45 Colt Self Defense Loads

[eddiememphis]

300gr XTP over 20 grains of H110.

At 1100fps, it will expand and dump around 800 foot pounds of energy into your target.

That should solve almost any problem you may encounter.

Here is is next to a .357 magnum.

 

[Smokin Gator]

I use a similar bullet, SAECO 453, a 235 grain full wadcutter. I load it for my ACP revolvers over a hardball dose of powder, usually Bullseye. A very good hunting load. If I would not use a load to hunt Ohio white tailed deer, I will not carry it for self defense.

And, since we all enjoy photographs, here is my edc,

View attachment 1169482
View attachment 1169483

Kevin

Wow! Gorgeous and a stopper. Here's my USFA 45 Colt with those bullets. I have Taurus 445 2" I load the 180 44 cal bullets, 44 Special.

 

[StrawHat]

Wow! Gorgeous and a stopper.

Life is too short to carry an ugly gun!

Kevin

 

[King Medallion]

Haven't you ever watched a western movie? Any marginal hit with a 45 Colt, even out to 3-400 yards is instant death.
It doesn't even matter what bullet or powder you use. Heck, even a real close miss might do the trick.

With the exception of a shoulder hit. everyone gets hit it the shoulder at least 14 times.

 

[buck460XVR]

Unless I am missing the point here, the OP is talking about SD against two legged predators using .45 Colt. For their size, humans are one of the easiest predators in the animal kingdom to incapacitate. We do not need to use loads and bullets designed for SD against dangerous game to stop a legitimate threat from a human attacker. We do not need loads and bullets that will penetrate the attacker in our hallway, go thru three walls and kill our neighbor sleeping in their bed next door. Stories about drug crazed killers continuing to attack after being shot multiple times in the boiler room/CNS are exaggerated. It does not happen, because it is medically impossible. Multiple bad hits to non fatal areas, yes. Terminal bullet performance will not enhance those wounds significantly enough to make a significant difference. In lesser calibers, IMHO, load and bullet choice can be important, but once you get to calibers like .45 Colt, not so much. Funny how folks that claim a cowboy load 250gr RN in .45 Colt will penetrate a horse from from to back, do not think it's enough to stop an attacking human. Me, I am not going to blood trail a human attacker, so I do not need two holes. I actually prefer for my SD loads to not exit, since it means no one else in the area will get hit, if I hit the target. The average male human chest is about 10 inches. Width is about 11.5 inches. CNS and vitals are half way thru or less. One reason FBI testing protocol penalizes bullets that penetrate more than 18".

Bullet choice, like caliber and platform choice are personnel. Advertising and internet hype about any of them does not make them any better. One needs to make a educated and researched choice based on what works for them, in the most likely scenario they will encounter. One needs to remember that legal SD for civilians is a close range scenario. We are not likely to be attacked by zombies or well trained mercenaries wearing body armor. If we are, odds are we are dead whatever we have on us. Our attackers will be within 5 yards and will most likely be facing us. More important than our bullet choice is our accuracy and ability to perform under stress.

JMTCs. Others are free to feel differently.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, any 200gr cast bullet is likely to exit. Be better off with the lighter bullet at either the same velocity for less recoil, or higher velocity for more tissue damage.

I think folks also overlook what constitutes a "cowboy" load. They are not original type loads. They are reduced velocity loads for CAS competition, usually about 200fps below standard loads. A proper .45Colt load should be 900fps, not 700fps and it does make a difference on flesh. Full patch 200gr load should be over 1000fps.

 

[Dave T]

Consider for a moment. The 45 Colt cartridge was originally a black powder round that pushed a 255g soft RNFP out of a 7-1/2" barrel at 910 fps. In a 4-3/4" SAA that velocity was down to 865 fps, at least in my testing. That cartridge at that performance level was effective enough to earn the nick-name "Peacemaker". I personally don't see a need for more than that against a human assailant.

Dave

 

[GRIZ22]

300gr XTP over 20 grains of H110.

At 1100fps, it will expand and dump around 800 foot pounds of energy into your target.

That should solve almost any problem you may encounter.

Here is is next to a .357 magnum.

Great buy you don't need 800 ft/lbs. You can get by with less.

 

[Smokin Gator]

Consider for a moment. The 45 Colt cartridge was originally a black powder round that pushed a 255g soft RNFP out of a 7-1/2" barrel at 910 fps. In a 4-3/4" SAA that velocity was down to 865 fps, at least in my testing. That cartridge at that performance level was effective enough to earn the nick-name "Peacemaker". I personally don't see a need for more than that against a human assailant.

