considered more the norm. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) Marlin and Winchester 1894s will both handle heavier-than-standard .45 Colt loads but 1860, 1866 and 1873 replicas are for standard loads only! within an inch or 2 of each other at 50 yards. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. FWIW Dale53 #Permalink 1 0 No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. 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. So if one used 40 grains by weight of Pyrodex when the chart called for 40 grains of black powder, the result would be an overloaded charge. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. 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. 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. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: Originally loaded with 40 grs. I found the following heavyweight bullets all would work through both the Winchester and Marlin actions: NEI 310 Keith, NEI 325 Keith, Lyman #454629GC 300-grain FN, RCBS #45-270 SAA weighing around 284 grains with my alloy, and I also checked the #454490GC design by Ray Thompson, which is a 255-grain Keith-style gas-checked bullet. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, State Agency: 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. Share to Facebook. His #452490GC was originally made for the 45 Auto Rim cartridge for use in the Smith & Wesson 1950 Target revolver, but I also use the Thompson design, which weighs around 255 grains, for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. They do provide identical results of muzzle velocities and pressures using the same charge weights, and I use them interchangeably. This one is from Lyman 48th addition Reloading book. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. 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. The Colt fanciers had .45's, usually in the New Service model, unless they were cowboy fans who had SAA's. The guys that worked in the paper mills and machine shops had 1917's. If you want-ed a handgun with power, the GI surplus .45 ACP in the 1917 was the only thing you could afford to shoot as reloading "ca'tridges" was unknown. Some time in the early part of the 20th century wadcutter bullets arrived. 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. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. 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. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Beginning in the early 1980s both Winchester and Marlin began offering .45 Colt leverguns. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Most of these are custom, tuned and have accounted for several head of big game. 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. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. For the 45 Colt, I especially prefer the 250-grain RNFP and the 255-grain SWC. Contest open to U.S. residents only. 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. Nitro 100, No.2, No. Camp Guns: Sometimes Perfect, Other Times Not But Often Essential! His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. For clarification, the above three, revolvers are completely original with barrels featuring the small rounded bead-type. Rifle Data Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. 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. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. moderate recoil and substantially less muzzle report. There are many good jacketed bullets for the .45 Colt. Not interchangeable. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. 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. It shoots VERY well, the recoil is tolerable, and it cuts a clean hole in both targets and small game. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. 11; firearms used: Universal Receiver & Ruger Blackhawk; barrel length: 7 1/2"; twist: 1-16"; groove dia. RF - 8.2 grains Unique Now we are all confused! 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. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. [See page on powder location in case affecting FPS elsewhere on pages] No purchase necessary. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Checked and verified, page 285, 4th Ed.Lyman cast bullet handbook. 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. 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. This is a plain base bullet and I found out very quickly it was not very accurate in either rifle. 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. My maine load is the Lyman 454190 cast of ww + 2% tin. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. so when i find my gun,,i can get busy asap with this . Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. Data can be searched by cartridge name, powder name, and bullet weight. The other problem, that of cylinder throat diameters, centers around the fact that they vary considerably. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. 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. Cast bullet loads in the Marlin .45 Colt all the power and accuracy models. The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. However, there are two problems associated with it: case capacity and cylinder throat diameters. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. I have tested vintage loads that produced an honest 1,000 fps. .45 Colt Rifle Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) reloading data with 0 loads. I normally stay under 900 fps with a 250-grain bullet in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and its replicas. 458 is a rifle bullet. Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, State Agency: Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance. Contest open to U.S. residents only. 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. So if one used 40 grains by weight of Pyrodex when the chart called for 40 grains of black powder, the result would be an overloaded charge. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. This load will certainly handle deer-sized game. For the 45 Colt, I especially prefer the 250-grain RNFP and the 255-grain SWC. Unique and Universal still dont fill the case up as much as a yet slower powder (like No.9, AA5724, H-110/W296, AA5744, and Alliant 2400). The 45 Colt brass could handle the pressures, but standard sixguns could not. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I soon added single-cavity molds for the .45 Colt and .38 Special. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: And about 1450+fps out of the 20" 454 Puma Levergun. 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. New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: 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 After all the work and expense, it turned out to be a somewhat mediocre performer. Quality 300-grain jacketed bullets are also offered by all three of these manufacturers. You can certainly use the Jacketed bullets fine, but dont look for incredible speeds. Deployed military should use stateside address. The smaller case-capacity means better performance with light loads, which is why I am interested in it. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. Use a COL at 1.572". 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. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Next we will look at jacketed bullets in .45 Colt leverguns. Incidentally, the U.S Cartridge Company first listed a 255-grain bullet with 35 grains of black in 1882, but. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. I clocked 9.2, 9.5 and 10 grains. 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. 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. Wyoming Game & Fish Department, State Agency: About 1200+ fps in the 7.5 SBH, 1150fps out of the 4" Redhawk. Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Failure to do so could result in severe personal injury (or death) and/or property damage. your comments are very greatful. However, the first known commercial listing is found in the 1880 UMC catalog. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. (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.) The other problem, that of cylinder throat diameters, centers around the fact that they vary considerably. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, Altor Pistols, P.O. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. I chose the Herco powder to utilize as much case capacity as possible. 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 never failed me. All of the Keith-style bullets mentioned feed and chamber even though they have shoulders in front of the case. Reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge or as a subscription for $19.99. 53 pg. 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. You may even have bullets stopping partway in the barrel with that light of a charge. The .45 Colts origins started in 1871 when Colt began designing a new sixgun specifically to house metallic cartridges. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. 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. During my early teenage years I acquired a beautiful pre-World War II Colt SAA .45 that was customized by one of the masters during the 1920s. The .44 Magnum is a great cartridge that offers a flatter trajectory and helps to make hits easier at longer distances; however, this added performance comes at the cost of greater pressures, heavier guns, increased recoil and muzzle report. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Below you'll find some basic data for each cartridge to help get you started. Addeddate 2019-02-27 13:08:05 Identifier LymanReloadingHandbook48thEdition2002Ocr_201902 Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t9093sd5t Ocr ABBYY FineReader 11.0 (Extended OCR) John makes up dummy loads using available cast bullets to make As I have gotten older and my hands have become more tender, I find myself moderating my everyday shooting loads. S.A.A.M.I. However, it cannot be approached the same as smokeless. Technical Specifications (based on the respective safety standard - see more details in tab "Datasheet" if available) Caliber: .45 Colt. With multiple powder charge weights there has been considerable confusion on this subject. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. No purchase necessary. My connection with Lyman goes back more than 50 years when I loaded my first ammunition using the No. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. 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. This lets it feed in many cowboy-action guns and use common 45 ACP load data. 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. 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. I have measured Colt revolvers with throats that run from. All entries must be received by giveaway end date.