45 Colt Cowboy Special

Funflyer · May 6, 2021

Been having so much fun loading for and shooting my 7th Cav SAA I thought I'd cut some brass to the Cowboy Special length (.9") and give them a try. Probably won't be much different than the light loads I've been loading in LC, but it'll keep me from having to use a wad over the powder.

I did this with some 38 Special cut to 38S&W and they are such a joy to shoot. Those gave my sister in-law a new perspective on guns. She's always hated anything "guns" so my brother got her to at least shoot some 22lr, then I asked her to fire my 357 Magnum. She reluctantly tried it, thinking they were actually Magnum loads, and left with a new attitude about firearms. To this day she is still proud that she can easily handle a 357 Magnum

Ivan the Butcher · May 6, 2021

There is an military load from around 1909 called 45 US. It was made by Frankfort Arsenal for use in: 1873 SAA, No. 3 S&W American Army contract , S&W No.3 Schofield, and 1909 Colt service revolvers. The case is of Scofield length with a Colt diameter rim, uses a 230 grain conical lead ( and later runs used Jacketed) Bullet at a velocity of 810 FPS (It is what the 45 ACP was patterned after!).

For Cowboy Action Shooting I can use regular 45 Colt or 45 Scofield or 45 US cases in my Marlin 1894 or Rossi 1892 carbines (My SAA clones can't use the Scofield rim diameter). For a full power load you can use 45 ACP load data in the short cases, and of course normal Long Colt data.

For reduced loads I use 6.7 grains WW 231 in LC and 5.5 grains in the shorter cases with any weight 200-250 45 cal RNFP bullet I find I like the performance of 220 best but finding them is difficult.

I believe the Army was correct, simplify logistics! One cartridge for as many different types of gun as possible!

Ivan

SW Gun Guy · May 6, 2021

With a shortage of bulky powders, I will soon have to load some less powerful 223 with CFE 223. What did you use as a "wad" and where do you buy it??? Hope this isn't hijacking the thread. Thx.

smithra_66 · May 6, 2021

SW Gun Guy said:
With a shortage of bulky powders, I will soon have to load some less powerful 223 with CFE 223. What did you use as a "wad" and where do you buy it??? Hope this isn't hijacking the thread. Thx.

I'm assuming he means that these are black powder loads since there'd be no real reason to use a wad over smokeless....just a guess though.

Erich · May 6, 2021

I've got some of that Cowboy Special brass floating around. These pictures might be of interest - folks can see how it compares to .45 Colt, .45 AR and .45 ACP.

gmarshall99 · May 6, 2021

38S&W brass is a different size that 38Special. It is wider (.386 vs .379 per Lyman reloading handbook). Others will tell you that you risk splitting the cases because they don't fill the cylinder.

Ivan the Butcher · May 6, 2021

SW Gun Guy said:
With a shortage of bulky powders, I will soon have to load some less powerful 223 with CFE 223. What did you use as a "wad" and where do you buy it??? Hope this isn't hijacking the thread. Thx.

Most good loading data sources have "Reduced Velocity" data that doesn't use a wad. You will want a powder that isn't "Position Sensitive", Hodgdon makes several powders that fall into that classification. The shotgun powder Clays, is one I use in large pistol cases with reduced charges. (I don't reduce 223, I just use a smaller cartridge like 22 Hornet to get less recoil or noise. But then, I am blessed with many rifles!)

Ivan

Funflyer · May 6, 2021

gmarshall99 said:
38S&W brass is a different size that 38Special. It is wider (.386 vs .379 per Lyman reloading handbook). Others will tell you that you risk splitting the cases because they don't fill the cylinder.

I trim 38Special brass to 38S&W length.

SW Gun Guy said:
With a shortage of bulky powders, I will soon have to load some less powerful 223 with CFE 223. What did you use as a "wad" and where do you buy it??? Hope this isn't hijacking the thread. Thx.

I punch them from felt sheets. These are acrylic so they won't burn and start a fire.

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Sheets-Assorted-Crafts-Squares/dp/B08BC32THD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1QVU8OYYXLD4N&dchild=1&keywords=felt+sheets&qid=1620353518&sprefix=felt%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-5[/ame]

ArchAngelCD · May 7, 2021

Funflyer said:
Been having so much fun loading for and shooting my 7th Cav SAA I thought I'd cut some brass to the Cowboy Special length (.9") and give them a try. Probably won't be much different than the light loads I've been loading in LC, but it'll keep me from having to use a wad over the powder.

I did this with some 38 Special cut to 38S&W and they are such a joy to shoot. Those gave my sister in-law a new perspective on guns. She's always hated anything "guns" so my brother got her to at least shoot some 22lr, then I asked her to fire my 357 Magnum. She reluctantly tried it, thinking they were actually Magnum loads, and left with a new attitude about firearms. To this day she is still proud that she can easily handle a 357 Magnum

No reason to cut down 45 Colt brass, Starline is selling Cowboy Special brass 45 Cowboy Special Brass - Large Pistol - Brass Cases. No mistakes can be made since it has the proper headstamp. You have a good idea made better by the Starline brass.

They are also selling .38 Short Colt brass which will do what you are doing but with the proper Headstamp. It is almost the exact length are the 38 S&W cartridge. 0.754-0.761 for the 38 Short Colt and 0.767-0.773 for the 38 S&W brass lengths.
38 Short Colt Brass - Small Pistol - Brass Cases

45 Colt Cowboy Special

Funflyer

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Ivan the Butcher

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SW Gun Guy

smithra_66

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Erich

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gmarshall99

Ivan the Butcher

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Funflyer

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ArchAngelCD

Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

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