45 Caliber Cartridges

[Savvy Jack]

Howdy Fellas,

I'd like to make a list of 45 Caliber Cartridges and you can select your favorite. There are many so if yours's is not listed, post it and I can add it.

Never mind, I can't add any once posted! :-(

[nhyrum]

45 colt, 454 casull (my favorite), 45 Scofield, 45 acp, 45 gap, 460 rowland and 45 super come to mind

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[Carrier]

45 Colt and 45/70

[Savvy Jack]

454 casull (my favorite),

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Oh I knew I'd miss one face palm

[Stopsign32v]

Not sure what 45 Colt Government is but 45 Colt will always be the love of my life in cartridges.

[rcslotcar]

45lc

[45-70 Chevroner]

45 Colt and 45/70

Ditto.

[gnostic]

I like the 45LC the best, I just wish the brass lasted longer....

[Winger Ed.]

I'm a big .45ACP and .45-70 guy.

I cast some for .45 Long Colt, but shooting them in a Bond derringer is,,, ahhh,, impressive.
So I don't shoot 'em very much.

[Springfield]

45 Cowboy Special. With Blackpowder.

[Savvy Jack]

Not sure what 45 Colt Government is but 45 Colt will always be the love of my life in cartridges.


It has been reported that after the 45 Schofield cartridge replaced the 45 Colt cartridge, the 45 Schofield cartridge was referred to as the "45 Colt Government" while being manufactured by Frankford Arsenal. This designation was not noted on Frankford Arsenal's ammunition boxes but was eventually manufactured by Winchester and Peters and noted as such. The headstamps were still 45 Colt but the box call-outs showed the Government name.

291228

291227

291225
291230

A brief history of the 45 Colt Cartridge can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UAaKCmwp_R7J3IfnLogKmx4Mk8E724Blh0OHrfglxgk/edit#gid=884820685

[Greg S]

You can pick only 1, like the 45 Colt but have 8 or 9 1911s.

[44MAG#1]

Keeping in mind this IS NOT a trolling question.
But what is the difference between the 45 ACP and the 45 Auto? Have I missed something?
Please enlighten me keeping in mind that I use both descriptive number and names hopefully knowing people will know both names are used by the ammo companies.
So the 45 Auto/ACP has a 42.31 percent rating actually.

[dverna]

I picked the .45 ACP as I have shot it the most. I had a Munson tuned Colt SAA revolver in .45LC and Rossi 92 but they are long gone as they did not fit my needs. Nothing "wrong" with the .45LC but the .357 was a better choice for me and the Rossi is not up to a Marlin 1894 IMO.

The .45/70 Pedersoli rifle is also gone.

I gave away one of my Kimbers and am selling the other two as the .45 ACP 1911's lost out to better SD guns. So, in a few months I will not longer have any .45 caliber weapons in my modest armory.

Plinking with pistol caliber carbines is just as effective with the 9mm's and .38/.357's...and less expensive with lighter bullets, cheaper brass, and less powder. If I want to hunt deer/bear with a lever action, I have .30/30's that are better than a .45LC carbine.

Shedding the .45 caliber weapons freed up over $6000 from guns/molds/dies I was not using much and have no need for. I understand the nostalgia of .45's in all their forms. I drank the Kool-Aid too...LOL.

When I decided to get rid of the .45's I had a .44 rifle and three pistols as well, so it made no sense to have both calibers. Now, I am down to one .44 Ruger and it is getting sold as well. Full power .44 Mag loads in a pistol are not fun for me. I know I can download, but then I may as well shoot .38/.357. I am one of those weird guys who does not see what difference caliber makes in plinking and fun shooting...and also prefers loads with less recoil.

The .45 pistol calibers did not fill a niche for me. And the .45 Cal rifles only offered compromise...either a rainbow trajectory or too much recoil. Nice toys...but toys none the less. For SD, I prefer striker fired pistols without safeties and high capacity mags. For deer/bear hunting, the .308 with jacketed bullets does the job out to 300+ yards. Varmint hunting and SHTF rifle needs are addressed with a handful of .223/5.56 rifles. Plinking and fun shooting are by far most of my shooting, and an assortment of .38/.357's, 9mm's, .22 LR and PCP air guns fill that "need".

