Ah yes, the ubiquitous .45 caliber. Between handguns and rifle, it quite possibly enjoys a greater variety of chamberings than any other bore diameter. It struck me the other day that I actually reload for a pretty fair number of them myself. I thought it might be fun to share, so below is a pic of my current selection of .45 caliber handloads.
From left to right we start with three varieties of .45 ACP, a couple of cast bullet plinkers sporting a 200 grain SWC and a 230 grain RN. The third is my carry load, the 230 grain Hornady XTP. The cast bullets are commercially cast - I can't bring myself to spend enough time at the lead pot to feed these ammo gobbling beasts.
Next up is the .45 Colt. From left to right, we start with an original spec load with 40 grains of FFFg black powder and a 250 grain bullet from a Lyman mold. Next is my go-to woods bumming and general carry load, a 270 grain RCBS bullet in a "+P" level load that is still safe in newer Peacemakers. Next is my "Ruger only" heavy hunting load with a 300 grain LBT bullet These things touch 1,300 fps.
Next is the .45-70. On the left we have my "Marlin only" load, a 400 grain gas check bullet at just over 1,900 fps. Ouch. Next is a black powder hunting load, with a 400 grain Lyman plain base bullet over a duplex charge of 7.0 grains of Reloder 7 and 53 grains of FFg. Next are two match loads, both with 60 grains of 1.5 Fg. The first is a 500 grain RCBS bullet, the second is a 540 grain Paul Jones Creedmoor.
Next is the .45-90. This uses the Lyman 400 grain as well, over 85 grains of 1.5 Fg.
Next up are a pair of .45-100's, both loaded with 85 grains of 1.5 Fg. On the left is a 500 grain bullet from a Lyman mold, on the right is the 540 grain Creedmoor.
Last, but not least is the .458 Winchester Magnum. Notice the bullet, a 500 grain Hornady, is seated out a bit, with the canalure above the case mouth. I can do this in my Ruger #1 and achieve .458 Lott level performance, with the 500 grain bullet hitting close to 2,200 fps. Ouch. Again.
So there you have it. I obviously enjoy shooting all things .45 caliber. I do a lot of plinking with them, have hunted all kinds of critters with them, and have shot matches all the way out to 1,000 yards with them. What great good fun.