Is the 45 colt the perfect round for heavy big bore subsonics

[AJC1]

45 colt is the cartridge others want to grow up to be. Potent at low velocity and will beat 44 magnum if your gun is up for the pressure, it's been run over too many times. The beauty of the big bores is that you don't need velocity unless you're trying to flatten trajectory . I was a 44 convert for a few years and gave up on it when I found a better cartridge for high & low power- not exactly 45 colt but close, 454 casull. That has not much to do with this conversation but it does relate because 454 cases can be cut down for heavy 45 colt loads which extends brass life.

They're available for normal prices, just gotta know where to look

https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=463&category=5&secondary=14&keywords=

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010707860

Those are just a couple , look for bullets intended for 454 or 460mag.

Heavier the better for me, at 1200 fps there's not much on earth that'll survive a well placed hit from that, even at 900 fps, they'll go clear through just about anything fleshy.

That said, I like 45-70 with 405 grain rnfp over a case full of trailboss. That shoots like a pop gun and still gets close to 1000 fps but all you need is another load handy for full power, more then you'll get from any handgun round. A starting trapdoor charge of imr4198 is about like a trailboss load too- works great.

But yes, I fully agree that 45 colt is really hard to beat. My normal 45 colt load is 5 grains of clays under a 250 rnfp . clean, accurate and very easy for anyone to shoot. Even that load will kill just about anything. Big bores are certainly my favorite and of them the 45s are the way to go. I think bullet selection sets them apart from the 44s and the case capacity and larger diameter are just a bonus. I've tried the 44 +p+ rounds some boutique sellers make and I've fired them, if you're specifically buying a gun to shoot those, get a bigger gun, if you just want a few for grizzly defense you better hope it's a ruger or a FA or you may not like what happens.

I'll beat the horse a little more, what the heck. Bullet diameter matters if velocity will be below 2000 fps. Hits count, misses don't and larger diameter increases the likelihood of a hit, it also makes a bigger hole so the juice leaks out faster. Those are the facts.

45 colt is the way.

I never intended the 45 vs the 44 debate and figured I'd constrained that by keeping it subsonic. The reason I felt 45c was ideal was there was little need to modify any normal load, and likely off the shelf ammo would be subsonic not boutique and more expensive. In a world where everything is way more expensive than it needs to be, getting a silencer and mounting it seemed the biggest part of a project like this, with no special loading efforts required. One could go the extra mile and find the perfect bullet to cast and the perfect charge to make it accurate.

 

[Obturation]

I never intended the 45 vs the 44 debate and figured I'd constrained that by keeping it subsonic. The reason I felt 45c was ideal was there was little need to modify any normal load, and likely off the shelf ammo would be subsonic not boutique and more expensive. In a world where everything is way more expensive than it needs to be, getting a silencer and mounting it seemed the biggest part of a project like this, with no special loading efforts required. One could go the extra mile and find the perfect bullet to cast and the perfect charge to make it accurate.

...sorry, I get excited .

 

[AJC1]

...sorry, I get excited .

That wasn't a jab, I consider these discussions gun shop banter... I just replied to you because you were last. I hadn't considered 454 brass being tuffer but it makes sense. I would really like a 454 lever gun but 5k for a carbine is a lot to much. I also would like an xframe Smith in 454, never going to shoot 460.

 

[Obturation]

That wasn't a jab, I consider these discussions gun shop banter... I just replied to you because you were last. I hadn't considered 454 brass being tuffer but it makes sense. I would really like a 454 lever gun but 5k for a carbine is a lot to much. I also would like an xframe Smith in 454, never going to shoot 460.

Xframes a lot to tote, fun guns though.

I cut down about 25 454 cases and only for the purpose of using small primers and just to do. Works fine, loaded them at standard (45c) pressure and they'll probably last forever. The brass does seem harder though and doesn't really expand much on firing- dirty cases.

I think you're on a good path for a sweet hunting/plinking rifle, I'm jealous .

 

[someguy2800]

45 colt is the cartridge others want to grow up to be. Potent at low velocity and will beat 44 magnum if your gun is up for the pressure, it's been run over too many times. The beauty of the big bores is that you don't need velocity unless you're trying to flatten trajectory . I was a 44 convert for a few years and gave up on it when I found a better cartridge for high & low power- not exactly 45 colt but close, 454 casull. That has not much to do with this conversation but it does relate because 454 cases can be cut down for heavy 45 colt loads which extends brass life.

They're available for normal prices, just gotta know where to look

https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=463&category=5&secondary=14&keywords=

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010707860

Those are just a couple , look for bullets intended for 454 or 460mag.

Heavier the better for me, at 1200 fps there's not much on earth that'll survive a well placed hit from that, even at 900 fps, they'll go clear through just about anything fleshy.

