U.S. residents only. But keep in mind, both Lyman and Alliant publish only standard pressure loads for the 45 Colt. It follows Keiths original idea of three equally sized driving bands, one forming the base, the middle one serving as the top of the grease groove, and the front driving band helping true up the bullet in the cylinder and is located above a generous crimping groove. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Discussion: The old Western Style COLT normally uses big, heavy and slow lead bullets. (See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.) Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. When the Marlin and Winchester Trappers first arrived in the early 80s, the #1 45 Colt bullet was still Elmer Keiths #454424 weighing about 260 grains from my alloy. 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. Deployed military should use stateside address. I use my Winchester and Marlin Trappers for relatively close-range shooting. ), RCBS #450255KT (258 gr. S.A.A.M.I. 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. The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. 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. Missouri Deptartment of Conservation, State Agency: If cast soft enough they can also slug up to create a gas seal, which helps reduce fusion and barrel leading. Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM March 2022, P.O. For example, Lyman mould No. I can not find any reliable load data for Blue Dot with cast bullets. If you want those speeds and power, buy a .44 magnum. The standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt is .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum. A gun with these internal dimensions offers a much fairer assessment of the accuracy potential of all data. When using bullets designed for the .45 ACP that dont have a crimp cannelure, a taper crimp applied after bullets are seated to the correct overall length is the best option. 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. In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. There were no 45 Colt heavyweight bullets available at the time, so we sized down 300-grain 45-70 bullets in several stages, going from around 0.460 inch to 0.452 inch. 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. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. The Lee bullet works well in my Winchester (Miroku) 1873. Your load at 6.0 gr Unique is dangerously unsafe. However, my first test with OLD Nitro 100 were very light, too light. 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. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. The new 9mm suppressor can mount easily to any pistol barrel threaded x28 inches and doesn't compromise on sound suppression, gas blowback or recoil. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2021. | In guns with .452-inch throats, the Magma designed 250-grain RNFP offered by most commercial cast bullet companies (Oregon Trail used here) can be surprisingly accurate. I was fortunate to find one of each. Note that the Ruger New Vaquero uses a smaller frame and cylinder