1000fps loads for 45colt

[junkpile]

I know these loads have floated through here from time to time, but I'm not having any luck locating them. So, I'm after loads from Colt and Colt copy owners, and New Vaquero owners. I have Brian Pierce's article. Looking for more information.

What are you running? And if you could include the velocity, that would be awesome. As stated above, I'm looking for something in the 1000fps range. Haven't decided on the projectile yet. Still building up a plan. Will possible just be staying with 255gr.

[Jupiter7]

TONS of data in every manual and on all current powder manufacturer website for 255grn bullets at 950+. Almost all pistol powders can do it with ease at low pressure. My favorites are bullseye, unique, 2400 and aa5. Until you pick a bullet, exact charges are useless. I'll suggest the 454424 or 45-270aa if you want a tad heavier.

[junkpile]

I have not found tons of data. In fact I've found very little. I have 2 manuals I keep on my shelf, and they're both a bit lower than that. The Hodgdon reloading data website has 1. They have tons for Ruger-only loads, which is not what I'm after.

Was hoping for some favorites here. I've considered the 45-270, but will probably be sticking with the 255swc from Missouri for the time being.

[claudesapp]

Just looked at my notes, 45-270-SAA, Unique, WLP out of Ruger BH 7.5":
8.34gr 931 fps avg
9.04gr 1011 fps avg

[DougGuy]

What gun? What barrel length?

If you ask around nicely on here, you may find someone who casts these Lee 452-255-RF in 50/50+2% which would be well worth trying. I've had members here hook me up with 250-300 boolits from time to time.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Reloading/Lee255RF_zps2aec6991.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Reloading/Lee255RF_zps2aec6991.jpg.html)

And then there is the excellent NOE 255 RF that you may also find here for the asking that would be worth trying also:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?146136-Noe-454-255-fn&p=1621112&viewfull=1#post1621112

[Hardcast416taylor]

If you are wanting to "Horse" a .45 Long Colt cartridge over 1000 fps, just go buy a 454 Casull.Robert

[High Desert Hunter]

My go to load for the 45 Colt, that shoots accurate in all of my pistols, is 9.0gr of Unique under a 285gr 45-270SAA bullet for 960fps, loaded in Starline cases and lit by a Winchester primer. Of of sandbags, this combo will shoot 1 1/2" at 25 yards from all of mine, including my Freedom Arms 454. I use the same combo with the Lee 255 RNFP, and it clocks 940fps from my Flattop 45.

[30calflash]

I know these loads have floated through here from time to time, but I'm not having any luck locating them. So, I'm after loads from Colt and Colt copy owners, and New Vaquero owners. I have Brian Pierce's article. Looking for more information.

What are you running? And if you could include the velocity, that would be awesome. As stated above, I'm looking for something in the 1000fps range. Haven't decided on the projectile yet. Still building up a plan. Will possible just be staying with 255gr.

I don't know if Colt clones are proofed any higher than an original. I would be very skeptical of over loading one myself.

The new Ruger flattops are fairly strong, not as strong as the new model Blackhawks from what I've read. I wouldn't load a Colt as warm as a flattop could be loaded. IIRC the flattops are rated for loads similar to what can be loaded in a modern S&W.

From Linebaugh's posting on loads he seems to favor a Colt level load with a 'good bullet', as he puts it, in Colt type revolvers. This would be a 250-260 SWC cast at factory velocities.

If you look here a little more I think you'll find several folks that have used standard Colt loads, with good bullets, to take care of business.

