Hunting with a 45 Long Colt

[Northman999]

My rule of thumb is that if exactly the same firearm is chambered for 44 mag, you can load 45 Colt up to a max 70% of 44 mag pressure.

I have seen 80% published, but I like my fingers and eyes.

I would also note that you should not swop load data between jacketed and cast bullets, except as a guide. Mostly because jacketed would tend to build pressure higher.

Of course each firearm is a law unto itself, and each handload must be safely worked up to.

I reload both .44 mag and .45 colt, and I certainly do not limit my .45 colt handloads to 70% of .44 mag.

Not sure why a guy would.

If you have two identical rifles (Say Rossi 92's) and you have two bags of new brass (Say Winchester), there's not reason at all that they could not both be loaded to the same pressure. And modern Model 92's can handle lots. Think .454 Casull at 65 000 psi. So why a fellow would have to stop loading his .45 Colt at say 28 000 psi is a mystery to me....

 

[t-star]

cause lee enfields are low pressure guns- they can't take the psi a mauser can

 

[Northman999]

cause lee enfields are low pressure guns- they can't take the psi a mauser can

Okay, if a guy is loading for a Lee Enfield then that's different...but I'm pretty sure the member's name is Lee Enfield, and that's not the rifle he is reloading for in regards to 45 Colt, ...or do I need a second mug of coffee this morning.... ?

 

[t-star]

I was being FUNNY- the way to look at it is " is there an identical rifle in 44 mag?" if there is, then the action is strong enough to take 44 mag pressures, as usual, start off with your starting load, recommended load, or factory load and work your way up-watching for pressure signs- there's special loads for rugers and others after the selection of 45 colt ( notice I didn't say long) that I have no doubt you an use for "modern" rifles -you just have to be cognisant of the wear and tear on the case as the brass is somewhat thinner? on the 45 colt- i'd be inclined to measure the thickness of the brass on various manufacturers separate out the thickest , and use those FOR MY HOT loads- much in the same way as you use a 308 case to make 45super or 451 detonics, etc
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[southernman]

This is a good thread, for several years, I have been keen on a colt lightning, but never bothered, thinking was, one would have made a dandy bush carbine, always heard that the 45 colt was a bit weak, now I know better, and at bush ranges it would be fine.

 

[conor_90]

JP the .500 SW handi rifle is number one on my must acquire list when funds permit.

The survivor H and R in 45 long colt/410 would become a lot more interesting if it could be rechambered in 454 casull and still take shot shells.

 

[caramel]

JP the .500 SW handi rifle is number one on my must acquire list when funds permit.

The survivor H and R in 45 long colt/410 would become a lot more interesting if it could be rechambered in 454 casull and still take shot shells.

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[conor_90]

^looking good. If only we could trim barrels to 15 inches in Canada, that would be a good time.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

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Had one in .500 S&W and it was decently accurate and fun to shoot with 440 gr. cast boolits.

The Survivor .45/410 will accept .454 magnum due to the long chamber. But I would not want to put in the hot factory ammo which can go 64,000 PSI. The barrel would handle it, but I recon a shooting with the .454 would make for "Auto opening upon firing" due to the flexing of the frame and light spring holding the locking wedge in place. These parts ain't perfectly fitted either.

My 500 S&W did that with my loads which were held within .30-30 pressure levels. (35,000 PSI) I had to deepen the locking notch a hair & match it to the lock wedge to ensure proper lockup of barrel to receiver.

 

[caramel]

Had one in .500 S&W and it was decently accurate and fun to shoot with 440 gr. cast boolits.

The Survivor .45/410 will accept .454 magnum due to the long chamber. But I would not want to put in the hot factory ammo which can go 64,000 PSI. The barrel would handle it, but I recon a shooting with the .454 would make for "Auto opening upon firing" due to the flexing of the frame and light spring holding the locking wedge in place. These parts ain't perfectly fitted either.

My 500 S&W did that with my loads which were held within .30-30 pressure levels. (35,000 PSI) I had to deepen the locking notch a hair & match it to the lock wedge to ensure proper lockup of barrel to receiver.

I am shooting thr Win Platinium 400 gr true it without any issues but it's brutal and accuracy is kind 3 MOA... JP.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Cool, ye got one that was half-assed fitted.

 

[Andy]

Concerning the notion that 45 Colt brass is weaker than 44 Mag brass, I can confirm that Starline brand 45 Colt has the same construction as Starline's 454 Casull brass - it's just shorter.

