.45 LC question

Nunya53 · July 31, 2010, 11:53 AM

I'm looking at adding the .45 Long Colt to my list of calibers I reload. Currently I reload .357 and .45 ACP in the hand gun arena and have a question. What diameter is best for the .45LC in a jacketed bullet? I use .451 for my ACPs and it would be nice to be able to share bullets between the two. My Hornady book lists the .452, but a google search suggests that both the .451 and .452 diameter jacketed bullets are acceptable for the .45 Long Colt. By the way, I'm shooting an early 3rd generation Colt SAA.

What do the experts here say?

Thanks,

Nunya

Uncle Buck · July 31, 2010, 12:46 PM

I use both of those diameters in my reloading of the .45 Colt. I get better accuracy from the .452.

You could always slug your barrel to find out which is best for your gun.

zippy13 · July 31, 2010, 01:25 PM

Uncle Buck has an excellent idea: slug your gun and go from there.
There is such a variety in diameters with .45LC guns, traditionally commercial ammo is made with soft lead and fat bullets in an attempt to make a one size fits all round. Hopefully you'll see a quantum improvement with reloads sized to your gun.

TXGunNut · July 31, 2010, 02:22 PM

.452 works for me but you will just have to see what works for you. 451 in a 200 gr swc works pretty good @ low velocities, actually quite accurate in my Ruger BH. 45 Colt is a great project because ammo for it is expensive and good stuff is hard to find. Reloading solves both issues. Flinging large chunks of lead is kinda fun, too.

dahermit · July 31, 2010, 02:26 PM

Loading for a Colt as you are (not a Ruger), little is gained by using anything other than cast bullets. If you become a caster, you can experiment to your hearts delight. Note: When the .45 colt was invented, cast bullets were the norm.

Ozzieman · July 31, 2010, 03:24 PM

What are you shooting it in?
I also agree with Uncle Buck about sluging your barrel. I have 4 different guns in LC, my Rugers like large bullets for accuracy and I use 454. My S&W 25’s are a lot tighter and I use 452.
You can order bullets to size requirements from Penn Bullets.
http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html
45 Caliber 255 Grain Semi Wad-Cutter Plain Base
Standard Sizing - .452
Optional Sizing - .451, .454, .455

Nunya53 · July 31, 2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzieman

What are you shooting it in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nunya53

By the way, I'm shooting an early 3rd generation Colt SAA.

Not sure how to "slug" my barrel, I'll have to check it out though. I will probably cast some of my own...my dad gave me a lot of lead that is ready to mold. I would like to have some jacketed bullets as well, though.

Nunya

Slamfire · July 31, 2010, 06:18 PM

If you plan to shoot cast bullets, get a caliper and measure the chamber mouths on your cylinder.

Colt SAA's have a reputation of huge chamber mouth diameters. Regardless of barrel diameters, if your SAA has .456 (and I have heard of .458") chamber mouths, your revolver will be hopelessly inaccurate with cast bullets of .452" diameter.

With a S&W M25 that had .455" diameter chamber mouths (pre 1988) I was able to get decent accuracy with commercial cast .454". Still, the accuracy was not that good and I traded that revolver away.

If your Colt has .458" throats, trade it off for a decent USFA that will shoot well.

My Rodeo has .452" chamber mouths and shoots .452 and 454" cast bullets equally well.

I recommend Unique in the 45LC. It has been the best choice in that cartridge for almost 100 years.

Code:

5 1/2" USFA Rodeo  


255 LSWC (.452") 8.0 grs Unique  thrown, lot 6/21/1993, Starline cases, WLP primers				
	25-Mar-07	T = 80 °F		
Ave Vel =	864	 	 	 
Std Dev =	28	 	 	
ES  =	75	 	 	
High  =	898.8		 	
Low  =	800.1		 	
Number Shots	24			
				
			
					
250 LRN (.452") 8.5 grs Unique  thrown, R-P cases, CCI300 primers	
12-May-02 T = 80°F					
Ave Vel =	855	 	 	 	
Std Dev =	16	 	 		
ES  =	59.91	 	 		
High  =	885.4		 		
Low  =	825.5		 		
Number Shots	12

Jim Watson · July 31, 2010, 06:20 PM

.45 ACP bullets in a .45 Colt are kind of a dead end.
They don't have the cannelures or crimp grooves for a roll crimp that a revolver does best with, for one thing.

