Talk me out of it (or not)

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I suppose it’s relative. You can reload for less than half that cost. Everyone had to decide how they spend their resources. ;)
 
aaaaa said:
Well is $35 a box of 50 expensive? I use this for my range ammo.
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Not as expensive as I thought, but I think I can reload for half that or less, once I get the dies & some brass. Might be worth buying a coupla boxes just to have something to shoot initially and for the brass.

Does that company use new brass all the time? I noticed one comment that said: "new brass", which makes me think the rest of it is reloaded. That's fine to shoot once, but as a reloader, I'd rather have new brass.
 
45 Colt is such a low pressure round that the brass can reused multiple times. I have never had a case crack or show any signs of fatigue and no change in performance. I do inspect every one before reloading it. That said, I don’t load them up heavy. I worked up a load to mimic the original using a 250 gr cowboy bullet at 900 fps and they are excellent in both pistols and rifles. I have lots of new casings, but typically use the spent ones. Not nearly as pretty as new casings, but the bang is identical.

I use Starline brass exclusively.
 
Smaug said:
Not as expensive as I thought, but I think I can reload for half that or less, once I get the dies & some brass. Might be worth buying a coupla boxes just to have something to shoot initially and for the brass.

Does that company use new brass all the time? I noticed one comment that said: "new brass", which makes me think the rest of it is reloaded. That's fine to shoot once, but as a reloader, I'd rather have new brass.
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Looks like all the variations on .45 Colt say New Brass. You can always email him with any questions. Also LEO, 1st Responders, and veterans get free shipping:
For Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces (DD-214), and Active Duty Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and First Responders get free shipping, up to $30. Drop us a note at 'Contact Us' below for details.
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Also, in light of Griffen's post above, the 190 grain cowboy loads at Cavalry Ammunition are really soft shooting. I could shoot them all day in my Derringer.
 
Not sure where the idea comes from that says the original BP loading for the 45 Colt produced 1000+ velocities. The 1873 specification for the original issued cartridge (before Ordnance started castrating the performance) was 255g RNFP in front of 40g of BP which delivered 910 fps from the 7 1/2" barreled Single Action Army pistol. Even though the military started loading the 45 Colt down and eventually went to the 45 S&W cartridge (230g over 28g of BP) the civilian market still offered the full power, black powder 45 Colt into the early 20tyh Century.

Dave
 
Dave T said:
Not sure where the idea comes from that says the original BP loading for the 45 Colt produced 1000+ velocities. The 1873 specification for the original issued cartridge (before Ordnance started castrating the performance) was 255g RNFP in front of 40g of BP which delivered 910 fps from the 7 1/2" barreled Single Action Army pistol. Even though the military started loading the 45 Colt down and eventually went to the 45 S&W cartridge (230g over 28g of BP) the civilian market still offered the full power, black powder 45 Colt into the early 20tyh Century.

Dave
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I've seen velocity quotes ranging from 850 fps up to 1050 fps. I suspect then as now powder quality played a big role. I've gotten well over 1000 fps with Swiss 3f...
 
I have loaded BP 45 Colt cartridges, most with 30 grains, but I loaded several with 40 grains to see how they performed and was surprised at how much stronger they were than the 30gr. Now I wish I had set the Chrony up and checked them.

I was using Olde Enysford 3f.
 
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Enablers we are!

Get the revolver and enjoy it.

Love my .45 C. Reloading can make it cheaper to shoot. How much will you shoot it? A box a month? $35
3 boxes at Cowboy Action, twice a month? Best start loading.

The .45 C is just plain FUN, big boom, big hole, no wrist breaking recoil.
 
Back in the late 1980s I came across a box of NOS 45 Colt baloon-head cases at a gun show. I took them home and loaded them with 40 grains of FFg black powder. I seated a 255g RNFP, sized to .454", and of the original alloy mix of 1-20 tin to lead, over that powder charge. I chronographed them through three 1st Gen Colt SAAs with the standard barrel lengths of 4-3/4", 5-1/2" and 7-1/2". The short barrel produced an average of 865 fps for five shots, the medium 5-1/2" was 889 fps, and the 7-1/2" (a genuine cavalry Colt from ~1882-83) gave me 907 fps the first time and a couple months later it chronographed the same ammo at 914 fps.

That experience led me to believe the original claims of 910 fps from a 7-1/2" barrel I have read about. You can load different granulations, in solid head brass, with bullets of different weights and alloys, and get different results. I'm convinced my experiments some 35 years ago, duplicating things as carefully as I could, verified the original performance of the black powder 45 Colt. As they say YMMV!

Dave
 
FYI, of the Cavalry Ammunition .45 Colt I have shot the rated velocities from the end of the box are:

250 grain cowboy rated 790 fps
250 grain rated 860 fps
180 grain cowboy rated 820 fps
 
Smaug said:
John has comments on blackpowder loads. I'm not sure why anyone would use that these days, when it takes 4X as much to get the same energy. Is it really cheap or something? Or is the smell great? ;-)
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Until you have touched off a big load of BP in a 45 Colt cartridge, well, you have just missed an extremely satisfying part of life. The boom, the smoke, the smell, and the laughter; there’s nothing like it. The range stops and stares. I bought an 1872 open top 7 1/2” dedicated to black powder cartridges. The best thing is that it’s accurate as well. I have as much fun shooting that one as anything. Also, 40 gr of BP and a 250gr bullet will get your attention.
 
