lyman reloading data 45 colt
Copyright. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: 9, #5744, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company. If your Hornady book says 45 Colts use a 458 bullet, they are wrong. For little more power I move up to the above-mentioned #454490 GC with 10.0 grains of Unique for just over 1,235 fps and groups of less than 1". Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Actually, we can divide 45 Colt sixguns into several reloading levels, and I have moderated these somewhat over the past several years, with the first two levels being very close together. My gun was a new model Bisely blackhawk long barrel. 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. for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are I advise staying away from loads intended for custom sixguns with five-shot cylinders and it has also been proven the lever-action is not strong enough for .454 loads. Want to practice more with that big-bore hunting rifle or enjoy that magnum pistol more at the range? Others are the New Model Blackhawks, the Bisley Model, the Redhawk, and the Super Redhawk. For example with the 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk, I use the NEI 310-grain Keith bullet over 21.0 grains of WW296 or H110 for 1,125 fps in the sixgun and 1,445 fps from the Trapper Barrel. We switch now from the use of PC (Powder Coated) bullets to cast bullets. However, the first known commercial listing is found in the 1880 UMC catalog. Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). Balloonhead cases were discontinued around World War II but still show up regularly on handloaders benches. Heavy loads that are safe for use in the Ruger Redhawk would destroy a fine Colt SAA. If reliable expansion is desired, consider 230-grain JHP bullets designed for the .45 ACP or the Hornady 225-grain FTX, which can be pushed close to 1,000 fps while staying within pressure guidelines. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. With their 16 barrels the Winchesters weigh right at 6 lbs. The .45 Colt is a grand cartridge that has survived because it is so good. On the other end are the Ruger Only loads. I shot all kinds of bullets and powders from my 45 colt from 200gr to 350 gr trying to find something that was better than the other. If you want those speeds and power, buy a .44 magnum. This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. His #452490GC was originally made for the 45 Auto Rim cartridge for use in the Smith & Wesson 1950 Target revolver, but I also use the Thompson design, which weighs around 255 grains, for heavy-duty loads approaching the energy of the 44 Magnum in the Ruger Blackhawk. No purchase necessary. The 9mm/.38 Lyman #356637 HP is nominally a 124 grain HP version of their excellent 147 grain RNFP for the 9mm Parabellum. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Dropping down to 30 grains results in an easier-shooting 835 fps and a group of 1.13 inches. ew eginnings - Mark 7 is now part of the Lyman family! With my alloys this bullet runs around 280 to 285 grains while at the same time having a slightly shorter nose than the original Keith design so it fits in all Colt cylinders. It is loaded not by weight, but by volume. The 45 Colt brass was up to the task. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. These can be safely driven to 1,200 fps in the Ruger Blackhawk. Quality 300-grain jacketed bullets are also offered by all three of these manufacturers. I found the following heavyweight bullets all would work through both the Winchester and Marlin actions: NEI 310 Keith, NEI 325 Keith, Lyman #454629GC 300-grain FN, RCBS #45-270 SAA weighing around 284 grains with my alloy, and I also checked the #454490GC design by Ray Thompson, which is a 255-grain Keith-style gas-checked bullet. All Freedom Arms cylinders are held to very tight tolerances and whether using 45 Colt or 454 Casull brass, I size with a special 454 die. This was achieved with 40 grains of black powder. Universal is an excellent powder for the 45 Colt with 8.0 grains under a 250-grain bullet duplicating the old black powder load. Western Powders (Accurate and Ramshot) are about the only ones publishing higher pressure 45 Colt cast bullet data. 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. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: top notch work!! Load up some Low Recoil handloads. Then comes the Freedom Arms Model 97, the original Ruger Vaquero, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and the Ruger Super Redhawk. At 1,400 fps it is an excellent hunting bullet. I use the same industry measurement as the .45 ACP .470 inch. The .45 Colt is rapidly approaching 150 years in existence, and it remains one of our finest, most useful, versatile and handloaded sixgun cartridges. I didnt realize how many different powders from Hodgdon I use in loading the 45 Colt until I began putting this article together. (See note on NEW Nitro 100 powder at bottom of page). 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. The Hornady 225-grain FTX bullet should be loaded in cases trimmed shorter than the industry standard of 1.215 inches. 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. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Marlin Trapper. The accompanying data was developed using Starline cases that are strong, offer long life and are available factory direct. 