Nunya53 · July 31, 2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

.45 ACP bullets in a .45 Colt are kind of a dead end.
They don't have the cannelures or crimp grooves for a roll crimp that a revolver does best with, for one thing.

Thanks Jim,

I hadn't actually thought of that! I don't shoot the Colt much, in fact my Dad bought it new in 1978 and hasn't had 30 rounds put through it and that was me when he gave it to me in 2006. I just want some plinking rounds whenever I get the urge to shoot it, about once a year.

Thanks,

Nunya

July 31, 2010, 11:53 AM	#1
Nunya53 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2006 Location: Sherwood, AR Posts: 207	.45 LC question I'm looking at adding the .45 Long Colt to my list of calibers I reload. Currently I reload .357 and .45 ACP in the hand gun arena and have a question. What diameter is best for the .45LC in a jacketed bullet? I use .451 for my ACPs and it would be nice to be able to share bullets between the two. My Hornady book lists the .452, but a google search suggests that both the .451 and .452 diameter jacketed bullets are acceptable for the .45 Long Colt. By the way, I'm shooting an early 3rd generation Colt SAA. What do the experts here say? Thanks, Nunya

July 31, 2010, 12:46 PM	#2
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	I use both of those diameters in my reloading of the .45 Colt. I get better accuracy from the .452. You could always slug your barrel to find out which is best for your gun. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

July 31, 2010, 02:22 PM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	.452 works for me but you will just have to see what works for you. 451 in a 200 gr swc works pretty good @ low velocities, actually quite accurate in my Ruger BH. 45 Colt is a great project because ammo for it is expensive and good stuff is hard to find. Reloading solves both issues. Flinging large chunks of lead is kinda fun, too. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

July 31, 2010, 06:18 PM	#8
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	If you plan to shoot cast bullets, get a caliper and measure the chamber mouths on your cylinder. Colt SAA's have a reputation of huge chamber mouth diameters. Regardless of barrel diameters, if your SAA has .456 (and I have heard of .458") chamber mouths, your revolver will be hopelessly inaccurate with cast bullets of .452" diameter. With a S&W M25 that had .455" diameter chamber mouths (pre 1988) I was able to get decent accuracy with commercial cast .454". Still, the accuracy was not that good and I traded that revolver away. If your Colt has .458" throats, trade it off for a decent USFA that will shoot well. My Rodeo has .452" chamber mouths and shoots .452 and 454" cast bullets equally well. I recommend Unique in the 45LC. It has been the best choice in that cartridge for almost 100 years. Code: 5 1/2" USFA Rodeo 255 LSWC (.452") 8.0 grs Unique thrown, lot 6/21/1993, Starline cases, WLP primers 25-Mar-07 T = 80 °F Ave Vel = 864 Std Dev = 28 ES = 75 High = 898.8 Low = 800.1 Number Shots 24 250 LRN (.452") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, CCI300 primers 12-May-02 T = 80°F Ave Vel = 855 Std Dev = 16 ES = 59.91 High = 885.4 Low = 825.5 Number Shots 12 __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 31, 2010, 01:25 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Uncle Buck has an excellent idea: slug your gun and go from there. There is such a variety in diameters with .45LC guns, traditionally commercial ammo is made with soft lead and fat bullets in an attempt to make a one size fits all round. Hopefully you'll see a quantum improvement with reloads sized to your gun.

July 31, 2010, 02:26 PM	#5
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Loading for a Colt as you are (not a Ruger), little is gained by using anything other than cast bullets. If you become a caster, you can experiment to your hearts delight. Note: When the .45 colt was invented, cast bullets were the norm.

July 31, 2010, 03:24 PM	#6
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	What are you shooting it in? I also agree with Uncle Buck about sluging your barrel. I have 4 different guns in LC, my Rugers like large bullets for accuracy and I use 454. My S&W 25’s are a lot tighter and I use 452. You can order bullets to size requirements from Penn Bullets. http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html 45 Caliber 255 Grain Semi Wad-Cutter Plain Base Standard Sizing - .452 Optional Sizing - .451, .454, .455

July 31, 2010, 06:20 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	.45 ACP bullets in a .45 Colt are kind of a dead end. They don't have the cannelures or crimp grooves for a roll crimp that a revolver does best with, for one thing.