His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. Contest void where prohibited by law. Survival, Banned, Training, Load, reloading, powder Collection folkscanomy_defense; folkscanomy; additional_collections Language English. The only 456 bullet I am aware of is a conical made for Ruger Old Armys, so Lyman saying that is the right bullet for 45 Colt makes no sense. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. It should be crimped over the ogive and seated to an overall cartridge length of around 1.575 inches, which helps reduce case capacity and results in lower extreme spreads with powders that tend to be position sensitive. I normally stay under 900 fps with a 250-grain bullet in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and its replicas. sure they will feed and chamber through levergun actions. Balloonhead cases were discontinued around World War II but still show up regularly on handloaders benches. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM March 2022, P.O. In my opinion, throats that measure .452 inch are generally ideal with a variety of bullets. Marlin and Winchester 1894s will both handle heavier-than-standard .45 Colt loads but 1860, 1866 and 1873 replicas are for standard loads only! To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. It is often associated with its vital role in settling the western frontier, where it found favor with lawmen, outlaws and anyone that needed a potent sixgun. Federal Ammunition History: 14 Things You Didn't Know, SIG Sauer Custom Works P320 Spectre Comp Pistol: First Look, .224 Valkyrie Small Precision Rifle Cartridge: Everything You Need to Know, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, SIG Sauer Announces New P320-XTEN 10mm Pistol, SIG Sauer P322 .22 Rimfire Pistol: Full Review, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. The powder is Herco. Although far from perfect, the old Taylor Knock Out (TKO) formula, which is caliber x bullet weight x velocity 7,000, is far more accurate. During my early teenage years I acquired a beautiful pre-World War II Colt SAA .45 that was customized by one of the masters during the 1920s. Addeddate 2019-02-27 13:08:05 Identifier LymanReloadingHandbook48thEdition2002Ocr_201902 Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t9093sd5t Ocr ABBYY FineReader 11.0 (Extended OCR) The more powerful loads are only suitable for strong handguns like the Ruger Blackhawk and the Thompson Center Contender. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The key for best shooting is to size cast bullets accordingly and open the throats if necessary. barrel differ from a 4 4/5 revolver by Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? I soon added single-cavity molds for the .45 Colt and .38 Special. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. No purchase necessary. Camp Guns: Sometimes Perfect, Other Times Not But Often Essential! Using a 250-grain cast bullet, 37.5 grains by volume of Pyrodex P results in a very potent 987 fps and a five-shot, 50-foot group of 0.88 inch in my revolver. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. .45 Colt Keith bullets: Lyman #454424 (264 gr. Two other powders for standard loads include W231 and HP-38. Cast bullets in both plain-based and gas check versions are available from 260 grains to 325 grains. For developing the accompanying data, a 1970 vintage (second generation) Colt New Frontier SAA with 5.5-inch barrel was. By the standards of the day when it arrived in 1873, and even to this day, the 45 Colt was and is a powerful cartridge. I didnt realize how many different powders from Hodgdon I use in loading the 45 Colt until I began putting this article together. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. Starting load is 12.4 grains and top load is 15.4 grains of Blue Dot. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. Loading the .45 Colt It's vital to understand today's loading manuals typically include .45 Colt loads at two different power levels: under 14,000 CUP and under 29,000 PSI. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: This brings us to powders, and I use a lot of Hodgdon powders. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. Those first Winchesters were 16 Trapper Models, with mine being purchased in 1985. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. Colt191145. REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. I also have been having good luck lately with 10.0 grains of HS-6 and 250- to 260-grain bullets, which duplicates the performance of the early black powder loads. El Hombre Sin Nombre Members 6.3k Gender:Male Location:Oakland, CA SASS# 101096 Richmond Roughriders, Coyote Valley Cowboys, Faultine Shootist Society,Two Rivers Posse, River City Regulators Posted February 18, 2017 Also slugged were guns 121xxx (1887) and number 134xxx (1890) that measured .4515 inch and .451 inch, respectively. The same load in a Jim Stroh custom 5-1/2 Bisley has the same accuracy with more . RNFP), 1007 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 255 gr. 454190 (255 grains) shares a similar profile as the original Government bullet but is a plainbase design that is generally very accurate and can be sized to around .454 to .455 inch for guns with larger throats. In ranking the various 45 Colt sixguns now in production from the least strongest to that capable of a handling the heaviest loads, I would set the following order. There simply is not much that cannot be accomplished with the 45 Colt. Moving up to the second level, loads at around 1,000 fps with the same-weight bullet are used in the Colt New Frontier, Smith & Wesson Model 25/625, Ruger Flat-Top New Model, and the Ruger New Vaquero. It follows Keiths original idea of three equally sized driving bands, one forming the base, the middle one serving as the top of the grease groove, and the front driving band helping true up the bullet in the cylinder and is located above a generous crimping groove. It is a good choice for self-defense, long-range shooting, hunting everything on four legs, and just plain fun shooting. