In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. In my opinion, throats that measure .452 inch are generally ideal with a variety of bullets. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. Pyrodex P is the equivalent of Triple-F or FFFg black powder. Discussion: The old Western Style COLT normally uses big, heavy and slow lead bullets. (I) Giveaway ends December 31, 2022. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. .45 Colt Keith bullets: Lyman #454424 (264 gr. Contest open to U.S. residents only. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Contest void where prohibited by law. There are some excellent jacketed bullets available for use in the 45 Colt, including the Sierra 240-grain JHP,Hornady250-grain XTP-JHP, and the Speer 260-grain JHP, all of which I prefer for deer-sized game. 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. Oregon Trails 250-grain RNFP over 8.0 grains of W231 clocks out just under 1,100 fps with three-shot groups of 1" or less. Colt single actions are right around 0.454 inch. models. His 45 Colt bullet was #454424 and was available for decades from Lyman. Note that the "Ruger New Vaquero" uses a smaller frame and cylinder like original Colts. In 1898, Colt made the necessary changes to permit its guns to be used with smokeless powders; however, it wasnt until 1900 (revolvers with serial number 192,000 or higher) that Colt began to officially warrant its guns for such. you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . In actual weight, Pyrodex is lighter than black powder, being about 80 percent of the weight of black powder. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Share to Twitter. Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. It is an excellent compromise between the 250- and 300-grain cast bullets. I would think that the load you are using would be safe. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. take the .45 Colt as my game and defense cartridge. It is noteworthy that this statement was made 20 years after the development of the .357 Magnum, a cartridge Keith also tested and used in the field. Cartridge Filter By Bullet Weight Powder Type Recipes 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. USE THIS DATA WITH ALLIANT BRAND POWDERS ONLY. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. Originally loaded with 40 grs. My Rugers like a 355gr with 21.5-22gr H110, CCI 350, starline brass, nice tight crimp. Also slugged were guns 121xxx (1887) and number 134xxx (1890) that measured .4515 inch and .451 inch, respectively. Most manufacturers have recognized the need to offer revolvers with correct throat dimensions including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Uberti, USFA and others, but not Colt. So if one used 40 grains by weight of Pyrodex when the chart called for 40 grains of black powder, the result would be an overloaded charge. I soon added single-cavity molds for the .45 Colt and .38 Special. A pair of Old Model Blackhawks with 4-5/8 and 4-3/4 barrels put five rounds in 1 at 20 yards while traveling at about 800 fps. I have yet to find any levergun or sixgun that does not shoot this Dick Casull-designed bullet exceptionally well. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. However, due to their heavier weights and increased barrel time, many fixed-sighted sixguns may group high. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. It also is a most versatile powder as it can be used for standard loads for the Colt SAA and heavy loads for the Blackhawk. 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. The accompanying standard- pressure handloads are within SAAMI guidelines of 14,000 psi, making them suitable for modern Colt SAA revolvers and all guns chambered in .45 Colt that are designed to fire smokeless powder ammunition. It would also be excellent for a defense load. In spite of the above factory loads featuring the old Government bullet profile with a relatively small meplat, they are still effective. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. The 9mm/.38 Lyman #356637 HP is nominally a 124 grain HP version of their excellent 147 grain RNFP for the 9mm Parabellum. Contest void where prohibited by law. That brings us to the next level, which includes 45 Colt revolvers built on the Ruger Super Blackhawk frame and the Ruger Old Model Blackhawk, the arrival of which led to two separate load sections showing up in loading manuals. Just about all loads shot the same . The Freedom Arms Model 97 also is in this group. So if one used 40 grains by weight of Pyrodex when the chart called for 40 grains of black powder, the result would be an overloaded charge. The vast majority of my 45 Colt handloads over the last 60 years, however, has been put together with cast bullets. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Be very careful using the loads for Ruger and T/C (Thompson Contender) as these are maximum loads, even for these strong guns. The Lyman family of brands including Pachmayr, Mark 7 Reloading, TacStar, A-Zoom, Trius, Butch's, and Targ-Dots offers products to meet the needs of shooters and reloaders. 