Quote:
Originally Posted by tabs
AND U TOLD HIM TO GET THE 45LC....instead of one of those other calibers that had a better selection of ammo loads....LOL
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I'm incorrigible.
Actually, as far as factory loaded ammo goes, one cannot go wrong with the standard 250 grain lead bullet load. Just stay away from anything with "cowboy" on the box - it's all substantially down-loaded for the Cowboy Action set. Its works well enough for plinking, but the standard velocity 250 grain loads from Remington, Winchester, or Federal are what you want for all-around "woods bumming" use. They are fantastic no muss, no fuss loads that get the job done. Not as glamorous as the latest "hyper black x shock talon hydra sabre golden hollow point" b.s. permeating the market, but very effective none the less.
While very effective in its standard pressure factory guise, hand loading raises the venerable old .45 Colt to the next level. The newer (third generation) Peacemakers and Ruger New Vaqueros (which are smaller than the old Vaqueros, at about the same size as the Peacemaker) can take a substantially heavier load than the factories assemble in deference to the older guns. Where the factory loads propel that 250 grain lead bullet to about 850 fps, it's quite easy to get a 270 grain bullet from Dave Scovill's RCBS .45-270 SAA mold up to 950 fps in the newer Peacemakers and Vaqueros.
At the next level we find the Ruger Blackhawk and old, original Vaquero, along with such obscure guns as the Interarms Virginian Dragoon, the Seville, and other larger framed single actions. We can drive a 300 to 320 grain bullet from these
faster than the .44 mag can drive a 240-250 grain bullet. We are even doing this at lower pressures than the .44 mag.
Even beyond that, we find the custom five shot cylinders in Blackhawk frames from John Linebaugh, Hamilton Bowen, and others. With this combination we can even exceed .454 Casull ballistics. The .45 Colt case is longer than the Casull's, and the frame opening on the Blackhawk is longer than that of the Freedom Arms single action. This all adds up to more powder capacity and higher velocities. Anyone for 350 grain bullets at over 1500 fps from a 4 3/4" single action? It's not pleasant, but the .45 Colt can do it.
The .45 Colt is a great caliber in its factory guise, but hand loading it opens up a level of versatility beyond any other handgun caliber. From 200 grain "cowboy" loads at 700 fps to 350 grain hunting loads at over 1,500 fps, the old .45 Colt can do it all.