[1bluehorse]

If you are wanting to "Horse" a .45 Long Colt cartridge over 1000 fps, just go buy a 454 Casull.Robert




Doesn't say "over" a 1000fps, say's "around" 1000 fps.....pretty easy to get near that number with a standard 45 colt load and 255gr. cast bullet......9gr. Unique, 9.5gr Herco, 12gr. Blue Dot, 10gr Acc #5, 10.5gr. HS6, 7.2gr. W231 to name but a few.....these will all bring 950ish in my 45 colts and are within SAMMI pressure spec. for standard 45 colt....these are all in accredited reloading manuals.....you can also get there with Alliant 2400 but it's a bit dirty at that pressure level....the Blue Dot load has been the most accurate for me.....if more is needed, no need for a 454 just buy a RUGER....that'll open a whole nuther' door.....but it's like the 15 minute saving thing, everyone knows that.....[smilie=s:

[FlatTop45LC]

I run a Missouri Bullet Co Keith 255 grain over 9 grains of Unique in my FlatTop 4 5/8" in Starline cases with Winchester primers.

I have run up to 10 grains but I feel no need to run hotter than 9 grains.

[9.3X62AL]

Doug Guy asked a relevant set of questions in his response above. Barrel length and bullet weight will factor in to the equation. 1000 FPS is likely accomplished more safely in a 7-1/2" Colt SAA/repro than in a 4-3/4" barrel, and through use of black powder.....40 grains of high-grade 3F in balloon-head or folded cases like those used in the 1870s through the turn of the century. To paraphrase the late Frank Barnes--originator of the book series "Cartridges of the World"--the 45 Colt cartridge did not make the transition from black powder to smokeless fuels as seamlessly as other calibers did.

I routinely shoot "1873 level" loads in my RUGER Bisley Blackhawk x 7.5" that are in the 1000 FPS toll-free dialing area. 10.0 grains of Herco with either Lyman #454424 or #454190 gets this done pretty efficiently. I again emphasize the use of the battleship-anchor Ruger and its extended tube, with the added thought that all components are dimensionally optimized. Would I use such loads in a Colt or Uberti? Not as a steady diet, but for sight-in and use as a hunting load I might "go there", with the thought that a toll in accellerated wear might at some point get exacted. A nice way of saying "Uberti, yes--Colt, HELL NO".

The SAA is not a weak platform. This is not an invitation to intrepidity, but in the early days of the 454 Casull and its triplex loadings the cannon addicts assembled 5-chambered cylinders into Colt SAA or New Frontier chassis and sallied forth. ("For how long" and "At what comfort level" seem to not get much newsprint, but I digress). So, if a shooter has a Coltish clone.....and it has a longer barrel attached.....he/she is likely on fairly firm ground to run the 250-260 grain castings into the 1000 FPS ZIP Code. But that is on YOU if you do so. To keep the lawyers off my aspirations, consult a reliable published reloading manual for any and all powder/bullet/primer recipes. And always color inside the lines, too--because courtrooms are paint-by-number venues, and the denizens thereof frown upon creativity. Dali, Van Gogh, or Picasso wouldn't stand a chance.

[DougGuy]

There was a gun rag last year or the year before where they were working up a 255gr Keith SWC in a clone I want to say, could have been a genuine Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel and they got it to near or slightly over 1100f/s with Colt level pressures, that is staying right under 14,000psi, 5 shots at a 300# black bear in a tree penetrated fully. I was quite impressed with the whole article but since I shoot Rugers in .45 Colt to 30,000psi I didn't save it. Someone here has it I have seen it scanned and posted.

Flattop Rugers, and any of the New Vaqueros with 3 digit prefixes in the serials will be good to .45 ACP+P pressures of 23,000psi. I would suspect the clones would proof at this level or maybe higher but I would not consciously feed one this hot of a load.

[MT Chambers]

Some are getting near 1000fps with BP reloads.

[RED333]

http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/reloaders-reference/cast-bullet-data-lookup
Ya really cant beat this data.

[Piedmont]

There was a gun rag last year or the year before where they were working up a 255gr Keith SWC in a clone I want to say, could have been a genuine Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel and they got it to near or slightly over 1100f/s with Colt level pressures, that is staying right under 14,000psi, 5 shots at a 300# black bear in a tree penetrated fully. I was quite impressed with the whole article but since I shoot Rugers in .45 Colt to 30,000psi I didn't save it. Someone here has it I have seen it scanned and posted.