There is no place for a .45 anything either currently or in my future. That is likely blasphemy on this site...but reality for this old man who travelled the road and has the T-shirt.

[44MAG#1]

In semi-auto calibers the 45 Auto/ACP would be the last to go in my small life.

[DocSavage]

List missed one 45 Auto Rim

[Sig556r]

458 Socom

[cainttype]

450 Bushmaster, 45 Raptor, 460 S&W, 458 Win Mag, 458 Lott, and 458x2” American could be added.

[alamogunr]

I checked .45 Colt but .45 ACP is a close second. There are 3 or 4 others that are distant thirds.

[LenH]

I have been shooting, loading, reloading and casting for .45 Colt for at least 40 years. Being a close second is .45 ACP I shoot it more but still have a fascination with the .45 Colt.

[Tracy]

I chose .45 Colt, and it is my favorite. But other favorites include .45/70, .45 ACP and its high performance iterations, .450 Win Mag (which I've only fired in a revolver) and .454 Casull. I've always thought I would like .458 Win Mag too, but have never owned one.
Not a cartridge, but I'm a fan of .45 muzzleloaders and c&b revolvers, too.

[Walks]

Yep, .45Colt
I still remember firing My Dad's SAA, think I was 4 or 5yrs. I remember His hands wrapped around mine. With that first round I was in Love.
Took Me until 1978 to get my own SAA in .45Colt, worth the wait.

[fredj338]

I like them all but own more 45acp than the others, 45colt a close 2nd.

[vagrantviking]

Surprised no one from the Commonwealth has mentioned the 577-450 yet.
Not going to search one out given the difficulty finding brass but if a nice Martini crosses my path I wouldn't turn it away either.

[Golfswithwolves]

At this time my favorite is the .45 Auto Rim.

[Texas by God]

45 GAP, 45 ACP, .45 Schofield,.45 LC, .454 Casull, .460 S&W, .450 Bush, 45-60 WCF, 45-70 Govt., 450 Marlin, .458 Win, 458 Lott, and .460 Weatherby.
My favorites are the .45 ACP and the .450 Marlin but I'm fond of the original 1873 pair- the .45 LC and 45-70.




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[nhyrum]

There's also 45-90 and 45-110

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[Nobade]

458 Lott and 577-450. Go big or go home!
As for the comment on 45 Colt cases not lasting very long, only size the neck portion. They look like overgrown 44-40s but don't wear out. And anneal properly...

[Baltimoreed]

With my collection of cas rifles, martial revolvers and autos it’s probably a 3 way tie between the 45acp-45colt and 455webley to be totally honest.

[Savvy Jack]

I was hoping I could add more options as we go and allow to select more than one but I don't think it can be done here.
Sorry fellas!

[Snyd]

454 Casull.

[Fitz]

45 Raptor right behind the 45-70 ,if only the 45-70 would chamber in the AR-10

[Texas by God]

Since I must pick one, the .45 ACP. I've been shooting and loading for it for at least 45 years so it must be my favorite forty five.

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[GhostHawk]

It was a close call, but .45 colt came up winner.

That being said I really love my .45acp carbine.

But the .45 colt in my handi rifle is more accurate, has more room for powder.
Poll results thus far pretty much match my feelings.

[almar]

45 colt-->first
45 acp--> second
460 s&w --> third

[jeffsmith13]

45 acp , An iconic all American cartridge designed for an all American gun , the 1911 . I carried it in two deployments and it was the one that started by love of handgun shooting and reloading. The venerable 45/70 is my go to rifle round.

[sharps4590]

45-2.4 (90) and 45 Colt.

[cwlongshot]

Love allot to most of them... 45 Colt is at the top of that list...

But last couple years the 450 Bushmaster in a Bolt gun has been my favorite and go to! Last year assembled a upper too!!

Fun with 400+g Subs or 330g Gould HP and 260g Barned Copper solids @ 2300 fps.

CW

[leadhead]

What's the difference between .45 auto and .45ACP?
Denny

[44MAG#1]

It looks like the 45 Auto has a slight lead over the 45 Colt at 0937 hrs. Eastern time

[Savvy Jack]

What's the difference between .45 auto and .45ACP?
Denny


Firearm - ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
Ammunition - 45 Auto

If someone owns a Glock 1911, they may not want to use Colt's "ACP" terminology.