I trimmed one down to 45 Colt length and weighed it, and sectioned and measured it as well to confirm. That says nothing about its metallurgy, but Starline's own website states: "Our .45 Colt brass has been tested to .44 Magnum pressures in gun systems suitable for such loads."

A 45 Colt loaded to 44 Mag pressures will outperform the 44 Mag with every bullet weight. I shoot it at 44 Mag pressures using Starline brass in my Rossi M92.

 

[t-star]

logical- there is no reason that they would make a "special" formula for 44 mag, brass is brass- I could see it for rifle vs pistol,and I've proved it with the 451 detonics

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Concerning the notion that 45 Colt brass is weaker than 44 Mag brass, I can confirm that Starline brand 45 Colt has the same construction as Starline's 454 Casull brass - it's just shorter.

I trimmed one down to 45 Colt length and weighed it, and sectioned and measured it as well to confirm. That says nothing about its metallurgy, but Starline's own website states: "Our .45 Colt brass has been tested to .44 Magnum pressures in gun systems suitable for such loads."

A 45 Colt loaded to 44 Mag pressures will outperform the 44 Mag with every bullet weight. I shoot it at 44 Mag pressures using Starline brass in my Rossi M92.

You're correct on that one. I've been using trimmed Winchester .454 brass in my Rossi .45 Colt for the heavier loads that I've played with and they are still going fine after 8 firings. The Starline is doing fine at around the same count at pressures close to .44 magnum and no issues yet.

My regular load in my Rossi pushes a 250 gr. hard cast RNFP to 1300 fps. and is more than ample for deer & black bear inside of 80 yds.
View attachment 34926

 

[Andy]

You're correct on that one. I've been using trimmed Winchester .454 brass in my Rossi .45 Colt for the heavier loads that I've played with and they are still going fine after 8 firings. The Starline is doing fine at around the same count at pressures close to .44 magnum and no issues yet.

My regular load in my Rossi pushes a 250 gr. hard cast RNFP to 1300 fps. and is more than ample for deer & black bear inside of 80 yds.
View attachment 34926

With H110 I've hit 1900 fps in my 20" barrel with a 250 gr jacketed bullet.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

With H110 I've hit 1900 fps in my 20" barrel with a 250 gr jacketed bullet.

That's not far off from me max, flame thrower loads in the 12" Rossi. The smack in the shoulder from the wee beasty gets a tad rude thanks to the heavy, brass butt plate. Not a T shirt rifle fer sure. I always load my cast
boolit loads to around 1300 max to get best accuracy.

 

[conor_90]

Shell Shucker I always enjoy your posts, I think my gun cabinet envy grows with every one though...

Did you ever fire 500 grain XTP hornady from the handi-rifle?

 

[crazy_davey]

Nice to see a few guys know something about loading a 45 Colt.

100 yard deer gun, loaded properly, no problem. No cowboy action loads...

 

[kanook]

Stefan............the 45 LC is a capable cartridge for deer, but only when handloaded, you cannot go buy factory ammo and expect any kind of lethal performance on deer beyond 40-50 mtrs. Factory loads are only loaded to about 18000 psi in deference to the number of 1st and 2nd generation Colt 1873 SAAs out there. One can load the 45 LC to rival the 454 Casull in good quality new brass but you cannot get this by buying off the shelf, you must handload to attain the type of performance needed to hunt deer effectively out to 100 mtrs. I would highly recommend one of the Miroku 92s in 44 RM if your intentions are to buy factory ammo and go hunt. Same exact gun, but much better suited factory ammo available. I love mine and I just found another one in my vault in 44-40, so I guess I have two of these beautiful, exceptionally well made lever guns..............

Winchester, Cor Bon, Hornady, Federal, Remington, Barnes, are just a little touch of FACTORY LOADED ammo that is manufactured to be used as hunting ammo from a revolver. Put that same ammo in a rifle and you will extend your range to beyond 100mtrs.

 

[BigUglyMan]

.454 Casull would be a better option and would also allow you to use .45LC for lesser game etc.

True, but by that logic (which I'm a big fan of, by the way) the 45-70 would be better than the 454.

The 45 Colt will do the trick just fine so long as a good bullet is used and the range is sensible. Handloading is really the only option if you want to hunt with a handgun cartridge.