45 LC Round

Mr Phil · March 1, 2009, 02:47 PM

I am fairly new to reloading and want to load .45 LC for use in 6" Taurus Judge.

Do I use .451 or .452 jacketed rounds? - I presume .454 is ok for lead rounds?

I take it that .451 for .45 ACP versus .452 for .45 LC revolver.

Thanks for the help

mkl · March 1, 2009, 03:16 PM

.452" is the generally accepted diameter for jacketed bullets used in 45 Colt guns made since World War II (before that they had .454" barrels).

For lead, most recommend .453" to .454" depending on which is the most accurate in your particular handgun.

Just as an "Oh by the way" although a lot of books refer to the 45 Colt as a 45 Long Colt, there never was a Short Colt.

Scorch · March 1, 2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

there never was a Short Colt.

True, technically speaking, but there was a round called the 45 Colt Government that was the same length as the 45 Schofield (shorter than the 45 Colt) with the same rim size as the 45 Colt. It was produced from the late 1870s until the 1930s. It was developed to allow use of a single loading in either a 45 S&W Schofield revolver or a revolver chambered for the 45 Colt (1873, 1909).

mkl · March 1, 2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

but there was a round called the 45 Colt Government that was the same length as the 45 Schofield

Absolutely agree.

I doubt that the OP will find the 45 Colt Government in a loading book today, but he can find the 45 Schofield.

I was not trying to be picky; just as I said, an "OBW."

Mr Phil · March 1, 2009, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the info - I am good to go now.

Best wishes

**Unclenick** · March 1, 2009, 05:09 PM

Except it is .451" that the jacketed bullets use and .452" to .453" for cast. Cast bullets need extra diameter to ensure a good gas seal to avoid leading. They are softer than guilding metal jacket alloy even when water hardened, so the yeasily swage down that small amount during firing.

mkl · March 1, 2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Except it is .451" that the jacketed bullets use

Correct, except for Sierra which shows seven different jacketed bullets in 45 caliber as .4515.

Should have checked my book; going off memory, which is probably not a good idea at my age.

shu · March 1, 2009, 09:44 PM

My understanding of this...given in good faith, but with no guarantees...

Older (like maybe pre-WWII) 45Colt pistols were designed for a .454 bullet.

Revolvers of more recent manufacture are designed for .451-.452, to be compatible with the 45acp (automatic colt pistol).

Jacketed bullets will be .451. Lead, swaged or cast, but in any case softer than copper jacketed, will be .452.

-shu

March 1, 2009, 02:47 PM	#1
Mr Phil Member Join Date: January 23, 2009 Posts: 43	45 LC Round I am fairly new to reloading and want to load .45 LC for use in 6" Taurus Judge. Do I use .451 or .452 jacketed rounds? - I presume .454 is ok for lead rounds? I take it that .451 for .45 ACP versus .452 for .45 LC revolver. Thanks for the help __________________ Don't bother running away ... you'll only die tired.

March 1, 2009, 04:35 PM	#5
Mr Phil Member Join Date: January 23, 2009 Posts: 43	Thanks for the info - I am good to go now. Best wishes __________________ Don't bother running away ... you'll only die tired.

March 1, 2009, 05:09 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Except it is .451" that the jacketed bullets use and .452" to .453" for cast. Cast bullets need extra diameter to ensure a good gas seal to avoid leading. They are softer than guilding metal jacket alloy even when water hardened, so the yeasily swage down that small amount during firing. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 1, 2009, 09:44 PM	#8
shu Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2000 Location: lower rio grande valley, texas Posts: 216	My understanding of this...given in good faith, but with no guarantees... Older (like maybe pre-WWII) 45Colt pistols were designed for a .454 bullet. Revolvers of more recent manufacture are designed for .451-.452, to be compatible with the 45acp (automatic colt pistol). Jacketed bullets will be .451. Lead, swaged or cast, but in any case softer than copper jacketed, will be .452. -shu __________________ If you would have Liberty you must accept that individual security is not the responsiblity of government. You must. - XAVIER ONASIS

March 1, 2009, 03:16 PM	#2
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	.452" is the generally accepted diameter for jacketed bullets used in 45 Colt guns made since World War II (before that they had .454" barrels). For lead, most recommend .453" to .454" depending on which is the most accurate in your particular handgun. Just as an "Oh by the way" although a lot of books refer to the 45 Colt as a 45 Long Colt, there never was a Short Colt.