45 Colt cartridge

[00Buck2]

I was working up some 250g loads for the 45 colt and shooting them through a cimarron SAA replica while taking some slow motion videos.

These 250g chrono right at 1000 FPS. After 12 rounds the 2 screws on the frame of the cimarron backed out and I had to retighten them. No more of these through the Cimarron. Time to put up the Cimarron and break out the tank Ruger Blackhawk.

The pressure was within SAAMI standards just pushing the SAA design. Amazing what the 45 colt cartridge is capable of in the right revolver. I’m pretty sure it will rival the 44 mag.

Here is a few clips from the 12 shots I fired through the SAA design. It’s amazing to see what really happens when you pull the trigger on a 45 Colt cartridge.

 

[walkinghorse]

Nice photographs, thanks for posting!

 

[Texas Star]

I've read that putting shellac on screws in Colt SAA and Webley revolvers keeps the screws from loosening. Both guns are notorious for loose screws. Check them often.

The same holds for Uberti replicas, but I don't trust the metallurgy for really hot loads.

Good thing you have that Ruger. But even std. .45 Colt ammo has a grim rep for being enough for most needs. The old black powder loads were rated at 910 FPS with a 250 grain bullet from a 7.5 inch barrel.
Elmer Keith said that would kill even a horse or a cow. I think he shot one horse that threw him and was dragging him.

I've owned just one .45 Colt, a near new New Service made about 1935-36. It'd group all six shots of Remington ammo in a ragged single hole at 25 yards, and I am not a renowned shot. I shot, but did not own, a SAA with 4.75 inch bbl. Although not as accurate as my New Service, it was plenty accurate enough for most handgun needs. And if that gun hadn't had such a hard trigger pull, it would have done better.

 

[Univibe]

The .45 Colt in modern loadings is every bit the equal of the .44 mag.

What charge and what bullet were you using?

 

[cowboy4evr]

YOu can put a little dap of clear finger nail polish on the threads . It will lock them in place yet breaks loose easily if needed to . The Colt clones , Cimarron , Uberti , Taylors etc are stouter than many believe . Your loads are perfectly safe as you stated they are within SAAMI spec's of max 14K psi .
I found that , the same bullet at about 900 fps was more to my liking . If you stop and think about it , to get that same weight bullet in either a 44 special or 44 magnum to that velocity , it requires a load exceeding 20K psi yet the 45 colt will do it not exceeding 14K psi . Regards, Paul

 

[Drm50]

When Ruger SBH was first out the frame screws would loosen on them too.
This was before they had Nyloc screws. I sheared head of one of the screws behind tigger guard. I've got 45colts & 44 mags. If I want to shoot 44mg it's simpler to use a 44mg.

 

[00Buck2]

When Ruger SBH was first out the frame screws would loosen on them too.
This was before they had Nyloc screws. I sheared head of one of the screws behind tigger guard. I've got 45colts & 44 mags. If I want to shoot 44mg it's simpler to use a 44mg.

Same here.

The main reason I started this was because my brother purchased a 45 Colt Blackhawk and was complaining about the ammo. He was going to big box stores and buying what they had saying he was unimpressed with the 45 cartridge. It makes sense that big box stores sell watered down 45 colt. It’s unknown to the manufacturer if you are shooting great grandpas original 1873 or a new Bowen’s custom. I tried to explain to him the impressive capability of the 45 Colt cartridge and I think he understands now.

Ps. I don’t recommend you trying to shoot a 250g 45 cal slug through your under 44 cal magnum revolver at any velocity.

 

[chief38]

While 1000 fps is usually considered the top end for a SAA (or clone) I might suggest downloading your loads to 800 - 850 fps for plinking and target shooting. There is no need to beat up a SAA and at 1000 fps I do believe you will if shot often. If you are using the SAA for hunting then a few here and there won't matter but IMO a steady diet at top pressure and velocity will.

For the Ruger or a Smith & Wesson M25, 1000 fps is perfectly fine all day long - but a SAA design is 150 years old. Just a suggestion of course.

 

[6string]

I believe the 45 Colt hits 150 yrs of age in 2023.
While not the oldest sixgun cartridge, I can't think of another big bore that has enjoyed a consistently high level of esteem.
Go back to any year of publication you care to choose, and the 45 Colt always elicits praise.
For good reason!

It seems fitting that a member here with a cool name like "Texas Star" would be a fan of the 45 Colt, the Colt New Service, and the SAA.

To the OP, yeah, use some shellac, nail polish, or non-permanent thread lock and enjoy your nice replica!

Jim

 

[Texas Star]

I believe the 45 Colt hits 150 yrs of age in 2023.
While not the oldest sixgun cartridge, I can't think of another big bore that has enjoyed a consistently high level of esteem.
Go back to any year of publication you care to choose, and the 45 Colt always elicits praise.
For good reason!

It seems fitting that a member here with a cool name like "Texas Star" would be a fan of the 45 Colt, the Colt New Service, and the SAA.

To the OP, yeah, use some shellac, nail polish, or non-permanent thread lock and enjoy your nice replica!

