.45 Colt Ammo

[Jeff Higgins]

With one of our esteemed forum members having recently become the proud new owner of a fine Ruger Vaquero single action revolver in this venerable old caliber, I thought a discussion on ammunition might be in order. So, here we go...

We are truly in the "best of times" with regards to this old warhorse. There is now a greater variety of quality ammunition available for this caliber (and any other, really) than at any time I can remember. The .45 Colt, when I first got into it some 40 years ago, was more or less a hand loading proposition if one wanted truly effective ammunition. Not so anymore.

This caliber's reputation was built on bullet weight. Big, heavy lead slugs at moderate velocities. We do see modern ammunition with lighter bullets at higher velocities, with jacketed bullets, with hollow point bullets, and all manner of more "modern" ammunition than the traditional big heavy lead slugs. In my experience with this caliber it is a mistake to go down any of those roads. The .45 Colt is at its most effective with its original bullet weights and velocities.

We can, however, take advantage of more effective, modern bullet shapes. The original round nose flat point design has become dated, with far more effective designs available today. These more effective designs used to be the province of the handloader, where today we can buy factory loaded ammunition with these improved bullet designs.

Beyond bullet design, we have a variety of power levels to which modern ammunition is loaded. The popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting has opened a market for ammunition tailored specifically to that game. This ammunition is, across the board, loaded way, way down on power in an effort to reduce recoil for folks playing this game. "Cowboy Action" ammunition is fantastic for plinking, target shooting, familiarization, and those sorts of uses. It is most definitely not suitable to carry into the woods as a defensive load for use against potentially dangerous wildlife. Or dangerous backwoods meth cookers...

Here are some examples of "Cowboy Action" loads suitable for plinking and whatnot. Notice I've stuck with bullet weights of 250 and 255 grains. These are traditional weights for this caliber. While performance really does not matter with this ammo, so you might be wondering why I am not recommending lighter bullets, there is a very simple reason to stick with these - the Vaquero has fixed sights. Those sights are regulated for these bullet weights. Lighter bullets will not shoot to the sights, and will impact low. Heavier bullets will shoot higher. Anyway, here is a selection of these loads:

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-21851%2B4294918584%2B4294931046%2B4294957290%2B429 4918432%3FNp%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_visible%253A1%25 2Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_m etric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0

Those will get you shooting as inexpensively as possible. They will be a lot of fun to shoot, with lower recoil and blast. Like I said, however, they are not suitable loads for self defense out in the woods. For that purpose, we need something loaded a bit hotter, with the same bullet weights, just a good bit more velocity. This stuff is a good deal more expensive, so it's not stuff you will want to shoot every day, but it will provide the power needed in a defensive load:

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-21851%2B4294957290%2B4294918452%2B4294918432%2B429 4965212%2B4294966187%3FNp%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_vis ible%253A1%252Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D 24%26Ns%3Dp_metric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1 %26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0

That should give you something with which to get started.

[Jeff Higgins]

Monday afternoon bump, in case Supe didn't see this. That, and a photo of my own handloads, showing the range of performance available in the .45 Colt.



Here are three different loads, with three different levels of performance. On the left is the traditional, original load, dating from 1873, but with a slightly improved bullet design. It's still pretty much the old 250 grain "round nosed flat point", but with two notable improvements. First, the flat point is much larger than on the original, improving terminal performance. Second, it has a crimp groove, now making this design suitable for smokeless powder. With black powder we simply crimped the old design over the bullets' ogive, since all we had to do was keep it from jumping out of the case. There was no chance of it getting pushed deeper into the case, since it sat over a compressed load of black powder.

I load this one over either 9.0 grains of Unique or 40.0 grains of FFFg black powder. Either load just breaks 900 fps from a 4 3/4" Peacemaker. This load will shoot to the sights in most guns. It's my standard plinking load. Wouldn't be a bad defensive load, either.

The one in the middle is a "Keith" type semi-wadcutter weighing 270 grains. This one is designed by Dave Scovil, editor of Handloader and Rifle magazines. He determined this was about as heavy as we can go and still have most guns shoot reasonably close to their sights.

I load this one over 16.5 grains of 2400 for just about 1,000 fps from a 4 3/4" gun. This would be considered a "+P" load, so we don't use it in older guns. This is my every day "go-to" load for general woods bumming, back packing, day hiking, or going into Seattle. Pretty darn effective for hunting as well - I've killed a bunch of deer, some antelope, one black bear, one elk, and a caribou (of all things...) with it. Oh, and a pretty good pile of rock chucks and coyotes, too, just because it's what I usually have on me when I see them.

On the right is a pretty specialized load. It won't even fit in the New Vaquero or a standard Peacemaker. It's too long, by design. It would probably be considered a "+P++++" load, suitable only for a very narrow range of stronger guns. I use it in my full sized Ruger Blackhawk and Bisley, which are built on their Super Blackhawk frame. I also use it in my Virginian Dragoon (long out of production, one of the finest, strongest single actions ever made).

