What was the original 45LC velocity?

timothy75 · June 23, 2005, 09:57 PM

What was the original 45lc velocity with 40grs and ballon head brass? Also when they downloaded it later what was the charge and velocity? I've heard 35 and 25fff.

Malamute · June 26, 2005, 09:58 AM

I have an American Rifleman reloading manual from the early 1960's that has a chronographed load for 45 Colt, 38 grs FFg black powder, 255 gr bullet. The velocity shows 861 fps. They do not mention if the cases were baloon head or solid head.

I've heard of other people getting 900 to near 1000 fps velocity with black loads. They may have used different powder granulations, or just different brands. Black powder varies quite a bit in power when made by different manufacturers.

mtnboomer · June 26, 2005, 11:13 PM

Several gun writers have recreated the original loadings listed by Colt and Winchester for the .45, and using original components such as ballon-head cases, black powder and bullet molds, have clocked velocities around 1000 fps from 7 inch barreled 1873 SAA's. These velocities were noted in original documents from the Army and the manufacturers. The recoil, as you can imagine was stout, so it was throttled back to about 800 to 850 fps. Some say it was to improve shooter accuracy and others say it happened about the time the .45 Schofield was accepted as a secondary round and it could not be loaded to a higher velocity.

June 23, 2005, 09:57 PM	#1
timothy75 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,146	What was the original 45LC velocity? What was the original 45lc velocity with 40grs and ballon head brass? Also when they downloaded it later what was the charge and velocity? I've heard 35 and 25fff.

June 26, 2005, 11:13 PM	#3
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	Several gun writers have recreated the original loadings listed by Colt and Winchester for the .45, and using original components such as ballon-head cases, black powder and bullet molds, have clocked velocities around 1000 fps from 7 inch barreled 1873 SAA's. These velocities were noted in original documents from the Army and the manufacturers. The recoil, as you can imagine was stout, so it was throttled back to about 800 to 850 fps. Some say it was to improve shooter accuracy and others say it happened about the time the .45 Schofield was accepted as a secondary round and it could not be loaded to a higher velocity. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

June 26, 2005, 09:58 AM	#2
Malamute Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Rocky Mts Posts: 859	I have an American Rifleman reloading manual from the early 1960's that has a chronographed load for 45 Colt, 38 grs FFg black powder, 255 gr bullet. The velocity shows 861 fps. They do not mention if the cases were baloon head or solid head. I've heard of other people getting 900 to near 1000 fps velocity with black loads. They may have used different powder granulations, or just different brands. Black powder varies quite a bit in power when made by different manufacturers.