BuffaloBore .45 ACP +P 255 gr. Hard Cast FN

[kup9984]

Is this a reliable caliber? Has anyone shot it? What were your thoughts on it if you have? I'm interested to know anything about this round... might be interested in using it as a woods round.
Thanks.

 

[jpwilly]

Looks pretty stout!

45ACP+P ammo is externally/dimensionally identical to 45 ACP ammo and can be fired in any 45 acp firearm that is in normal operating condition. However, the greater pressures and power of the +P ammo will give you greater slide velocity and if you are going to shoot more than a box or two of +P ammo, you should consider replacing your recoil spring with a Wolf Spring that gives roughly 4 to 6 lbs more spring weight than factory stock springs. A shock buffer might also be a good addition although it is not too necessary if you use the stronger spring.


The below velocities were fired from my personal Colt Gold Cup 1911 (5 inch)


1. 45185-----------1180 fps (185gr. Jhp)
2. 45200-----------1078 fps (200gr. Jhp)
3. 45230------------979 fps (230gr. Jhp)
4. 45230FMJ------981 fps (230gr. Fmj-FLAT NOSE)
5. 45255------------960 fps (255gr. HARD CAST-FLAT NOSE)


As always, with Buffalo Bore Ammunition, we use real world firearms to give real world data and results. Laboratory test barrels tell you little about what kind of speed you can expect from your stock firearm.

All our 45 ACP+P loads utilize flash suppressed powders so that you will not be blinded by your own gunfire should you need to fire in the dark when the criminal element is at work.

 

[kup9984]

That's what I thought too and I'm trying to decide if this will be just as good for woods carry as a 10mm would be, because I'm really not interested in carrying a 10mm for concealed carry and want to get 2 birds with 1 stone... ya know? Either way I will be purchasing the exact same size gun so it's really just caliber I'm trying to get figured out now...

 

[NG VI]

Well, compared to 10mm, the ten can push a 180 grain bullet with about the same sectional density as the 230 .45 bullet faster than the .45 can push its less dense 185, but that 255 would be great for using if you'll be deep in the woods and catch the wrong end of some toothy animal, and have one pistol for woods and ordinary carry.

I think it's a go, it would be a bear to shoot out of something little like a Kahr PM45 though.

 

[Magnumite]

For reference, the standard load for the 10mm Auto cartridge is a 200 grain bullet at 1300 fps. The +P 45 ACP listed for that weight is going 1078 fps.

In comparisons of power factors and muzzle energy, the 10mm has more impressive numbers.

You're asking is the 45 ACP 255 gr +P acceptable as a woods round. I'd say yes for anything smaller than bear. I'd just steer clear of bear. I know a guy who harvested a whitetail with the 45 ACP 230grain ball round. Bullet went clean through the deer. This was in the days when the deer were checked in at checking stations. He told the ranger he hit it with a 30-06. The ranger believed it.

I'd say it is adequate.

 

[NG VI]

Must not have looked too close, or it must have taken some rib with on the way out.

 

[kup9984]

What would you say about this quote I pulled from BuffaloBore's site describing this cartridge?
"... the two non-expanding loads are designed to shoot through large shoulder bones or the skull on a black bear..."
Is that an accurate statement or something I shouldn't place too much stock in, if I ever stumbled across a black bear in the woods?

 

[NG VI]

I wouldn't count on it, partly because bear skulls are very tough and slope quite a bit towards the front, a natural enemy to successful projectile penetration. But if any load out of a .45 ACP would be able to get through a bear skull, I think that 255+P would be it.


Bears scare me, they're natural born tanks.