The "Power and Thump" of the S&W's in 45

[NE450No2]

Not wanting to Hijack my other thread re, S&W's in "45",
I want to explore the difference, between top loads in the S&W 45 ACP revolvers vs the 45 Colt.

When I say Top loads, I mean top safe loads.

Also I wanted this to be an apples to apples comparison, so first I took a look at Buffalo Bores offerings.

All the following loads are deemed by them as safe in a S&W N frame.
All velocity figures are from actual S&W 4" revolvers, except for the 44 Special, which was in a 3 1/4" barrel, and the 45 ACP, and 45 Super loads they were in a 5" 1911.

All contain a 255gr cast bullet.

45 ACP 960 fps
45 Super 1090fps
Using the above loads in a S&W revolver still enable you to use moon clips.

45 Auto Rim +P 1031 fps
45 Colt 949 fps
44 Special 984 fps
44 Mag, the BB low recoil load 1264 fps.

So it appears to me that the S&W 45 ACP revolver not only holds its own but is slightly superior to the 45 Colt factory loads.

Also some of the older Speer handloading books show even more powerful loads for the Auto Rim.
They shot velocities as high as 1192 fps,240gr cast bullet, with 2400 powder, in a 6.5" Mod 25-2.

Now I would guess that a reloader could most likely load a 255 gr cast bullet a little faster that Buffalo Bore does, as I think a new S&W in 45 Colt is stronger than a Colt SAA.
But how much faster? I do not think you could go much faster than the top loads for the 45 Auto Rim in the older Speer books.

Again I am talking top SAFE loads.

Also another advantage of the 45 ACP S&W is its ability to shoot ALL of the other good 45 ACP loads on the market.

So I think that unlesss a fella is a big Colt 45 SAA shooter, a 45 ACP S&W revolver is the better overall all round choice.

Not that there is anything wrong, if someone likes the 45 Colt S&W Revolver better.... Heck some peopleeven still buy S&W revolvers in the 41 Mag...

 

[NE450No2]

I included the Buffalo Bore 44 Mag "low recoil" round in my comparasion to illustrate that it is not practical to try and make a 44 MAG out of a S&W in "45".

However with the right loads the S&W 45's are still field worthy revolvers.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Don't forget that the 45 colt can be made better due to large case volume, this would bump it well over the acp, and it can be done safely w/o resorting to magnumizing it.

Heavier boolits too.

 

[shooter686]

A 255 grain .45 Caliber bullet at 950ish fps seems to me to be a very formidable round. If you question this, just go light off a few from your favorite revolver - they will get your attention. No, its not a magnum round, and not meant to be.

The other part of the equation is to evaluate the intended purpose of the particular load. Target shooting is dfferent than self defense or hunting. There is a wealth of information about real world performance of the various bullet designs available in the hunting magazines, forums, etc. But I degress if the comparision is intended to be purely on the power level of the various rounds. Suffice it to say that the .45acp, 45 Colt, etc have suficient power to do anything you ask when combined with the correct bullet for the chosen task.

Good Luck -

Shooter686

 

[pinkymingeo]

I got rid of my 45 Colts years ago. Most of my shooting now is 45acp in revolvers. Up to bullet weights of about 250gr the acp has pretty much all the advantages. If you're gonna shoot 300gr bullets, you need the Colt. My max load with AA9 pushes a 255 at 945fps out of a 5" barrel. If that won't kill it you need a rifle, not a handgun.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Yes, one of the long time favorite articles is in Handloader #217 where Brian Pearce discusses different loadings applicable to different revolvers chambered in 45 Colt.

It is generally held that S&Ws are capable of up to 23Kpsi loads, based on the fact that modern N-frames can handle 45ACP+P loads. That can get you some pretty impressive handloads with the right selection of components.

I like a handload in 45 AR brass that gives me around 960fps with a Speer 250LSWC in my 625-8, if I need that power level. One can also use the heavyweight RCBS 45-270SAA (282gr) with Power Pistol in a 45AR case for just under 900fps if a heavier bullet is desired, still under 23Kpsi (Handloader #251). Otherwise, I usually shoot standard 230gr or target loads.

The 45 Colt models I can get a little more out of, and do so on occasion. But in a practical sense, it's only about 100fps and the difference isn't really noticeable in the field if a good bullet it used. A Hornady XTP, e.g. does benefit from that extra 100fps, a cast not so much.