That said, I like 45-70 with 405 grain rnfp over a case full of trailboss. That shoots like a pop gun and still gets close to 1000 fps but all you need is another load handy for full power, more then you'll get from any handgun round. A starting trapdoor charge of imr4198 is about like a trailboss load too- works great.

But yes, I fully agree that 45 colt is really hard to beat. My normal 45 colt load is 5 grains of clays under a 250 rnfp . clean, accurate and very easy for anyone to shoot. Even that load will kill just about anything. Big bores are certainly my favorite and of them the 45s are the way to go. I think bullet selection sets them apart from the 44s and the case capacity and larger diameter are just a bonus. I've tried the 44 +p+ rounds some boutique sellers make and I've fired them, if you're specifically buying a gun to shoot those, get a bigger gun, if you just want a few for grizzly defense you better hope it's a ruger or a FA or you may not like what happens.

I'll beat the horse a little more, what the heck. Bullet diameter matters if velocity will be below 2000 fps. Hits count, misses don't and larger diameter increases the likelihood of a hit, it also makes a bigger hole so the juice leaks out faster. Those are the facts.

45 colt is the way.

If you know of any other affordable options for like a 350+ grain I’m all ears. I’ve used both Montana and Cast Performance but $0.50 a bullet is exceeding what I’m willing to pay for cast bullets when I’m getting 300 grain hollow points for $0.20 a bullet.

 

[AJC1]

If you know of any other affordable options for like a 350+ grain I’m all ears. I’ve used both Montana and Cast Performance but $0.50 a bullet is exceeding what I’m willing to pay for cast bullets when I’m getting 300 grain hollow points for $0.20 a bullet.

I like 20 cents a bullet for 45, where do I get those....

 

[someguy2800]

I like 20 cents a bullet for 45, where do I get those....

I was actually referring to the bullets I use in subsonic 44.

https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=19

the also make some heavy 45 stuff

https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&sort=20a&page=2

That brings me to another question, anybody tried shooting gas checks through a tight fitting suppressor? That seams like it would be asking for baffle strike if a gas check comes off.

 

[Obturation]

If you know of any other affordable options for like a 350+ grain I’m all ears. I’ve used both Montana and Cast Performance but $0.50 a bullet is exceeding what I’m willing to pay for cast bullets when I’m getting 300 grain hollow points for $0.20 a bullet.

https://www.mattsbullets.com/index....ducts_id=299&zenid=g3d3sq8rr2vl7o0u7n4bjtoqd5

These are a bit cheaper, if you cast there are some molds out there. I'll have to go look tomorrow but I've got some heavy .452 bullets that I don't remember the brand- I doubt I paid a ton for them, I'll get back to you

 

[P Flados]

45 Colt can do pretty good for subs. Initially I thought the case would to be too long for optimal sub loads, but found that less true than I expected.

Quickload calculates muzzle pressure which is something we want to keep as low as practical for Subs. Short barrels are nice to offset the can. Lets take a custom 8" and start of considering an Encore so we can run really high pressures (use cut down 454 brass if it suits you) to use the fastest powder we can and still get 1050 fps.

With a 330 gr seated for a 1.5" AOL and loaded to 52,000 psi chamber pressure, Quickload says you can reach 1050 fps with less than 1,900 psi muzzle pressure.

Now lets go with a lower "Ruger only" 30,000 psi chamber pressure with the 330 gr. Because you have to use a slower powder to get 1050 fps, your muzzle pressure goes up to over 2,400 psi.

Now in a 16" carbine, it get easier to reach 1050 fps. Even with the "Ruger only" 30,000 psi chamber pressure, muzzle pressure can be as low around 800 psi for the 330 gr bullet.

Now at near full 454 pressures, a 45 ACP case has a slight edge from a 16" gun. I found calculated muzzle pressures down below 600 psi.

 

[AJC1]

Casting for low pressure cartridges like 45c is the cheapest and easiest... bhn 8 or 9 PC bullets all day.

 

[someguy2800]

https://www.mattsbullets.com/index....ducts_id=299&zenid=g3d3sq8rr2vl7o0u7n4bjtoqd5

These are a bit cheaper, if you cast there are some molds out there. I'll have to go look tomorrow but I've got some heavy .452 bullets that I don't remember the brand- I doubt I paid a ton for them, I'll get back to you

Don’t go out of your way, I don’t have a 45 colt, I’m just trying to justify buying one.

 

[jmorris]

Always wanted to get a suppressor for my 450 Bushmaster. I have a load worked up but have never found the expendable funds to buy the suppressor. 300 BO and my SDN-6 does most of what I need.

.458 405gr Remington SP bullet resized to 451 for use in my 450 Bushmaster.

That’s one of my favorite bullets, I sure am glad I bought as many as I did back then.

It takes a bit hold over but we even play with them at distance, worth while if you want to work on your shooter/spotter skills.