Stupid 45 Colt Question

[koehlerrk]

OK, got a stupid 45 Colt question...

What bullet diameter do these things use? Some say .452, others say .454, I say I'm confoosed.

Buddy of mine just got a Taurus Judge and he wants help getting a mold, dies, etc to reload for it. This is all good. But what the heck is up with there being several "45" caliber diameters? Which one is right? But why are there two pistol bullet diameters that are so close?

He has been using factory ammo loaded with 250gr lead boolits. The only molds I find in that weight range are .452, and they are listed as working with the 45 Colt, yet my reloading manuals state that it needs .454 boolits.

I've never dealt with this particular issue before, so any wisdom is appreciated.

[jim 44-40]

I have used .451 .452 .454 size in a Ruger and it likes .451 with a BHN of 10 , My other Ruger likes .452

[pipehand]

Please read this post-

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?180491-Taurus-quot-Public-Defender-quot-problems

You might be better off reloading for .410 shotgun. I wish you better luck than I had.

[joec]

Try slugging the barrel with a lot of instructions on the net on how and what to use. Once you have that in hand you will know what size bullets you will need. Now I have several 45 Colts revolvers all by Uberti and one a Rossi 92 rifle. They all eat .452 fine however they also work with .454. With that said they are most accurate with .452

[Kull]

45 Colt has just changed over the years. Early on the bore was .454" then later it changed to .452". Bottom line it's all gun dependent regarding which one will work better.

[NVScouter]

I reload for my Dad's Judge. It'll never shoot that well but its acceptable for defensive ranges. Say under 50 yards.

His likes the factory hollow base cowbody loads or my unsized LEE 255g RNFP cast very soft around 800fps. I tried some harder boolits and they never had a chance. I have a 300g HB I may try one day but I doubt I trust that pistol for even moderate power loads.

My Dad's 65 today and pretty beat up, so its taken place of his 357 and 41mag for ATV/pack gun. He loves the 410s on critters like badgers and dogs at "O %$/@!" range.

[NVScouter]

45 Colt has just changed over the years. Early on the bore was .454" then later it changed to .452". Bottom line it's all gun dependent regarding which one will work better.

Exactly.

I cant even imagine how many reamers have been made in the last 100+ years for this round.

[Bullet Caster]

As was stated above, slug the bore, slug the bore, slug the bore. Then and only then will you know what diameter your pistol likes. I've an Uberti .45 Colt and it likes .452 to keep it from leading the bore. However, my .45 acp likes .451. I had to slug the bores of both to make a determination of what the guns like. Now I don't have to worry about it. BC

[pipehand]

I do believe the barrel groove diameter (not bore) is going to be the least of your problems. Slug the cylinder throats, slug the cylinder throats, slug the cylinder throat...:).

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

The cylinders are set up for .410 shotshells. Think very loooong cylinders. The boolit must rattle quite a ways. My buddy has a Judge. It leads the cylinders terrible with boolits. OK with "j" things. So-so with buckshot. This summer I hope to try loading some hollow base boolits in brass .410 shells, and see if we can get things to work better.

[koehlerrk]

OK guys, thanks for the info. Going to see my buddy tomorrow, will slug the bore, and the throat, and the clyinders.... That's what I needed, some good direction on what to do.

[USSR]

My throats are .4545", so I size to .455".

Don

[Frozone]

My throats are .4545", so I size to .455".

THIS


Size for the throats.

Slug the barrel and make sure the bore is smaller than the throats however. On Rugers it can go either way.
And I'm not sure it would matter with a judge.

[jtaylor1960]

I just got a three screw convertible that has thorats close to .455".A .454" slug passes through fairly easily.I am going to try sizing at .454".

[Biggfoot44]

With a Judge you will have a huge jump to reach the throat, the cylnders made for 3in shells being even worse. Repeat to yourself "not condusive at accuraccy" .The factory style swaged hollow base may well be best choice.