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Driftwood Johnson · June 20, 2024, 11:04 AM

Howdy Again

The 45 Cowboy Special (45CS) was developed for light loads in Cowboy Action Shooting. It is basically the same as a 45 ACP except that it has the same rim shape as a 45 Colt. So it can be loaded in a single action revolver chambered for 45 Colt. 45CS has the same powder capacity as 45 ACP. You can use 45 ACP dies to load 45CS, but you will need a shell holder or shell plate for 45 Colt. For Smokeless you can use the same 45 ACP recipes in 45CS. I have never loaded 45CS with Black Powder, but with the reduced powder capacity the powder charge would be less than with 45 Schofield. Just fill the case with enough BP so the powder is compressed between 1/16" - 1/8" when the bullet is seated.

In this photo, from left to right the rounds are 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, 45CS, 45 Auto Rim, and 45 ACP.

By the way, I use a 45 Colt die set for 45 Schofield, but I have them set for the shorter length of the 45 Schofield cartridge. Because the rim is larger in diameter, a shell plate or shell holder for 45 Schofield is needed.

The wider diameter rim of the 45 Schofield was developed for the Smith and Wesson Top Break Schofield revolver. The rim needed to be larger in diameter than 45 Colt so the extractor mechanism could get a good grip on the rims for extraction.

You are correct about the grip of the 1875 cartridge Remington. Much more space between the trigger guard and the grip than with the 1858 model. This one is an original, chambered for 44-40.

In one of his books Mike Venturino talks about how inaccurate the originals chambered for 44-40 were. Something to do with the cylinders originally having been chambered for the 44 Remington cartridge, which used a heeled bullet of larger diameter. When reamed for 44-40, the chamber mouths were too big and inaccuracy resulted. This 1875 Remington was barely able to keep all five of my BP 44-40 rounds on the paper at only 15 feet from a rest. I was just glad the bullets were not key holing when they hit the targets.

There is also more space between the trigger guard and the grip with the 1875 Remington than with a Colt.

June 20, 2024, 11:04 AM	#20
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,052	Howdy Again The 45 Cowboy Special (45CS) was developed for light loads in Cowboy Action Shooting. It is basically the same as a 45 ACP except that it has the same rim shape as a 45 Colt. So it can be loaded in a single action revolver chambered for 45 Colt. 45CS has the same powder capacity as 45 ACP. You can use 45 ACP dies to load 45CS, but you will need a shell holder or shell plate for 45 Colt. For Smokeless you can use the same 45 ACP recipes in 45CS. I have never loaded 45CS with Black Powder, but with the reduced powder capacity the powder charge would be less than with 45 Schofield. Just fill the case with enough BP so the powder is compressed between 1/16" - 1/8" when the bullet is seated. In this photo, from left to right the rounds are 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, 45CS, 45 Auto Rim, and 45 ACP. By the way, I use a 45 Colt die set for 45 Schofield, but I have them set for the shorter length of the 45 Schofield cartridge. Because the rim is larger in diameter, a shell plate or shell holder for 45 Schofield is needed. The wider diameter rim of the 45 Schofield was developed for the Smith and Wesson Top Break Schofield revolver. The rim needed to be larger in diameter than 45 Colt so the extractor mechanism could get a good grip on the rims for extraction. You are correct about the grip of the 1875 cartridge Remington. Much more space between the trigger guard and the grip than with the 1858 model. This one is an original, chambered for 44-40. In one of his books Mike Venturino talks about how inaccurate the originals chambered for 44-40 were. Something to do with the cylinders originally having been chambered for the 44 Remington cartridge, which used a heeled bullet of larger diameter. When reamed for 44-40, the chamber mouths were too big and inaccuracy resulted. This 1875 Remington was barely able to keep all five of my BP 44-40 rounds on the paper at only 15 feet from a rest. I was just glad the bullets were not key holing when they hit the targets. There is also more space between the trigger guard and the grip with the 1875 Remington than with a Colt.