Anyone have any recommendations for some Factory .45 LC ammo?

Plinking, Hunting, and Self Defense Suggestions



I finally pulled the trigger on a Vaquero today....pictures to come later

I recently got a 45 Colt USFA Single Action.

I have actually shot the following 45 Colt ammo.

For plinking the 250gr Ultramax and the Hornady 250gr Cowboy loads are plenty good.

For Self Defense the CCI Blaser 200gr HP, the Barnes 200gr Vortex, the Buffalo Bore 225gr Soft Cast Hollownose bullet, and the Buffalo Bore 225gr Hard Cast Full Wadcutter, and the Hornady 225gr Lever Evolution shoot good.

For hunting, for deep penetration the Buffalo Bore 255 Keith Cast SWC, The BB 225gr Hard Cast Full Wadcutter would be my picks. For expanding loads the Barnes 200gr Vortex with the XPB,the BB 225gr Cast Hollow Nose, or the Hornady 225 Lever Evolution would be worth a look.

If you check my last posts on the "Colt or Clone" thread, you will see the results of shooting a pig with the BB 255 Cast and the Barnes Vortex 200gr loads.

All of the loads I have recommended are standard pressure 45 Colt loads, suitable in any 45 Colt in good working order.

To keep it simple I use one factory load in 45LC for everything - Remington 50 round box, 225 SWC, 960 fps muzzle out of a 5" barrel. The index # is R45C1 and the order # is 28556. I find them at Bass Pro. It's the functional equal of the old, traditional W-W load of 255 @ 850.

If you want something lighter for cowboy action or plinking, try Black Hills. Check the load on their website. You can order direct from them. I do it for 44 WCF. But it was 500 round minimum.

In my area and probably many others, there are regional commerical reloading companies that offer the 45LC. I've used them too, and in those you can find cowboy velocities or the traditional 850 feet per. But that just depends on your location and what's going on there.

Shack

Since you liked that load I assume it shoots good and does not lead up the barrel too bad.

I would have ordered some of that load if it had been in stock when I was assembling my test loads.

I have been shooting the 45 ACP, and the 44 Mag since the 1960's.

Just recently I got these 45 Colts I was suprised at how many different loads there are for the Old Warhorse.

I actually have a new found respect for the 45 Colt as a choice for a modern day handgunner...

It does OK. For those who like W-W they have the same load. Two actually. What I call the "original" 255 @ 850 and the same deal as the Remington, 225 @ 960 - http://www.winchester.com/prod...n/Pages/default.aspx. You can flip a coin between those.

I've also used that Hornady 250 gr. cowboy load you mentioned. It was fine, but too slow imo for hunting and you can find cheaper loads out there if the object is, heading out on the trail of the dreaded pop-top no-return.

I personally like to stick as close as possible to the original ballistics in my Colt SAA. I prefer the SW and Rugers for running the hotter 45LC.

On factory loads generally, I recommend stocking up heavy when you get the chance. It can be tough finding what you really want.

Btw, since you mentioned 44 Mag...in factories you name the 240 and I've probably tried it. My personal favorite is the Hornady, 240 @ 1350. It's a deer smasher.

Yes I agree the "Cowboy" loads are two slow for hunting use.

Check out the thread on Colt SAA or Clone, as it has some actual bullet impact info on pigs.
I am very happy with the BB 255gr cast load.

If/when I ever carry my SAA 45 Colt in bear country, I will carry this load.

I am also very impressed with the expansion and the penetration of the Barnes 200gr XPB load.

I am going to test some other loads on pigs/deer as the situation arises, but these two loads were impressive.

Just a note about a few of the hotter loads you mentioned, and I don't want to hit this too hard, but I'd wanna know what somebody calls "standard pressure".

Maximum pressure for 45LC is said to be 14K. I'd want it below that, especially in the guns I use for this (I'm not talking about Rugers now).

Unless someone knows something I don't, the pressure has a relationship to the weight x velocity. That's why in my original Colts I limit it to either a 255 @ 850 or a 225 @ 950 (or 960). But then, I tend to be very cautious...

For hunting I like Grizzly Ammo's 335 grain WFN that runs right around 1,300 fps from my 5 1/2-inch Bisley. I also like Double Tap's 360 grain WFN load and their 335 grain load.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
For hunting I like Grizzly Ammo's 335 grain WFN that runs right around 1,300 fps from my 5 1/2-inch Bisley. I also like Double Tap's 360 grain WFN load and their 335 grain load.

Too hot for a new model Vaquero. Buffalo Bore loads a 255 grain hard cast at 1000 FPS that works well in a new model Vaquero
The Grizzly load will work in an old model Vaquero

The opening post did not specify his revolver, but judging by the responses, I assumed that he did not have a large frame Ruger but could be wrong

I don't want to speak for NE 450, but I gather he said a USFA SAA Colt clone. That's why my cautionary note.

You could ask USFA on which ammo and pressures. That's what I'd do.