[Savvy Jack]

It looks like the 45 Auto has a slight lead over the 45 Colt at 0937 hrs. Eastern time

Absolutely!

[44MAG#1]

Now it looks like the 45 Colt has a slight lead on the 45 Auto at 1008 hrs Eastern Time.

[rbuck351]

454 Casull in Rossi 92 followed by 45acp in 2 1911 and one Springfild XDs.

[303hunter]

450 Bushmaster is my #2 choice after 45 Colt.

[downzero]

How did .460 S&W Magnum get overlooked?

[44Blam]

I voted 45-70 because I love that caliber.
But, I got a killer NOE mold for 45 ACP and I have a lot of large pistol primers... So, I recently bought a 1911. It is a sig 1911 - I LOVE this gun. I am shooting it pretty much exclusively. In about 2 months, I've run about 1500 rounds through it. So, 45 ACP might be my new favorite...

[Randy Bohannon]

My intuition from the given list will always have me picking a rifle cartridge over a handgun cartridge as that’s what a hand gun is for to fight your way to your rifle.45-70 does more than any of the others with aplomb.

[LIMPINGJ]

Surprised the Sharps owners haven’t mentioned the 45-2 7/8 aka 45-110.

[Savvy Jack]

Yeah, I failed to add a few more

[Vegas Vince]

Great info! Maybe sometime breaking up for rifle and handgun.
Enjoy the 45 colt in my judge, Hard time picking up Brass off the ground now. I just love being rolled.

[Savvy Jack]

Great info! Maybe sometime breaking up for rifle and handgun.

That is kind of what I am up to......then there is the "pistol caliber" vs "pistol cartridge" and as we all know, the "45 caliber" is not just for pistols. Been trying to get folks to dump that term for years.

[Tracy]

As of right now, .45 Colt is in the lead (pun noted but not intended) with 45 votes! That seemed worthy of comment.

[44MAG#1]

As of right now, .45 Colt is in the lead (pun noted but not intended) with 45 votes! That seemed worthy of comment.

By my figures at 1500 hrs the 45 ACP/AUTO is ahead.

[Snyd]

What's the difference between .45 auto and .45ACP?
Denny

45 Auto is a cartridge. 45 ACP is another one of John Brownings fabulous inventions. The 45 Automatic Colt Pistol. But in our world today 45 Auto, 45 ACP... same thing.

[wc870]

Kinda hard to beat the 45 Colt and the 45-70, they just plain work! I'm a practical kind of guy.

[Savvy Jack]

45 Auto is a cartridge. 45 ACP is.....The 45 Automatic Colt Pistol.

Bingo!

[Stopsign32v]

You haven't lived until you set off a SAA with 250gr of lead ahead of a charge of 38gr FFG. It will immediately give you respect for the cowboys of the 19th century and make you understand why ivory grips were commonly used.

That is a HAND FULL!

[Savvy Jack]

You haven't lived until you set off a SAA with 250gr of lead ahead of a charge of 38gr FFG. It will immediately give you respect for the cowboys of the 19th century and make you understand why ivory grips were commonly used.

That is a HAND FULL!


44-40 200gr, 40gr BP compressed .21"
291390

45 Colt, full BP load
291391

[Stopsign32v]

44-40 200gr, 40gr BP compressed .21"
291390

45 Colt, full BP load
291391

I greatly underestimated it before I lit one off. Ended up with a bloody web of my hand

[Savvy Jack]

I greatly underestimated it before I lit one off. Ended up with a bloody web of my hand

Winchester 1887

291417

[Nobade]

You haven't lived until you set off a SAA with 250gr of lead ahead of a charge of 38gr FFG. It will immediately give you respect for the cowboys of the 19th century and make you understand why ivory grips were commonly used.

That is a HAND FULL!

Some day I'm getting some smooth grips for my SAA. The checkered rubber grips really tear up my hand and make me appreciate the extra 45 ACP cylinder which almost duplicates the 45 Schofield loading. That is far more pleasant to fire.

