Hot 45 Colt+P Loads in BFR or Ruger 454 Casull

No reason why one couldn't do that. Those revolvers mentioned will just laugh off your 45 Colt+P rounds. However, it might beg the question as to why not just buy 454 Casull cases and download them to Colt 45+P pressures.

Beng a 45 Colt aficionado with many years loading in many different firearms I can't for the life of me come up with any reason not to....

The only issue you might have is leading or fouling ahead of the 45-length cases that might prevent you inserting .454 cases until you clean the cylinder really well. This can sometimes happen when people shoot a lot of .38 Specials out of .357 cylinders. But it's easily rectified.

Like 1KPerDay said, clean your cylinders well after shooting the shorter rounds.
Do that, and there is no reason not to do it.

Leading/carbon fouling is the only negative I see. But if you're versed in keeping a 357mag running while going between 357's and 38's, you shouldn't have any trouble.

1KPerDay said:

The only issue you might have is leading or fouling ahead of the 45-length cases that might prevent you inserting .454 cases until you clean the cylinder really well.

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Another concern is a possible lack of accuracy because of the bullet jump. Possible, I say...I shoot 40S&W in my 10mm with great satisfaction. On the other hand, in my 460V, I shoot only 460S&W because I have many other options if I want to shoot something milder.

I have both a BFR and a Raging Bull in 454 and shoot both a lot with 45 Colt loads. 345s at 1250 fps are really comfortable in those heavier revolvers, and they can take those loads all the time with no strain. Plus, with near 100% load density, they are very consistent.

Just to expand the conversation, what about hot loads in a Colt Anaconda chambered in 45 Colt? They were made in 44 Magnum too, so the Ruger and Contender only loads would be OK in the Anaconda?

I never could see why not for upping .45 Colt rounds for newer guns, since the original loading were designed to be safe in the old guns. What I never could see the point of is using these in a gun that is made for larger. For those who have a 454, and they roll, why? Why not just tailor the .454 rounds to what you want? Would seem to me to be the same as taking a .44 mag, then uploading .44 special brass since the gun could of course eat it all day but, why? Unless maybe there was just no brass to be had in the larger so shooter could not find any maybe.

Pivot Dr said:

Just to expand the conversation, what about hot loads in a Colt Anaconda chambered in 45 Colt? They were made in 44 Magnum too, so the Ruger and Contender only loads would be OK in the Anaconda?

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This is a dangerous line of thinking.

Pivot Dr said:

Just to expand the conversation, what about hot loads in a Colt Anaconda chambered in 45 Colt? They were made in 44 Magnum too, so the Ruger and Contender only loads would be OK in the Anaconda?

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Kind of depends on what you mean "work". Would they blow the gun? No. Would they shorten the VERY expensive guns life? Yes. Anyone who has one of these Colts can certainly afford to buy a .44 Mag. So if it was me? Rather than beat hell out a VERY nice gun, I would buy a .44 Mag if I want to shoot .44 mag, or a .454.

sparkyv said:

Another concern is a possible lack of accuracy because of the bullet jump. Possible, I say...I shoot 40S&W in my 10mm with great satisfaction. On the other hand, in my 460V, I shoot only 460S&W because I have many other options if I want to shoot something milder.

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The jump isn’t significant enough to affect accuracy in my experience. Some of the best groups I’ve squeezed out of my .454 Bisley were produced by hot .45 Colt ammo.

Alex Clayton said:

Kind of depends on what you mean "work". Would they blow the gun? No. Would they shorten the VERY expensive guns life? Yes. Anyone who has one of these Colts can certainly afford to buy a .44 Mag. So if it was me? Rather than beat hell out a VERY nice gun, I would buy a .44 Mag if I want to shoot .44 mag, or a .454.

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That’s true, I can surely afford another 44 magnum, or. 454 or 460, and I have 4 other 45 Colts, 1 short barrel Ruger Blackhawk, 2 Ruger Bisleys, and a long barreled New style Vaquero. My understanding is the new style Vaquero is a bit on the weak side too. It doesn’t seem to be near the first pattern Vaquero I used to have or the Blackhawk and Bisleys. The cylinder is shorter and appears to be somewhat smaller in dia. Point of interest, my first Vaquero was about minute of 55 gal barrel at 50 yards off bags and bench. And that valuable Anaconda was a good investment, if it were for sale. It’s been a few years back, but I reluctantly gave $425 for it, not knowing what I’d do with it, still rarely shoot it. I really have no need for a hot-rod pistol but it is kind of fun shooting a dueling tree or hostage target with one against someone shooting their ultra powerful 9! My other handguns, a Trooper MkIII, 3 40s and 6 45 ACPs (among other Misc. 38, 380s 9 luger, 9 Makarovs, and multiple barrels for my Contender) cover my needs quite well. Mostly find it a PITA keeping loaded ammo for my 45 Colts segregated. I already had to reseat several hundred bullets to chamber in my Vaquero. So if I load any hot loads I better make sure they only find their way into the Blackhawk and Bisleys. Probably ought to color the base and primer with a red Sharpie, that would be quite noticeable loading a revolver. Thanks for your insight, thought provoking. There’s a Smith 460 S&W in the gun counter at a LGS, maybe he’d trade for a sweet but excess top single Classic Doubles Trap Gun? Do I really need a 460?

Pivot Dr said:

Do I really need a 460?

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Yes.

Yes you do.

Do I really need a 460?

Couldn't pass this up, about 10 years ago.

Mine has brought me great enjoyment. Another vote in the positive.

Pivot Dr said:

Do I really need a 460?

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I was hardly ever shooting this for years due to health so I traded it for a 1927 A1 that I'll probably hardly ever shoot.

I probably ought to go take a closer look at it tomorrow! I really don’t need that trap gun, I have 2 others, one is a combo. Do I need 3 of them?

Well, just an update, the local gun shop is the proud owner of a trap gun and I have the 8” barreled 460 S&W. My sons love it already!