Handloader #337's 23K psi 45 Colt Loads

35 Whelen

35 Whelen

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Brian Pearce did a great article on 23,000 psi 45 Colt loads in the most recent issue of Handloader magazine. He goes into great detail with regards to which revolvers can handle these loads (Post-1990 Uberti's, S&W Model 25's, Ruger New Vaquero's et al.) and which ones can't (Pietta, Colt SAA et al.) as well as why they can and cannot. He follows this with plenty of loads, some of which aren't too far behind the standard .44 Magnum factory load (240 gr. @ 1180 fps).
In a world of magazines filled with AR-15's, the latest 6.5 cartridge, and plastic 9mm's, Mr. Pearce is a fine writer and a breath of fresh air!

35W
 
:D
35 Whelen said:
Brian Pearce did a great article on 23,000 psi 45 Colt loads in the most recent issue of Handloader magazine. He goes into great detail with regards to which revolvers can handle these loads (Post-1990 Uberti's, S&W Model 25's, Ruger New Vaquero's et al.) and which ones can't (Pietta, Colt SAA et al.) as well as why they can and cannot. He follows this with plenty of loads, some of which aren't too far behind the standard .44 Magnum factory load (240 gr. @ 1180 fps).
In a world of magazines filled with AR-15's, the latest 6.5 cartridge, and plastic 9mm's, Mr. Pearce is a fine writer and a breath of fresh air!

35W
Click to expand...
I couldn’t agree more with your opinion on Pearce and his writing. I’ve loved his past articles on the 44spl. I’ll have to try and find the article. Do you know what issue the article is in?

edit: well don’t I feel foolish with my answer in the title of the thread :D
 
Last edited:
He recycles this one every once in a while.
I wonder why he considers a Uberti stronger than Colt or Pietta.
23000 ppsi is .45 ACP +P and those guns as well as most of the others have been sold in .45 ACP as well as .45 LC.
I'll have to see if my friend still subscribes. I did not renew when there got to be so many "Me and Joe Went Hunting" articles.
 
I just started subscribing a couple years ago. I have found it very helpful and interesting.

One article in a back issue I got, Pearce talks about using a .425 expander for cast bullets in 44 mag (or special I can’t remember). I thought huh? How does he not experience base swaging.
 
Thanks for the info. I have sixguns, and am working on it. Mine is the 2nd edition I think.

I guess with an alloy matched to the pressure, he’d get a good bump up. I’d think he’d consider both.
 
35 Whelen said:
Brian Pearce did a great article on 23,000 psi 45 Colt loads in the most recent issue of Handloader magazine. He goes into great detail with regards to which revolvers can handle these loads (Post-1990 Uberti's, S&W Model 25's, Ruger New Vaquero's et al.) and which ones can't (Pietta, Colt SAA et al.) as well as why they can and cannot. He follows this with plenty of loads, some of which aren't too far behind the standard .44 Magnum factory load (240 gr. @ 1180 fps).
In a world of magazines filled with AR-15's, the latest 6.5 cartridge, and plastic 9mm's, Mr. Pearce is a fine writer and a breath of fresh air!


35W
Click to expand...
Hmmm?
From what I’ve heard, read, and by inspection it’s been my understanding that the new Vaquero nor my Anaconda should have the heavy 45 Colt loads fired in them. The first edition is a completely different firearm, heavier frame and larger cylinder. Even though the Anaconda is chambered in 44 mag it isn’t stout enough to handle heavy 45 Colt loads. The cylinder is the same size in both 44 mag and 45 Colt, but the larger chambers of the 45 Colt don’t have enough metal between them to take the extra pressure. I wonder, does anybody know for sure what is correct? My 20 year old Blackhawk and 10 year old Bisley can stand the racket? I guess I shouldn’t worry much about that anymore, I bought a 460 S&W about 8 months ago. It does most anything I need done with a handgun.
 
Pivot Dr said:
Hmmm?
From what I’ve heard, read, and by inspection it’s been my understanding that the new Vaquero nor my Anaconda should have the heavy 45 Colt loads fired in them. The first edition is a completely different firearm, heavier frame and larger cylinder. Even though the Anaconda is chambered in 44 mag it isn’t stout enough to handle heavy 45 Colt loads. The cylinder is the same size in both 44 mag and 45 Colt, but the larger chambers of the 45 Colt don’t have enough metal between them to take the extra pressure. I wonder, does anybody know for sure what is correct? My 20 year old Blackhawk and 10 year old Bisley can stand the racket? I guess I shouldn’t worry much about that anymore, I bought a 460 S&W about 8 months ago. It does most anything I need done with a handgun.
Click to expand...

The loads in question are 23,000 psi loads, NOT the 30,000 psi loads to which you refer.

35W
 
Imo, Handloader and Rifle have the best writers/researchers and the quality of the articles reflect their collective expertise. I've subscribed since the very first issues of both magazines and have kept them all. At my age, I'm giving thought to, albeit reluctantly, parting with them.
 
The Uberti's cylinder is larger in diameter than the Colt SAA but the Colt has also been offered in .45ACP.

The Anaconda is absolutely safe for "Ruger only" loads in .45Colt.
 
When talking about handgun hunting, there are even better loads than 23 000 PSI in 45 Colt. Take a look at https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53 , 45 COLT (RUGER, FREEDOM ARMS & T/C ONLY):

325 GR. CPB LFN PB, H110 21.0 grains, 1109 fps,18 100 CUP
335 GR. CPB LFN GC, H110 20.5 grains, 1109 fps,19 200 CUP

If 454424 at 1100 fps goes right through a cow https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...un-hunting-another-view.903836/#post-12255542 , can you imagine how far could go 325 or 335 grains at 1100 fps!? And all that without wrecking hearing if fired in a hurry without protection muffs!

