.45 Long Colt/Cowboy Action

[Bandit01]

Help me before I blow my hand up.

I want to purchase the old Ruger "Vaquero" .45 Colt. Now when you go to the Hodgdon website for data, .45 Colt is listed in both the Pistol section and Cowboy action section. Why is this? What's the difference? The data is even different. I hope my question is understandable. Again, I don't want an accident on the range.

 

[Jim Watson]

"Cowboy" loads are low powered, usually a lighter than standard bullet at lower than standard velocity. The targets are close and all you have to do is make them Bong! Best not to go below the starting load in the Cowboy section, it is as light as will burn the powder at all uniformly.

 

[redneck2]

Just a guess, but I suspect some of the guns, particularly some of the Italian replicas do not have near the strength of the Ruger. I have a Ruger Bisley in 45LC. I've used loads that exceed .44 mag. These would destroy some guns and are way too much for playing cowperson and native american.

 

[griz]

Jim nailed it. Cowboy loads MUST use all lead bullets and are on the bottom of the power scale. They even have a maximum velocity of 1000 FPS, but usually that isn't a concern for 45's. Use either data, just don't use a jacketed bullet with the already reduced cowboy charges.