Jim

Jim-

Thanks so much for the praise! Clearly, you are an erudite gentleman of discriminating taste!

My only reservation about the .45 Colt is the small case rim, which may be marginal in some DA revolvers. You probably know that this concerned the Army when they adopted the M-1909 version of the New Service. Frankford Arsenal made a special case for them with a wider rim.

But my New Service never gave problems and the gun was used for decades by both NYSP and the RCMP. Nor do S&W M-25-5 guns seem to give case rim problems.

I like your name, too.

Jim

 

[Capt. F.]

YOu can put a little dap of clear finger nail polish on the threads . It will lock them in place yet breaks loose easily if needed to . The Colt clones , Cimarron , Uberti , Taylors etc are stouter than many believe . Your loads are perfectly safe as you stated they are within SAAMI spec's of max 14K psi .
I found that , the same bullet at about 900 fps was more to my liking . If you stop and think about it , to get that same weight bullet in either a 44 special or 44 magnum to that velocity , it requires a load exceeding 20K psi yet the 45 colt will do it not exceeding 14K psi . Regards, Paul

k
I’ve read repeatedly that the .45 Colt operates at much lower pressure for a given velocity. John Linebaughs writings/tests seem to confirm this. The .38/.357 is another example. A 158 grain with 13.5 grains of 2400 are within saami limits. Go to 15.5 of 2400 in a .357 and pressures skyrocket.
I wish someone a whole lot smarter than me would explain the physics of why/how pressures work.

 

[Johnnu2]

45Colt

MANY years ago when I was the only one NOT shooting a 357Mag., my friends were making fun of my choice of cartridge: the GREAT 45 Colt. An older hunter in the area told them: "If he doesn't hit that deer squarely, he'll just drag it to death with that big 45." Got love old guys )))
p.s. Trail Boss makes a nice load for old guys ....

 

[Alpo]

If I want to shoot 44mg it's simpler to use a 44mg.

I keep telling people that. Use what the gun was designed for. If you want a more powerful load, get a different gun.

 

[Drm50]

I got into handguns young just when you had to shoot a magnum or you
werent with it. I had 357, 41 and 44mg. I got a Ruger BH when they 1st came out and that was what got me interested in 45Colt. I had been shooting 240 Kieth HP/ GC with max loads. The 45 was more pleasant to
shoot from blast and recoil. Also very accurate. I have a 25-5 that is set
up for 250FN cast at 800fps that shoots very well. With out changing 0
it also does well with 242gr WCs at same velocity.

 

[Echo40]

Factory loaded .45 Long Colt SD loads are roughly equal to .44 Special/.45 ACP. At full SAAMI Specs the .45 Long Colt surpasses .45 ACP +P. The Ruger Only loads that are often erroneously labeled "+P" loads are capable of equaling .44 Magnum. If you handload and pack the cartridge to capacity with the right powder it will exceed .44 Magnum and begin approaching light .454 Casull loads.

Personally, I think Standard Pressure .45LC is already powerful enough to handle just about anything. At full SAAMI Specs it packs enough punch to be used against Bears in a pinch. The round enduring the test of time is testament to its usefulness.

 

[DWalt]

A .45 Colt will always work in any situation. I have always loaded the .45 Colt toward the mild end, using 200 grain bullets at a MV close to 1000 ft/sec. Easy on the gun, easy on me. I have a pair of Colt M1909s (essentially a Colt New Service), and I wouldn't use any heavier .45 Colt load in them. I have found that using the .45 Colt narrow rim case can cause extraction problems with the M1909 if you are not careful.

 

[max]

I have 2 friends with 454 Casull Rugers. They wanted some cheap practice rounds, but wanted something with more kick than cowboy loads. I did a lot of research and reading before I loaded for them.

Based on what I found, you can get less pressure, but more power out of the 45 case than you can the .44. This has to do with the larger diameter of the round and larger case.

They were happy with the loads and I was satisfied they were quite safe.

 

[Chukar60]

I have owned quite a few 45 Colt revolvers. Most Rugers.
Used to think loading up some “hot” ammo and running it through the guns was big fun. Rattled a Redhawk loose pretty quick doing that.
A 45 Colt is a 45 Colt and not a 454 Casull or 44 mag or, or or.
I only have one now which is a 625-6 Mountian Gun. Loads for 250 gr bullets stay below 900 fps. It will handle anything I would intend it for admirably without undue stress to the gun.

 

[alwslate]

Your .45 Colt loads must have been pretty hot if you quickly shot a
Redhawk loose with them.

 

[Chukar60]

Your .45 Colt loads must have been pretty hot if you quickly shot a
Redhawk loose with them.

They were very hot. 300 gr JSP at around 1250 fps. I found a box of PMC 300 gr +P or maybe hotter that had an advertised velocity of I believe 1300 fps. So after I shot that box up I handloaded some to emulate that load.
Back then I shot every weekend and shot a lot. Took about 6 months and the poor thing was pretty loose. I also think it was a poor specimen as the accuracy was bad. From the day I got it.