[David2011]

How do I answer? My favorite is .45 Colt but I shoot far more .45 ACP and I love .45-70 Government. All are well over 100 years old.

[44MAG#1]

How do I answer? My favorite is .45 Colt but I shoot far more .45 ACP and I love .45-70 Government. All are well over 100 years old.
You will have to do soul searching on what is the right thing to do. Life is full of challenging senarios. Doing the right thing will make you feel better. Soul search and ask others that know you through sharing your problem.

[Stopsign32v]

So here's the thing... 45 ACP is just a chubby fat 9mm. Semi auto pistols have no soul either.

Now the 45 Colt is a much better proportionally sized round. Fat but also long and sexy. Single action revolvers have more soul than anything and really require you as a shooter to involve yourself more in the experience.

That is why 45 Colt has to be the best. :p

[dondiego]

What's the difference between .45 auto and .45ACP?
Denny

Yea, I picked 45 auto then saw 45 ACP. They are the same to me.

[Savvy Jack]

Yea, I picked 45 auto then saw 45 ACP. They are the same to me.

Seems to me that if the Colt Model M1873 is a "45 Colt", then the Colt Model M1911 must be a "45 ACP". Sound reasonable?

[Bigslug]

The 1911 pistol has significantly steered the course of my life. Pretty easy to answer this one.

[lead chucker]

I have a Ruger new model black hawk 45 colt with a 45 acp cylinder and the acp cylinder wins every time, love it. I have a Just Right carbine in 45 acp and its a tack driver, love that gun. It feeds any profile boolits i think it would feed empty cases.

[lead chucker]

I have a 1911model 80 series 45 and i dont like it. It will only feed round nose boolits, it is accurate. It james on any other boolit profile.

[Savvy Jack]

Another terminology issue...how about the 45 AC?
For the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun
291685


.45 A.C. headstamp
291686

[GhostHawk]

I like how R80rt said it. "If the first number is 4 and the second number is 5, it's the best cartridge! "

Agree, also interesting that at this point it is a dead heat between .45colt and .45 ACP. But if you add the .45 auto to the ACP it tips the scales!

[Savvy Jack]

But if you add the .45 auto to the ACP it tips the scales! Yes, I did that on purpose but the two must be combined as one

[Baltimoreed]

292229292230
There’s also the .455 Webley Auto Mk1. Rather unattractive auto but it is British.

[GregLaROCHE]

I said 45/70. I would have said 45/90, but I don’t have one yet. I always wish I could get more BP into 45/70s. Surprised 45/70 is number three.

[44MAG#1]

It looks like the 45 Auto/ACP won so far.

[gwpercle]

I had to vote for the 45 acp ... have done way more shooting and reloading with one in both semi-auto pistol (1911's ) and revolvers .
Competed for years in NRA Bullseye Match ( Precision ? ) 3 gun with 22 LR , 38 special and 45 acp .
Loaded lots and lots of 45 target loads and even won a few trophies . My only first place was in 1911 Service Pistol ... the Gold Cup was jealous that my G.I. Service 1911 could shoot so well ... fixed sights and all !
Seems like the 45 Colt & 45 acp are still top dogs in the 45 fight ...interesting !
Gary

[SSGOldfart]

45ACP[smilie=f:

[Riposte1]

Not sure what 45 Colt Government is but 45 Colt will always be the love of my life in cartridges.

I wonder if it does not mean the Government load, which was a 230 gr. cast bullet over 28 gr. of 3FG - as opposed to the Civilian load, which was a 250-255 gr. bullet over 40 gr. of 3FG?

I think the .45 Schofield also had the same load as the "Govt." but the rims were too thick to load 5 in the SAA (I've heard you could load 3 but never tried it myself)

BTW, I really like .45 but my favorite is not on the list: .45 Auto Rim - you can do loads in .45 ACP cases but loaded long they will not fit in the 1911.

Riposte1

[gnappi]

I have several, the .45 Win mag, .45 Colt, .45 ACP. I only load the ACP and Colt now because I traded or sold off my Win mags and haven't replaced them... yet. :-)

[Savvy Jack]

I wonder if it does not mean the Government load, which was a 230 gr. cast bullet over 28 gr. of 3FG - as opposed to the Civilian load, which was a 250-255 gr. bullet over 40 gr. of 3FG?

I think the .45 Schofield also had the same load as the "Govt." but the rims were too thick to load 5 in the SAA (I've heard you could load 3 but never tried it myself)

BTW, I really like .45 but my favorite is not on the list: .45 Auto Rim - you can do loads in .45 ACP cases but loaded long they will not fit in the 1911.

Riposte1

No, the 45 Colt Government in the list is for the legit 45 Colt Government, not the nicknamed cartridges. It used smokeless powder.

See below link to post #11
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?433762-45-Caliber-Cartridges&p=5292155&viewfull=1#post5292155

[Chaparral66]

I cast for 45 ACP

[Tazman1602]

It has been reported that after the 45 Schofield cartridge replaced the 45 Colt cartridge, the 45 Schofield cartridge was referred to as the "45 Colt Government" while being manufactured by Frankford Arsenal. This designation was not noted on Frankford Arsenal's ammunition boxes but was eventually manufactured by Winchester and Peters and noted as such. The headstamps were still 45 Colt but the box call-outs showed the Government name.


A brief history of the 45 Colt Cartridge can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UAaKCmwp_R7J3IfnLogKmx4Mk8E724Blh0OHrfglxgk/edit#gid=884820685

Savvy —- those are really nice examples of 140 year old shell boxes, I’m a 22 collector and to find boxes that old is way unusual! Thank you!

Art

[jonp]

45lc light for coyote or 265gr Linebaugh for everything up to moose. The old round can get it done.

[alamogunr]

45lc light for coyote or 265gr Linebaugh for everything up to moose. The old round can get it done.

What is the 265 gr Linebaugh?

[jonp]

What is the 265 gr Linebaugh?
https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

I've come close to max with some in a long barrel Blackhawk with no evidence of pressure. Primer flattening/run/ piercing, erratic velocity readings etc but am not recommending them to anyone. However, Mr Linebaugh knows more about heavy loads in revolvers than I ever will.

You do you!

[Txcowboy52]

I happen to like the .45 auto rim myself.

[alamogunr]

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

I've come close to max with some in a long barrel Blackhawk with no evidence of pressure. Primer flattening/run/ piercing, erratic velocity readings etc but am not recommending them to anyone. However, Mr Linebaugh knows more about heavy loads in revolvers than I ever will.

You do you!

I thought you were referring to a cast bullet. Thank you for referring me to Linebaugh's site. It has been awhile since I was there and the site has changed since I last visited. His writings have always interested me. I have one Linebaugh gun, a .475 L. I don't shoot it much anymore. I recently loaded some light loads with 400 gr boolits but haven't been to the range so they sit there.

Getting old has its limitations and I'm beginning to recognize mine.

[badguybuster]

45-70....all day, everyday....with a lot of ibuprofin 🤣

[greenjoytj]

Some day I'm getting some smooth grips for my SAA. The checkered rubber grips really tear up my hand...

I installed Hogue brand smooth black linen micarta grip panels on my SASS edition Ruger New Vaquero’s.
The original plastic Ruger grip panels checkering was so sharp and rough I had to buy gloves after only firing it once. I learned why their called cheese grater grips.
The smooth Hogue grips fit perfectly and are great to shoot with a very thin golf glove.
The white golf gloves don’t stay white shooting black powder handloads.

[TMB]

I voted 45 Colt, but I have had 1886 Browning 45/70 that I bought new the longest.

[bubbadoyle]

45 colt is easily my choice.


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[Chaparral66]

Sheesh, there is something other than .45 ACP. Who'd of thunk it.

[Pavia]

You can kill anything on the planet with good 45 Colt load.

[bubbadoyle]

You can kill anything on the planet with good 45 Colt load.

That’s for sure. A stout load of H110 behind a 300 grain bullet in a contender will get your attention in a hurry. My brother gave me all that ammo to shoot in my 454 Casull as it wasn’t comfortable in the contender.


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[DDriller]

.45 acp for pistol and a .458 SOCOM for rifle

[goryshaw]

i think there are 3 45 colt revolvers and 1 lever action in my stash compared to 2 handguns in 45 acp and 3 rifles in 45 70 (1 falling block 2 1895 Marlin) so my mind is made up for the old colt 30 yrs ago.

[veeman]

3 45 Colt's, 2 of which have the extra ACP cylinder
2 45 ACP
2 45/70's
1 45/75

[35 Rem]

I chose the 45 Colt. I have two Uberti SAA clones chambered for it. The Colt SAA is one of the most beautiful devices ever created by man. No semi-auto can compare as far as the fun factor goes. Maybe I'm biased since I never go more than a couple days without watching an old Western.

I also have a couple of the Argentine 1911 copies in 45ACP that I enjoy shooting but like any semi-auto, there is the extra pain of having to look all over creation for your brass once you are done shooting. OF course you can always throw down a tarp and stand on it while shooting to make brass retrieval easier the the single action revolver tops any semi-auto in my book for enjoyment.

[santareg]

My preference and needs are the 45 Auto Rim, now if I could just find LP Primers and some brass!

[murf205]

[
QUOTE=Txcowboy52;5327322]I happen to like the .45 auto rim myself.[/QUOTE]

I'll second that one

[Savvy Jack]

With this poll you will notice at least two things.

There is no "45lc" and due to the 45-70, the ".45 caliber bullet" is not a "pistol caliber"!

[44MAG#1]

With this poll you will notice at least two things.

There is no "45lc" and due to the 45-70, the ".45 caliber bullet" is not a "pistol caliber"!

I have a BFR revolver in 45/70. Does that make it a revolver firing a rifle cartridge or does that make it a rifle and handgun cartridge?
I also have Encore frames that I have rifle cartridges chambered in handgun barrel length barrels.
The BFR with a 515 grain at 1450 is nice. Course it is a slight handful.

[Savvy Jack]

I have a BFR revolver in 45/70. Does that make it a revolver firing a rifle cartridge or does that make it a rifle and handgun cartridge?
I also have Encore frames that I have rifle cartridges chambered in handgun barrel length barrels.
The BFR with a 515 grain at 1450 is nice. Course it is a slight handful.

It means that whatever the cartridge was designed for is what it is.....but can be used in other firearms.

Just because it can be used in a pistol revolver doesn't make it a pistol cartridge. A .30 Carbine has been chambered in a revolver, does that make it a pistol cartridge?

[44MAG#1]

It means that whatever the cartridge was designed for is what it is.....but can be used in other firearms.

Just because it can be used in a pistol revolver doesn't make it a pistol cartridge. A .30 Carbine has been chambered in a revolver, does that make it a pistol cartridge?

Well,. While it is being fired in a handgun could it be called a handgun cartridge? I have 45/70 rifles too. There it could be called a rifle cartridge. Could the 44 Mag be called a rifle cartridge if it is being fired in a rifle?

[Savvy Jack]

Well,. While it is being fired in a handgun could it be called a handgun cartridge? I have 45/70 rifles too. There it could be called a rifle cartridge. Could the 44 Mag be called a rifle cartridge if it is being fired in a rifle?

If it is a rifle cartridge, it is a rifle cartridge that can be used in a handgun....or a tank, whichever you decide to argue.

If I have a pistol chambered in .308, is it a pistol cartridge? No, it is a rifle cartridge that is being used in a pistol.

I am at work and have nothing better to do but reply all day long....or at least until 6pm

[44MAG#1]

If it is a rifle cartridge, it is a rifle cartridge that can be used in a handgun....or a tank, whichever you decide to argue.

If I have a pistol chambered in .308, is it a pistol cartridge? No, it is a rifle cartridge that is being used in a pistol.

I am at work and have nothing better to do but reply all day long....or at least until 6pm

What if one calls a rifle cartridge/Handgun a "rifgun" cartridge?
Just having some jocularity on a nice Sunday morning. None of this really matters. You know that. My wife calls me nutjob but that really isn't my name.

[AZ Pete]

thought it was a pifle

[Dekota56]

I shoot both and load both in hollow point the 45-70 And the 45 Acp

[farmbif]

the only bullets that go through my 45 colt are ones I cast myself

[Daekar]

What if one calls a rifle cartridge/Handgun a "rifgun" cartridge?
Just having some jocularity on a nice Sunday morning. None of this really matters. You know that. My wife calls me nutjob but that really isn't my name.

