I have a AWA american Western Arms 1873 colt replica.
I researching what jacketed bullet to use, lets say if I need to shoot a Mountain Lion (We had a mountain lion stalk a woman and chase her up a tree, same place I hike every afternoon)

1. From what I read I should use a .451 dia, whats the hornaday .452 dia used for?

2. Can you guys recommend a bullet to use?

Im thinking speer 200 or 225 JHP or Hornaday but their .452 dia has me stalled. Is there .452 bullet ok to use in a colt saa?

I read what the speer manual says about non cannelure bullet and crimping for a SAA Colt, any problems with that?

Thanks

I called Hornaday and they say their .452 dia is for the SAA colt

Cougar are not small animals nor are they humans so don't use little bullets. I've used the Speer 200JHP on deer and found penetration sorely lacking on some shots - not what you want with a dangerous animal.

Load the Hornady 250XTP or Speer 260HP. The former will expand and penetrate well at SAA velocities. The latter will penetrate very well with less expansion. Your velocities with these two will be around 900 fps, a proven killing combo.


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Some prefer the .454 to the .452 in Colt's own SAA - http://www.coltforum.com/forum...ight=bullet+diameter

Can't personally vouch for it, so that's just fwiw.

My first step would be to have a competent gunsmith take barrel and cylinder throat diameter measurements and make some recommendations.