Yes my 45 Colts are USFA, which I consider to be the same strength wise as a newer Colt SAA.

According to Buffalo Bore these loads I mentioned, I have shot in my 45's.
They showed no signs of high pressure.
I would not shoot them in an old, old antique 45 Colt, but would in any current made modern 45 Colt.

The "Cowboy" loads are loaded lighter than the "standard" original 45 Colt loads.

They are good for plinking as well as Cowboy action.

The 45 Colt and the 45/70 are two calibres that you have to be VERY careful with when you are choosing factory ammo OR picking a load out of a loading manual.

There is bassically 3 levels of loads.

The original black powder pressures, for the older guns.

Then there are the more modern "standard" pressures for the guns made like the old ones but with better steel.

Then you have the +P type loads.

This would be for say the Ruger No1's in 45/70 and the Ruger Blackhawk, FA and Contender handguns.

In the 45 Colt I would never shoot any of the +P type heavy loads in a Colt SAA style/size revolver or a S&W DA revolver.

In a 255 grainer, what I consider "standard" is 850 fps muzzle. What I consider "cowboy" is 750 or less fps muzzle. I don't really know the definition of +P in 45LC, but I guess it'd be where you get into greater than 850, such as 1,000 fps with the same bullet weight.

But that of course doesn't refer to the pressure, except indirectly.

Anyway, if you also have an original "genuine" Colt SAA, there's something I'm curious about. Is the hole in the frame that the firing pin protrudes thru to strike the primer the same size as the USFA, or is it smaller or larger? If it is the same size, what generation is the Colt? This may have something to do with pressures the gun is intended to handle.

(our posts crossed in the mail)

quote:

Originally posted by Shack:
In a 255 grainer, what I consider "standard" is 850 fps muzzle. What I consider "cowboy" is 750 or less fps muzzle. I don't really know the definition of +P in 45LC, but I guess it'd be where you get into greater than 850, such as 1,000 fps with the same bullet weight.

But that of course doesn't refer to the pressure, except indirectly.

Anyway, if you also have an original "genuine" Colt SAA, there's something I'm curious about. Is the hole in the frame that the firing pin protrudes thru to strike the primer the same size as the USFA, or is it smaller or larger? If it is the same size, what generation is the Colt? This may have something to do with pressures the gun is intended to handle.

(our posts crossed in the mail)

+p loads for the 45 Colt are in the 30,000 PSI and range and can drive a 300 grain hard cast to 1300 plus FPS depending on the revolver.

The Buffalo Bore 255 grain load at 1000 FPS is listed as safe for all revolvers including the Colts

Well, we're agreed about the +P loads being off limits on the Colts. They are for me anyway.

On BB I see now they say "ANY post-war 45 colt that is in normal working condition".

That leaves out your 1st Gen. guns.

At day's end I'll stick to the 850 feet per. Like I said, I'm cautious.

In any event my 3rd Gen shoots to the point of aim perfectly with that load. Change the load and we're also talking about non adjustable sights.

Shack

One 45 Colt load for personal Urban protection, you might want to take a look at is the Speer Gold Dot 45 Colt 250gr GDHP.[Gold Dot HP]

This load is rated at 750fps.

It was one of if not the most accurate loads, and shot to the sights in my USFA's.

I did some research on the 'net, and it shot to 14" and expanded to a very large diameter in calibrated ballistic gel.

The testers were very impressed with its performance.

Now I am not a ballistic gel "warrior", but it does offer a basis for comparison.

Another of the most accurate loads, that also shot to the sights was the Hornady 255gr Cowboy loads, velocity rated at 755fps.

I would shoot these loads in ANY 45 Colt.

So far my favorite loads in my USFA's are the;
Two loads mentioned above; And

The Hornady 225 FTX, at 950fps;

The Buffalo Bore 225gr Soft Cast Hollow Nose, at 1050fps;

The Buffalo Bore 255gr Keith, at 1000fps.

All of these loads hit right with the sights.

Thanks for that info. The Speer at 750 would I think have to be considered a "cowboy" load. And the Hornady obviously is. It says so on the box.

The cowboy loads generally are 100 fps slower than the traditional. Which is 750 approx vs. 850 approx in 250 or 255 grainer.

But, obviously both are quite potent for close range on a deer or for PD.

So in 45LC factory loads a lot of it comes down to the cost and just how much shooting you want to do.

In all the comparisons I could do, the most cost effective way to do a lot of this if you're not a reloader are the local brand commercial reloads. Cowboy ballistics in a 250 gr LFN. I priced Black Hills and could (and just may) order some. They're around $40 a box. But you have a minimum order number. The local brand (the name you wouldn't know) are $30 for 50 and no minimums. The diff I imagine is the shipping from Rapid City vs. local pick up.

Black Hills makes some fine loads.
The Winchester PDX are good for personal defense I guess...never had to use them for that purpose and hope I don't.

Can't go wrong with Buffalo Bore. Makes large deep holes and breaks bones too.