New Pietta .45 heavy loads?

BJEoutdoors · November 4, 2013, 09:31 PM

I am looking around a little bit at single action revolvers. I am wondering if the newest Pietta 1873 would hold up well to heavier loads in .45 colt, seeing as it is also offered in .44 mag? I would consider a Blackhawk if you guys don't feel that it would, but I would really like a 1873 clone of some sort. If the newest pietta doesn't, do you know any 1873's that would handle heavier loads?

Bob Wright · November 4, 2013, 10:18 PM

The Uberti guns I've had in the past used a heavier frame for their .44 Magnum than for the .45 Colt cartridge. I would assume that Pietta guns would pretty well follow suit, as the .45 guns are as close as possible to duplicating original Colts.

If I were you, I'd stick with the Super Blackhawk for .44 Magnum use, or the Blackhawk for Ruger Only loads in .45 Colt.

Here is my Ruger "Super" Blackhawk .45 Colt:

This Ruger is about thirty years old, has had nearly 20,000 round fired through it, including a healthy diet of "Ruger Only" loads.

Bob Wright

P.S. Most Italian gunmakers claim to keep an original Colt Single Action on hand to more nearly duplicate its dimensions. These guns are intended for "Cowboy Action" type shooting. Ruger, Freedom Arms make guns for serious shooting.

BJEoutdoors · November 4, 2013, 10:58 PM

Thanks, I appreciate your advice.

BJEoutdoors · November 4, 2013, 11:03 PM

If I could manage to find one reasonable, would an Old Vaquero do?

Buzzcook · November 4, 2013, 11:14 PM

An old Vaquero is based on the Blackhawk frame it should be sturdy enough for Ruger only loads.

But imho a .250lrn .45 Colt is just about perfect at between 850 and 950fps.

Bezoar · November 5, 2013, 07:49 AM

the cabelas website may claim an out of stock pietta saa chambered in 44 magnum. however the pietta website says only 357 45 colt and 44-40.

to wit, a true saa clone like the pietta isnt a 44 magnum gun. THe cylinder doesnt have enough metal in it.

Colt46 · November 5, 2013, 10:16 AM

Don't try to push .45 Colt too hard unless you have 100% confidence in the strength of your gun.
As already covered by Buzzcook, if you can't accomplish what you want with 1,000 fps .45 slugs get a .44 magnum.

rclark · November 5, 2013, 11:47 AM

I concur. I would not worry about hovering around the top end of .45 Colt SAAMI for the clones.... I personally might push a bit harder 18K?.... But no where near 30,000psi. Nope Notta. Brian Pearce has an article out there where he talks about this subject and makes a reference to the clone SAAs.

Brian Pearce .45 Colt PDF

Quote:

An old Vaquero is based on the Blackhawk frame it should be sturdy enough for Ruger only loads.

Yes the original Vaquero can go the distance if desired... Same as BH for size/strength. The New Vaquero on the other hand is only good for Tier 2 loads.

November 4, 2013, 09:31 PM	#1
BJEoutdoors Member Join Date: October 23, 2013 Posts: 16	New Pietta .45 heavy loads? I am looking around a little bit at single action revolvers. I am wondering if the newest Pietta 1873 would hold up well to heavier loads in .45 colt, seeing as it is also offered in .44 mag? I would consider a Blackhawk if you guys don't feel that it would, but I would really like a 1873 clone of some sort. If the newest pietta doesn't, do you know any 1873's that would handle heavier loads?

November 4, 2013, 10:18 PM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	The Uberti guns I've had in the past used a heavier frame for their .44 Magnum than for the .45 Colt cartridge. I would assume that Pietta guns would pretty well follow suit, as the .45 guns are as close as possible to duplicating original Colts. If I were you, I'd stick with the Super Blackhawk for .44 Magnum use, or the Blackhawk for Ruger Only loads in .45 Colt. Here is my Ruger "Super" Blackhawk .45 Colt: This Ruger is about thirty years old, has had nearly 20,000 round fired through it, including a healthy diet of "Ruger Only" loads. Bob Wright P.S. Most Italian gunmakers claim to keep an original Colt Single Action on hand to more nearly duplicate its dimensions. These guns are intended for "Cowboy Action" type shooting. Ruger, Freedom Arms make guns for serious shooting. Last edited by Bob Wright; November 4, 2013 at 10:33 PM.

November 5, 2013, 10:16 AM	#7
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	I'd stick to standard pressure loads Don't try to push .45 Colt too hard unless you have 100% confidence in the strength of your gun. As already covered by Buzzcook, if you can't accomplish what you want with 1,000 fps .45 slugs get a .44 magnum.

November 4, 2013, 10:58 PM	#3
BJEoutdoors Member Join Date: October 23, 2013 Posts: 16	Thanks, I appreciate your advice.

November 4, 2013, 11:03 PM	#4
BJEoutdoors Member Join Date: October 23, 2013 Posts: 16	If I could manage to find one reasonable, would an Old Vaquero do?

November 4, 2013, 11:14 PM	#5
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	An old Vaquero is based on the Blackhawk frame it should be sturdy enough for Ruger only loads. But imho a .250lrn .45 Colt is just about perfect at between 850 and 950fps.

November 5, 2013, 07:49 AM	#6
Bezoar Junior member Join Date: October 19, 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 578	the cabelas website may claim an out of stock pietta saa chambered in 44 magnum. however the pietta website says only 357 45 colt and 44-40. to wit, a true saa clone like the pietta isnt a 44 magnum gun. THe cylinder doesnt have enough metal in it.