Wanting a 45 colt

[diggler1833]

I have a three screw Blackhawk and 25-5. Yeah, you can load the Blackhawk a little hotter, but the ergonomics of the 25-5 are a lot better.

Hunting: Blackhawk. Shooting: 25-5. You can do either with both rather well too.

 

[31FordA]

I have several .45 Colts, and plan to add more to the menagerie. At present I have a 25-5, a 625-6 Mountain Gun, a early Vaquero and a Marlin 1894. I used to have a Ruger Alaskan .454 that I only shot with .45 Colt, and a Taurus 450. Just the other day I was looking at a Redhawk .45Colt/.45ACP, and will probably get myself one as a birthday present in March. I would also like to get a 25-7 or 25-9 at some point as well.

The .45 Colt is a great cartridge to shoot, and very versatile. I primarily punch holes in paper with mine, although I do shoot metallic silhouette with the rifle. The versatility really comes out if you reload. I would pick a Ruger if you plan to use very heavy loads, since the Rugers are built to take abuse. Besides, why beat up a nice S&W.

 

[serger]

A Model 25-7 would be a great way to go. Super accurate and handsome.

I second that. Mine will out shoot me. And it seems the 5" barrel is about right. The only thing I kinda wish is that the cylinder was fluted. (I know that would be a 25-9).

 

[BLUEDOT37]

You will see in the loading manuals, Ruger Only Loads. You don't see Smith Only loads.
The cylinder walls of my Smith seem too thin for heavy 45 Colt loads.

Agreed, the heavy Ruger 45 Colt data you see in powder/bullet manuals are for the large frame RBHs.

However, there is a fair amount of data (ex: Handloader magazine) for the medium framed 45 Colt "Flattop" New Model RBHs.

These are loaded usually from 20K to 23K PSI (same SAAMI max. as the 45ACP +P).

250/260gr bullets range 1050fps to over 1100fps, which make for a formidable load in the 25/625s.

.

 

[one eye joe]

45LC would be lucky to make it into my top 5 calibers for hunting. However, I rarely think like anyone else and this thread shows that.

There are too many better calibers that require 'less' gun and are more efficient.

I AM PUZZLED. WOULD YOU CARE TO ELABORATE ? ? ?

 

[SLT223]

I have a 25-7 and love it. 45 Colt is a great cartridge to reload. If you have not had a chance to pick up one of the 25-15's with 6" tapered barrel, I would very highly suggest you do so. The balance is pretty remarkable for a large gun! Also, the throats are the right size. No need to worry about going to non-standard sized slugs to prevent leading or get top end accuracy.

 

[Revolver-time]

45LC would be lucky to make it into my top 5 calibers for hunting. However, I rarely think like anyone else and this thread shows that.

There are too many better calibers that require 'less' gun and are more efficient.

I am having a hard time coming up with 5 other more efficient calibers for handgun hunting. The 10mm, 460 ROWLAND, 357 magnum come to mind. But what else?

 

[Qc Pistolero]

To me,45Colt sceams SA revolver.A few years ago,I got me a Blackhawk convertible in 5 1/2''.No it is not for sale but I'm only waiting for that beautiful Model 25 any dash to show up around the corner with a reasonable price tag to grab it!Can't never have enough of those N frames!
Qc

 

[SLT223]

As a die hard .44 Magnum fan, it's difficult for me to admit that .45 Colt is actually more efficient than .44 Magnum. Can achieve same velocity at lower pressure. When fully magnumized it kinda leaves the hottest .44 loads in the dust. That being said, I wouldn't run those loads in a Smith. If I do want that velocity & bullet weight range in an N frame, I'd rather keep things safe and play the 29/629's. Nevertheless, my 25-7 is going nowhere anytime soon

 

[fortyshooter]

I bought this Ruger Bisley Blackhawk .45 Colt/.45 ACP a month ago.
Very nice shooter with the ghost ring sight!

 

[Grayfox]

As I said, I don't believe in magnumizing the .45 Colt.
But for those who insist, here once again for the umpteenth time is John Linebaugh's article on the Model 25-5.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

 

[Oldfrt]

If you want to shoot 45 colts and don't want much recoil my 460V feels like I am shooting a 22 with 255 grain flat points from Freedom Munitions. If you need to step up the power the 454's are easily manageable, the 460's are just plain fun.

 

[Gripgrabber]

I to like the 45lc, I have 2 Blackhawk convertibles, 4 5/8" and 5.5, and a 625 (but acp), I cast and reload so load work ups are part of the fun! I would never hot rod loads in my SW. N frames. I've shot loads in my SBHs and SRHs and Alaskan that I would not put through my smiths. I love them to much to hurt them!
I say go with the RUGER
SEMPER PARATUS

 

[bananaman]

I have a 25-15. Liked shooting it so much, that I added a Ruger Bisley. In my book, the Smith is more gun. I am not overly fond of single action only revolvers. Also prefer blue to stainless. Bisley came to me on a trade. I do like both though. Only my opinions FWTW. Bob

 

[Nick B]

A 625 Classic with a 5" barrel is a perfect size for a target/woods/hunting gun in .45 Colt .

 

[jnichols2]

Here's my .45ACP Colt, a Model 1917 Army issue.
The old girl turns 100 this year.

 

[cstep]

I'd be looking at a .454, you can shoot all the .45 colt you want, but when you want to step up, you can step way up. Ruger Redhawk would be my choice for hunting.

I'll second the .454 casull idea and now you can even get it in a 5 shot Ruger Super Blackhawk!!

 

[cowboy4evr]

John Linebaugh has another great article for the 45 Colt , " Dissolving the Myth " . I have both , a Ruger Old Model Vaquero 4 5/8" barrel and 2 smith 25's , a 4" and 6.5" barrels . That old model vaquero, fixed sight and all is a very accurate shooter . My smiths are great guns , very accurate as well . I did have to change out the front sight on the longer barrel smith . I couldn't crank the rear sight down enough to shoot 255-270 gr cast bullets @ 900+ fps . I feel it's a " 45 Colt " not a " 45 magnum " .

 

[Beemer-mark]

And after my previous post on the recommending either the 45 Colt Mountain Gun or Ruger Bisley, once you owned enough 45 Colts you'll come to realize Elmer Keith was right.

Get a 44 Special.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...once you owned enough 45 Colts you'll come to realize Elmer Keith was right. Get a 44 Special.

Only until the 44 Magnum came out.

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