Colt New Frontier .45 LC 4.75”. Stronger than an SAA?

[John in WYO]

I shoot a a 5 Shot Bisley Conversion by John L. for heavy loads when I really want to stand on the .45 Colt. And a .500 Linebaugh by John L. for even heavier loads.

Picked up a 3rd Gen Colt New Frontier .45 last weekend.

I see the New Frontier top strap is thicker than the SAA…

What do you New Frontier shooters use for loading your .45s?
Or do you have any links to New Frontier specific load data?

Thanks.

[ddixie884]

I think the top strap would be stronger than an SAA. There are .45acp cylinders for these so probably 21,000psi is possible. I have shot Keith style loads in my NF .44spl with no problems, about 25K. I don't have a .45Colt in a SAA or NF only .44 and .41spl.
Read up on Brian Pearce in Handloader on the 2nd tier loads for the mid-frame Ruger .45s. You have to use your judgment and research to make a decision on the ceiling for your platform.....

[RJM52]

Since it is the cylinder that lets go first and they both use the same cylinder, the thickness of the topstrap is of no matter.

Modern SAAs can take a LOT more pressure than SAAMI specs. They all err on the side of caution (due their legal staff) because there is a numbskull somewhere that will put a Ruger Only load in a SAA made in 1903 when the metallurgy wasn't up to what it is today...

Bob

[USSR]

Bob has it right.

Don

[John in WYO]

I shot some 6.0 Trailboss/250 RNFP .455” cast today and some 10.0 Unique/ RCBS 270 SAA .452” today.
Didn’t crimp heavy enough and the last round (#5/5 270 SAA)
jumped crimp and tied up the gun.

It was an interesting day and we had fun.