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. The Colt SAA .45 Colt with a 4.75-inch barrel ranks as one of Brians favorite handgun configurations. IMR Trail Boss, 4227, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. There were no 45 Colt heavyweight bullets available at the time, so we sized down 300-grain 45-70 bullets in several stages, going from around 0.460 inch to 0.452 inch. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. None of these loads will work through the action of my Rossi .45 Colt Model 92. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. This prevents bullets from being sized down when seated into an overly tight case. If I had to shoot only one factory ammunition the rest of my life, I would. Incidentally, the U.S Cartridge Company first listed a 255-grain bullet with 35 grains of black in 1882, but. FWIW Dale53 #Permalink 1 0 The company also distributes IMR and Winchester powders as well as Goex black powder. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, Buyer Beware: Buying 'Bargain' Guns Can Be Risky. The day of the percussion revolver would soon be over, and even Colt could see the future and began converting 1860 cap-and-ball sixguns to fire cartridges. I use my Winchester and Marlin Trappers for relatively close-range shooting. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. For loading black powder 45 Colt loads, I use Goex as well as Pyrodex and Triple Seven. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. Your load at 6.0 gr Unique is dangerously unsafe. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. Two other powders for standard loads include W231 and HP-38. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM May 2023, P.O. The minimum load for a 200 gr cast SWC in 45 Colt is listed as 8.6 gr Unique for 918 fps. I would conclude this powder is much more consistent in speeds than others that I have tried in the .45 Colt. That brings us to the next level, which includes 45 Colt revolvers built on the Ruger Super Blackhawk frame and the Ruger Old Model Blackhawk, the arrival of which led to two separate load sections showing up in loading manuals. You can certainly use the Jacketed bullets fine, but dont look for incredible speeds. 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. for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are Lyman now offers it as #452424, and it is a 255-grain bulletor thereabouts, depending upon the alloy used. The .45 Colt is a grand cartridge that has survived because it is so good. Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. I prefer to use 250-grain jacketed bullets in conjunction with +P loads, which is a subject for another day. I can not find any reliable load data for Blue Dot with cast bullets. In preparation for this article, I pulled from my personal collection a Colt SAA with serial number 16xxx (1875) that slugged an average groove diameter of .450 inch. REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. 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. For the 45 Colt, I especially prefer the 250-grain RNFP and the 255-grain SWC. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Agency: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: In the event that a bullet walks out of the case slightly from recoil, Brian suggests an overall cartridge length that is at least .010 to .015 inch below flush with the end of the cylinder. (NOTE: Sections marked Ruger Only are not for the New Model Blackhawk Flat-Tops or the New Vaquero!) 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. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, State Agency: A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. Share to Facebook. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: 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. 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. Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: The standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt is .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum. They are my choice for the heaviest loads especially with cast bullets weighing 300 grains and heavier. * When he died in 1862, the company was dedicated to producing the same percussion revolvers. The charge weight is 9.2 grains. Subscriber Services. http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/ad.php?t=78528, http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi&id=1465047205, Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to Contest open to U.S. residents only. For something with more thump, it would be wise to find some published load data and buy some bullets that match that data. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM March 2022, P.O. Normal powders vary quite a bit and also have a larger spread between shots. Not interchangeable. The availability of all of these bullets is dependent on how much time I have to cast my own. Again using 255-grain factory loads at 860 fps, the .45 Colt reaches a factor of 14.09, while select standard-pressure handloads containing 280-grain bullets pushed to 950 fps factor at 17.17. These two bullets in a custom five-shot Blackhawk or Freedom Arms Model 83 five-shooter can be driven to 1,450 fps with W296 or H110. I seat and crimp just over the bullet radius. Both of these are plainbased Keith-style bullets, and their numbers are #310.451 and #325.454, with the first three digits giving the approximate bullet weight.