Taurus Gaucho + Double Tap ammo

[bsparker]

A number of years ago I inherited a Taurus Gaucho 45lc SAA clone. I love shooting it, have used mainly cowboy loads. I want to make sure the Gaucho will hold up to what I want to try her for. I am interested in carrying it as a woods gun, backup or close range (30yrds) whitetail hunting. I know to stay away from +p ammo in this revolver but am looking for ammo close to 1000fps and 500lbs/ft. I tested the Hornady LeveRevolution 225gr but was not that impressed with power/penetration. I also tried Double Tap 255gr Keith SWC Hard Cast. I liked this load, had a kick and great penetration. Haven't yet tried Buffalo Bore standard pressure loads.

Question is, how will the Gaucho hold up to shooting 255gr hard cast? Has anyone shot 100 or so of these rounds (Double Tap, Hornady LeveRevolution or Buffalo Bore) through the Gaucho?

I've read some people having issue with small parts on the Gaucho, but I've had none so far and don't want to mess up a beautiful gun with some family nostalgia. Thoughts and recommendations welcome. Thanks

 

[zanders]

Okay, so assuming that your Gaucho can only handle SAAMI pressures (my guess seeing you said it's a SAA clone) your goals might be mutually exclusive.

The 500 ft/lbs 1000 fps ammo you want is possible, but it looks to be mainly in lighter bullets.

On the other hand you can also shoot 255gr SWC at standard pressure and pull off about 450 ft/lbs at lower 900's fps (7 1/2 in barrel), which might be close enough for you.

I haven't shot these out of that particular gun, but these are all standard pressure load data from Lyman 50 so they would be within SAAMI pressure which is acceptable to shoot out of the original 45 Colt guns.

As far as buffalo bore, I know they make standard pressure 45 Colt rounds and I'd hazard a guess that they ride the line as far as SAAMI pressures so maybe avoid shooting them like practice ammo and you should be alright.

 

[zanders]

Oops, I stand corrected. They manage to get up into the 500 ft/lb range at 255gr.

Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=7

 

[35 Whelen]

Having shot a handful of deer and a hog with .44 Specials and 45 Colts, I'd advise you stay with SWC style bullets. I've killed a couple with HP's, and while the deer died without complaint, I wasn't impressed with penetration. Most of these have been killed with 255-260 gr. SWC's with a muzzle velocity from 935-950 fps, and I've yet to recover a bullet, except for the HP's.

As far as the revolver holding up to 100 or so of the loads, I wouldn't worry about it in the least. A 250-255 gr. bullet running 1,000 fps isn't far at all from the ballistics of the original black powder load.

35W

 

[Sistema1927]

For all of the bad press, the Taurus Gauchos (a pair) that I own have proved to be fairly robust. I would have no problems shooting any volume of SAAMI rated ammo through either one of them.

At the same time, big slow bullets are quite capable, and there is no reason to "hot rod" .45 Colt. I have loaded up many "Ruger only" loads for my Blackhawks only to come to the realization that I have been beating myself up for very little gain in performance.