Flattop Rugers, and any of the New Vaqueros with 3 digit prefixes in the serials will be good to .45 ACP+P pressures of 23,000psi. I would suspect the clones would proof at this level or maybe higher but I would not consciously feed one this hot of a load.

The article you are thinking of Brian Pearce's account of loading for a Ruger Flattop and his pressure limit was 23,000 not 14,000. His son shot the bear. The bullet was the RCBS 270 which actually weighs around 280 grains.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Myself, I prefer to enjoy shooting my 45 Colts. I settled on the duplication load of 6.5 gr. of Red Dot with a 255 gr. wheel weight alloy bullet at about 900 +/- fps. It must be lethal seeing how it has accounted for a 4 pt. whitetail deer at 35 yds. with only 1 shot. If I need more than this load I uncase the .44 mag. that I have worked up loads that are way past the 1000 fps mark.Robert

[shoot-n-lead]

If you are wanting to "Horse" a .45 Long Colt cartridge over 1000 fps, just go buy a 454 Casull.Robert

OP said TWICE that he was looking for "1000fps" loads...once in the thread title and again in the 2nd paragraph.

How does your statement apply to this thread?

[junkpile]

I greatly appreciate the information and discussion here. I will probably look into a couple of these in the morning. I got roped into a long inspection next week, which will be followed by thanksgiving travel, so might not get to it real quickly.

I was initially just after "tier 1" information, but I'll step up to "tier 2". I thought I remembered a few posts about 950-1050fps in Ubertis, used as hunting loads. I have no idea what the pressure may have been, and cannot find much load data. I still have a hard time finding powder up here, so I try to keep as much information around as I can, which allows me to keep going during bigger powder draughts.

I currently shoot from 5-1/2 and 7" barrels. Would be real interested at experiences from 4-3/4" barrels.

[9.3X62AL]

In 45 Colt/4.75" Uberti barrel, 9.0 grains of Unique gave 815-830 FPS with Lyman #454490. The gas check was superfluous, but what the heck. These loads shot right to the sights at 25 yards.

[MBTcustom]

OP said TWICE that he was looking for "1000fps" loads...once in the thread title and again in the 2nd paragraph.

How does your statement apply to this thread?

Slow your roll there shoot-n-lead. All he's saying is that the load manuals err on the side of safety for the Colt pistols for a reason, and honestly it's a good idea to be careful.

To the OP: Do you have a chronograph? Depending on your barrel length vs. the one used to establish the load data, you might be closer than you think, or further away than you think.
I would shoot over a chrony, and see where you are. and compare to the load manuels. If you are consistently slower than the published data do to barrel length and chamber design, I wouldn't push the envelope much. Over pressure loads won't necessarily cause you a kaboom. They might instead swell your chambers and stretch your frame or some other less than catastrophic, but equally disappointing effect. Had one come in the shop last year that had all the brass stuck in the cylinder. Started measuring after punching the brass out, and every chamber was swelled in the middle slightly.
Just be carefull.

[jonp]

Is this for target or hunting? If target I'm using about 9gr of Unique under a 200gr boolit to get near 1,000fps I think as I don't have a chrono and I find it to be a nice plinking load although I generally run this with 7-7.5gr of Unique. I was not happy with how the 200gr shot from my Kahr so instead of melting them decided to shoot them up in my Blackhawk and was pleasantly surprised.

[Hickok]

Here are my results with two New Vaqueros, a 7 1/2" and a 4 5/8".

Ruger New Vaquero, 7 1/2" barrel, 45 Colt Remington Factory lead rnfp 255 gr. 855 fps.

Cast 255 RNFP/ 8gr./ Unique 864fps.

Ruger New Model Vaquero 4 5/8" Barrel.

Cast 255 RNFP/ 8 gr./ Unique 824 fps.

