The original loading was a bullet of approximately 255 grains with a muzzle velocity of somewhere around 850 to 900 fps. It is also noteworthy that many dies manufactured prior to around 1980 fail to size cases adequately to correctly hold .451/.452-inch bullets. I found both of these on the shelf of a little gun store, actually a small gun department, in a local grocery store. N340 is a tubular powder type with grain dimensions of 1,0mm length and 0,8 mm diameter. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Over the past 35 years all four of these leverguns have shot extensively with both jacketed and cast bullets. you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). RCBS also offers an excellent bullet of standard weight with the #45-255KT that has a better crimping groove than the Keith bullet. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. The Complete Reloading Manual For The 45 Colt Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: within an inch or 2 of each other at 50 yards. My gun was a new model Bisely blackhawk long barrel. I clocked 9.2, 9.5 and 10 grains. References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. The vast majority of my 45 Colt handloads over the last 60 years, however, has been put together with cast bullets. Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: It is superbly accurate and will often shoot well in sixguns that are cranky about shooting plain-based bullets. 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. 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. Pyrodex is cleaner burning than black powder and results in less fouling of the barrel. Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition. [See page on powder location in case affecting FPS elsewhere on pages] Cast bullets in both plain-based and gas check versions are available from 260 grains to 325 grains. New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. 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. In spite of the above factory loads featuring the old Government bullet profile with a relatively small meplat, they are still effective. There are many good jacketed bullets for the .45 Colt. 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. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. 310 Tong Tool. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. 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. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. 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. 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. Stay tuned. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. 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. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Deployed military should use stateside address. No purchase necessary. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. * I seat and crimp just over the bullet radius. When the Marlin and Winchester Trappers first arrived in the early '80s, the #1 45 Colt bullet was still Elmer Keith's #454424 weighing about 260 grains from my alloy. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. 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. No purchase necessary. Note: Powder Mfgs. 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. Discussion: The old Western Style COLT normally uses big, heavy and slow lead bullets. For the .45 Colt my standard load is 5.5 grains of Clays, which gives from 780 fps to 840 fps depending upon the sixgun used. 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. 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. The Lee bullet works well in my Winchester (Miroku) 1873. For clarification, the above three, revolvers are completely original with barrels featuring the small rounded bead-type. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: It would also be excellent for a defense load. Alas, the days of gun departments in grocery stores, department stores and drugstores are long gone. Addeddate 2019-02-26 16:21:01 Identifier 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. 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. 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. The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? You can certainly use the Jacketed bullets fine, but dont look for incredible speeds. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The .45 Colts origins started in 1871 when Colt began designing a new sixgun specifically to house metallic cartridges. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Most manufacturers have recognized the need to offer revolvers with correct throat dimensions including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Uberti, USFA and others, but not Colt. 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. .449 inch to .460 inch, and Smith & Wessons from .451 to .458 inch. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/ad.php?t=78528, http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi&id=1465047205, Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to These black-powder guns should not be fired with smokeless powder loads. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: About the same time the Winchester Trappers arrived, Marlin had a very limited run of 500 each of .44 Magnum and .45 Colt Trappers. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI. Again, a groove diameter of .451 to .452 inch remains standard by all manufacturers. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. considered more the norm. My maine load is the Lyman 454190 cast of ww + 2% tin. The individual accessing this site assumes the risk of safe loading practices. The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. However, my first test with OLD Nitro 100 were very light, too light. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Marlin Trapper. Pyrodex P is the equivalent of Triple-F or FFFg black powder. It has never failed me. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 11; firearms used: Universal Receiver & Ruger Blackhawk; barrel length: 7 1/2"; twist: 1-16"; groove dia. 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. As I have gotten older and my hands have become more tender, I find myself moderating my everyday shooting loads. 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. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: 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. 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. The performance level is pretty close to the original Black Powder load but far more effective due to the bullet I use. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. It shoots VERY well, the recoil is tolerable, and it cuts a clean hole in both targets and small game. There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. I didnt think I could shoot this well! Also slugged were guns 121xxx (1887) and number 134xxx (1890) that measured .4515 inch and .451 inch, respectively. When Ray Thompson was designing his line of bullets, he did not neglect the 45. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. Contest void where prohibited by law. Missouri Deptartment of Conservation, State Agency: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, State Agency: All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . 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 45 Colt is a pistol round. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. In the large .45 case, a large difference has been noted in speeds. 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. Box 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-1377. 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. It takes at least two rounds to be able to see if the rounds are too long to accomplish both operations. It's always had a great reputation as a man stopper. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. 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. 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. With their 16 barrels the Winchesters weigh right at 6 lbs. 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. When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. that charge was increased to 38 grains by 1898. What has varied significantly is the throat diameter (ball end, chamber mouth, etc.) Contest open to U.S. residents only. With the Winchesters, equipped with receiver sights, most of my shooting is done around 30 to 35 yards with relatively mild loads. When crimped in its cannelure, the overall length still exceeds industry specifications at 1.652 inches. Lyman 49 says reloader 7 has been a long time favorite for .45-70. These Lyman loads are conservative made for older guns. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. 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. 9, #5744, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. A Redding Dual Ring Carbide sizing die was used to develop handload data. When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. 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. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: 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. These two examples were produced in 1875 (left) and 1887 (below). 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. But keep in mind, both Lyman and Alliant publish only standard pressure loads for the 45 Colt. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. 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. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not . im leaning towards the ruger blackhawk bisley 45 long cot 5.5 barrel. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Exactly the same grain size as with powder N320, N330 and N350 - only the porosity of the powder changes.The burning rate of the N340 is at the medium scale of Vihtavuori handgun powders - and as with powder N320, with N340 extremely clean burning and . (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. 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. 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. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. I shoot the .44 and .45 in rifles and pistolas, but I have only a rifle in .38-40. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. 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. 5, No.7, No. 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. Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? 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. I chose the Herco powder to utilize as much case capacity as possible. 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. 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. We switch now from the use of PC (Powder Coated) bullets to cast bullets. Velocities in a test It has never failed me. These Smith & Wesson .45 Colts include a (1) Model 25-5 with 838-inch barrel, (2) Model 25-5 with 6-inch barrel, (3) Model 25-5 with 4-inch barrel and a (4) Model 625-6 Mountain Gun with a tapered 4-inch barrel.