You know, the more I learn about cartridges and the more I experiment with different powders and bullets in them, the more I think that designation as a rifle or pistol cartridge is pretty meaningless, sort of a relic of an old way of thinking about things - or at least, it's an artifact of a time when almost everyone was stuck using factory ammo with factory powder and bullet selections.

If a distinction must be made, I feel like the most useful one is straightwall VS bottleneck cartridges, because that actually tells you something about how the cartridge functions and what kind of powder might be appropriate in it. Only to an extent though, the barrel length really should be considered when choosing a powder.

I'm biased though, I mostly shoot the same two cartridges in both rifles and pistols: 22LR and 357mag.

[Darklin]

I like the 460 since you can shoot 45 LC, 454 Casull and 460. Covers the power bases in 45 calibers..

[oldbear1950]

I have three of those 45 calibers as favorites. Among revolvers is 1st , last, and always 45 colt. My two granddads told me was no such thing as 45 long colt. Is strictly 45 colt. They both carried that caliber as law enforcement folks for a lot of years. I am originally from Oklahoma, and one was a town marshall, carried an old SMITH 1917 in 45 colt, before smith had model numbers.
The other carried an old SAA colt, for about 20 years as a county deputy, and sheriff.
I went into the ARMY reserves at 17 1/2 with my moms permission, transition over to full time COAST GUARD, and carried a 1911 for 20 years, and had my own for about 30 years. I am now 71 and 1/2. My favorite rifle of all time, a Marlin 1895 45-70. I have a Henry Lever 45-70, and an old H & R single shot shikari 45-70. I also have an AR - 10 308, and a bolt , left handed ruger, 30-06.
Load for all of them.

[smoked turkey]

the 45-70 is one of the best do it all cartridges in existence IMO.

[Stopsign32v]

the 45-70 is one of the best do it all cartridges in existence IMO.

I'd have to agree with that

[flint45]

.45 auto rim to me is no.1 no. .45 colt .45 auto .45-70govt.

[firefly1957]

Like many others I shoot 45 ACP and 45-70 Both are great rounds I have 4 45 acp guns and two 45-70 .
I have one EDC Sig P-245 that only carries factory +P ammo for legal reasons . I rarely use a Sig P-220 imported as a Browning BDA it shoot jacketed bullets great but with a .453" groove depth and a tight chamber is poor with cast bullets . Both my 1911 and High point Carbine get a steady diet of cast bullets .

I also have two 45-70 rifles a Springfield model 1884 made in 1889 and a Marlin 1895 both get very different loads but both are set up for cast bullets .

[hawkeye1]

My most reloaded is 45 Colt, followed by 45acp, 454 Casull and 45-70. With cast bullets of course.

[MSGuy]

Because I shoot CAS and I’m a BP fanatic all my lever guns are .45C. With pistols it’s another story, the ones I shoot the most are .44 cap and ball, followed by .45C and .45ACP respectively. In the last year I’ve started shooting BPCR long range using the .45-70 and I love it. Did I mention that I love BP??:D

[groundpounder]

I voted 45 acp but really am staring to enjoy the 45 Rim a little more as I don’t have to retrieve them.

[dtknowles]

The only 45 cartridge gun I have is a 450 BPE, I voted other. I have a Ruger Old Army but that is not a cartridge. I also shoot 45's in sabots in my 50 cal muzzle loaders.

Tim

[Boogan1]

I shoot cowboy action and wild bunch so 45 colt and 45 acp for me.

[fallingblock]

I load 45colt, 45acp, and 45-70.

[challenger_i]

45 Colt, 45 Smith & Wesson, 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim, 45 Cowboy Special. Now ya'll know what my sidearm arsenal looks like! :)
Oh! And 454 Casull makes dandy shot shells for 45 Colt! :)

[Big Dangle]

Always loved the .45 acp. Then I got a .45 colt and was hooked to my new favorite!

[Saxon]

45 acp and 45 colt for ruger loads, dirty harry lied lol

[huntinlever]

45 colt and 45-70. And a good hat.

[LAH]

I load 45colt, 45acp, and 45-70 also. Shoot more ACP than the others but have spent much time with all.