This one weighs 300 grains. I load it over 24 grains of 296 for about 1,300 fps. Its only purpose in life is for hunting and, even at that, it's not really necessary. I don't even know why I load them anymore. Yes, I've killed a bunch of stuff with it over the years, and used it exclusively as my hunting load for far too long, but finally decided things hit by it weren't much deader than stuff hit with the far more pleasant to shoot 270 grain load.

Anyway, there you have it. Two loads that are eminently useful in the New Vaquero or Colt, and one that just kind of shows how far this old cartridge can go.

[71T Targa]

Very cool Jeff, at some point I'd like to add a lever, and the .45 Colt seems like a good option.

[Jeff Higgins]

I actually first got the mold for the bullet on the left because I was unhappy with the other two in my Marlin. The Keith type bullet in the center hangs up on that second driving band on its way into the chamber, and the 300 grain LBT load was too long. I had to modify the shell lifter to accept the longer round. Then, after having done that, I found it wouldn't shoot very well out of the Marlin anyway. The Marlin has a very slow twist - something like 1:38", so it just wouldn't stabilize that long bullet. It loves the one on the left, though - it feeds great and is quite accurate to boot.

[MRM]

Would the load on the right offer any advantages over their Keith round for silhouette shooting?

[Superman]

Ha!. I hadn't noticed this thread. You are a prince, Dr. Higgins, in so many ways.

I do plan to spend enough time to 'get used to' this spoon and so a box or two of the cowboy rounds will make sense. I wonder if this, and the Keith, are both available at Cabelas. I will of course shoot both to see how they fly relative to the sights, and to get comfortable with the recoil.

I do have a report to offer on the Vaquero, which is disappointing.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by MRM

Would the load on the right offer any advantages over their Keith round for silhouette shooting?

It depends on which form of handgun silhouette we are talking about. If the rams are only 100 yards out, no, there would be no advantage. If they are 200 yards (or meters) out, the increased distance, and weight of the targets, might indicate the heavier load. I have never shot handgun silhouette with the .45 Colt, but I'm willing to bet the lighter 270 grain load would be all you would need to knock even those over with authority.

Originally Posted by Superman

Ha!. I hadn't noticed this thread. You are a prince, Dr. Higgins, in so many ways.

I do plan to spend enough time to 'get used to' this spoon and so a box or two of the cowboy rounds will make sense. I wonder if this, and the Keith, are both available at Cabelas. I will of course shoot both to see how they fly relative to the sights, and to get comfortable with the recoil.

I do have a report to offer on the Vaquero, which is disappointing.

Disappointing? Ruh-roh - do tell. Edit - never mind, I read your story on the other thread. Damn. Highly unusual for Ruger. I own more than a dozen of their firearms, and have never had an issue with any of them.

Availability of .45 Colt ammo can be a bit spotty at the local retail sporting goods stores. Cabela's might have plenty of the "cowboy" loads, but I would be surprised if they have any of the hotter stuff. Maybe...

[Bill Douglas]

Also known as Long Colt.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Also known as Long Colt.

Lots of debate on that. While I have never actually held one in my hands, there are apparently period (late 19th century) ammo boxes so labelled.

There is a lot of debate concerning what the original military load was as well. Mike Venturino has researched this better than anyone else to date and, as far as I'm concerned, he has dispelled the myths and pretty well settled it.

Many will argue that the original load was a full 40 grains of black powder under a 255 grain bullet in a 1.285" case. Mr. Venturino has determined that the military load was actually only 28 grains of black powder, all other specs being the same.

The need to label it as the "Long Colt" came about with the military's adoption of the S&W Schofield revolver, which had a shorter cylinder and could only accept a 1.10" long case. It too was loaded with 28 grains of black powder, but with a 230 grain bullet.

Military logistics eventually demanded they fully adopt the shorter case that would work in both revolvers. Interestingly, the .45 ACP, in its original military loading, exactly matches the ballistics of the "Schofield" load, which was the intent.

Civilian loads were available with the full 40 grains of black powder and the 255 grain bullet. This is a pretty darn serious load, even by today's standards. Mine will break 900 fps in the 4 3/4" inch guns, and darn near touch 1,000 fps in the 7 1/2" versions. It wasn't until the introduction of the .44 magnum that any handgun cartridge did better than that. It's significantly more powerful than even the .357 magnum, which isn't bad for a black powder round dating from 1873.

[Bill Douglas]

That's interesting Jeff. Thanks.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

That's interesting Jeff. Thanks.

Yes it is. Including Dr. Higgins' last two sentences: "It wasn't until the introduction of the .44 magnum that any handgun cartridge did better than that. It's significantly more powerful than even the .357 magnum, which isn't bad for a black powder round dating from 1873."

Quite interesting. And yet, for me, the more important learnings from his posts in these two threads has been more basic. Like his preference and reasons for holsters which cover the end of the barrel. And other stuff. Buying him beers is a bargain. Plus, you know...he's on a fixed income.

[Bill Douglas]

And I appreciate Jeff's tips I received a month or two ago regarding handloading .223 Rem.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The one in the middle is a "Keith" type semi-wadcutter weighing 270 grains. This one is designed by Dave Scovil, editor of Handloader and Rifle magazines. He determined this was about as heavy as we can go and still have most guns shoot reasonably close to their sights.

