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. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. 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. The more powerful loads are only suitable for strong handguns like the Ruger Blackhawk and the Thompson Center Contender. sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. 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 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 . And about 1450+fps out of the 20" 454 Puma Levergun. 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. Western Powders (Accurate and Ramshot) are about the only ones publishing higher pressure 45 Colt cast bullet data. For example, No. N340 is a tubular powder type with grain dimensions of 1,0mm length and 0,8 mm diameter. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. Reference to Powder UP and Powder DOWN is to actually shake the gun in an up or down position before firing each round and gently bring the gun to the horizontal and shooting. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 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. 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. .45 Colt Load, Red Dot or Clays? - SASS Wire Forum 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. 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. I certainly dont know of anything in the lower 48 that cannot be handled with this load. Pyrodex is cleaner burning than black powder and results in less fouling of the barrel. SAAMI pressures for STANDARD .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI MAXIMUM, but On the other end are the Ruger Only loads. The vast majority of my 45 Colt handloads over the last 60 years, however, has been put together with cast bullets. Camp Guns: Sometimes Perfect, Other Times Not But Often Essential! 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. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. ), RCBS #450255KT (258 gr. Deployed military should use stateside address. 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. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. 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. 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. Its also a good choice for hunting. Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition. With their 16 barrels the Winchesters weigh right at 6 lbs. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM February 2023, P.O. However, this approach causes some bullet deformation by being shortened, then sized down in the barrel, which still leaves accuracy potential on the table. Normal powders vary quite a bit and also have a larger spread between shots. .45 Colt Handgun Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) Warning! 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. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Cartridge Type: Pistol/Revolver. We were soon shooting 300-grain bullets at 1,200 fps from a 7.5-inch-barreled Ruger revolver. Load Data - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc Colt191145. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 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. now im looking for top performance load data to ass to my load data book for this caliber. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. 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. With multiple powder charge weights there has been considerable confusion on this subject. I was fortunate to find one of each. 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. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. 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. Most manufacturers have recognized the need to offer revolvers with correct throat dimensions including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Uberti, USFA and others, but not Colt. 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. It has never failed me. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Knowing this measurement for a given revolver is critical to select the correct components to achieve accuracy. I shoot the .44 and .45 in rifles and pistolas, but I have only a rifle in .38-40. 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 original loading was a bullet of approximately 255 grains with a muzzle velocity of somewhere around 850 to 900 fps. All of the Keith-style bullets mentioned feed and chamber even though they have shoulders in front of the case. This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. This is a great all purpose load for the .45 Colt. The .45 Colt is a grand cartridge that has survived because it is so good. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. 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. in pistol calibers than the old. Oregon Trails 250-grain RNFP over 8.0 grains of W231 clocks out just under 1,100 fps with three-shot groups of 1" or less. 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. However, when using soft swaged-lead bullets, an expander ball around .002 inch smaller than bullet diameter is preferred. .45 Colt - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lee #14 Lyman #11 RCBS #20 Recipe Type: Pistol Ruger, Freedom Arms & Thompson / Center only 30,000 PSI-HIGH PRESSURE LOADS 14000 PSI-STANDARD LOADS Ruger and Contender Only Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 135 gr 160 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 215 gr 225 gr 230 gr 240 gr 250 gr Deployed military should use stateside address. For handloaders shooting modern Colt SAAs that feature oversized throats and want to use modern cast and jacketed bullets, the best option is to change cylinders with one that is chambered correctly. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. However, I crimp the #45-270 over the front band to ensure trouble-free feeding. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Both of these are plainbased Keith-style bullets, and their numbers are #310.451 and #325.454, with the first three digits giving the approximate bullet weight. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Make sure your gun can handle it before In my opinion, throats that measure .452 inch are generally ideal with a variety of bullets. The powder is Herco. 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. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. 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. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: Most are either .451 (jacketed) or .452 (lead) and Sierra even makes jacketed bullets for the Colt SAA that are .4515 splitting the difference. .45 Colt Rifle Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) John with the Winchester Trapper in .45 Colt; the neckerchief is 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. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not . Guns with larger throats will usually produce improved accuracy when loaded with bullets that measure .454 to .456 inch. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. I didnt think I could shoot this well! Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .45 Colt You may even have bullets stopping partway in the barrel with that light of a charge. With these bullets sized .452" and cast of 16 parts lead to 1 part tin, try this loading with 19.0 grains of WW-296 or 19.5 grains of H-110 in Star-line cases with Fed 155 primers and Bubba lube, or Javelina or NEI pistol lube. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. The other problem, that of cylinder throat diameters, centers around the fact that they vary considerably. The minimum load for a 200 gr cast SWC in 45 Colt is listed as 8.6 gr Unique for 918 fps. barrel differ from a 4 4/5 revolver by Wyoming Game & Fish Department, State Agency: It takes at least two rounds to be able to see if the rounds are too long to accomplish both operations. (I) Giveaway ends February 28, 2023. State Agency: These can be safely driven to 1,200 fps in the Ruger Blackhawk. In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. I would think that the load you are using would be safe. 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. The Complete Reloading Manual For The 45 Colt - Internet Archive Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. (See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.) The 9.2 got the best SD and EP, if that means much to you. Universal is an excellent powder for the 45 Colt with 8.0 grains under a 250-grain bullet duplicating the old black powder load. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. This lets it feed in many cowboy-action guns and use common 45 ACP load data. Pyrodex is cleaner burning than black powder and results in less fouling of the barrel. Over the past 35 years all four of these leverguns have shot extensively with both jacketed and cast bullets. Not interchangeable. 11; firearms used: Universal Receiver & Ruger Blackhawk; barrel length: 7 1/2"; twist: 1-16"; groove dia. 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. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Bullets from RCBS mould 45-270-SAA, which usually weigh around 280 to 285 grains, are designed to maximize powder capacity, are accurate and an excellent choice for hunting big game. There are now 25 states with so-called Constitutional carry and Florida appears to be approaching permitless carry, which translates to more citizens S&W Set The Bar For Magnum Handgun Performance 50 Years Ago. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. Not only do the Hodgdon folks offer excellent powders, but also they are simply some of the nicest folks in the industry. 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. 2020, Lyman Products Corporation, printed in U.S.A. All other trademarks in this catalog are the property of their respective owners. 2021. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. rifling. Nitro 100, No.2, No. A quote from Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition states, The grooves of pre-World War II revolvers normally measure .454 in diameter. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance. you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. 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. More than 45 years of shooting and slugging the barrels of hundreds of Colt SAAs suggests differently. 454190 (255 grains) shares a similar profile as the original Government bullet but is a plainbase design that is generally very accurate and can be sized to around .454 to .455 inch for guns with larger throats. Velocities in a test The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. For loading black powder 45 Colt loads, I use Goex as well as Pyrodex and Triple Seven. There are many outstanding cast bullets for the .45 Colt. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. 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. 45 Colt: Shooting and Reloading - Ultimate Reloader 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. New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: 9, #5744, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company. Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. About 1200+ fps in the 7.5 SBH, 1150fps out of the 4" Redhawk. The Judge has been promoted! Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. ew eginnings - Mark 7 is now part of the Lyman family! 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 key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, State Agency: (See note on NEW Nitro 100 powder at bottom of page). Need 45 Colt Revolver Loads | 1911Forum But in guns with large throats, dont expect top accuracy from any bevel-base bullet. Reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge or as a subscription for $19.99. PDF The Future of Reloading (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Basic Load Data Hornady Manufacturing Company develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. 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. Both of these are plainbased Keith-style bullets, and their numbers are #310.451 and #325.454, with the first three digits giving the approximate bullet weight. 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. 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. The powder that has the lowest velocities are produced by Trailboss which also has the advantage of filling up the 45LC case. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. 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. sure they will feed and chamber through levergun actions. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. I use my Winchester and Marlin Trappers for relatively close-range shooting. * 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. .45 Colt Handgun Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) from virtually all manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Great Western, USFA and Uberti. It is an excellent compromise between the 250- and 300-grain cast bullets. Share to Reddit. patterned after the one worn by Theodore Roosevelt. LYMAN Reloading Products A trusted Brand since the 1800?s. 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. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. 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. 45 "Cowboy" Special | Handloading Notebook I'll be a nice to you as you'll let me be, or as mean as you make me be. Share to Twitter. A gun with these internal dimensions offers a much fairer assessment of the accuracy potential of all data. Sam Colt became a millionaire producing percussion revolvers. 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. top notch work!! so when i find my gun,,i can get busy asap with this . RNFP), 1007 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 255 gr. 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. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. 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 has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. Subscriber Services. 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. However, none of these loads should be taken for granted and should be worked up very carefully. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. youd need for most critters in the lower 48. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 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. But keep in mind, both Lyman and Alliant publish only standard pressure loads for the 45 Colt. Contest void where prohibited by law. 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. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. The individual accessing this site assumes the risk of safe loading practices. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. 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. I load 7.5gr of HP38 in Starline brass and crimp in the crimp groove of each of these bullets. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants.