I have a American Western Arms 1873 colt, 45 colt. Ive only loaded snake loads for it.

I have never reloaded pistol ammo before except the snake loads

I have only shot lead bullets through it.

Thought id reload some of my empty cases finaly

This is not a heavy strap gun like a ruger so light cowboy type loads only.

Need some help on bullets to purchase. Thinking of copper jacketed

Are Copper jackets bullets ok in this gun? Whats the skinney on copper verses just lead in Colt revolver reproduction pistols? Any concerns?

You can shoot the .452" 250 grain bullet (jacketed) from Hornady if you wish.....I'm sure other companies have jacketed bullets as well.

I'd far prefer to shoot the .452 Lead 200 grain swaged bullets or any of the many cast bullets as the speeds of the .45 Colt are not high enough to require a jacket.

Whats up with some being .451 and .452

Just cleaned all the lead out of my pistol and wondered about shooting copper?

.451 is for the .45 ACP

You can shoot jacketed bullets, but at the vel. from the old Colt, it's just not needed. A .452-.454 dia 250-255gr LSWC over 6.5gr-7gr of Unique is a good plinking load. Work up to 8gr for a full power load that mimicks the old BP load.

1) I have an Iver Johnson imported Uberti 1873 Colt Clone in 45 Colt that was made in the 1970s.
I shoot 250 gr XTP with 24 gr H110 at 1225 fps.
The cylinder locks up tight on every chamber, unlike allot of S&W and Ruger crap I own.

2) My wimpy brother has a 1917 S&W in 45 Colt that he shoots 300 gr cast with 6 gr Unique.
That cylinder is loose as a goose, but he gets good groups.


We have other 45 Colts that don't get shot much. But those two have found their loads and go to the range often.