.45ACP and .45 Colt on 4 leggers - is there any real difference?

[tacotime]

Ignoring the gun, is there a dime's worth of effective performance difference between these two?

And to clarify, I'm talking about results on 4 legged critters, say the occasional chance encounter with the small to medium hog for instance, and no hot handloads.

The charts show pretty similar numbers for the ballistics. Is it really worth getting a .45 Colt as an upgrade to the .45 ACP for a woods carry gun?

 

[armorer951]

The only difference to me would be the potential for additional weight in terms of the projectile in the .45 Colt. The additional penetration of the heavier projectile might be desirable, depending on the beast involved.

 

[ken158]

A 230 round nose at 850 fps vs a 250 swc at 1000 plus fps is a big difference on a game animal.

 

[tacotime]

Is there a factory 250gr load at 1,000? I only saw them to about 860fps.

 

[armorer951]

There are a few available at higher velocities......I'm sure these would not be usable in most handguns. Pressures on some of these loads have to be astronomical. They list one of the Buffalo Bore loadings as a 325gr bullet at 1325fps???


45 Long Colt Ballistics | Ballistics 101

 

[gwpercle]

There can be a big difference .
The 45 Colt would be the preferred hunting round and Buffalo Bore would be the preferred load to hunt with.
It outshines the 45 acp by a wide margin.
Outside of hunting applications it's a toss up. I do a lot of paper , tin can and plinking with cast bullets and to me the 45 acp / auto rim is easier to develop accurate light loads in . The 45 Colt likes heavy loads and heavy bullets.
Gary

 

[tacotime]

"... a 325gr bullet at 1325fps" is starting to approach .45-70 Govt levels! (The traditional .45-70 405gr runs 1,300 while the 300gr runs around 1,800).

 

[Univibe]

.45 Colt IN A MODERN GUN DESIGNED FOR HIGH PRESSURE LOADS can outslug a .44 mag by a little bit.

Original loadings are approximately what .45 ACP does.

Go look at the Accurate Arms loading guide online, you'll see what I mean.

 

[tacotime]

Looks like those high pressure loads run double the standard pressure.

 

[Trooper224]

If you handload there's a difference. The .45 Colt can be pushed farther and harder since it isn't limited by the guns function, only its structural strength. Off the shelf? Not a lot unless you go with a boutique company like Buffalo Bore, etc.

 

[badge]

I have seen the differences on Hogs and they are noticeable. That extra 100-150 FPS makes a difference in penetration, especially on a critter such as a Hog. I have used the .45 Colt exclusively on them for 20 years and have never lost one. Watched a buddy 3 years ago on a smallish Boar, (120), have to use multiple shots and ranges were similar as were sizes. Could have been any one of a number of variables but I feel the nod goes to the old Colt round.

 

[Murdock]

Would you be interested in shooting the .45 ACP from an autopistol or a revolver?

Paul Harrel does a comparisson of .45 ACP and 10mm on his YT channel that you might find interesting, at least the portion of the video that shows common .45 ACP 230 FMJ giving better penetration on what he calls his "meat target" than 10mm. Surprising.

In revolvers there's no question that loads of greater intensity are more easily achieved than in autopistols, and it would be hard to beat .45 Colt from a strong revolver. That said if a .45 ACP revolver is your cup of tea, Buffalo Bore .45 Super loads can be used in the 1911 with very minor modifications, and in the S&W M625 without modification. They are serious loads. I'm getting just over 1100 FPS with Buffalo Bore 230's from my lightly modified Colt 1911.

So to more specifically answer the question, there can be less practical difference between .45 ACP and .45 Colt than might be casually apparent. Big bullets don't necessarily need to be moving real fast to do good work.

 

[Skeet 028]

In real world use there is a big difference. I have shot a bunch of coyotes...about 26... with the 45 auto...only 3 with a 45 colt. Maybe 7 with a 44 special. I also shot a very large critter(650 lbs) with my 45 auto. A triple tap at about 35-40 ft and it was DRT. but it was done with my carry load of +P Hollow points. The 230 gr round nose FMJs do not dispatch coyotes very well. They usually run a way before dying. My 45 Colt(and 44 Sp also) are loaded with semi wadcutters and they dispatch most critters very well. With that all said you still have to put the round where it will do the job. Shooting 'em in the leg just won't cut it. Hogs can be very tough so I would opt for a revolver round if possible JMHO

 

[LoboGunLeather]

With readily available factory ammunition I see a distinct advantage in the .45 Long Colt because of a wider variety of bullet weights, and perhaps more important for hunting, bullet types and profiles that should be expected to provide greater terminal performance. Wide flat points, broad profile SWC's, and others can be expected to transfer energy more efficiently to the target. Heavier bullets can be expected to provide deeper penetration through tough hide and bone.

I am a life-long .45ACP guy, but I don't find the .45ACP to be inherently superior to the .45 Long Colt in any use other than semi-automatic pistols for close range defense.

 

[bigggbbruce]

This is why I've said, 44mag is more versatile. I'd choose 44mag over 45 LC.. low velocity to fire breathing..

 

[6string]

Historically speaking, the nod has always been towards the 45 Colt. We're talking factory level loads or equivalent, lead 250 gr. vs FMJ 230 gr.
I'm assuming that when you say "no hot handloads" you would also exclude the Buffalo Bore loads?

Handloading changes things, with the favor still falling towards the old Colt. The 45 Colt can handle a wider variety of bullet weights and styles without jacking up the pressure.
The 45 ACP in a revolver changes things considerably. In something like a S&W 25-2 you have considerable leeway with OAL of handloads, allowing lots of creative handloading. The 1911 magazine is more of a restriction.

However...... I once had a S&W 645 for which I often loaded with the Lyman Ideal 452424 bullet, that being a 255 gr. SWC over a very safe charge of (then Hercules brand) Unique. (The out of the box accuracy of the 645 and many loads was immoressive....1.5 inch 5 shot groups at 25 yds being the norm.)
It was 100% reliable, was easy to shoot, was as accurate as any equivalent load in a revolver, and hit the target HARD.
I'd have no problem using that in any field or defensive capacity that I'd use a 45 Colt.

Jim

 

[ISCS Yoda]

This is why I've said, 44mag is more versatile. I'd choose 44mag over 45 LC.. low velocity to fire breathing..

Maybe, but with the .45 Colt you can get off an accurate second round long before you can do it with a .44 Magnum. YMMV

 

[cowboy4evr]

John Linebaugh has proved that the 45 Colt will do all the 44 magnum will do with 4-7K less pressure . Then when talking about heavy bulllets (over 300 grs) , the 45 Colt takes the front stage . Regards, Paul

 

[Gamecock]

And to clarify, I'm talking about results on 4 legged critters, say the occasional chance encounter with the small to medium hog for instance, and no hot handloads.

The hog will make no distinction. .45 ACP is quite adequate for hogs. Therefore, .45 Colt is not "better."

 

[scattershot]

To answer your question, in factory ammo, the .45 Colt has a 25 grain bullet advantage, but that’s about it. I would think either round would suffice for hogs.