Self defense ammo for a 45 LC Colt Cowboy

[Terry Mulligan]

Assuming most of my range shooting is standard cowboy loads, what do folks think would be good self defense ammo that a modern 45 LC Colt Cowboy revolver could handle?

 

[gwalchmai]

250gr LSWC over 8.5gr of Unique. The gun will handle more but anybody that won't kill ain't meant to be killed.

 

[BobWright]

I have been shooting the 250 gr. Hornady JHP loaded with 10.5 grs. HS-6 which I believe is around 950 f.p.s.

This has proven to be very accurate and a good load for me. Not yet using the .45 Colt yet, still on the .44 Special.

Bob Wright

 

[DPris]

You'd need to define "standard cowboy loads" & "modern .45 LC Cowboy revolver".
Denis

 

[TruthTellers]

Federal 225 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow point. 830 fps, not sure what barrel length, but it's probably from a 5.5" barrel

https://www.slickguns.com/search/apachesolr_search/029465093099

 

[BobWright]

Dpris said:

You'd need to define "standard cowboy loads" & "modern .45 LC Cowboy revolver".
Denis

Standard Cowboy loads are revolver cartridges loaded with lead bullets to lower pressures and velocities than commercial ammunition of SAAMI standards. The governing body of the Cowboy Action Society sets standards that are safe to use yet powerful enough to knock over steel targets. This to mimic the blackpowder ammunition of the past.

And modern Cowboy guns are those accepted by that Society as being authentic, or nearly so, for the time period, though modern made replicas.

Each organization has its own standards regarding specific bullet weight and muzzle velocity. The idea is to sort of level the playing field.


Bob Wright

 

[DPris]

Jeepers, Bob, do I look that green?
Knew that.
I was saying HE'D have to define what HE meant by those terms.

To the un-initiated a cowboy load could be anything that's lead.
To the uninitiated a modern cowboy gun could be anything from a Colt to a Ruger to a Uberti.
Denis

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

He said '45 LC Colt Cowboy revolver'.

The Colt Cowboy was a single action revolver that Colt introduced in 1998 to compete with the Ruger Vaquero.

Nowhere near as expensive as the real Single Action Army, and like the Ruger it had a transfer bar to make it safe to carry the cylinder fully loaded. When it was initially offered, there were quality problems and it quickly got a bad reputation in Cowboy Action Shooting circles. Colt did clean up the Cowboy's act, but the bad reputation it had gotten killed it and Colt only produced it for a few years.

I had a chance to shoot one a number of years ago. It behaved fine and did not seem to deserve the bad reputation.

The Colt Cowboy was capable of digesting SAAMI max 14,000 psi loads. Any commercial 45 Colt load should be fine in it. If you go to Buffalo Bore ammo, be sure to read on their web site exactly which ammo is OK for modern guns such as the Single Action Army or Italian replicas, and which ammo is not.

 

[DPris]

If that's what he actually meant.


Denis

 

[rcmodel]

I have only closely looked at one Colt Cowboy.

It you held it up to the light just right, you could 'See the Light My Brother's'!!

Right through the cracks between the frame and the grip frame.

It was the worst example of any SAA clone I have ever seen in my life!!

I hope that's not what he has!!

rc

 

[9mmfan]

250gr LSWC over 8.5gr of Unique. The gun will handle more but anybody that won't kill ain't meant to be killed.

What this cat said. Just don't miss...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since this post is in the revolver forum and not the reloader forum I'm guessing the OP is looking to buy factory SD 45 Colt ammo. In that case I have shot the Winchester 225gr Silvertip ammo in several Colt SAA revolvers and it was very accurate. That bullet along with the Golden Saber were the Chevy and Ford pick us of the SD world before all the new and expensive designer ammo showed up. I really like the Silvertip bullet!
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...lt-long-colt-225-grain-silvertip-hollow-point

 

[Terry Mulligan]

Sorry my post was unclear to some. Driftwood Johnson and BobWright understood it perfectly. I am talking about the "Colt Cowboy" revolver (5.5" barrel) and was referring to the low pressure/velocity loads used for Cowboy Action shooting events. I currently otherwise use the the Winchester 225 gr Silvertips. Thanks guys!

 

[Terry Mulligan]

And I do appreciate the handload suggestions!

 

[ACP]

Terry, I think you're on the right track with those Silvertips. I have used them in my gen III SA in .45 Colt and they are both controllable and accurate. A bit pricey, though. That's why my next handloading caliber will likely be .45 Colt!

 

[mavracer]

250gr Speer golddots performs better than both the Federal LSWCHP and the silvertip.

 

[eldon519]

Speer Gold Dots.

 

[DPris]

The Silvertips & Gold Dots are both accurate loads and relatively mild in the .45 Colt caliber.

Both bullets are good performers in a self-defense role, and the Colt Cowboy can easily handle them.

The Federal 225 lead HP is another.
Denis

 

[Bama Drifter]

I'd call any .45 Colt (non-SASS load) SAAMI spec load a great defensive load. This argument to me is like trying to pick which .45ACP hollow point to go with... any of the above will work splendidly as a man-stopper. Function test 100 rds and call it done!

 

[Panzerschwein]

A full wadcutter round over even a modest powder charge will produce telling results on man or beast for the purposes of defense.

Unlike a rounded-nose bullet, the wadcutter will punch through flesh like a cookie cutter. They are truly devastating, and since it starts out as a .45 caliber hole, no hollow point is necessary.

 

[eldon519]

The .45 Colt may not NEED expansion, but that is not to say that bullet expansion is not beneficial. The Golddots open up quite well and still get excellent penetration.