45 Colt ,452and.454 dia
- Thread starter bossman
- Start date
Primers and powder changes make more of a difference over my chronograph screens that the difference between .452 and .454 diameter bullets.
I can’t tell any change in point of impact, leading, etc.
As I have a few older 45 caliber pistols that require the larger bullet diameter, as those things have huge chamber mouths, I decided to go all .454 bullets. These shoot very well in S&W’s, Rugers, and my Rodeo.
5" M25-7
255 LSWC (.452") 8.5 grain Unique lot UN331 WLP (nickle) primers
2-Sep-90 T ≈ 92 ° F
Ave Vel = 859
Std Dev = 56
ES = 172
Low = 780
High = 952
N = 6
255 LSWC (.454") 8.5 grain Unique lot UN331 WLP (nickle) primers
2-Sep-90 T ≈ 92 ° F
Ave Vel = 867
Std Dev = 61
ES = 161
Low = 791
High = 952
N = 6
5 1/2" USFA Rodeo
250 LRN (.452") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, CCI300 primers
12-May-02 T = 80°F
Ave Vel = 855
Std Dev = 16
ES = 59.91
High = 885.4
Low = 825.5
Number Shots 12
255 LSWC (.454") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, WLP primers
12-May-02 T = 84°F
Ave Vel = 844
Std Dev = 33
ES = 117.8
High = 907.6
Low = 789.8
Number Shots 12
I can’t tell any change in point of impact, leading, etc.
As I have a few older 45 caliber pistols that require the larger bullet diameter, as those things have huge chamber mouths, I decided to go all .454 bullets. These shoot very well in S&W’s, Rugers, and my Rodeo.
5" M25-7
255 LSWC (.452") 8.5 grain Unique lot UN331 WLP (nickle) primers
2-Sep-90 T ≈ 92 ° F
Ave Vel = 859
Std Dev = 56
ES = 172
Low = 780
High = 952
N = 6
255 LSWC (.454") 8.5 grain Unique lot UN331 WLP (nickle) primers
2-Sep-90 T ≈ 92 ° F
Ave Vel = 867
Std Dev = 61
ES = 161
Low = 791
High = 952
N = 6
5 1/2" USFA Rodeo
250 LRN (.452") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, CCI300 primers
12-May-02 T = 80°F
Ave Vel = 855
Std Dev = 16
ES = 59.91
High = 885.4
Low = 825.5
Number Shots 12
255 LSWC (.454") 8.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P cases, WLP primers
12-May-02 T = 84°F
Ave Vel = 844
Std Dev = 33
ES = 117.8
High = 907.6
Low = 789.8
Number Shots 12
Hey, thanks Slamfire that's a lot of good info. I was thinking of the Hornady cowboy swaged lead bullet and the .454 dia just made me want to check and see if it would work with my .45 colt. Looks like it would be a really good bullet as I use the Hornady swaged for my .38 already.
SwampYankee
New member
I typically use a similar load but go with 8.0 grains of Unique, instead of 8.5 with the same bullet.
The last time I ran .45 LC and the Chronometer I was using my 4" Redhawk with the following load:
Caliber: .45 LC
Charge: 6.5 gr Solo 1250
Bullet: 255 gr RNL .452 S&S Casting
Primer: CCI 350
Velocity: 614 fps (6.3 SD)
Primer: CCI 300
Velocity: 599 fps (26.4 SD)
It had pretty poor accuracy but no recoil at all.
I'd probably get more accuracy out of this, my 6" Model 25-5.
The last time I ran .45 LC and the Chronometer I was using my 4" Redhawk with the following load:
Caliber: .45 LC
Charge: 6.5 gr Solo 1250
Bullet: 255 gr RNL .452 S&S Casting
Primer: CCI 350
Velocity: 614 fps (6.3 SD)
Primer: CCI 300
Velocity: 599 fps (26.4 SD)
It had pretty poor accuracy but no recoil at all.
I'd probably get more accuracy out of this, my 6" Model 25-5.
Ole 5 hole group
New member
Measure your cylinder throats – if they measure 452 or 453 then the 452 is the proper sized bullet. If your throats are 454 to 456 then the 454 bullet should be used.
Utilizing a 454 sized bullet in a revolver with 452 throats is sorta counterproductive, as your cylinder throats will resize your 454 bullet down to 452. Doesn't hurt anything except maybe accuracy.
Utilizing a 454 sized bullet in a revolver with 452 throats is sorta counterproductive, as your cylinder throats will resize your 454 bullet down to 452. Doesn't hurt anything except maybe accuracy.