In an Old Model Vaquero, (the heavy frame model) with a 4 5/8" barrel, a cast 255gr. and 9.5 gr/Unique gave me 982 fps. I wouldn't shoot this load in the New Model Vaqueros, but that is just me.

A good 250-255 gr cast boolit going 850-900fps will get the job done on anything that needs shot with a revolver.

[9.3X62AL]

A good 250-255 gr cast boolit going 850-900fps will get the job done on anything that needs shot with a revolver.

^^ Truth ^^

When I was a new deputy sheriff in the late 1970s, I was hugely envious of an agency one county to the southwest that authorized their officers to carry the 45 Colt. Most of those were in S&W Model 25-5 variants with 4" barrels. As I gained knowledge of these revolvers, I came to know that the late 70s and early 80s S&W 45s usually had HUGE throats, but the caliber still was a kick-*** bad guy demotivator. I still think very highly of the 44 Special and 45 Colt as felon repellant; the 41 Magnum lead-bullet load was no slouch, either. If a caliber's diameter starts with a "4" or a "10", chances are it will be a decisive goblin stopper. As enthusiasts, we can bandy about all manner of formulae and predictions about what anchors malefactors, but all of those formulae operate by "squaring" some element of the ballistic equation--bullet weight, bullet velocity, or bullet diameter. We need to keep in mind that the only one of these values that actually and empirically "squares" itself is bullet diameter. Yes, I am a Hatcher believer. That said, how could I NOT like the 45 Colt?

[35 Whelen]

From loaddata.com (14,000 psi data for 45 Colt):



285

RCBS 45-270-SAA cast

Vihtavuori

VV-3N37

11.0

1,020






285

RCBS 45-270-SAA cast

Alliant

2400

16.0

987






260

Lyman 454424

Alliant

Unique

9.0

1,006






255

Lyman 454190

Hodgdon

HS-6

11.5

1,000




Source is various data from Handloader magazine

35W

[Larry Gibson]

The SAAMI MAP for the 45 Colt cartridge is 14,000 psi in deference to the older SSAs out there. The old "standard" load of 8.5 gr of Unique under the 454190 (255 gr RNFP) in Starline cases with Fed 150 primers runs 933 fps out of my 5.5" Uberti Colt SAA clone (Artillery Model). The measured psi (Oehler M43 using a Contender barrel) is 18,000 psi. I've shot lot's of those through that SAA and others over the years and thousands of such loads have been fired by others. I more needed?

Larry Gibson

[9.3X62AL]

Larry, 45 Colt throats--barrels--and bullets have been all over the map during the time it has been in production (141 years). I have slugged S&W Model 25-5 revolvers from the early 1980s where their throats spanned .456"-.457", but had .451" grooves. .451"-.452" bullets probably lost potential velocity AND accuracy under those circumstances. I sort of "idealized" my Built Backwards Bisley with its .448"-.449" throats and .452" grooves by honing the throats to .453"--running .454" bullets through them--and letting a subtle "funneling" take place as the bullets traverse their route through the revolver enroute to the target. I also discontinued use of the grossly undersized tungsten-carbide sizer die by RCBS, and went Old School with a steel sizing die that doesn't over-work the brass into Coke bottle copies. A .452" expander spud rounds out the upgrades for this caliber. Yes--the revolver shoots wonderfully--with bullet weights from 200 grain SWCs to 310 grain Lee LBT counterfeits.

[35 shooter]

Thanks for that info 35 whelen, i've found a lot of like loads in my manuals, but not all gave the psi. Especially it seems when it comes to unique. Also most loads were for 250 to 255 gr. boolits. I've been trying to research basically the same thing as the op but for a 298 gr. boolit in standard colt loads.

[Dale53]

9.3x62AL aka Deputy Al:bigsmyl2:;

I pretty much the same thing with my Ruger SS Bisley Convertible. My undersize .45 Colt cylinder throats caused leading and inaccuracy in just a few shots. My .45 ACP cylinder wouldn't even let me chamber my cast SWC loads. However, after I reamed the throats of both cylinders to .4525" this thing became a tack driver with a variety of loads. I have settled on a Mihec mould casting the 45-270-SAA (285 grs) bullet sized .452", lubed with Carnauba Red ahead of 8.5 grs of Unique. That might be a bit heavy for an original Colt SAA. However, Hodgdon's web site shows this for SAAMI standard .45 Colt loads with a 260 gr bullet:
Dale53


Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure


Grs.


Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure


Hodgdon

HS-6
.451"

1.595"

9.7

759
10,600 CUP

10.7

865
14,000 CUP

Hodgdon

CFE Pistol
.451"

1.595"

8.1

832
10,900 PSI

8.8

916
13,200 PSI

Hodgdon

Universal
.451"

1.595"

7.0

661
9,400 CUP

8.0

813
14,000 CUP

Hodgdon

HP-38
.451"

1.595"

6.5

722
12,000 CUP

7.1

787
14,000 CUP

Hodgdon

Titegroup
.451"

1.595"

5.5

661
8,300 CUP

6.3

797
12,500 CUP


















D

[9.3X62AL]

There's that old nom de plume. I sold off the Uberti Cattleman in 45 Colt x 4-3/4" out of concern--probably over-drawn--that a habitual diet of 9.0 x Unique or 10.0 x Herco with 250-260 grain bullets would bend things. Ubertis are easily and economically replaceable, unlike Colt SAA/NF or New Service examples. From this abundance of caution came the purchase of the BisHawk, and from that purchase came the required completion of its construction. I dunno what the h--l Ruger was thinking about back then, or WTH I was thinking about when I sold the Pasta Colta. It was and is a fine shooter, and the guy I sold it to still has it.

[junkpile]

Thanks for that info 35 whelen, i've found a lot of like loads in my manuals, but not all gave the psi. Especially it seems when it comes to unique. Also most loads were for 250 to 255 gr. boolits. I've been trying to research basically the same thing as the op but for a 298 gr. boolit in standard colt loads.

This has been my primary problem - loads with unknown pressure. I just want to know what exactly I'm loading.

[35 Whelen]

It's going to be virtually impossible to know the pressure at which your loads are operating as there are simply too many variables that can changes pressures. I'm certain this is why Uberti and other manufacturers build their firearms with a certain "buffer" if you will, regarding strength.

Europe version of SAAMI known as CIP, has fairly stringent regulation with regards to proofing firearms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_Internationale_Permanente_pour_l%27Epre uve_des_Armes_%C3%A0_Feu_Portatives

The above article states that proof loads for revolvers are loaded 30% higher than standard pressure loads which would be around 18,000 psi in the case of the 45 Colt. But in Uberti's "How It's Made" video, they state they proof their revolver with loads 3X over standard pressure or about 42,000 psi in the 45 Colt.

Regardless, I'm of the opinion that as long as you stay within published loading data with the 45 Colt, you're going to be OK. There's a post on here somewhere in which a gentleman claims to have fired 5000+ 250 gr. cast SWC's over 9.0 grs. of Unique out of a Uberti SA with absolutely no ill effects. I believe it and I wish I'd have bookmarked the post.

35W

[9.3X62AL]

35W, I seem to recall that post you refer to as well. I do know that in both the Uberti and the Ruger that extraction/ejection was unremarkable with fired cases that contained 255 grainers and 9.0 grains of Unique. As often as not, rotating the barrel skyward with gate open allowed the empties to fall free, and those that stuck only took a little tap on the ejector to dislodge. (Knocking on wood here), I have yet to cause harm to a firearm via excessive charging--and have no plans to embark on such a voyage. Using the Keith/Lyman #454424 in such a load might provide a bit more safety margin owing to slightly less bullet inside the case = slightly more powder room upon ignition.