Dave

I have the one USFA 45 Colt pictured in my previous post. I shoot some smokeless out of it. I also load full loads of real blackpowder with 250gr lead bullets. 4 3/4" barrel . I've used various powders. Kik, Goex, Schuetzen. But sometimes I like to load it with Swiss bp and really get the full experience. There's a pretty big difference between some of the cheaper lower grade bp and Swiss bp. When I meet up with friends to just plink I usually bring it or my Marlin 44-40 with black powder anmo so they can have a chance to try it.

 

[TTv2]

It would help if we knew what gun you were considering for the .45 Colt. If it's a short barrel, you're really limiting your options because a hollow point will struggle to open up due to low velocity. I have seen the Judge Public Defender get a Winchester PDX1 to open in gel, but I still have trouble trusting the .45 Colt in a Judge unless it's one with a 6 inch barrel.

So, if it's a short barrel, I say stick with solid projectiles like Buffalo Bore full wadcutter or check out Inceptor ARX. If the barrel has some length to it, just about any hollow point from a name brand company will do. Hornady does make a 185gr .45 Colt Critical Defense. Federal has an all lead 225gr SWC hollow point that can be used in converted .44 cap and ball revolvers. Winchester PDX1 is pricey, but works.

 

[horsey300]

Will 45 Colt semi jacketed soft point flat nose ammo expand?

If we're still after expansion I'd look at ftx or Barnes for specifically 45 lc velocities, Buffalo Barnes too.

 

[Gordon]

What I use for defense in .45 Colt. These are a little snappy, I prefer a 255 grain wide flat nose at 850 out of a 5" barrel revolver which I reload for general use. I don't use reloads for SD , for various reasons. These 225 grain Underwoods will do the deed on smaller bear and under up to 30 yards or so. I wish they were a bit softer lead .

Underwood Ammo 45 Colt (Long Colt) 225 Grain Hard Cast Wadcutter Box

While taking advantage of state of the art testing equipment, this high performance ammunition by Underwood is field tested using popular, real firearms...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[dickydalton]

I don't know if (Federal is making these anymore) but I'm betting that they expand. The box says 830 FPS MV. I just looked and Federal has discontinued them.

 

[eddiememphis]

Great buy you don't need 800 ft/lbs. You can get by with less.

How do you know what I need?

 

[Mr. Mosin]

When you start stepping to .45 Colt, it already starts as large as an expanded 9x19mm or .357 Magnum. What you need is penetration. From what I gather, most personally like a full wad-cutter for the big bore.

 

[GRIZ22]

How do you know what I need?

You need 800 ft lbs for 2 legged predators?

 

[Pat Riot]

I would love to see a gel test with these:

I guess Mr. Revolver Guy helped me out with my wish (the ballistic gel test starts around 10:25):

45 Colt 225gr Hornady | Day At The Range

Testing Hornady LeverEvolution 225gr in clear ballistics gel and across the chronograph

dayattherange.com

Screenshot from here and they have it in stock:

Natchez Shooters Supplies

www.natchezss.com

Screenshot from here: https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/45-colt-225-gr-ftx-leverevolution#!/

This round was tested from a test barrel 4.25” in length. 960 FPS with 460 lbs of energy.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use these in any of my 3 .45 Colt revolvers. All three of my revolvers shoot this ammo accurately.

 

[Obturation]

I didn't find a recent thread on the best 45 Colt loads for self defense so figured I would start a new one. I have seen a few videos of 45 colt loads being tested in gel, but haven't seen compiled results for how they performed. Has anyone seen compiled data for various 45 Colt loads for self defense? Most of the videos seem to show good enough penetration (meeting FBI requirement for penetration) but expansion is poor with many hollow points.
Love to hear what others are using as 45 Colt defense loads against 2 legged predators.

Treat it like 45 acp. For standard loads theure pretty similar. If it's good in 45 acp it'll be fine in 45 Colt. Ymmv

 

[orionengnr]

When I carry my 4" M25 S&W (in the wintertime) it is loaded with these:

Cor-Bon DPX Ammo 45 Colt (Long Colt) +P 225 Grain DPX Hollow Point

The Barnes XPB pistol bullet will deliver more energy than any other bullet available for handguns. In testing, penetration has been increased up to 25%...

www.midwayusa.com

CorBon 225 gr Barnes all-copper HP at +p velocity.
Claimed to be good for 1200fps and 720 ft/lbs.
Have not seen recent tests, but I (in general) have seen a lot of positive results with the all-copper Barnes bullets and in the CorBon loads.

 

[whatnickname]

My choice would be the 200 grain Hornady XTP traveling at 900fps +. That said my 255 grain Missouri Bullet Company SWC traveling at 850fps is not something I would go around feeling sorry for myself about if that’s all I had in my 45 Colt when the “stuff” hit the fan. As others pointed out, with this caliber shot placement is much more of a factor than bullet configuration and velocity. I doubt there is anyone that would l like to volunteer to step in front of a 255 grain SWC traveling at 850fps to prove me wrong.