I like 41 Magnum, but as a hunting round, grand, old 45 Colt never ceases to amaze me.
 
Onty said:
When talking about handgun hunting, there are even better loads than 23 000 PSI in 45 Colt. Take a look at https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53 , 45 COLT (RUGER, FREEDOM ARMS & T/C ONLY):
325 GR. CPB LFN PB, H110 21.0 grains, 1109 fps,18 100 CUP
If 454424 at 1100 fps goes right through a cow https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...un-hunting-another-view.903836/#post-12255542 , can you imagine how far could go 325 or 335 grains at 1100 fps!? And all that without wrecking hearing if fired in a hurry without protection muffs!
I like 41 Magnum, but as a hunting round, grand, old 45 Colt never ceases to amaze me.
Click to expand...

I too am a great fan of 41 Mag, before the 41 I hunted with 45 Colt and have recently been going back to the 45.
IMG_2659.jpg
Like the 325 gr CPB bullet you indicate above, got the H110 load guidance from a 2009 Hodgdon loading manual - more powder makers need to offer 45 Colt loading guidance in the 15-20k PSI range. With 21 gr H110, clocked 1050 fps out of a 7 1/2" RBH, the bullet seemed to penetrate forever and leave large entry/exit holes. They perform better in 45 Colt, than the 335 gr WLN GC. A dozen years ago acquired quite a supply of the 325 gr bullets, then about 2 years ago needed to get some more, CPB no longer makes them.
So a plead to CPB, please bring these back into your line !! THANKS !
 
NeroM said:
I too am a great fan of 41 Mag, before the 41 I hunted with 45 Colt and have recently been going back to the 45.
View attachment 1128281
Like the 325 gr CPB bullet you indicate above, got the H110 load guidance from a 2009 Hodgdon loading manual - more powder makers need to offer 45 Colt loading guidance in the 15-20k PSI range. With 21 gr H110, clocked 1050 fps out of a 7 1/2" RBH, the bullet seemed to penetrate forever and leave large entry/exit holes. They perform better in 45 Colt, than the 335 gr WLN GC. A dozen years ago acquired quite a supply of the 325 gr bullets, then about 2 years ago needed to get some more, CPB no longer makes them.
So a plead to CPB, please bring these back into your line !! THANKS !
Click to expand...
Matts Bullets may have something similar that may work for you.

https://www.mattsbullets.com/

Stay safe.
 
I keep the hot loads for the .44 Magnum.
There's everything in .45 Colt from strong ('92 Win) to not so strong (Schofield), so I hate to have anything too hot laying around. ;)
Moon
 
NeroM said:
I too am a great fan of 41 Mag, before the 41 I hunted with 45 Colt and have recently been going back to the 45.
View attachment 1128281
Like the 325 gr CPB bullet you indicate above, got the H110 load guidance from a 2009 Hodgdon loading manual - more powder makers need to offer 45 Colt loading guidance in the 15-20k PSI range. With 21 gr H110, clocked 1050 fps out of a 7 1/2" RBH, the bullet seemed to penetrate forever and leave large entry/exit holes. They perform better in 45 Colt, than the 335 gr WLN GC. A dozen years ago acquired quite a supply of the 325 gr bullets, then about 2 years ago needed to get some more, CPB no longer makes them.
So a plead to CPB, please bring these back into your line !! THANKS !
Click to expand...

I have been using Cast Performance bullets for some time. They are very good for hunting. In .41 magnum their 265 grain LWFNGC works well. I need to try some of their heavy .45 Colt bullets next.
 
35 Whelen said:
Brian Pearce did a great article on 23,000 psi 45 Colt loads in the most recent issue of Handloader magazine. He goes into great detail with regards to which revolvers can handle these loads (Post-1990 Uberti's, S&W Model 25's, Ruger New Vaquero's et al.) and which ones can't (Pietta, Colt SAA et al.) as well as why they can and cannot. He follows this with plenty of loads, some of which aren't too far behind the standard .44 Magnum factory load (240 gr. @ 1180 fps).
In a world of magazines filled with AR-15's, the latest 6.5 cartridge, and plastic 9mm's, Mr. Pearce is a fine writer and a breath of fresh air!

35W
Click to expand...
Is this the article?

 
The articles are Handloader #275 and #337. The data is on LoadData.com but you have to subscribe to get the charge weights.
 
Here's the +P listing from #275

H68EquJ.jpg
 
35 Whelen said:
Brian Pearce did a great article on 23,000 psi 45 Colt loads in the most recent issue of Handloader magazine. He goes into great detail with regards to which revolvers can handle these loads (Post-1990 Uberti's, S&W Model 25's, Ruger New Vaquero's et al.) and which ones can't (Pietta, Colt SAA et al.) as well as why they can and cannot. He follows this with plenty of loads, some of which aren't too far behind the standard .44 Magnum factory load (240 gr. @ 1180 fps).
In a world of magazines filled with AR-15's, the latest 6.5 cartridge, and plastic 9mm's, Mr. Pearce is a fine writer and a breath of fresh air!

35W
Click to expand...
Handloader Magazine is the one magazine I keep a subscription to and Save each issue !
Since it is published 6 times a year ... keeping each back issue isn't a big deal ...
All my other gun magazines get thrown away ... usually not anything I want to keep in them but I like to read .
Hanmdloader Magazine is a big Keeper and very good writing goes on there .
Gary
 
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