All this notwithstanding.....the 45 Colt and its 250-260 grain bullets are one fine load, whether those bullets get 850 or 1000 FPS. Animated targets won't feel cheated of effect with either one.

[6bg6ga]

Some of the data from the handloaders magazine exceeds the data in my Lymans 49th edition. I can also recall some loads from older reloading manuals that have been re-listed in newer manuals at a lower maximum load. All I can say is this... proceed from the maximum loads listed in the newer manuals with caution watching for signs of excessive pressure. My line of thought is this.... if some of the maximum loads were considered ok in the older manuals they are probably still safe today but they may have been reduced to keep the beginner loader from trying to start loading at the max loads off the bat.

[35 Whelen]

Yesterday I ran across a column by Brian Pearce on Keith style bullets. In it he describes shooting a mule deer buck with a 45 Colt loaded with a 45-270 running a little over 900 fps. He shot the buck about 80 yds. and got complete penetration. What more could a fella want?

.35W

[44man]

Colt never advanced and so many clones are in question too. Colt still uses cold rolled iron in my opinion but even a new, small Ruger is so much stronger I see no reason you can't go over 1000 fps.

[robertbank]

To the OP I have used 9 gt of Unique under the SAECCO 200 gr Keith designed LSWC sized .452 out of my Berreta Stampede 4.75 gave me avg vel of 1017. Shot well. 7.1 gr of Titegroup under the same bullet gave me 1040 fps out of the same gun. Cases ejected well and there were no pressure signs. Use the loads at your own risk. Both loads performed well.

The same gun using 8.5 gr of Unique and a 260 gr LSWC Mountain mold I got from the late Felix Robins peaked at just over 1000 fps and averaged a hair under that speed.

If 8.5 gr of Unique under that bullet won't do the job I either got the wrong piece of iron in my hand or need faster feet.:oops:

Take Care

Bob

[35 Whelen]

Just walked in from doing a little 45 Colt shooting. I very recently received a Lee 2-cavity mould in 45-255 RF (which is a TOTAL piece of JUNK, but that's another story) and shot some of these bullets out of my 4 3/4" Uberti. Cast of COWW, the bullets dropped at close to 260 grs.

8.5 grs. Unique averaged 939 fps; e.s.- 28. Grouped really nice at 25 yds. at a little under 2" from a sitting position.
9.0 grs. Unique averaged 995 fps; e.s.- 50. Likewise grouped very well at 25 yds. shooting about 1 1/2" again from a sitting position. So there's your 1000 fps load!

Incidentally, with that last load, cases would drop from the chambers under their own weight in almost every case, with a couple needing a very light peck from the ejector rod to get them started after which they'd drop free.

35W

[Char-Gar]

I have shot allot of 45 Colt handloads over the years in allot of different handguns. The only load I have ever use that approached or went to 1,000 fps was 20/4227/255 Keith SWC. For the most part, I stay in the 800 to 900 fps range with 8.5/Unique or 6.5/Bulleye. Adding another 100 fps isn't going to change a darn thing about the effectiveness of the round on man, beast or target. That extra 100 fps will just added pressure, recoil, blast and wear and tear on the handgun and the shooter.

[6bg6ga]

I have shot allot of 45 Colt handloads over the years in allot of different handguns. The only load I have ever use that approached or went to 1,000 fps was 20/4227/255 Keith SWC. For the most part, I stay in the 800 to 900 fps range with 8.5/Unique or 6.5/Bulleye. Adding another 100 fps isn't going to change a darn thing about the effectiveness of the round on man, beast or target. That extra 100 fps will just added pressure, recoil, blast and wear and tear on the handgun and the shooter.

I'll have to agree with your logic on this and add one thing....sometimes the increased recoil to obtain the extra speed can result in decreased accuracy. I really don't think the extra 100fps is going to add that much to the knock down power. Be happy with something that can be handled and is potent enough to do the job.