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. In fact, an axiom with me is, When all else fails, try IMR 4227 before giving up. Years ago, after tiring of oversized 45 Colt chambers in Colt Single Action Army revolvers and New Frontiers, I started with a 357 Magnum New Frontier, had the cylinder rechambered properly and tightly to 45 Colt, and then had a new 4.75-inch Colt New Frontier barrel fitted. 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. When the Marlin and Winchester Trappers first arrived in the early 80s, the #1 45 Colt bullet was still Elmer Keiths #454424 weighing about 260 grains from my alloy. However, a tight-chambered 45 Colt cylinder may require tolerances offered by a 454 Casull full-length sizing die. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. When loaded in the Colt Single Action Army at around 850 fps, it is a most powerful everyday working load. There are some excellent jacketed bullets available for use in the 45 Colt, including the Sierra 240-grain JHP, Hornady 250-grain XTP-JHP, and the Speer 260-grain JHP, all of which I prefer for deer-sized game. SAAMI pressures for STANDARD .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI MAXIMUM, but for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are considered more the norm. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, Altor Pistols, P.O. of blackpowder, the .44-40 . This Colt SAA .45 was manufactured in 1893 and saw extensive use on the frontier prior to being professionally restored. No purchase necessary. The original .45 Colt bullet profile is known as a truncated cone or round nosed flat point (RNFP). 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. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Make sure your gun can handle it before you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*). 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. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The original Winchesters, whether chambered in .44 Rimfire or .44-40, all used cast bullets as jacketed bullets did not start appearing until the early part of the 20th century. It has many additional virtues, primarily its big-bore performance and reliability. Camp Guns: Sometimes Perfect, Other Times Not But Often Essential! The other problem, that of cylinder throat diameters, centers around the fact that they vary considerably. For the .45 Colt my standard load is 5.5 grains of Clays, which gives from 780 fps to 840 fps depending upon the sixgun used. The 45 Colt rim is smaller than the rim on a 45 Auto Rim. Make sure your gun can handle it before Contest open to U.S. residents only. 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. sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. (In fairness, many historians maintain that original loads contained 40 grains of black powder with 255-grain bullets, including noted Colt authority John Kopec.) Unique is better. REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. The standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt is .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum. Contrary to popular belief, the Mason patented spring-loaded, cylinder-pin release catch first appeared in 1896 around serial number 164,000, which were still black powder guns. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM May 2023, P.O. Additional evidence can be found in Colt-published specifications dated June 1924 that list the .45 Colt with a groove diameter of .451 inch minimum and .452 inch maximum (with bore diameter being .444 inch minimum and .445 maximum). .45 Colt Keith bullets: Lyman #454424 (264 gr. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. 458 is a rifle bullet. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. hi guy, for awhile now i have slowly been adding to my collection,,i just got 2 molds, a rcbs 255 grain ,,and a lyman 325 grain gc,,,i got the dies, the powder, had dale put my name on miha list for his 45 long colt hollow point mold, ,i have some brass, i got the dies,, but still looking for that one 45 long colt gun. replacement barrels from the 1930s, each slugged between .451 and .4515 inch. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. Nonetheless, the 30-grain charge with a 250-grain bullet reached around 850 fps from a 7.5-inch barrel. Not interchangeable. so when i find my gun,,i can get busy asap with this . 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. Low Recoil Loads | Hodgdon Reloading Handloading allows the flexibility to adjust load ballistics for a particular purpose. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. This is a plain base bullet and I found out very quickly it was not very accurate in either rifle. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, State Agency: It has never failed me. LYMAN Reloading Products A trusted Brand since the 1800?s. 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. Elmer Keith was way ahead of his time in developing everyday working and hunting loads. 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. