(II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. 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. 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. Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. your comments are very greatful. Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. 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. 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. for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. It should be crimped over the ogive and seated to an overall cartridge length of around 1.575 inches, which helps reduce case capacity and results in lower extreme spreads with powders that tend to be position sensitive. In slugging the barrels of later pre-World War II guns with wider flat lands, serial numbers 347xxx (1924) and 355xxx (1936), along with two factory. All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), Hi=670, Lo=521, ES=148 (too slow, wide spread), Hi=677, Lo=594, ES=8.3 (too slow, but good spread), Hi=673, Lo=594, ES=80 (too slow)(old formulation), 833 Hi=873, Lo=783, ES=90 (old formulation), 866 Hi= 890 Lo=855 ES=35 (good Cowboy load), 836 fps (powder pointing UP) (Hi=877.7 Lo=803.0 Spread=74.7 fps), 771 fps (powder pointing DOWN) (Hi=783.1 Lo=760.3 Spread=22.8 fps), Hi=622, Lo=491, ES=131 (WAY too slow-stuck bullet possible)(old formulation), Hi=750, Lo=735, ES=15 (good spread, should have used more powder), use 6.1 to 6.8 for normal Colt 45 loads (old formulation, use 7.7 to 8.6* for +P Ruger and T/C Only (old formulation, 871 Hi=938 Lo=797 ES=141 (Colt Anaconda 6), 1024 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 250 gr. Some people have tried to load the .45 Colt to levels of the .44 Magnum. For example, the most recent Speer Reloading Manual Number 15 states, Prior to 1945, most .45 Colt revolvers had a bore diameter of .454 inch. 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. considered more the norm. This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. 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 . 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. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. 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. 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. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Again, a groove diameter of .451 to .452 inch remains standard by all manufacturers. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: My powders of choice are Clays, HP-38, HS-6, Universal, Trail Boss, H110, IMR 4227, W296, and W231. Deployed military should use stateside address. 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. 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. The performance level is pretty close to the original Black Powder load but far more effective due to the bullet I use. That is, until I tried IMR 4227 with Lymans #452424 and a 20.0-grain load, and that combination produced one-hole groups. The key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. Handgun Data. N340 is a tubular powder type with grain dimensions of 1,0mm length and 0,8 mm diameter. Sep 8, 2016 (Edited) Greetings, recently I received a quantity of .45 185 gr LSWC's. This significantly improved its accuracy when compared to the original cylinder with its typical oversized throats, and resulted in increased velocity. Deployed military should use stateside address. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. Weights in parenthesis are as-cast from wheelweights. and how they grouped at ther yrds. I have dozens of references from credible sources that state pre-World War II Colt revolvers feature a barrel groove diameter of .454 inch while postwar guns measure .451 to .452 inch. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rim Rocks 255-grain SWC with gas check is accurate and alleviates leading issues with revolvers (or barrels) that are prone to that. 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. 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. This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. For many decades reloaders have been arguing over whether or not H110 and W296 were identical. We switch now from the use of PC (Powder Coated) bullets to cast bullets. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM March 2022, P.O. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Marlins from the era have Micro-Groove rifling which may or may not work with cast bullets. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, State Agency: Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. The 45 Colt brass was up to the task. This is a great all purpose load for the .45 Colt. 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. Members 4.5k Gender:Male Location:Dolores, Colorado Interests:All types of shooting, hunting, fishing, camping. 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. 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. These figures correspond with the many other pre-World War II guns that I have slugged. Bullet is .452 diameter. bullet type,style,powder ,amount,col.,primeres,and if possable fps. While there were multiple experiments with different cartridges, the .45 Colt was a joint development between Colts Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and Union Metallic Cartridge Company. However, my first test with OLD Nitro 100 were very light, too light. However, due to their heavier weights and increased barrel time, many fixed-sighted sixguns may group high. Velocities in a test 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. Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM February 2023, P.O. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. I especially like the 260-grain Keith gas-check bullet which shoots exceptionally well using #4227, 20.0 grains is 1,115 fps for 5/8 and then it gets even better! Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. The Complete Reloading Manual For The 45 Colt Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. 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Starting load is 12.4 grains and top load is 15.4 grains of Blue Dot. : .451" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. With the 45 Colt, IMR 4227 is almost magical in being able to provide excellent accuracy when other powders will not. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Handgun Reloading Data .45 Colt 9mm Luger .32 Smith & Wesson Long .32 ACP .357 Magnum .44 Magnum .41 Remington Magnum .460 S&W Magnum .38 Special .327 Federal Magnum .357 SIG .25 Automatic 10mm Auto .500 Linebaugh Powder Data Accurate 5744 Hodgdon Extreme Powder Alliant Reloder 15 Norma Powder Ramshot Powder Accurate Powder Vihtavouri Powder now im looking for top performance load data to ass to my load data book for this caliber. 