.45acp
- Thread starter Gundoggy
- Start date
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
really reduced loads with cast never try and shoot modern factory ammo out of a antique
A modern barrel and cylinder would have no problems at all handling current .45ACP ammunition. That leaves the frame, which must absorb the backthrust. How does the backthrust of the ACP compare with that of standard .45 Colt or .44-40 rounds? The antique frames were designed to use these cartridges.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
i dont know i id not want to find out the wrong way
That is why you find find out how much backthrust a load like the original .44-40 would generate. 40 grains of powder and a 200 grain bullet. What was the original .45 Colt load? 40 grains of powder and 240 grains of lead? Neither of these is a pipsqueak. Have you ever heard of a Colt .44-40 or .45 failing when fired with modern current manufacture smokeless powder .44-40 or .45 Colt loads? .45ACP has a 230gr bullet at about 800 fps. That is less than either the .44-40 or .45 Colt.
Only thing i would say to the OP is forget all copper jacketed Bullets in any antique no mater how new the barrel or cylinder is use lead bullets only.
Lotsa guys shoot the 45 acp wolf factory ammo but only the SWC lead or RN lead wolf stuff in there SAA colts converted to 45 acp,, it is not that hot a factory ammo its loaded down abit from standard factory 45 acp copper jacketed stuff.
I shoot wolf Factory SWC 45 acp in my Webley MKI** up graded antique gun which is a break open action type gun, a SAA colt is stronger being a soild frame gun most in 45 acp do have newer cylinders and barrels to.
Lotsa guys shoot the 45 acp wolf factory ammo but only the SWC lead or RN lead wolf stuff in there SAA colts converted to 45 acp,, it is not that hot a factory ammo its loaded down abit from standard factory 45 acp copper jacketed stuff.
I shoot wolf Factory SWC 45 acp in my Webley MKI** up graded antique gun which is a break open action type gun, a SAA colt is stronger being a soild frame gun most in 45 acp do have newer cylinders and barrels to.
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basically, its your call. A modern rebuilt gun with only the frame being antique would have not a problem with modern copper jacketed bullets. However, I'd still consider looking at the numbers and maybe downloading the powder charge, if nothing else. Its your $5000 gun and your hand, you make the call. If its the wrong call, I'll see you after you've woken up from surgery =)
Multiplying the peak pressure by the surface area of the bullet will give you the maximum force (in pounds) being exerted on the frame (effectively trying to split it apart longitudinally). .45 colt is the biggest bullet and highest pressure these were ever designed for. A .454" bullet has 0.162 square inches of area, times 14000 (.45 colt SAAMI pressure) gives us 2266lbs of force.
.45 ACP at a bore of .452 gives us a surface area of 0.160 square inches, at 19000PSI this equates to 3040lbs. Even if the cylinder, and barrel for that matter, were able to withstand the pressure without bursting, that pressure is still exerted front to back and that is handled by the frame, since the hot gases are pushing against the cartridge head on one end, and on the bullet on the other, once the bullet is in the barrel. We're talking 135% of the longitudinal force the frame was designed for.
B
If you wanted to use a higher pressure cartridge, the only way to keep the force on the frame down would be to use a smaller caliber. If you double the pressure to 28000PSI the surface area must be halved, so you would need a .32 caliber bullet.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Good explanation gyppo.
I'm sure I wouldn't want to push my luck that extra 35%. Particularly with a 4 or 5 thousand dollar gun as mentioned. Still not entirely comfortable using the light smokeless loads that I make on occasion. Black and pure soft lead still seems best and is usually the most accurate to boot.
I'm sure I wouldn't want to push my luck that extra 35%. Particularly with a 4 or 5 thousand dollar gun as mentioned. Still not entirely comfortable using the light smokeless loads that I make on occasion. Black and pure soft lead still seems best and is usually the most accurate to boot.
