45 Colt

[Alderman]

I've got a Thompson Contender 45 Colt that has seen very little use. Until yesterday I've only loaded it light with lead bullets.
I bought some 250 grain Nosler JHPs and loaded them up in front of a healthy dose of IMR 4227.
I was quite surprised at the amount of jump and bark this cartridge has.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have (2) USFA SAA Col clones in .45 Colt. One is a Bisley 4-1/2 inch, the other a standard SAA 5-1/2 inch. I normally load them to about 950-1000 fps with 225 Lead and 250 JHP bullets. Hodgdon LilGun is another powder very similar to IMR4227 or H110. All three powder will get you were you wan to go with velocity?

 

[1Shot]

The thing you have to watch close with hot loads with 45 Colt is case head separation. In the Contender you can duplicate a 44 mag velocity from a revolver easy. The 45 Colt case is only about half as thick as the 44 mag in the web area. The Hornady 250 XTP at around 1350 fps is something to behold after hitting a deer.

 

[Dwh7271]

I've been loading 20.5 of IMR 4227 with the Hornady 250 XTP. It's around 1175 fps or so (7.5" barrel) in my New Model Blackhawk and not unpleasant to shoot. I would think the Nosler 250 in that area would be fine also in either the Rugers or the T/C. Probably pick up some more speed out of that with the longer T/C barrel.

edit: just checked it in Quickload. With a 14" barrel, that load puts you right at the number 1shot mentioned, 1325-1350 fps.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, the old Colt can run right with the .44 mag, no problem. It's a POWERFUL cartridge from a modern firearm and appropriately loaded.

I've built some .45 Colt loads for my son's Ruger Blackhawk that I will NEVER load & fire again! :mrgreen:

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

My USFA SAA's are not quite as strong as the Blackhawk but they are .016 " thicker cylinder sidewalls than the Colt SAA's which means that I can easily exceed 1000 fps with 50 gr jacketed bullets. Plenty of energy for my needs, even for hunting.

 

[wingnut]

A TC in 45LC, Starline brass, hardcast 300-400g bullets and slow pistol powder can be fun for the first 2 rounds. :shock: :wink:

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Alderman, I have a newly manufactured Winchester (Miroku Japan) Model 1892 in .45 Colt.
I was initially told that the 1892 was quite a bit stronger than the 1894 and various other useful information.
Then after quite some amount of research on this subject and advice from trusted sources, I started loading ammo for this rifle.


Here are some images of the work up loads, looking at the base of the multiple fired Winchester cases!

View attachment 1
And here is an image of a target at 50 Meters, showing where I was adjusting the rear sight onto POA at this range.
FYI, This load was using a 300grn Frontier Bullet, at a chronographed 1550+fps from the 20" barrel.

I hope that is of some help

Doh!
Homer

 

[Dwh7271]

300 gr bullet is some pretty serious medicine up close.
Nice loads, by the way.

A TC in 45LC, Starline brass, hardcast 300-400g bullets and slow pistol powder can be fun for the first 2 rounds. :shock: :wink:

I loaded some 325 hard cast and they certainly get your attention. I agree a couple of those are just about enough. :grin:

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Dwh7271, yes, as you say, it definitely get my attention, Every Time I cut one off!
These 300grn CMJ bullets are reasonably cheap to load but I'm as yet to shoot any game with them.
Speaking of a 325grn bullet, I have been looking at getting that Lyman GC mould, and casting up a few.

Doh!
Homer

 

[Dwh7271]

It's a good weight bullet. Should serve you very well.
I've shot them from my 7.5" Ruger and they are formidable.