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. We were soon shooting 300-grain bullets at 1,200 fps from a 7.5-inch-barreled Ruger revolver. A quote from Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition states, The grooves of pre-World War II revolvers normally measure .454 in diameter. I custom tailor my loads for the Trapper to match with the sixgun I am using alongside. You find load data for cartridges in caliber .45 Colt with all common powders and bullets by clicking the "Loads in this caliber" button above. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. The final level includes custom five-shot Rugers and the Freedom Arms Model 83. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Custom five-shooters built on the Ruger Blackhawk, the Ruger Redhawk, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 top the list. With the 45 Colt, IMR 4227 is almost magical in being able to provide excellent accuracy when other powders will not. that charge was increased to 38 grains by 1898. The revolver and ammunition were officially adopted for service in 1873. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Then something dramatic happened in 1869: Smith & Wesson brought forth the 44 American sixgun that used fixed ammunition. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. 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. 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. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Keiths #454424 was an excellent bullet, but it has been improved by Dave Scovill and is offered by RCBS as #45-270SAA. A check of Hodgdons loading manuals shows these two powders using the same charge weight produce the same velocities and pressures. In guns with .452-inch throats, the Magma designed 250-grain RNFP offered by most commercial cast bullet companies (Oregon Trail used here) can be surprisingly accurate. bullet type,style,powder ,amount,col.,primeres,and if possable fps. There are many good jacketed bullets for the .45 Colt. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. For handloaders shooting modern Colt SAAs that feature oversized throats and want to use modern cast and jacketed bullets, the best option is to change cylinders with one that is chambered correctly. Velocities in a test Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? sets maximum standards for cartridges; this standard must be set at a level safely usable in the weakest common denominator. I found both of these on the shelf of a little gun store, actually a small gun department, in a local grocery store. 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. 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. Most of these are custom, tuned and have accounted for several head of big game. A favorite pastime of many dedicated sixgunners is sitting around a campfire arguing the merits of their particular choice of caliber. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. 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 I would think that the load you are using would be safe. from virtually all manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Great Western, USFA and Uberti. It is impossible to go wrong with the 45 Colt. 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. The more powerful loads are only suitable for strong handguns like the Ruger Blackhawk and the Thompson Center Contender. Over the nearly 15 decades since its arrival, there have been many attempts to pronounce it dead. It is my most used powder both in cap-and-ball and cartridge-firing sixguns when black powder loads are desired. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, State Agency: Deployed military should use stateside address. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. 2021. It is an excellent compromise between the 250- and 300-grain cast bullets. The Lyman bullet 452651 GC will cast 20-1 at about 325 grains including gas check. For several reasons they should not be used. In 1935 we entered the Magnum Sixgun Era with the arrival of the 357 Magnum; however, long before that we had the 45 Colt. 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 also is a most versatile powder as it can be used for standard loads for the Colt SAA and heavy loads for the Blackhawk. What has varied significantly is the throat diameter (ball end, chamber mouth, etc.) Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Agency: For the 45 Colt, I especially prefer the 250-grain RNFP and the 255-grain SWC. .449 inch to .460 inch, and Smith & Wessons from .451 to .458 inch. I soon developed an appreciation for reliable performance on game using. 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. When using a revolver with large throats, there are solutions to improve accuracy. 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. Deployed military should use stateside address. HS7 is slowest of the group (Similar to 2400) Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. They often equal or surpass the accuracy from my carefully tailored hand-cast bullets. They are my choice for everyday use and also for hunting larger, tougher game. When time is a problem, actually when sometimes my own energy is the problem, I look to Oregon Trail Bullets. Members 4.5k Gender:Male Location:Dolores, Colorado Interests:All types of shooting, hunting, fishing, camping. Failure to do so could result in severe personal injury (or death) and/or property damage. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted.