When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. Note: Powder Mfgs. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. If your Hornady book says 45 Colts use a 458 bullet, they are wrong. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Reloading data is available as low as 99 per cartridge or as a subscription for $19.99. 45 Colt is a pistol round. 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. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: 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. 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. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: However, it cannot be approached the same as smokeless. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. that charge was increased to 38 grains by 1898. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. 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. 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. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: selected. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. 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. RNFP), 1007 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 255 gr. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: 5, No.7, No. REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. For example, Lyman mould No. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. RF - 8.2 grains Unique Now we are all confused! 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. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. 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. Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. I advise staying away from loads intended for custom sixguns with five-shot cylinders and it has also been proven the lever-action is not strong enough for .454 loads. However, I crimp the #45-270 over the front band to ensure trouble-free feeding. bullet type,style,powder ,amount,col.,primeres,and if possable fps. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: 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. This significantly improved its accuracy when compared to the original cylinder with its typical oversized throats, and resulted in increased velocity. .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 Any time I have a 45 Colt that doesnt shoot the way I think it should, I dont give up until I try this load of IMR 4227 with Keiths bullet. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. Contest void where prohibited by law. Contest void where prohibited by law. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: I use my Winchester and Marlin Trappers for relatively close-range shooting. 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. Nevada Department of Wildlife, State Agency: * 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. 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. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. 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. Knowing this measurement for a given revolver is critical to select the correct components to achieve accuracy. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. 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. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, State Agency: The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. 458 is a rifle bullet. Share to Facebook. Contest void where prohibited by law. Members 4.5k Gender:Male Location:Dolores, Colorado Interests:All types of shooting, hunting, fishing, camping. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. But in guns with large throats, dont expect top accuracy from any bevel-base bullet. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. 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. rifling. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Not interchangeable. 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. I have used them to take big game, including mule deer and bears. 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 fairness, many historians maintain that original loads contained 40 grains of black powder with 255-grain bullets, including noted Colt authority John Kopec.) No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI. However, it cannot be approached the same as smokeless. These Lyman loads are conservative made for older guns. 2020, Lyman Products Corporation, printed in U.S.A. All other trademarks in this catalog are the property of their respective owners. For many decades reloaders have been arguing over whether or not H110 and W296 were identical. (I) Giveaway ends December 31, 2022. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. It is a good choice for self-defense, long-range shooting, hunting everything on four legs, and just plain fun shooting. All of the Keith-style bullets mentioned feed and chamber even though they have shoulders in front of the case. . The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. 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. I have yet to find any levergun or sixgun that does not shoot this Dick Casull-designed bullet exceptionally well. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. Pyrodex P is the equivalent of Triple-F or FFFg black powder. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM Old West 2023, PO Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: HS7 is slowest of the group (Similar to 2400) (See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.) Again, a groove diameter of .451 to .452 inch remains standard by all manufacturers. With the 45 Colt, IMR 4227 is almost magical in being able to provide excellent accuracy when other powders will not. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. It is clear why the .45 Colt had such a stellar reputation as a man stopper and for its effectiveness on game. 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. 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. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Quality 300-grain jacketed bullets are also offered by all three of these manufacturers. So both the up and down positions were closer in speeds and the spreads were noticeably closer. I chose the Herco powder to utilize as much case capacity as possible. My gun was a new model Bisely blackhawk long barrel. considered more the norm. All Rights Reserved. I use the same industry measurement as the .45 ACP .470 inch. 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. Treat it like one. sure they will feed and chamber through levergun actions. Incidentally, many jacketed bullet loads will produce higher velocities in revolvers with shorter barrels. For example with the 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk, I use the NEI 310-grain Keith bullet over 21.0 grains of WW296 or H110 for 1,125 fps in the sixgun and 1,445 fps from the Trapper Barrel. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. 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. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. No purchase necessary. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. No purchase necessary. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. Starting load is 12.4 grains and top load is 15.4 grains of Blue Dot. 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. - 9.4 grains Unique Lyman 452460 , 200 gr. The same load in a Jim Stroh custom 5-1/2 Bisley has the same accuracy with more . Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: No purchase necessary. Deployed military should use stateside address. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Because case capacity is large, trying to produce lighter loads with slow-burning powders can give very poor results. 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. SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, Buyer Beware: Buying 'Bargain' Guns Can Be Risky. .45 Colt Rifle Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) reloading data with 0 loads. 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). 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. The key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. 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. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI.