45 Colt +P ammo in a colt .45??

[rjohns94]

Will the Colt hold up to ammo like the Buffalo Bore 320 grain +P ammo or should that ammo only be used in rugers and freedom arms? is the chamber long enough for that ammo? anyone have any experince with this ammo?

[Terry Murbach]

NO !!!! A COLT SAA SIXGUN WAS NOT MEANT FOR ANY OF THE SO-CALLED 45COLT +P AMMUNITION. NEVER !!! EVER !!
THAT STUFF IS A HANDFUL EVEN IN MY RUGER 5 1/2" 45COLT BISLEY.
I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS DISCUSSED ON THE BUFFALO BORE SITE.

[O.S.O.K.]

What he said.

Those loads are for Rugers, Freedom Arms, Colt Anaconda, etc. - not SAA's or any clones thereof. And of course, they are fine in strong levergun actions - 92's 94's.

Good that you asked before trying that out!

[J Miller]

Mike,

I agree with what Terry and O.S.O.K. says, but I still feel there is some leeway with the smokeless Colts and better copies.

Consider this; Most every make model and variation of revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt, weather it is single action or double action either comes with an axillary cylinder in .45 ACP or is chambered for the .45 ACP as well as .45 Colt.

Here is some numbers to think on:
SAAMI Pressures:

.45 ACP = 21,000 PSI
.45 ACP+P = 23,000 PSI
.45 Colt = 14,000 PSI

OK, so if a Colt SAA or a copy, or a S&W N frame will work with SAAMI speck ACP loads from the appropriate cylinder, why is the warmer loads in the .45 Colt cylinder terribly bad?
I don't know the answer to this.
The ACP cylinder walls are not much thicker than the .45 Colt ones. A bit yes, but is it significant?
What is the difference in frame stress between 20K PSI load from an ACP cylinder and 20K PSI load from Colt cylinder?
I don't know the answer to this either.

Elmer Keith developed his 18.5gr of 2400 / 255 SWC load using balloon head cases fired from first generation Colt SAAs. According to what I've read on other sites that load will generate around 25,000 CUP. Yet it was safe in the 1930s, very warm, but yet safe ..... and it's not safe now?
Both the guns Elmer blew up were using the heavier 300gr bullets either #80 or black powder, not the 2400 load.
Steve Young told me my ancient Uberti Cattleman ( IJ ) would handle that load just fine. But ..... I've yet to shoot any from it.

.45 Colt (Ruger Level) 25,000 CUP
Many of the loads found in the Hodgdons #26 manual that really make the old .45 Colt come alive are pushing 30,000 CUP or PSI ( don't have the book in front of me to check ). That is a handful like Terry says. I've read, but can't confirm nor deny it, that the CorBon, Buffalo Bore, Grizzly ammo is pushing this 30,000 PSI level. From what I've shot of it, it would not surprise me.

I've typed all this to say that there is some cushion room in the Colt SAA and copies, but I don't believe in pushing it. I won't shoot these loads in mine because I am just paranoid enough to worry that I'd be the one in a million to have the gun that would KABOOM in my face. So for the .45 Colt in Colt level guns, I'll stay under 21,000 PSI.

Joe

[.45colt]

Mike, My favorite load is Keith's load in My Ruger Bisley, and given the correct bullet size I don't know why it would hurt a modern SAA or copy. I have read about new 2400 being hotter than the old and if I were to load it in a SAA I would drop it to 17gr and work up to 18.5.
The best article I have ever read on the Colt is by John Linebaugh.(if You haven't allready seen it).Good Luck.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/d ... e_myth.htm

[madman4570]

Got to say,I know probably many dont like Taurus stuff,but from my experience:
The real Hot stuff??? Colt SSA---------------Nope,forget it! No way!
Also those lighter guns when shooting either the very hot .45 in like the Ruger Blackhawk/Ruger Vaqureo "all" kick real heavy when loaded to the Very Heavy Hot Loads".
I edited the .454 junk out.Dont know why I started on that rant so its gone.

[AJMD429]

Joe, that was a very informative response. Fascinating. I didn't know the ACP was higher pressure than the 'Long' Colt, but it makes sense.

Still, in any 'vintage' gun, I tend to shoot milder loads.

I figure if I want 'hot' I can either use a 'modern' .45 Colt, or 'step up' to a .454 Casull...

No sense damaging a 'collectable' or 'vintage' gun . . . or for that matter . . . ME . . . !

[J Miller]

Joe, that was a very informative response. Fascinating. I didn't know the ACP was higher pressure than the 'Long' Colt, but it makes sense.

Still, in any 'vintage' gun, I tend to shoot milder loads.

I figure if I want 'hot' I can either use a 'modern' .45 Colt, or 'step up' to a .454 Casull...

No sense damaging a 'collectable' or 'vintage' gun . . . or for that matter . . . ME . . . !

What you said is very true. But I never said anything about "vintage or collectible" guns. I tend to shoot any and all guns regardless. But I do take the care to use the appropriate ammo.

Joe

[Don McDowell]

I don't think a bullet much heavier than the 270 saa from the Rcbs mould will chamber in a colt length cylinder. If it did I'ld imagine it would almost be an extremely unfriendly thing to shoot in a Colt or close clone.
From a weebit of experience with the venerable old cartridge I've come to the conclusion that if a 255 +- bullet loaded to 900-950 fps won't handle the situation , probably should of brought a proper rifle in the first place.

[J Miller]

I don't think a bullet much heavier than the 270 saa from the Rcbs mould will chamber in a colt length cylinder. If it did I'ld imagine it would almost be an extremely unfriendly thing to shoot in a Colt or close clone.
From a weebit of experience with the venerable old cartridge I've come to the conclusion that if a 255 +- bullet loaded to 900-950 fps won't handle the situation , probably should of brought a proper rifle in the first place.

Don,

I think you are correct on all points. I've tried various 255 to 270gr Keith style SWCs in my Uberti Cattleman and there isn't but maybe an 1/8" at the best between the end of the bullet and the front of the cylinder.
The heaviest load I've fired through my it to date is 40grs 3F black under a 250gr bullet, followed close by 9.0grs Unique under various bullets. That is the max I'll shoot from a Colt or copy. Everything else, including Keith's 18.5grs 2400 load is reserved for my Ruger, Marlin or Winchester.

Oh, and I'd agree with the second comment, but I'd like to fudge it up to about 1100 fps. That way I can use Keiths load (18.5grs of 2400 under a 265gr SWC) which is soooooo very accurate for me.


Joe

[Don McDowell]

Joe that Keith load shoots very well in every 45 colt I've ever tried it in, but the last time I chrono'ld it, it didn't have the velocity that one might hope for....
If you get a chance try some bluedot.

[SIXGUNNER]

Will the Colt hold up to ammo like the Buffalo Bore 320 grain +P ammo or should that ammo only be used in rugers and freedom arms? is the chamber long enough for that ammo? anyone have any experince with this ammo?

IT WILL NOT FIT THE CYLINDER AND BB LISTS WHICH SIXGUNS THE LOAD CAN BE USED IN ON THE BOX. COLT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.