.45 Colt Ruger & T/C Contender Only (ACCURATE ARMS)

Powder: AA9
Bullet: 265 CP WFNGC(L)
Start: 15.8 gr. 998 fps
Max: 17.5 ___1,134 FPS ____19,300 PSI____1.650 OAL

This .45 Colt data was taken directly from the Western/Accurate Arms loading data listed under Ruger loads only.

However, this same gun is available in .45ACP which has standard pressure of 21,000psi and a +P rating of 23,000 psi.

If a USFA Single Action can take factory .45 ACP pressures then the same gun in .45 Colt should easily handle loads at 20,000 psi.

Any flaws in this approach?

Well some of the Ruger/contender loads can go as high as 30,000 psi. Those might be little stout for that frame/cylinder?

Because one version of that revolver is built for higher pressures I wouldn't assume the other model is. It may be perfectly safe right up to the time it blows up. What does your owners manual say? Perhaps you might contact the maker and see what they say.

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Bob from Idaho

faucettb:

I realize some .45 loads for use in large frame Ruger revovers can reach 30,000 psi. I am not addressing those. Loads that develop the same pressure as the extra cylinder .45 ACP loads develop. Same gun, same cylinder diameter, etc. The performance package at 19,000 psi is substantially better than at 14,000 psi. Even the low pressure factory loads are considered overpressure for any of the early iron frame Colt SAA revolvers.

So the question boils down to: Can the .45 colt cylinder take the same pressure as the spare .45 ACP cylinder in the same gun?

Well, the .45 Colt case is larger in diameter than the .45 ACP case, particularly if it's cut to the old tapered specs. You're looking at .0058" difference. So the cylinder walls are thinner if the O.D. of the cylinders are the same.

.45 Colt chamber specs: http://www.leverguns.com/dimensions/images/45colt.jpg

.45 ACP chamber specs: http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=14572

Bye
Jack

Ralph, the Speer #12 shows a 250gr. SWC at 1028 fps, from a 6" barrel, using 12.9 grains of Blue Dot and a CCI 300 primer.

That's still under SAAMI spec of 14,000 CUP and frankly, all I'd want to shoot in a Colt. I've shot loads with similar ballistics in a modern Smith (25-2? 25-5? forget the model number) and they weren't fun.

Brian Pierce wrote an arcticle in Handloader / Rifle suggesting the SAAs in good condition could take same pressures as .45 ACP, but unless you have that article not sure where you'll find the load data.

Anyway a 250gr. bullet at 1,000fps isn't anything to sneeze at. That's what I'd use in an SAA or copy.

Best of luck.

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MikeG

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...246partial.pdf

I found this article on line by Brian Pearce.

Hey thanks Ralph I bet that will be helpful information to a lot of people.

The 20,000 PSI loads are sure going to get your attention in a single-action Colt or copy.

Wonder if he had any trouble with the sights regulating?

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MikeG

Yea I'd stick to loads at or around 1000 fps in any SAA Colt! Why beat yourself/SAA Colt -up !! That gun might be of new metal but it's an old design! Just like the '73 levers -they are still weak actions!! But if you want to shot it loose have a nut!!

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Gunnt45/454-One shot ! One kill!