Beginning in the early 1980s both Winchester and Marlin began offering .45 Colt leverguns. Unique is better. Keith bullet, the Lee 452-255-rf 250gr bullet and the RCBS 45-270-SAA for .45 Colt. It is clear why the .45 Colt had such a stellar reputation as a man stopper and for its effectiveness on game. I clocked 9.2, 9.5 and 10 grains. The 45 Colt brass could handle the pressures, but standard sixguns could not. Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: Checked and verified, page 285, 4th Ed.Lyman cast bullet handbook. Here is what Lyman #4 has to say on 45 Colt, maximum Unique , standard pressure loads: Lee 452-200-RF , 200 gr. Contest void where prohibited by law. However, this approach causes some bullet deformation by being shortened, then sized down in the barrel, which still leaves accuracy potential on the table. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. A gun with these internal dimensions offers a much fairer assessment of the accuracy potential of all data. 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. Purchase A PDF Download Of The GUNS Magazine February 2021 Issue Now! Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. Jacketed bullets are also more difficult to push down the bore and therefore produce less velocity than a cast bullet of equal weight. It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. [See page on powder location in case affecting FPS elsewhere on pages] It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Colt191145. I use WLP primers. I did find a 225 grain jacketed bullet. I soon added single-cavity molds for the .45 Colt and .38 Special. Lyman has a 255 grain .45 Colt gas-checked bullet, #454490GC, that was designed by Ray Thompson who also brought forth the .357 Magnum #358156GC and the .44 Magnum #431244GC. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. 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. After all the work and expense, it turned out to be a somewhat mediocre performer. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. When crimped in its cannelure, the overall length still exceeds industry specifications at 1.652 inches. Contest void where prohibited by law. Before loading any ammunition for leverguns, I first make dummy rounds to be able to check both feeding through the action and chambering. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. The individual accessing this site assumes the risk of safe loading practices. Join over1 million subscribers and get the latest deals from HunterHub, Winchester USA Ready Large Pistol Primers Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), Remington Small Pistol Primers #1-1/2 Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), Federal Premium Gold Medal AR Match Grade Small Rifle Primers #GM205MAR Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), Winchester Small Rifle Primers #6-1/2 Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), Federal Premium Gold Medal Small Rifle Match Primers #205M Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), CCI Primers #209M Shotshell Magnum Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100), Federal Premium Terminal Ascent Great Accuracy and Performance, Large Pistol Primers Or Small Pistol Primers- Things To Know Before You Buy, Enlighten yourself with Vital Information about the top tactical medicine in USA. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. 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. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. 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. About 1200+ fps in the 7.5 SBH, 1150fps out of the 4" Redhawk. A roll crimp is generally preferred and should be applied as heavily as the bullets crimp groove or cannelure will permit. I have used them to take big game, including mule deer and bears. The Complete Reloading Manual For The 45 Colt Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. My maine load is the Lyman 454190 cast of ww + 2% tin. I have tested vintage loads that produced an honest 1,000 fps. The original conical bullet found in black powder 45 Colt loads from the 1870s is very close to the Lyman #454190 and the RCBS #45-255 FN. Everyone who has a Ruger Blackhawk or Freedom Arms single-action revolver realizes the roots of these modern guns go back to the Colt Single Action Army. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. I would think that the load you are using would be safe. 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. 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. My brass of choice is Starlines excellent 45 Colt brass with CCI 300 Large Pistol primers for all powders, except I switch to CCI 350 Magnum Pistol primers with IMR 4227, H110, W296, and all black powder and black powder substitutes. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. 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. A Redding Dual Ring Carbide sizing die was used to develop handload data. Cast bullets in both plain-based and gas check versions are available from 260 grains to 325 grains. Contest open to U.S. residents only. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: 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. 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. rifling. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Contest open to U.S. residents only. We were soon shooting 300-grain bullets at 1,200 fps from a 7.5-inch-barreled Ruger revolver. The Lyman family of brands including Pachmayr, Mark 7 Reloading, TacStar, A-Zoom, Trius, Butch's, and Targ-Dots offers products to meet the needs of shooters and reloaders. Box 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-1377. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. flatpoint Keith-style bullets. The day of the percussion revolver would soon be over, and even Colt could see the future and began converting 1860 cap-and-ball sixguns to fire cartridges. patterned after the one worn by Theodore Roosevelt. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: S.A.A.M.I. I have dozens of references from credible sources that state pre-World War II Colt revolvers feature a barrel groove diameter of .454 inch while postwar guns measure .451 to .452 inch. - 9.4 grains Unique Lyman 452460 , 200 gr. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM Old West 2023, PO Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. This is a great all purpose load for the .45 Colt. For testing I go with three shots at 45 yards. Deployed military should use stateside address. Alas, the days of gun departments in grocery stores, department stores and drugstores are long gone. The top of the can says NOT FOR HANDGUN LOADS. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. It takes at least two rounds to be able to see if the rounds are too long to accomplish both operations. 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. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. I can not find any reliable load data for Blue Dot with cast bullets. Technical Specifications (based on the respective safety standard - see more details in tab "Datasheet" if available) Caliber: .45 Colt. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. The .45 Colts origins started in 1871 when Colt began designing a new sixgun specifically to house metallic cartridges. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Yes, these loads in this rifle could be stretched farther, however for feral pigs or white tail deer from a stand one would rarely have to shoot any farther than this. Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. Most of the accompanying handloads are within industry overall length guidelines at 1.600 inches or less; however, a few loads exceed that length (including Hornadys FTX factory load). A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. The (top) Model 25-5 has .458-inch throats while the (bottom) Model 25-5 has .451-inch throats and is far more accurate. There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. The 45 Colt also predates the 38 Special, the 44 Special, and the 45 ACP, and not only is it more than 80 years older than the 44 Magnum, but it also has more case capacity and in the proper sixguns can outrank the 44 Magnum. There are some excellent jacketed bullets available for use in the 45 Colt, including the Sierra 240-grain JHP, Hornady 250-grain XTP-JHP, and the Speer 260-grain JHP, all of which I prefer for deer-sized game. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. For several reasons they should not be used. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Just about all loads shot the same . 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. The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. RNFP), 1007 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 255 gr. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. and other smokeless cartridges were introduced. SAAMI pressures for STANDARD .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI MAXIMUM, but Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? 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. However, due to their heavier weights and increased barrel time, many fixed-sighted sixguns may group high. No purchase necessary. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. A huge hit among hunters, it remained popular in deer camps long after the .30-30 Win. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. That is black powder loads or Black powder level only. It's always had a great reputation as a man stopper. 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. In his classic 1955 book Sixguns by Keith, Elmer Keith stated, As one grows older and his hair starts to turn grey, his respect for this grand old load increases. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. Many early black-powder-era Colt revolvers (1873-1898) feature .449- to .452-inch throats that corresponded reasonably with .450- to .452-inch barrel groove diameters. RF - 8.2 grains Unique Now we are all confused! We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. But in guns with large throats, dont expect top accuracy from any bevel-base bullet. This database has 6400 loads for cast bullet loads. John makes up dummy loads using available cast bullets to make Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. Rifle Data Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. More than 45 years of shooting and slugging the barrels of hundreds of Colt SAAs suggests differently. However, Dick Casull started with the 45 Colt single action and the weak 45 Colt case to come up with his cartridge, which eventually became the 454 Casull. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. In preparation for this article, I pulled from my personal collection a Colt SAA with serial number 16xxx (1875) that slugged an average groove diameter of .450 inch. 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. With their 16 barrels the Winchesters weigh right at 6 lbs. Its also a good choice for hunting. Most manufacturers have recognized the need to offer revolvers with correct throat dimensions including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Uberti, USFA and others, but not Colt. This prevents bullets from being sized down when seated into an overly tight case. 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. Handgun Data. Contest open to U.S. residents only. 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. bullet type,style,powder ,amount,col.,primeres,and if possable fps. 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. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. The 9mm/.38 Lyman #356637 HP is nominally a 124 grain HP version of their excellent 147 grain RNFP for the 9mm Parabellum. There are many outstanding cast bullets for the .45 Colt. sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. RCBS also offers an excellent bullet of standard weight with the #45-255KT that has a better crimping groove than the Keith bullet. Elmer Keith was way ahead of his time in developing everyday working and hunting loads. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Bullet sizes vary from .450 for jacketed to .454 for some lead in diameter. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. in pistol calibers than the old. Treat it like one. Use 10% UNDER any values you see here for N-100. Subscriber Services. The key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. 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. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: 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. As I have gotten older and my hands have become more tender, I find myself moderating my everyday shooting loads. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not . 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. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. www.hodgdonreloading.com Broc NES Member Rating - 100% 15 0 0 Joined Sep 18, 2010 Mike, who used to live in Newport News, but now resides in Poquoson VA. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Most of these are custom, tuned and have accounted for several head of big game. 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. That is, until I tried IMR 4227 with Lymans #452424 and a 20.0-grain load, and that combination produced one-hole groups. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. Guns with larger throats will usually produce improved accuracy when loaded with bullets that measure .454 to .456 inch. Velocities in a test Basic Load Data Hornady Manufacturing Company develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. 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. Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. Handgun Data. My brass of choice is Starlines excellent 45 Colt brass with CCI 300 Large Pistol primers for all powders, except I switch to CCI 350 Magnum Pistol primers with IMR 4227, H110, W296, and all black powder and black powder substitutes. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. H110 works well for heavy bullet loads in the .45 Colt levergun. Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. The 45 Colt rim is smaller than the rim on a 45 Auto Rim. Originally loaded with 40 grs. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. 5, No.7, No. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Stay tuned. The Lyman bullet 452651 GC will cast 20-1 at about 325 grains including gas check. It served me well while riding the ranch on horseback, running a trap-line, hunting big game, varmints and pests, etc., and it even saved my skin a time or two. Copyright. My most used powders for these loads are #2400, #9, #4227 and H110. Pyrodex P is the equivalent of Triple-F or FFFg black powder. 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. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. models. The minimum load for a 200 gr cast SWC in 45 Colt is listed as 8.6 gr Unique for 918 fps. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. USE THIS DATA WITH ALLIANT BRAND POWDERS ONLY. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. 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. Instead of being overly large, Rugers have been way too tight, with some measuring around 0.449 inch, but now Ruger is cutting all cylinder throats at 0.451 to 0.452 inch. The Freedom Arms Model 97 also is in this group. As always there are occasional exceptions, including two guns manufactured in 1900 and 1902 that slugged .458 and .453 inch, respectively, but they seemed to be more out-of-spec than the normal. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. The Lee bullet works well in my Winchester (Miroku) 1873. Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. Everyone who has a Ruger Blackhawk or Freedom Arms single-action revolver realizes the roots of these modern guns go back to the Colt Single Action Army. 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. Nonetheless, the 30-grain charge with a 250-grain bullet reached around 850 fps from a 7.5-inch barrel. The smaller case-capacity means better performance with light loads, which is why I am interested in it. The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA.
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