[35 Whelen]

While I agree with the assertion that 1000 fps isn't always necessary, sometimes the heavier loads shoot better as was the case with the two loads I tried today. Also, if a fella is shooting HP's it's easier to attain expansion at higher velocities.
Since I shoot so much, what I try to do is have a hunting load that runs 1000 +/- and an everyday/practice load that runs 825-850 fps. This has worked out very well in my .44 Specials.

35W

[6bg6ga]

I'm glad that you have found heavy loads that are accurate. However, in some hands this is not the case. I've seen many people that do start to flinch and these are people that have been into shooting for years. I seem to have that problem with every 44 mag that I pick up. Maybe its the idea that is Dirty Harrys favorite caliber or maybe its because the loads were at maximum and I'm not used to a unfamiliar gun.

[35 Whelen]

I'm glad that you have found heavy loads that are accurate. However, in some hands this is not the case. I've seen many people that do start to flinch and these are people that have been into shooting for years. I seem to have that problem with every 44 mag that I pick up. Maybe its the idea that is Dirty Harrys favorite caliber or maybe its because the loads were at maximum and I'm not used to a unfamiliar gun.

"Heavy", where it pertains to handgun loads is highly relative. A 255 gr. bullet at 1000 fps would hardly qualify as heavy to most handgunners when the subject is of .44 and .45 caliber handgun loads. Understand I'm not promoting them but like the OP I like a hunting load running around 1000 fps. My own 45 Colt hunting load uses a 280 gr. SWCHP running 1060 fps and while that type velocity isn't necessary the particular load is, most important, very accurate and at that speed and due to the alloy used, should promote expansion. Win, win!
I completely agree that heavy loads can cause flinching and for the most part are unnecessary especially in the case of rounds such as the .44 Magnum. But as we all know, every handgunner living east of Colorado thinks he needs to be prepared to defend himself from a bear attack! :veryconfu

35W

[6bg6ga]

I bought one simply so I could shoot with my brother that has a 44 mag. My 25-5 S&W seems to handle full house loads very well and I don't flinch with it. I don't however wish to punish it with heavy loads. I think the Super Blackhawk 44 mag I bought is more suited for the heavier loads and higher velocities but then again I am no expert with either caliber. But then again we bring back the arguement of the larger caliber being better and another arguement of speed vers mass and its unending. I think either caliber would bring down a bear with sub 1000fps loads but then again one doesn't want to take a chance.

[Old Two Wars]

A 45 colt NM Vaquero 5.5 bbl with 255 lee LFN and 7gr reddot will kill a bear with a good shot.

[Harter66]

I've been out in the weeds ........but that's why I had a NM Ruger BlackHawk .

Nearly all of the SAA styled guns built in the last 30 years were offered with a 45 ACP option in 45 Cal .
Any of those will be fine with anything under 20kpsi because they will eat a steady diet of 21-23 kpsi .

I ran the BlackHawk up a few times and found I didn't need all of that .
Ranch dog sent me some QL data with H322 under a custom .453-350 RF held to 20 kpsi the start load went 1240 fps in the 16" carbine , the next step up was 625 fps in the 7.5" RBH .

Held to 1050 in the Carbine at distances from powder burn to 50 yd the 454424 round groove Lyman or NOE version , 452-255 or 452-252 in weights 250-265 gr will all leave 2 holes in 2-3 feet of hog .

9.0 Unique should get you there .

Seek out a Speer manual and read Why Ballisticians get grey and look at the table provided . Yes it show a 357 load but the story doesn't change .

Barrel length , head space , throat , forcing cone , cylinder gap , actual chamber dimensions , brass sizing , cases , powder lots , primers ,groove dia , twist rate , bore dia all play a roll .

The 7.5" BlackHawk got me 1050 fps with data in the overlap top of Colts loads and the bottoms of Ruger .

[hc18flyer]

My .45 Colt Blackhawk with a 290 grain wfn at 1050fps works GREAT on Nebraska whitetails! Easy on the shooter and punches a big hole! I used 17.5 Alliant 2400 for my hunting load. I have a hollow point mold, pretty sure it isn't needed for .45 Colt, at my ranges. YMMV hc18flyer

[ddixie884]

Cool...........