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. Make sure your gun can handle it before you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). No purchase necessary. I shot all kinds of bullets and powders from my 45 colt from 200gr to 350 gr trying to find something that was better than the other. The Lee bullet works well in my Winchester (Miroku) 1873. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. .45 Colt Keith bullets: Lyman #454424 (264 gr. Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. Incidentally, many jacketed bullet loads will produce higher velocities in revolvers with shorter barrels. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: The 45 Colt brass was up to the task. Contest open to U.S. residents only. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Agency: I didnt realize how many different powders from Hodgdon I use in loading the 45 Colt until I began putting this article together. This same bullet can be loaded to much higher velocity in Rugers large-frame single- and double-action sixguns. Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. flatpoint Keith-style bullets. After a long days work on our remote cattle ranch, I would cast bullets and handload ammunition in the evening so that I could continue shooting the next day. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. 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 If reliable expansion is desired, consider 230-grain JHP bullets designed for the .45 ACP or the Hornady 225-grain FTX, which can be pushed close to 1,000 fps while staying within pressure guidelines. 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 older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. No purchase necessary. 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. For comparison the above .44 Magnum factory loads (which are admittedly conservative) have a TKO factor only slightly higher at 17.35. When loaded in the Colt Single Action Army at around 850 fps, it is a most powerful everyday working load. 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. I chose the Herco powder to utilize as much case capacity as possible. My loading dies are from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS, and all of them give excellent service. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. 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. patterned after the one worn by Theodore Roosevelt. 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. About the same time the Winchester Trappers arrived, Marlin had a very limited run of 500 each of .44 Magnum and .45 Colt Trappers. I would think that the load you are using would be safe. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. They do provide identical results of muzzle velocities and pressures using the same charge weights, and I use them interchangeably. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. I certainly dont know of anything in the lower 48 that cannot be handled with this load. 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. So both the up and down positions were closer in speeds and the spreads were noticeably closer. Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. 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. 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. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. Jacketed bullets are also more difficult to push down the bore and therefore produce less velocity than a cast bullet of equal weight. It is superbly accurate and will often shoot well in sixguns that are cranky about shooting plain-based bullets. 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. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: I normally stay under 900 fps with a 250-grain bullet in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and its replicas. Smith & Wesson revolver throats have varied significantly. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. As always there are occasional exceptions, including two guns manufactured in 1900 and 1902 that slugged .458 and .453 inch, respectively, but they seemed to be more out-of-spec than the normal. 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. Bullet sizes vary from .450 for jacketed to .454 for some lead in diameter. I can not find any reliable load data for Blue Dot with cast bullets. For the 45 Colt this is the Single Action Army revolver. The Freedom Arms Model 97 also is in this group. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Addeddate 2019-02-26 16:21:01 Identifier 310 Tong Tool. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. Just about all loads shot the same . My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. 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. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. And about 1450+fps out of the 20" 454 Puma Levergun. A quote from Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition states, The grooves of pre-World War II revolvers normally measure .454 in diameter. It's always had a great reputation as a man stopper. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: The 45 Colt rim is smaller than the rim on a 45 Auto Rim. All Rights Reserved. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. USE THIS DATA WITH ALLIANT BRAND POWDERS ONLY. The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. 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. It shoots VERY well, the recoil is tolerable, and it cuts a clean hole in both targets and small game. No data for RX7 and this bullet in the 1886 Winchester & 1895 Marlin section. I prefer to use 250-grain jacketed bullets in conjunction with +P loads, which is a subject for another day. 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. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. 2020, Lyman Products Corporation, printed in U.S.A. All other trademarks in this catalog are the property of their respective owners. Normal powders vary quite a bit and also have a larger spread between shots. These Lyman loads are conservative made for older guns. If cast soft enough they can also slug up to create a gas seal, which helps reduce fusion and barrel leading. The Judge has been promoted! It has never failed me. 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. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. When crimped in its cannelure, the overall length still exceeds industry specifications at 1.652 inches. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. This database has 6400 loads for cast bullet loads. The weight would more properly be closer to 32 grains. I cast the Lyman 452-424 250gr.