45 Colt from a Governor

The Old Salt · February 10, 2021, 02:07 AM

The S&W Governor does a decent job at 7 yrds with 45 Colt Cowboy action loads for this 70 yr old, bifocaled shooter.

the Black Spot · February 10, 2021, 04:07 PM

Nice!

AK103K · February 10, 2021, 05:00 PM

I really like my Governor. Its a kind of handy, "does a lot" in a reasonably small package sort of thing.

Mine seems to like 45acp the best from an accuracy/group standpoint, which isnt what I expected.

The group in the "wrist" is 45acp, the one on the "forehead", is 45Colt. All, including the bird shot, at 10 yards.

Webleymkv · February 10, 2021, 06:15 PM

While I've never been particularly interested in the .45/.410 revolvers, given the current ammo situation I can certainly see the appeal of a revolver like the Governor that can shoot multiple calibers. I don't see why, in addition to .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt, and .410 shotshells one could not additionally fire .45 Schofield or, with use of the moonclips, .45 GAP in a Governor as well. While .45 Schofield and .45 GAP are usually less common and more expensive, you might be able to find them currently when the more common calibers are unavailable.

TruthTellers · February 11, 2021, 11:03 PM

The myth of accuracy with .45 Colt being "poor" in .410 revolvers has been routinely disproven. The .410 revolvers are not target guns, but for self defense they do what they're supposed to just fine.

defjon · February 12, 2021, 11:28 PM

Mine runes 200 grain cowboy loads like a champ.

This load in particular must really grab the rifling, as it will place rounds ON TOP of each other at ten yards.

It does not like hornady for some reason (45 colt, not triple defense).

TruthTellers · February 15, 2021, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defjon

Mine runes 200 grain cowboy loads like a champ.

This load in particular must really grab the rifling, as it will place rounds ON TOP of each other at ten yards.

It does not like hornady for some reason (45 colt, not triple defense).

I've shot 230 and 250 grain Berry's bullets (they don't lead the bore like lead bullets do) and while I've gotten decent results, I get the feeling 200 grains would shoot better. Maybe the .410 handguns like the shorter bearing surface of a lighter bullet or the twist rate is just right. IDK what the twist rate is for the .410 handguns, but I assume they used as slow a twist as possible to keep the shot loads from spinning too fast.

Berry's does make some 185 and 200 grain hollow base bullets for .45 and I would like to test some of those in my Judge as I think the hollow base will grab the rifling well and accuracy will improve.

BourbonCowboy · February 15, 2021, 12:38 AM

I don't have a Governor - but I do have a Judge...and I love it. At 30 feet, I get 6-inch patterns almost every time. I could probably do better with practice, but the current ammo shortage has forced me to cut down on my range time.

MagDiddy · March 5, 2021, 09:09 PM

Do you guys ever shoot 410 shells from it? Can it shoot Buckshot? Will shot harm the barrel?

AK103K · March 6, 2021, 07:56 AM

Ive used the Federal 000 Buck and #4 loads. Both seem to pattern pretty well. Havent seen any problems barrel wise.

For personal defense, at the distances you'd be using the Buck, I think Id rather have the 45Colt or 45acp. The average spread of the four 000 pellets, is well within most peoples group size error at the same distance with the 45's, and you have a more powerful round with less recoil.

Sarge · March 6, 2021, 10:13 AM

Here's an article about loading the 45 Colt 'long' to cut down on bullet jump in a Taurus Public Defender. I shot it out to 25 and the results weren't bad. I'd expect better from the S&W Governor, which is doubtless better fitted and more accurate to begin with.

For informational purposes only and do not recommend you use my load data or alter your firearm.

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/the...nose-revolver/

TruthTellers · March 9, 2021, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

Here's an article about loading the 45 Colt 'long' to cut down on bullet jump in a Taurus Public Defender. I shot it out to 25 and the results weren't bad. I'd expect better from the S&W Governor, which is doubtless better fitted and more accurate to begin with.

For informational purposes only and do not recommend you use my load data or alter your firearm.

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/the...nose-revolver/

I don't think seating the bullets further out is going to make enough of a difference to increase the potential for the reduced neck tension and bullets jumping crimp under recoil. We're still talking a jump of at least an inch.

February 11, 2021, 11:03 PM	#5
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	The myth of accuracy with .45 Colt being "poor" in .410 revolvers has been routinely disproven. The .410 revolvers are not target guns, but for self defense they do what they're supposed to just fine. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

March 6, 2021, 10:13 AM	#11
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Here's an article about loading the 45 Colt 'long' to cut down on bullet jump in a Taurus Public Defender. I shot it out to 25 and the results weren't bad. I'd expect better from the S&W Governor, which is doubtless better fitted and more accurate to begin with. For informational purposes only and do not recommend you use my load data or alter your firearm. https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/the...nose-revolver/ __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

February 10, 2021, 04:07 PM	#2
the Black Spot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 218	Nice!

February 10, 2021, 05:00 PM	#3
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I really like my Governor. Its a kind of handy, "does a lot" in a reasonably small package sort of thing. Mine seems to like 45acp the best from an accuracy/group standpoint, which isnt what I expected. The group in the "wrist" is 45acp, the one on the "forehead", is 45Colt. All, including the bird shot, at 10 yards.

February 10, 2021, 06:15 PM	#4
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	While I've never been particularly interested in the .45/.410 revolvers, given the current ammo situation I can certainly see the appeal of a revolver like the Governor that can shoot multiple calibers. I don't see why, in addition to .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt, and .410 shotshells one could not additionally fire .45 Schofield or, with use of the moonclips, .45 GAP in a Governor as well. While .45 Schofield and .45 GAP are usually less common and more expensive, you might be able to find them currently when the more common calibers are unavailable.

February 12, 2021, 11:28 PM	#6
defjon Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2005 Posts: 785	Mine runes 200 grain cowboy loads like a champ. This load in particular must really grab the rifling, as it will place rounds ON TOP of each other at ten yards. It does not like hornady for some reason (45 colt, not triple defense).

February 15, 2021, 12:38 AM	#8
BourbonCowboy Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2019 Posts: 127	I don't have a Governor - but I do have a Judge...and I love it. At 30 feet, I get 6-inch patterns almost every time. I could probably do better with practice, but the current ammo shortage has forced me to cut down on my range time.

March 5, 2021, 09:09 PM	#9
MagDiddy Member Join Date: December 12, 2020 Posts: 34	Do you guys ever shoot 410 shells from it? Can it shoot Buckshot? Will shot harm the barrel?

March 6, 2021, 07:56 AM	#10
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Ive used the Federal 000 Buck and #4 loads. Both seem to pattern pretty well. Havent seen any problems barrel wise. For personal defense, at the distances you'd be using the Buck, I think Id rather have the 45Colt or 45acp. The average spread of the four 000 pellets, is well within most peoples group size error at the same distance with the 45's, and you have a more powerful round with less recoil.