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. Most manufacturers have recognized the need to offer revolvers with correct throat dimensions including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Uberti, USFA and others, but not Colt. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Marlin Trapper. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. These black-powder guns should not be fired with smokeless powder loads. It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. It was outfitted with adjustable sights, a 5.5-inch barrel, one-piece checkered walnut stocks and was timed precisely with an outstanding trigger pull. All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), Hi=670, Lo=521, ES=148 (too slow, wide spread), Hi=677, Lo=594, ES=8.3 (too slow, but good spread), Hi=673, Lo=594, ES=80 (too slow)(old formulation), 833 Hi=873, Lo=783, ES=90 (old formulation), 866 Hi= 890 Lo=855 ES=35 (good Cowboy load), 836 fps (powder pointing UP) (Hi=877.7 Lo=803.0 Spread=74.7 fps), 771 fps (powder pointing DOWN) (Hi=783.1 Lo=760.3 Spread=22.8 fps), Hi=622, Lo=491, ES=131 (WAY too slow-stuck bullet possible)(old formulation), Hi=750, Lo=735, ES=15 (good spread, should have used more powder), use 6.1 to 6.8 for normal Colt 45 loads (old formulation, use 7.7 to 8.6* for +P Ruger and T/C Only (old formulation, 871 Hi=938 Lo=797 ES=141 (Colt Anaconda 6), 1024 MAX+ (Actual in 7 1/2 bbl 250 gr. Everyone who has a Ruger Blackhawk or Freedom Arms single-action revolver realizes the roots of these modern guns go back to the Colt Single Action Army. 45 Colt is a pistol round. It didnt take long for manufacturers to offer heavier bullets, and two of the best came from NEI. Any time I have a 45 Colt that doesnt shoot the way I think it should, I dont give up until I try this load of IMR 4227 with Keiths bullet. That is black powder loads or Black powder level only. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. from virtually all manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Great Western, USFA and Uberti. In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, State Agency: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Just about all loads shot the same . It takes at least two rounds to be able to see if the rounds are too long to accomplish both operations. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: The Colt Single Action Army, Colt New Frontier, Ruger New Model Flat-Top, Ruger New Vaquero, and Smith & Wesson Model 25/625 are all very close strength-wise. With the 45 Colt, IMR 4227 is almost magical in being able to provide excellent accuracy when other powders will not. A roll crimp is generally preferred and should be applied as heavily as the bullets crimp groove or cannelure will permit. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. The Freedom Arms Model 97 also is in this group. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: All Rights Reserved. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. So both the up and down positions were closer in speeds and the spreads were noticeably closer. 11; firearms used: Universal Receiver & Ruger Blackhawk; barrel length: 7 1/2"; twist: 1-16"; groove dia. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . The performance level is pretty close to the original Black Powder load but far more effective due to the bullet I use. The 9mm/.38 Lyman #356637 HP is nominally a 124 grain HP version of their excellent 147 grain RNFP for the 9mm Parabellum. Everything really starts with our Vision, which is:To be the best-run business in America, and the most successful, most respected business in our industry, for the benefit of our Customers. This is a pretty bold Vision, but its absolutely real. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. ew eginnings - Mark 7 is now part of the Lyman family! No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. The smaller case-capacity means better performance with light loads, which is why I am interested in it. Cartridge Filter By Bullet Weight Powder Type Recipes (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM April 2023, P.O. considered more the norm. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. I usually select an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter, which helps prevent bullets from jumping crimp and aids in achieving consistent powder ignition. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. A Modern rifle should handle these loads equally as well, such as the Winchester Model 94. Share to Twitter. Cast bullets can be sized to .455 inch (assuming the mould casts bullets large enough), which again helps to reduce bullet tilting in the throat. Below you'll find some basic data for each cartridge to help get you started. Improving the Keith Bullet Keith's #454424 was an excellent bullet, however it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. For several years Smith & Wesson cut throats at 0.455 inch or even larger, but now they seem to be running at a more proper 0.451 to 0.452 inch. Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. The older was slower Fast-burning in pistol calibers. Next we will look at jacketed bullets in .45 Colt leverguns. One problem inherent with the original #454424 was the fact that when sized to 0.451 to 0.452 inch, the crimping groove almost disappears. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. I especially like the 260-grain Keith gas-check bullet which shoots exceptionally well using #4227, 20.0 grains is 1,115 fps for 5/8 and then it gets even better! Before I discuss handloads for the 45 Colt, we have to acknowledge there exists such a wide range of revolvers accepting the 45 Colt that great care must be used in assembling loads and choosing which guns will safely accept them. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. What the John Wick is 9mm Major, Anyway. im leaning towards the ruger blackhawk bisley 45 long cot 5.5 barrel. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Using bullets from . With Accurates 5744 the speeds with 17.0 were 853 fps UP and 802 DOWN, but spreads were much better at 45 fps and 16.6 fps respectively. patterned after the one worn by Theodore Roosevelt. Generally, when revolvers with such grossly oversized throats are fired with modern cast and jacketed bullets accuracy is poor. This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. This load will certainly handle deer-sized game. The 45 Colt rim is smaller than the rim on a 45 Auto Rim. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. This revolver is fitted with a new line-bored cylinder that is tightly chambered with .452-inch throats, a .003-inch barrel/cylinder gap and the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. I have tested vintage loads that produced an honest 1,000 fps. and other smokeless cartridges were introduced. The .44 Magnum is a great cartridge that offers a flatter trajectory and helps to make hits easier at longer distances; however, this added performance comes at the cost of greater pressures, heavier guns, increased recoil and muzzle report. For a heavier bullet with #4227 I use 22.0 grains with the 305-grain Lyman #454629 gas check at 1,315 fps while grouping in 5/8 for three shots. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. For example, the most recent Speer Reloading Manual Number 15 states, Prior to 1945, most .45 Colt revolvers had a bore diameter of .454 inch. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Agency: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, State Agency: Handgun Reloading Data .45 Colt 9mm Luger .32 Smith & Wesson Long .32 ACP .357 Magnum .44 Magnum .41 Remington Magnum .460 S&W Magnum .38 Special .327 Federal Magnum .357 SIG .25 Automatic 10mm Auto .500 Linebaugh Powder Data Accurate 5744 Hodgdon Extreme Powder Alliant Reloder 15 Norma Powder Ramshot Powder Accurate Powder Vihtavouri Powder The on-line Hogdon load data shows the following for TiteGroup and a 255 gr LSWC: Starting load of 5.0 gr for an approx 716 feet per second and a pressure of 7.6K cup. Nevada Department of Wildlife, State Agency: . That is, until I tried IMR 4227 with Lymans #452424 and a 20.0-grain load, and that combination produced one-hole groups. A gun is like a parachute: If you need one and don't have one, you won't be needing one again. For comparison the above .44 Magnum factory loads (which are admittedly conservative) have a TKO factor only slightly higher at 17.35. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. If I had to shoot only one factory ammunition the rest of my life, I would. What has varied significantly is the throat diameter (ball end, chamber mouth, etc.) With multiple powder charge weights there has been considerable confusion on this subject. Bullets from RCBS mould 45-270-SAA, which usually weigh around 280 to 285 grains, are designed to maximize powder capacity, are accurate and an excellent choice for hunting big game. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Western Powders (Accurate and Ramshot) are about the only ones publishing higher pressure 45 Colt cast bullet data. A gun with these internal dimensions offers a much fairer assessment of the accuracy potential of all data. Deployed military should use stateside address. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Space constraints keep me from looking at all of these powders in depth, but I can cover a few. Velocities in a test LYMAN Reloading Products A trusted Brand since the 1800?s. We are blessed to have many excellent cartridges and sixguns available to us, but it would be hard to find any cartridge that is as versatile as the old 45 Colt. Bullseye is a bit fast for this big cartridge and I dont especially recommend it, but it will work. This same bullet can be loaded to much higher velocity in Rugers large-frame single- and double-action sixguns. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. However, the first known commercial listing is found in the 1880 UMC catalog. In his classic 1955 book Sixguns by Keith, Elmer Keith stated, As one grows older and his hair starts to turn grey, his respect for this grand old load increases. However, in those long-gone days I was able to find two Winchester Trappers both in .45 Colt and the Marlin versions in both calibers mentioned. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. After a long days work on our remote cattle ranch, I would cast bullets and handload ammunition in the evening so that I could continue shooting the next day. Bad Idea! 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. that charge was increased to 38 grains by 1898. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. But the 45 Colt is a survivor. Discussion: The old Western Style COLT normally uses big, heavy and slow lead bullets. Quality 300-grain jacketed bullets are also offered by all three of these manufacturers. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. Most are either .451 (jacketed) or .452 (lead) and Sierra even makes jacketed bullets for the Colt SAA that are .4515 splitting the difference. In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. Make sure your gun can handle it before One problem inherent with the original #454424 was the fact that when sized to 0.451 to 0.452 inch, the crimping groove almost disappears. The top of the can says NOT FOR HANDGUN LOADS. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. I have found 5.0 grains of Clays under a 250-grain bullet delivers a very pleasant-shooting load at 725 fps and will group all its shots in 0.63 inch at 20 yards. It served me well while riding the ranch on horseback, running a trap-line, hunting big game, varmints and pests, etc., and it even saved my skin a time or two. Instead of being overly large, Rugers have been way too tight, with some measuring around 0.449 inch, but now Ruger is cutting all cylinder throats at 0.451 to 0.452 inch. When crimped in its cannelure, the overall length still exceeds industry specifications at 1.652 inches. I normally stay under 900 fps with a 250-grain bullet in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and its replicas. The 45 Colt also predates the 38 Special, the 44 Special, and the 45 ACP, and not only is it more than 80 years older than the 44 Magnum, but it also has more case capacity and in the proper sixguns can outrank the 44 Magnum. I have been surprised by the fact the Marlin feeds Keith-style bullets perfectly. The 45 Colt brass could handle the pressures, but standard sixguns could not. Cast bullet loads in the Marlin .45 Colt all the power and accuracy Exactly the same grain size as with powder N320, N330 and N350 - only the porosity of the powder changes.The burning rate of the N340 is at the medium scale of Vihtavuori handgun powders - and as with powder N320, with N340 extremely clean burning and . Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: 9 with 15 gr. Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, State Agency: However, Dick Casull started with the 45 Colt single action and the weak 45 Colt case to come up with his cartridge, which eventually became the 454 Casull. The 45 Colt also predates the 38 Special, the 44 Special, and the 45 ACP, and not only is it more than 80 years older than the 44 Magnum, but it also has more case capacity and in the proper sixguns can outrank the 44 Magnum. Pyrodex is cleaner burning than black powder and results in less fouling of the barrel. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. 1,578 fps from a 24" universal receiver (all use rem brass and rem 9-1/2 primer). My brass of choice is Starlines excellent 45 Colt brass with CCI 300 Large Pistol primers for all powders, except I switch to CCI 350 Magnum Pistol primers with IMR 4227, H110, W296, and all black powder and black powder substitutes. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: When Ray Thompson was designing his line of bullets, he did not neglect the 45. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. .449 inch to .460 inch, and Smith & Wessons from .451 to .458 inch. you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. These can be safely driven to 1,200 fps in the Ruger Blackhawk. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. This was achieved with 40 grains of black powder. .45 Colt Handgun Data (Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Edition) Warning! Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: For several reasons they should not be used. On paper, the 357 Magnum was the first cartridge to exceed the 45 Colts muzzle energy, but many knowledgeable sixgunners, Elmer Keith included, believed the 45 Colt actually offered more practical power than the First Magnum. Today, it remains one of our most popular sixgun cartridges. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. I have found HS-6, Universal, and W231 powders work very well for standard loads, while IMR 4227 bulks up nicely in 45 Colt brass. None of these loads will work through the action of my Rossi .45 Colt Model 92. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. In the large .45 case, a large difference has been noted in speeds. However, it cannot be approached the same as smokeless. Subscriber Services. Unique and Universal still dont fill the case up as much as a yet slower powder (like No.9, AA5724, H-110/W296, AA5744, and Alliant 2400). Checked and verified, page 285, 4th Ed.Lyman cast bullet handbook. When the new 454 Magnum revolvers (as they were first called) arrived, however, the brass was lengthened so it could not be used in standard 45 Colt sixguns. These figures correspond with the many other pre-World War II guns that I have slugged. You can certainly use the Jacketed bullets fine, but dont look for incredible speeds. Your load at 6.0 gr Unique is dangerously unsafe. Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. moderate recoil and substantially less muzzle report. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. and while they do not have the slick action of the slightly smaller Model 1892, they are fast handling and come up to the shoulder quickly. small wedding venues in gatlinburg, tn, hampshire county council tip booking,