45 S&W

[WilliamB]

I am thinking about reloading for a Smith Schofield. While I have been reloading lots of calibers for about 15 years this cartridge has me a bit stumped.

First I don't want to cast my own bullets. Wondering if anyone knows of a company / caster who casts these heel type of bullets. I am assuming that you must use heel designed bullets but I am unsure. Please let me know your experience and advice.

Second I understand you can use 45 colt reloading dies; however, I'm not quite sure about what to do for crimping.

Brass seems quite easy since Starline manufacturers it. Just need to be patient to find some.

Thanks for the help

 

[S&WIowegan]

First, William we need to know why you titled this thread 44S&W?? The original S&W Schofield revolvers were chambered in .45 Schofield cartridge which is similar to 45 Colt but shorter. The US government at Frankford Arsenal manufactured this cartridge and labeled it 45 Government.

S&Ws other break-top revolvers were chambered in 44 American or 44 Russian. Do you have an original Schofield from the 1800s or a modern reproduction?

 

[WilliamB]

No you are correct meant to say 45 S&W. Thanks for pointing it out. Just corrected title. I have a PC one.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I haven't loaded this round myself but I'm quite sure you won't need heel-type bullets. Ordinary 45 Colt cast bullets will work. Good question about crimp; I suggest checking with the die makers.

 

[WilliamB]

I haven't loaded this round myself but I'm quite sure you won't need heel-type bullets. Ordinary 45 Colt cast bullets will work. Good question about crimp; I suggest checking with the die makers.

Thanks for the info that makes life a lot easier.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

S&WIowegan has it quite right, the .45 Schofield does not use a heel type bullet and any old standard .45 cal bullet will work. I use the Lee Factory Crimp die to crimp my Schofield's.

 

[k22fan]

Since I no longer had a .45 Colt at the time I ground off my RCBS .45 Colt seater until it was short enough to roll crimp .45 Auto Rim. If I had a lathe it would look better faced off square. The die still works fine for seating .45 Colt. I have seen recent manufacture .45 Colt die sets labeled for both .45 Schofield and .45 Colt. They must just have a shorter roll crimp & seating die. I forget which brand they were. It should be easy to find them by checking the reloading manufactures' web sites.

Also you can taper crimp with a .45 ACP die or the bottom end of a .30-06 or similar FL sizer.

 

[WilliamB]

Wondering if anyone knows if the PC Schofields require a .451 or .454 diameter bullet or some other diameter.

 

[arjay]

It should be a 452 in a lead bullet,but I'd get the smallest quantity I could and check the fit at the front of the cylinder.If it falls through,get 454s.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have about 750 45 Schofield rounds I use in my 45 LC guns, as well as about 2500 45LC's. Some Schofield brass has the same rim as Colt brass (This is what 45 US is) Real Schofield brass has a larger rim and uses a different shell holder. Revolvers with rebated chambers (like a Colt) won't accept real Schofield ammo, however Ruger and many SAA clones will take anything you feed them. My Marlin and Rossi 92 both accept and cut off real Schofield and 45 us type ammo. Schofield ammo used a 200 grain bullet and 45 US used a 230 grain bullet. I have no idea what the sights are regulated for.

I have a pair of repo #3 Russian revolvers and the shoot 200 grain and 246 grain, both to the sights at 25 yards. So you won't know until you try. I like HP38/WW231 and Trail Boss in my Russian and my Schofield ammo. Hodgdon.com has loading data for all the classic cowboy calibers in several different powders. Ivan

 

[WilliamB]

I really appreciate all the advice given - very useful.

I already have some 250gr rnfp which I use in reloading the 45LC. I will probably start with that in terms of evaluating accuracy at .451 diameter. I have various recommended powders already in hand. From the information provided I will just do a normal work-up of a accurate but soft load for paper punching. I really just need to get some proper brass. I understand I could cut down some 41 mag brass but I prefer brass with the proper head stamp.

 

[k22fan]

[...] I understand I could cut down some 41 mag brass [...]

First heel bullets then .41 mag brass? It sounds like you're confusing .45 Schofield with .44 Colt or some other mostly forgotten 19th century cartridge. If you don't need a full diameter Schofield rim you can cut down .45 Colt or am I missing something?

 

[WilliamB]

First heel bullets then .41 mag brass? I sounds like you're confusing .45 Schofield with .44 Colt or some other mostly forgotten 19th century cartridge. If you don't need a full diameter Schofield rim you can cut down .45 Colt or am I missing something?

It is my understanding that 41 mag brass will work. If you google it you will find examples of people successfully doing this. I didn't say I was going to do it. There are also heel-type casting molds currently available if you wanted to go this route. From doing some digging around today they seem to be popular but maybe not necessary. Just google this also.

There are also examples on YouTube of well known people doing both. Check out Larry P on the Midway videos as one example.

 

[Alk8944]

Many currently manufactured die sets are now marked .45 S&W/.45 Colt/.454. Crimping problem solved.

.45 S&W is nothing more nor less than the .45 Colt case shortened slightly and with a slightly enlarged rim for more positive extraction. .45 Colt cases can be trimmed and used, and they don't have to be trimmed much. Standard .45 Colt or .45 ACP bullets can be used if sized properly. Correct bullet in 230 gr. RN, just like the .45 ACP. You are trying to make it more difficult than it needs to be!

 

[WilliamB]

Many currently manufactured die sets are now marked .45 S&W/.45 Colt/.454. Crimping problem solved.

.45 S&W is nothing more nor less than the .45 Colt case shortened slightly and with a slightly enlarged rim for more positive extraction. .45 Colt cases can be trimmed and used, and they don't have to be trimmed much. Standard .45 Colt or .45 ACP bullets can be used if sized properly. Correct bullet in 230 gr. RN, just like the .45 ACP. You are trying to make it more difficult than it needs to be!

I agree I am over thinking this. After all the advice it seems pretty straightforward. I appreciate the advice.

 

[alwslate]

Get a copy of the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th edition. It has
data for four different bullets with a variety of powders as well as a
drawing of the case and dimensions.

 

[keithherrington]

What you need

I used to reload both 45 Colt and 45 S&W (Schofield), with the same dies. The dies I chose are the RCBS Cowboy Action dies marked for both cartridges. They worked beautifully and produced excellent cartridges. The RCBS product code is 19151 and the Midway USA product code is 076683191519 (RCBS Cowboy Carbide 3-Die Set 45 S&W Schofield 45 Colt (Long Colt)). $63.99 not including shipping or rebate.

Keith

 

[WilliamB]

I used to reload both 45 Colt and 45 S&W (Schofield), with the same dies. The dies I chose are the RCBS Cowboy Action dies marked for both cartridges. They worked beautifully and produced excellent cartridges. The RCBS product code is 19151 and the Midway USA product code is 076683191519 (RCBS Cowboy Carbide 3-Die Set 45 S&W Schofield 45 Colt (Long Colt)). $63.99 not including shipping or rebate.
Keith

Thanks I put them on my Midway wish list.

 

[DWalt]

I load my .45 Colt cartridges with a set of .45 ACP dies. I only partially resize the cases. Have been doing that for years with no problems, should also work OK for .45 S&W/Schofield.