Over The Counter .45 Colt Ammo for Woods (animals/people) Protection?

[Southern Shooter]

Which .45 Colt ammo, that can be commonly found in department stores (Wal-mart, Big 5, mom and pop, etc.) without having to order from bullet boutiques, would be useful for woods protection in the lower 48 states?

Thanks

[GoodOlBoy]

honestly I haven't seen over the counter 45 long colt ammo in a long time... that being said I prefer almost ANY 45 long colt cowboy load with a lead bullet over anything jacketed or hollow point.

GoodOlBoy

[DougGuy]

You MAY find standard .45 Colt loads at Cabela's, Gander Mountain, but I doubt you will see it at the big box stores.

Also, there are a lot of variations in critters in the lower 48, you may be okay with a factory load in .45 Colt with a 150lb Black Bear, or a head/neck shot on a pig but I shoot .45 Colt and would want something with a little more authority than factory lead ammo. You don't say what gun you have, but you can handload a decent 255gr boolit @ 1,000fps and still be within SAAMI specs for .45 Colt pressures. If you have a Ruger and don't want to handload for it, bite the boolit and order from Buffalo Bore.

[Southern Shooter]

It is actually a friend who has a recently purchased 5 1/2" Pietta 1873 in .45 Colt. He was asking what is available in the common stores to use in the woods of the South and in the mountains of Utah, where he vacations.

I have 4 Uberti's and a S&W 625 in .45 Colt and hand load for all of them. I am encouraging him to explore the world of hand loading ammunition, too. A pound of Unique, Bullseye, Titegroup or something along those lines with a 250 grain cast RNFP would give him something useful without damaging his revolver.

I am like others...can't find much on the shelves and what is found is terribly weak. I was just checking to see if I had been overlooking a brand or source of .45 Colt ammunition that would meet his needs. He will either have to buy through the Internet or roll his own.

[RKJ]

Our local Walmart carries Winchester PDX1, and Federal American Eagle 225 JSP (50 rounds). I picked up a box of the Federal but haven't gotten to try it yet so don't know how powerful it is (or isn't). I'm in central Missouri and that might make a (big) difference in availability. Below is the Winchester stuff they have, although this info is from Midway.

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/skus/t_105-202-580_2.jpg (http://www.brownells.com/ammunition/handgun-ammo/winchester-pdx1-defender-handgun-ammunition-prod43481.aspx)
Winchester PDX1 Defender .45 Colt 225gr HP



Cartridge: 45 (Long) ColtBullet Style: Hollow Point (HP)
Bullet Weight (Grains): 225
Muzzle Velocity (feet per second): 850
Application: Target
Rounds per Box: 20, ..

Here is the Federal info:

Bullet Weight: 225 Grains
Bullet Style: Jacketed Soft Point
Case Type: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 860 fps
Muzzle Energy: 269 ft. lbs.

[MBTcustom]

You can buy ammo from the store? Like, already reloaded?
Hmmmm.
What will they think of next. I'll bet you a dollar they loaded them with those disgusting undersized copper things too.
:kidding:

[selmerfan]

goodsteel, it's not reloaded, it's NEW ammunition. Did you know they make NEW ammunition? Me neither! I only knew about virgin brass and fresh cast boolits...

[runfiverun]

I would imagine that is pieta is rated for the 15-k colt limit.
this is going to somewhat limit his choices.
in his situation I would be looking for something in the 250gr area with a flat point.
no hollow-point stuff like the federal classic [it really doesn't penetrate] but I know Winchester makes or used to make a white box ammo [airc] that had a 250gr cast boolit in it.
ultra-max also makes a low pressure round for cowboy shooting
[brown box black writing] and I have had good luck with their stuff too.

[Outpost75]

If you can find any of the standard 250 or 255-grain lead Remington Express or Winchester Super-X Lubaloy bullets, NOT the mouse fart cowboy loads, he will be fine with those, which give 870 fps from a 7-1/2 inch barrel. The hard lead cowboy loads are a poor substitute. If you can handload for him a 255-grain Keith style like #454424 and 8.5 grains of Unique is a good performing, standard pressure field load which will do the work.

[bangerjim]

Last time I even LOOKED at com-load ammo, 45LC's were over a buck a round! And that was 2 years ago. If you can find it, it will be in the 200gn-ish cowboy load bare lead range. Did see FMJ but that was some time back.

JUST LOAD YOUR OWN! I load 160-300gn for 45LC. Not much more than ~6 cents/round.....save and use your brass! I never factor brass $$ into reloading costs......ever.

45LC is my favorite round! Tons of variety and loads of fun.

bangerjim

[5.7 MAN]

I tested the Remington and Winchester standard 255 lead bullets loads, the Winchester was a little faster at 855 fps in my 4 5/8 Blackhawk. If you want a real powerful load a box of buffalo bore would be a good choice, Shoot a few to get the idea of how it feels and save the rest to carry.

one of the local Walmarts had some standard factory 45 colt rounds a while back.

[Kim]

The last time I bought 45 Colt factory ammo (a VERY long time ago), Federal had a 225 gr. lead hollow point that was very impressive on water jugs and wet newsprint. Nowhere near as good as what a caster can produce but still pretty darned good.

[Tar Heel]

250gr RNFP at $40.99/box of 50. Will work fine in the Pietta 45.

Black Hills Cowboy Pistol Ammunition (http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=740836&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&productVariantId=1362687&quantity=1&itemGUID=d8f683b68914de6d607480fae98bc9bc&destination=%2Fcheckout%2Fitem_added_to_cart.jsp%3 Fresult%3Dsuccess%26categoryIds%3D104792580%7C1046 91780%7C104372280%7C%26searchPath%3D%252Fcatalog%2 52Fsearch.cmd%253Fform_state%253DsearchForm%2526N% 253D0%2526fsch%253Dtrue%2526Ntk%253DAllProducts%25 26Ntt%253D45%252Bcolt%2526x%253D10%2526y%253D6%252 6WTz_l%253DHeader%25253BSearch-All%252BProducts%26productId%3D740836%26backToPrev iousUrl%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fproduct.jsp%253Fproduct Id%253D740836%26WTz_l%3DChart)Item number: IK - 213395



138391

[runfiverun]

outpost got the name right that is definitely the direction i would follow.
both the remington [forgot about those] and the winchester are standard 45 colt loads and will duplicate the original loads making the 45 colt what is supposed to be.

[Dan Cash]

Any standard velocity .45 Colt will do the job it has been doing since 1873 if you do yours.

[w5pv]

I have read some where that the orginal blackpowder 45 Colt woud shoot through a horse side ways.If(?) this is true the 45 colt is no round for babies.

[runfiverun]

one of the original criteria was for the round to be able to penetrate a horse deeply enough to kill it.
I would imagine they even tried it out on some horses just to be sure.

[Outpost75]

Years ago, back in 1994, I chronographed Remington Express Symbol R45C 250-grain lead conical factory loads from the 4-5/8" Ruger Vaquero I owned at the time.

Velocity averaged 882 fps with a standard deviation of 11 fps, and extreme spread of 26 fps over a 12-shot string.

I also chronographed #454424 cast of wheelweights, sized .452" and loaded in Remington once-fired cases with Remington 2-1/2 large pistol primers and 9 grains of Unique, which gave an average velocity of 940 fps, 12 Sd and 32ES.

This was a then-new revolver with 0.003" cylinder gap.

[HiVelocity]

Most over the counter 45 Colt ammo is lethargic, at best. Personally, I would tend to lean toward Buffalo Bore, or something that has been proved in "life or death" circumstances. Or, I would develop my own handloads and test them personally to my satisfaction. I don't think much would get by the Lee 300 grain cast at 1,000 fps as a start. Just food for thought.

HV

In comparison; I cast a 225gr .452 hollow point bullet that I gas check and powder coat. 4.9gr of Titegroup in a 45ACP. Hits like a hammer. I am confident that this combination would drop anything 2, or 4, legged without hesitation.

[DougGuy]

I don't think much would get by the Lee 300 grain cast at 1,000 fps as a start. Just food for thought.



Food for thought, the gun in discussion here is a Pietta Colt clone, limited to the standard pressure loads. I know what it takes to fling the Lee 300gr RF downrange at 1,000fps and there is no way in hades the Pietta will survive one whole cylinder full of these without grenading.

[sw282]

US Army criteria for 45 Colt was for the round to be capable of penetrating a horse @100 yards and still have enough power to kill an lndian hiding behind him on the other side. Colt achieved this feat with a 255gr conical lead bullet and 40gr of powder..850fps

[Dale53]

In the real world, bullet shape is a determining factor in how effective a load can be. I am a bullet caster and a reloader, so a Lyman 454424 (250 gr Keith) or the RCBS .45-270-SAA ahead of a decent load of Unique (or equivalent) with make that Pietta .45 Colt a dandy field pistol.

I would suggest that the O.P. invite his friend over and show him how to reload real ammo - that is field ready. As a matter of interest, a case full of 3f Swiss black powder will give over 900 fps to a 250 gr. cast bullet. Using my Ruger Bisley Vaquero with 5½" barrel, my particular handgun would allow me to shoot 70 rounds before fouling caused drag on the cylinder, requiring a quick five minute cleaning with a good black powder solvent. While the black powder load is powerful, and would not be ANY problem in the Pietta regarding pressures, you can get the same ballistics safely with a proper charge of Unique (8.5-9.0 grs. behind a 250 gr cast bullet) and I would feel confident with that load in the field.

FWIW
Dale53

[rexherring]

I know everyone thinks you need more but 850 fps with any 250 gr will kill just about anything in the USA if you do your part. I wouldn't go after Griz but I also would not use any handgun on them unless there was no other choice. I've shot deer with hot loads in my BH but also deer fell to a 255 at 850 fps just about as fast.

[white eagle]

I haven't bought a over the counter box of ammo in 35 years
however if I had to My bet would be on a XTP of some sort
for store bought they would work for both of your wants

[opos]

I shoot a Pietta Milenium 45 Colt and have great luck with it but it's not for big time hot loads...I took it apart and compared it with the general dimensions of an original Vaquero and there is a huge difference...I love to shoot the Pietta with 200 grain rnfp (12bhn) and Unique or Trail Boss...it does what it's intended to do...if I were going to take a 45 hunting I'd take my Blackhawk or my original Vaquero and load em up...I've shot the Winchester (think it's 250 grain..maybe 255 grain) off the shelf ammo...pretty accurate...more oomph than my SAA handloads but nothing like Buffalo Bore or the real hot factory stuff that's around.

[warboar_21]

I spent many years living in Northern Utah. There isn't anything there that a standard pressure 45 Colt wouldn't dispatch. Would I want something with a little more oomph? Yep sure would and do carry my 300gr Ruger only loads. Since your friends gun can not handle the Ruger only loads there is no reason to discuss them.

While not at your normal big box stores Buffalo Bore has standard pressure heavy 45 Colt loads that are safe to fire in Colt SAA clone or 45 Colt chambered gun. I have shot this ammo when trying to test different ammo for my 45 Colts to carry with me when traveling out of town and exploring the woods. The Buffalo Bore is pretty good stuff for factory ammo.

[GooseGestapo]

No need for atomic loads in the .45colt south of 49deg latitude.
My best friend and I haven't recovered a .45 slug from the deer and pigs we've shot.

We use the Lee 255gr RFN over 8.2gr of Universal. Gets ~900fps from revolver and 1,150 from 24"rifle. We only use the 8.2 load as it's the minimum that will maintain case obturation with the long rifle barrel to keep gases from blowing back into the actions. Load is also very accurate giving 2"groups from my Win.M94 at 100yds.
My Colorado/Wyoming load for my S&W 625 (550ft/lbs) is 10.2gr LongShot under RCBS 270grSWC. This load would be tolerated by the Pietta, though I'd only shoot enough to verify sight regulation. Otherwise, I just load them with 9gr of LongShot or 8.2 of Unique or recently, 7.2 of GreenDot (was given 6lbs!)
Some Magtech factory ammo I bought about 12 yrs ago was decent. It's the only loaded .45colt I've ever bought or fired. Only got it for the brass.

[Harter66]

I bought some PMC 255 RNFP when I had my 1st 45 Colts and they were advertised at 850 fps I think I got about 875 in the 7.5 RBH. In a pinch I bought another very similar box that was by Remington Primax(sp) those were closer to 950 and shot poorly . I have a half a box of 250 gr HP Blazer by CCI hanging out still and a half box of the Rem . If your in western Utah anywhere near I80 maybe you should bring yourself and your buddy to the Nv Cast boolits shoot the week end of 6/5 . Theres no better way to make the case than to shoot everything from a 2520 to a 445 mag with cast to make your case for reloading and cast .

Myself I shot a bunch of 452-255s and 452-252s before I aquired the 454424 and they all work fine . I believe that the Lyman book shows 9.0 Unique as max Colts load from the RBH 7.5 those turned in over 950 fps with all 3 of the above boolits . 8.0-8.5 are much more comfortable to shoot a long set with and still give 800+ fps for me . If memory serves me right the Colts 255 actually delivers more energy than the nominal 158 in a 357, but I would have to have a book in hand to give that as a certainty and I don't have a book in hand at the moment so if it's wrong I'm admiting now.
The last box of Colts I saw on the shelf was 38.99 for LRFP and 45?? for jackets. Gave me all the reason I needed to keep knocking them out myself.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Yep any lead 200-250 gr Cowboy load will do for two legged varmints. Might want a little more punch for four legged toothy stuff. A 255 gr Lee cast going 950ish would do. But that's pushing that clone pretty hard.

[9.3X62AL]

9.0 grains of Unique behind a 250-260 grain cast bullet is safe for any SAA or clone built with reasonable quality. I had a Uberti Cattleman in 45 Colt with 4-3/4" barrel, and it sent both #454190 and #454424 to 850-875 fps, placing them right where the sights looked at 25 yards. Such loadings will make venison capably or disincentivize goblins comprehensively. Though my current 45 Colt is a Ruger Bishawk, 90% of its ammo is still this smokeless duplicator of its original black powder loading. In the 7.5" barrel, the boolits run close to 1000 fps, averaging about 975 or so. The full-bore 44 Magnum has a lot more bark and buck than the 45 Colt, but I'm not certain all of its sound and fury makes it any more effective in the real world. A semi-wadcutter of standard weight driven between 950-1100 FPS does a fine job of harvesting game AND of stopping malefactors.

[doc1876]

An answer for the op, do not buy Blazer ammo. It ain't worth doodly. I have a recovered 255 jhp that didn't expand at all. ( I am not going to tell you right now why I know).

[9.3X62AL]

Ah, my goodness......the 45 Colt. What a capable caliber. Early in my LEO career I cast envious glances at Anaheim PD and their approval of the S&W Model 25-5 revolvers for duty usage. THAT is an agency serious about keeping their officers safe, I thought at the time.