[smkummer]

When ever the subject come up about a certain milestone velocity point, I remember in my youth “shooting” for that. My chronograph is on the blink but I seem to recall that 9-9.3 grains unique ( Alliant now says up to 9.5 unique with hornandys swagged 250 grain bullet as max.) and Lyman’s 454190 (250 grain) gets over 950 fps in my 7 1/2” barrel colt SAA including new service and new frontier. I can sometimes hit a 24” square metal plate at 200 yards with it. From the noise and movement it makes on 100 yard steel ( easy to hit), I have no doubt it would clean shoot through a deer, human or pig.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have used 20 gr IMR4227 with the Lyman 454424 in a Hawes (Sauer&Son) 5.5" and a 3-screw Blackhawk 7.5", both 45 Colt meeting the 1000fps and outstanding accuracy in the Hawes, Blackhawk was just OK with any loads, did not fool with the Blackhawk, too heavy and big for a comfortable belt gun in the back country. Miss the Hawes, a Colt clone.

[mainiac]

452460,,205grs,7.3 reddot
Does 1000 and shoots in a ragged hole,out of 7.5 inch bisley.

[oldsalt444]

My 1873 replica will only handle standard pressure loads (under 14k cup). I can still get 1000 fps with a 160 gr. SWC over 7.0 gr. Titegroup with only 9k cup.

Lee Reloading Manual #2 has lots of data meeting your requirements.

[Alferd Packer]

What old salt 444 said.

[Tripplebeards]

I worked up some “tier 2” loads with HS-6 and a group buy 280 grain HP I casted up. Don’t remember the load data…I’d have to look it up. Doug guy helped me with it. The data was in an old hand loader magazine as well. Never did shoot them out of my new vaquero. IMO the fixed sight issue handicaps me of really making a true hunting pistol out of it. I use the pistol for what’s designed to do…plink. I have other “hunting” pistols with red dots and adjustable sight for hunting.

BYW, so far my most accurate load so far hits POA at 25 yards. It’s using 5.2 grains of trailboss, a magnum primer, and a lee 255 grain boolit loaded long. Average velocity is 585 fps. It seems anything hotter opens up my groups and POA rises about 4/6” at 25 yards. I believe the pistol was designed for cowboy plinking at low velocity cowboy loads only and so far the ladder tests I have tried as proven it. It doesn’t like to group at higher velocities.

[Tripplebeards]

Here the link to my thread with the magazine article of Brian Peirce's load data.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?411111-Anyone-save-the-Brian-Pierce-New-Vaquero-level-11-23-000-psi-45-colt-data

[jaguarxk120]

One of the best places to look for loading data is
John Taffins book of the 45.
If it is 45 caliber out of a hand gun it's in that book.

[jonp]

Since my original post 8yrs(?) ago I've done more 45lc shooting. If I want to try out these high fps loads I go here for advice https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

CAUTION: Read the entire thing before you start and pay attention to what revolvers he is using. I've approached top end with several of these loadings with my Blackhawk without any signs of trouble but I'm not recommending them. However, Linebaugh knows more about this type of stuff than 99.9% of the people out there so might be a good person to pay attention to.

[Old Two Wars]

Myself, I prefer to enjoy shooting my 45 Colts. I settled on the duplication load of 6.5 gr. of Red Dot with a 255 gr. wheel weight alloy bullet at about 900 +/- fps. It must be lethal seeing how it has accounted for a 4 pt. whitetail deer at 35 yds. with only 1 shot. If I need more than this load I uncase the .44 mag. that I have worked up loads that are way past the 1000 fps mark.Robert

Nice doe i got with a rossi circuit judge 160 grain lee flat point 7 gr red dot around 50 yd shot complete pass through behind the front sholders folded up nicely.