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Griffen said:
Until you have touched off a big load of BP in a 45 Colt cartridge, well, you have just missed an extremely satisfying part of life. The boom, the smoke, the smell, and the laughter; there’s nothing like it. The range stops and stares. I bought an 1872 open top 7 1/2” dedicated to black powder cartridges. The best thing is that it’s accurate as well. I have as much fun shooting that one as anything. Also, 40 gr of BP and a 250gr bullet will get your attention.
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Hmm, maybe I'll try it! Seems like it would burn through a pound of powder pretty quick though...

How is the boom different compared to something like a factory 44 Magnum or 45 ACP?

I shot some handload 44 Magnum with a 220 gr plated bullet and the minimum recommended dose of H110, and there was a fireball with every shot from my Redhawk: two out the gap, and one at the end of the 7.5" barrel

I shot some out of my Marlin 1894, (20" barrel) and that had the fireball too! How long does the barrel have to be to NOT have the fireball?! Seems like H110 is a bit too slow of a powder for this round out of my guns.
 
This morning, I went to the range to throw some lead. (44M Redhawk, 357 SP-101, 44M Marlin 1894) When I was done, I put my guns away and perused what was new in the shop.

There's still a sweet-looking nickel S&W 19-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in 357 on consignment and the seller thinks he'll get $1400 for it. (yikes)

I was just handling and dry-firing some 1911s and a Colt King Cobra Carry, (KCC) and I noticed next to the KCC they had the Cimarron Man with No Name 4.75". My jaw dropped; I couldn't BELIEVE this shop had this gun. It's one of maybe four SA revolvers out of many dozens of Glocks and such.

I wanted the 5.5", as the proportions look better to me in pix. I mentioned this to the gun shop guy and he said most people who get the 5.5" end up cutting it down for holsters and balance. I handled it again and the 4.75" had the perfect balance, so I put down a couple hunge to get it on layaway.

I noticed it has the firing pin on the hammer, so I asked if I could dry-fire it. (yes) It has an AMAZING trigger; very light and crisp, with a bit of overtravel. It is absolutely beautiful, too.

Now, it's time to shop for brass, bullets and primers. I'm dangerously low on large pistol primers; might have to pay above full price + HazMat to get some on gunbroker. Maybe some blackpowder too, as the fellas in another thread are telling me 45 Colt with smokemore is A Beautiful Thing.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

P.S. - I think I'm gonna get a pack of snap caps too, as I'll want to dry-fire the hell out of it when I watch the movies...
 
Smaug said:
This morning, I went to the range to throw some lead. (44M Redhawk, 357 SP-101, 44M Marlin 1894) When I was done, I put my guns away and perused what was new in the shop.

There's still a sweet-looking nickel S&W 19-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in 357 on consignment and the seller thinks he'll get $1400 for it. (yikes)

I was just handling and dry-firing some 1911s and a Colt King Cobra Carry, (KCC) and I noticed next to the KCC they had the Cimarron Man with No Name 4.75". My jaw dropped; I couldn't BELIEVE this shop had this gun. It's one of maybe four SA revolvers out of many dozens of Glocks and such.

I wanted the 5.5", as the proportions look better to me in pix. I mentioned this to the gun shop guy and he said most people who get the 5.5" end up cutting it down for holsters and balance. I handled it again and the 4.75" had the perfect balance, so I put down a couple hunge to get it on layaway.

I noticed it has the firing pin on the hammer, so I asked if I could dry-fire it. (yes) It has an AMAZING trigger; very light and crisp, with a bit of overtravel. It is absolutely beautiful, too.

Now, it's time to shop for brass, bullets and primers. I'm dangerously low on large pistol primers; might have to pay above full price + HazMat to get some on gunbroker. Maybe some blackpowder too, as the fellas in another thread are telling me 45 Colt with smokemore is A Beautiful Thing.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

P.S. - I think I'm gonna get a pack of snap caps too, as I'll want to dry-fire the hell out of it when I watch the movies...
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Good for you!

I too was thinking that a 5½ was the way to go but, after handling the 4¾ I knew that was the one.

Biggest problem I have is I thought I had Eastwoods "trilogy" on my DVR but I don't :thumbdown:

I had to make do with "Hang em High" and "The Unforgiven"...


...but now I want a Schofield :cuss:
 
Pfffft. Just buy it. If it's on the mind it's on the credit card. It's like when I wake up for night shift and think it would be nice to not go in. Those nights off are nice. ;)

Keep in mind that I'm warming up for retirement.
 
Still waiting for the announcement of the purchase. Then the range report. Just kidding, I am no help talking anyone out of buying something. They are like puppies and all need a loving home.
 
Smaug said:
Does that company use new brass all the time? I noticed one comment that said: "new brass", which makes me think the rest of it is reloaded. That's fine to shoot once, but as a reloader, I'd rather have new brass.
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From their site: "We're a veteran-owned company and FFL licensed manufacturer. We make all our ammunition in the United States from American components - except for the excellent Vhitavuori powder and Norma brass - using both new and previously fired brass."
 
Ric said:
45 Colt is for fun
45ACP for carry
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In a way, it's a shame, as 45 Colt is so versatile! Seems like (with handloading and a modern gun) it can do a bit of everything. I guess it IS a big cartridge for its pressure level...

I think I'm gonna duck out of work a bit early today and go put another payment on the MwNN revolver...
 
Didn’t make it to the LGS yesterday. Had a call with a supplier in Japan at 3:30, then had to go get my daughter at four.

Miata club drive all day today, (405 miles) then swim meet for my daughter and football tomorrow.

Maybe if the Packers are really blowing it against the Jets, I’ll cut out and get over to the LGS…
 
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