I load this one over 16.5 grains of 2400 for just about 1,000 fps from a 4 3/4" gun. This would be considered a "+P" load, so we don't use it in older guns. .

Upon further review, I have further questions. So....the Keith is a bullet? A heavier one, requiring more gun powder for similar velocity and trajectory? Where do I find these rounds? Not Cabelas?

[oldE]

"Lighter bullets will not shoot to the sights, and will impact low. Heavier bullets will shoot higher. "

There's almost nothing I like to show off more than my ignorance:

Jeff, is the phenomenon you describe possibly due to the lower mass bullet losing velocity faster and therefore dropping more by the time the target is reached?

Best
Les

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Superman

Upon further review, I have further questions. So....the Keith is a bullet? A heavier one, requiring more gun powder for similar velocity and trajectory? Where do I find these rounds? Not Cabelas?

Elmer Keith was a cowboy from Salmon, Idaho, born in 1899. He had a keen interest in firearms of all kinds, but big bore revolvers in particular. He was instrumental in the development of the .357 Magnum cartridge in the 1930's. His real claim to fame, however, is the .44 Magnum. He is the guy who convinced Smith and Wesson to build the revolver and Remington to load the ammo. On the rifle front, he was the man responsible for the .338 Winchester Magnum.

Keith was never satisfied with the bullet designs available for revolvers during his time. The round nosed, or round nosed flat point designs are simply ineffective. He noticed he had much better luck on game shooting target wadcutters, which cut a full diameter hole not only in paper (to make scoring easier) but in game as well. So he went to work...

The end result of his efforts is what as known as the "Keith type semi wadcutter" bullet design. It has a broad flat point and, most importantly, a secondary, full diameter shoulder behind it, at the base of the nose. This part of the bullet serves two purposes - it cuts a full diameter hole in whatever it hits, and the full diameter driving band leads the way from the cylinder, across the barrel/cylinder gap, and into the forcing cone, keeping the bullet coaxial to the bore through this important transition.

In the photo below, you can clearly see the secondary shoulder, the full diameter front driving band, on the bullet in the middle - the "Keith" bullet. The other two (that are not "Keith" bullets) have a nose that flows smoothly into the full diameter of the bullet, lacking this secondary shoulder.



So, a "Keith" bullet is a design, not a weight, not a specific caliber. Molds and commercially manufactured bullets are available in all popular revolver calibers, and a number or weights in each caliber. Many companies load this bullet design in their ammunition. Not all of them will pay homage by calling it a "Keith" bullet, but will rather refer to it as a "semi wadcutter". Cabela's might very well have stout .45 Colt ammo loaded with a "semi wadcutter" bullet design. It's worth looking.

Originally Posted by oldE

"Lighter bullets will not shoot to the sights, and will impact low. Heavier bullets will shoot higher. "

There's almost nothing I like to show off more than my ignorance:

Jeff, is the phenomenon you describe possibly due to the lower mass bullet losing velocity faster and therefore dropping more by the time the target is reached?

Best
Les

That is absolutely the case in very long range rifle shooting. Most folks can't believe that heavier bullets shoot "flatter" at long range, since their starting velocities are lower. But, you got it exactly right - the lighter, fast bullets lose velocity faster and, in the end, are going much slower and dropping faster.

In handguns, however, we usually are not dealing with extended ranges where there is time and distance for this to occur. This is where handguns get kind of counter-intuitive sometimes. With handguns, it's all about the recoil and barrel time. Heavier bullets will simply generate more recoil, and since they are going slower, they will spend more time in the barrel. So the barrel tips up higher, and has longer to do it before the heavier bullet exits the barrel. So it hits higher. At least at "normal" handgun ranges.

[oldE]

Thanks for the explanation, Jeff. Does that mean accuracy through the vertical plane can be greatly affected by grip, with varying amounts of recoil induced elevation imparted with different grips and force of grip?

Best
Les

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by oldE

Thanks for the explanation, Jeff. Does that mean accuracy through the vertical plane can be greatly affected by grip, with varying amounts of recoil induced elevation imparted with different grips and force of grip?

Best
Les

Absolutely. And not just in the vertical plane, either. You will see this in the horizontal plane as well, caused by variations in where the backstrap is in your palm, by inconsistent finger pressures, by pulling or pushing the trigger sideways as you pull it back, by how much your elbow(s) are bent, by how you employ your support hand, and on and on. So, so many variables.

I never did, but a lot of shooting buddies played (and still play) the "free pistol" game, with either rimfires or air pistols. "Free" means "run whatcha brung" - no real rules governing pistol configuration. To ensure an absolutely repeatable grip, these guys would grease up their hand with Vaseline, cover the pistol's grip in bondo, grab the gun and assume a target hold, and let the bondo cure. There was little bit of chiseling and chipping to get their hand back out, and some final finish shaping (rounding rough edges, removing flash, etc.). Once finished, they were assured that they were holding that pistol the same way every time. Made a real difference in their scores, even with zero recoil rimfires and air guns.