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. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. 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. Contest open to U.S. residents only. 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. I prefer to use 250-grain jacketed bullets in conjunction with +P loads, which is a subject for another day. However, there are two problems associated with it: case capacity and cylinder throat diameters. In part one of this series we saw the history of .45 Colt leverguns, which turned out to be quite recent, beginning in the early 1980s. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. 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. The 1894 Winchester Trappers have a long, strong action and even though the chambers are somewhat over-size, they will handle any load you can normally load in a .45 Colt case for use in sixguns with six-shot cylinders. sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. 53 pg. However, there are two problems associated with it: case capacity and cylinder throat diameters. RCBS also offers an excellent bullet of standard weight with the #45-255KT that has a better crimping groove than the Keith bullet. I soon added single-cavity molds for the .45 Colt and .38 Special. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. This is a great all purpose load for the .45 Colt. The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. The smaller case-capacity means better performance with light loads, which is why I am interested in it. This prevents bullets from being sized down when seated into an overly tight case. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. 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. Cartridge Type: Pistol/Revolver. 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. There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. The same load in a Jim Stroh custom 5-1/2 Bisley has the same accuracy with more . Low Recoil Loads | Hodgdon Reloading Handloading allows the flexibility to adjust load ballistics for a particular purpose. Balloonhead cases were discontinued around World War II but still show up regularly on handloaders benches. The other problem, that of cylinder throat diameters, centers around the fact that they vary considerably. For loading black powder 45 Colt loads, I use Goex as well as Pyrodex and Triple Seven. 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. 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. 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. It is becoming more popular with the Cowboy Action Shooting since it is a mild load and can be shot in the guns chambered for the .45 Colt. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. It is an excellent compromise between the 250- and 300-grain cast bullets. After all the work and expense, it turned out to be a somewhat mediocre performer. Make sure your gun can handle it before Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. A huge hit among hunters, it remained popular in deer camps long after the .30-30 Win. models. This load will certainly handle deer-sized game. These can be safely driven to 1,200 fps in the Ruger Blackhawk. We switch now from the use of PC (Powder Coated) bullets to cast bullets. Contest open to U.S. residents only. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. The original Winchesters, whether chambered in .44 Rimfire or .44-40, all used cast bullets as jacketed bullets did not start appearing until the early part of the 20th century. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. Data can be searched by cartridge name, powder name, and bullet weight. Smith & Wesson revolver throats have varied significantly. 1,578 fps from a 24" universal receiver (all use rem brass and rem 9-1/2 primer). The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. I have tested vintage loads that produced an honest 1,000 fps. Subscriber Services. 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. 2020, Lyman Products Corporation, printed in U.S.A. All other trademarks in this catalog are the property of their respective owners. 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. RNFP), 1007 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 255 gr. 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. With my alloys this bullet runs around 280 to 285 grains while at the same time having a slightly shorter nose than the original Keith design so it fits in all Colt cylinders. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. My powders of choice are Clays, HP-38, HS-6, Universal, Trail Boss, H110, IMR 4227, W296, and W231. 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. After that date bore diameters were reduced to .451-.452 inch, the same as the .45 Auto. I can only assume the above statement of bore diameter was intended to indicate groove, diameter. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. 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. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. With my alloys this bullet runs around 280 to 285 grains while at the same time having a slightly shorter nose than the original Keith design so it fits in all Colt cylinders. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: rifling. I did find a 225 grain jacketed bullet. Below you'll find some basic data for each cartridge to help get you started. 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 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. Again using 255-grain factory loads at 860 fps, the .45 Colt reaches a factor of 14.09, while select standard-pressure handloads containing 280-grain bullets pushed to 950 fps factor at 17.17. 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. 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. Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition. The top of the can says NOT FOR HANDGUN LOADS. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Agency: (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. 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. My most used powders for these loads are #2400, #9, #4227 and H110. I soon developed an appreciation for reliable performance on game using. now im looking for top performance load data to ass to my load data book for this caliber. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, Altor Pistols, P.O. Notes: cases: Winchester; trim-to length: 1.275"; primers: Winchester WLP; primer size: Large Pistol; Lyman shell holder: No. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Be very careful using the loads for Ruger and T/C (Thompson Contender) as these are maximum loads, even for these strong guns. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. For clarification, the above three, revolvers are completely original with barrels featuring the small rounded bead-type. your comments are very greatful. Universal is an excellent powder for the 45 Colt with 8.0 grains under a 250-grain bullet duplicating the old black powder load. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. No purchase necessary. . The vast majority of my 45 Colt handloads over the last 60 years, however, has been put together with cast bullets. Failure to do so could result in severe personal injury (or death) and/or property damage. But in guns with large throats, dont expect top accuracy from any bevel-base bullet. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: .45 Colt Rifle Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) reloading data with 0 loads. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. It has never failed me. Bullseye is a bit fast for this big cartridge and I dont especially recommend it, but it will work. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This same bullet can be loaded to much higher velocity in Rugers large-frame single- and double-action sixguns. The 45 Colt rim is smaller than the rim on a 45 Auto Rim. It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. In my opinion, throats that measure .452 inch are generally ideal with a variety of bullets. Two other powders for standard loads include W231 and HP-38. Contest void where prohibited by law. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Not interchangeable. ), RCBS #450255KT (258 gr. The Oregon Trail 250-grain RNFP bullet should be seated with an overall cartridge length of 1.570 to 1.580 inches, depending on case length. Contest void where prohibited by law. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. We were soon shooting 300-grain bullets at 1,200 fps from a 7.5-inch-barreled Ruger revolver. Alaska Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Box 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-1377. 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. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. But keep in mind, both Lyman and Alliant publish only standard pressure loads for the 45 Colt. The (top) Model 25-5 has .458-inch throats while the (bottom) Model 25-5 has .451-inch throats and is far more accurate. For example, No. The Complete Reloading Manual For The 45 Colt Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Bullet is .452 diameter. Cast RCBS 45-270-SAA bullets are generally loaded to an overall length of 1.650 inches to not over 1.655 inches, utilizing the full length of the Colt cylinder. When Ray Thompson was designing his line of bullets, he did not neglect the 45. Bad Idea! Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 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. However, none of these loads should be taken for granted and should be worked up very carefully. Starting load is 12.4 grains and top load is 15.4 grains of Blue Dot. No purchase necessary. 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. Addeddate 2019-02-27 13:08:05 Identifier LymanReloadingHandbook48thEdition2002Ocr_201902 Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t9093sd5t Ocr ABBYY FineReader 11.0 (Extended OCR) 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. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. With Accurates 5744 the speeds with 17.0 were 853 fps UP and 802 DOWN, but spreads were much better at 45 fps and 16.6 fps respectively. Its also a good choice for hunting. By this time Winchester had changed its name to USRAC (United States Repeating Arms Co.) and the Trappers were offered in two versions, a blued receiver or a case-colored receiver. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. www.hodgdonreloading.com Broc NES Member Rating - 100% 15 0 0 Joined Sep 18, 2010 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: All of the Keith-style bullets mentioned feed and chamber even though they have shoulders in front of the case. 45 Colt is a pistol round. Wyoming Game & Fish Department, 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. sure they will feed and chamber through levergun actions. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2021. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. Note that the "Ruger New Vaquero" uses a smaller frame and cylinder like original Colts. like original Colts. Copyright. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge or as a subscription for $19.99. H110 works well for heavy bullet loads in the .45 Colt levergun. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Load up some Low Recoil handloads. 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. 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. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. The Lyman bullet 452651 GC will cast 20-1 at about 325 grains including gas check. RCBS also offers an excellent bullet of standard weight with the #45-255KT that has a better crimping groove than the Keith bullet. It is a good choice for self-defense, long-range shooting, hunting everything on four legs, and just plain fun shooting. Generally, when revolvers with such grossly oversized throats are fired with modern cast and jacketed bullets accuracy is poor. My maine load is the Lyman 454190 cast of ww + 2% tin. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. 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. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. S.A.A.M.I. 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. * 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. Nevada Department of Wildlife, State Agency: 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. In 1898, Colt made the necessary changes to permit its guns to be used with smokeless powders; however, it wasnt until 1900 (revolvers with serial number 192,000 or higher) that Colt began to officially warrant its guns for such. Here is what Lyman #4 has to say on 45 Colt, maximum Unique , standard pressure loads: Lee 452-200-RF , 200 gr. bullet type,style,powder ,amount,col.,primeres,and if possable fps. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: 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. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. Nitro 100, No.2, No. selected. 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. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. You may even have bullets stopping partway in the barrel with that light of a charge. Addeddate 2019-02-26 16:21:01 Identifier Pyrodex is cleaner burning than black powder and results in less fouling of the barrel. Colt191145. and other smokeless cartridges were introduced. 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. 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. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. In the large .45 case, a large difference has been noted in speeds. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. 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. Some time in the early part of the 20th century wadcutter bullets arrived. I have measured Colt revolvers with throats that run from. (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.) Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 9, #5744, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company. The Lee bullet works well in my Winchester (Miroku) 1873. | No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. They do provide identical results of muzzle velocities and pressures using the same charge weights, and I use them interchangeably. For little more power I move up to the above-mentioned #454490 GC with 10.0 grains of Unique for just over 1,235 fps and groups of less than 1". In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. This is a plain base bullet and I found out very quickly it was not very accurate in either rifle. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. 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. That is, if the loading table calls for 40 grains of black powder, then one uses a 40-grain volume powder measure for the same amount by volume of Pyrodex. What the John Wick is 9mm Major, Anyway. bcps focus student portal, police incident north shields today, ebe bandz cause of death,
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