Some time ago I reviewed my first Smith and Wesson Performance Center Revolver (S&W 625) chambered in the venerable 45 Colt. It is one of few firearms on this site with a perfect 5 star rating. Since owning this great piece of American craftsmanship I have fallen in love with the 45 Colt cartridge.
Over the years there have been many arguments and questions surrounding the 45 Colt. Is the proper name 45 Long Colt? What's the purpose of 45Colt since 45ACP can do everything it can do? Today I am not here to review the 45 Colt; nether am I here to try and answer any of the above questions or try and clear up any of the debates surrounding this magnificent cartridge. Today I just want to share my experience with you of shooting 140 year old 45 Colt cartridge over a brand new chronograph for the first time.
Though I have been reloading for 20 years I have not shot across a chronograph since I left home as a young lad. My dad has always utilized a chronograph and is of the mindset you can't reload without one. I have never been one to hot rod any of my reloads, I subscribe to if I need more, go up in cartridge size or grab your rifle. I have always played it very safe when reloading, never going over the max in reloading handbooks and only reloading for best accuracy. I have always known if used correctly a chronograph could be a great tool in helping you achieve the best accuracy. The chronograph provides you the exact stats you need to determine how consistent your reloads are from shot to shot and this is how I plan on utilizing the chronograph I now have access to thanks to Darrell.
This range day was not meant to review or test anything; today was just a matter of going out and having fun since I had not been out in a while, as you have probably noticed by the lack of new articles.
Range Equipment/Materials
S&W 625 45 Colt Performance Center – Previously Reviewed
Ruger 454 Alaskan — Previously Reviewed
Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital CEI-3800
Reloaded Ammunition
Bullet — 255gr Lead .452, Brass — Starline, Winchester LPP, 5.9gr of Alliant Powder Red Dot from Lyman 49th Reloading Manual, COAL 1.602
This loading proved to be very mild in recoil, pleasant to shoot and plenty accurate from sandbag rest out to 25 yards.
The first 18 rounds were fired from the S&W 625 45 Colt from the sitting position while only rest my elbows on the bench.
6 shots
12 Shots
6 Head shots
Chronograph Read Outs: S&W 625 45 Colt Performance Center 6in barrel, Target B34 25 yards, Chronograph 8Feet from the muzzle.
There was very little powder reside on the cases after firing, but the rounds were smoky but this is normal because of the lube used in the groove of the bullet.
The second round of firing were 18 rounds fired from the Ruger Alaskan 454/45Colt from the sitting position while only rest my elbows on the bench.
6 Shots
12 Shots
6 Head shots
Chronograph Read Outs: Ruger Alaskan 454/45 Colt 2in barrel, Target B34 25 yards, Chronograph 8Feet from the muzzle.
| 255 LRN (.452″) 5.9 grains Alliant Red Dot, Starline cases, Winchester Large Pistol Primers April-13-2013 60°F Roll Crimp .471 |
| Avg Vel=853 |
| Std Dev =20 |
| ES = 87.85 |
| High = 890.9 |
| Low = 803 |
| Number Shots = 18 |
| Excellent Accuracy |
| Very Little Powder Residue |
| Very Smoky when fired due to bullet lube |
Tale of the Tape:Summary
The 45 Colt cartridge is very versatile and can be loaded from mild to wild. Cowboy action shooters love this round loaded to 750fps. Hunters also find the 45 Colt to be very useful at 1000fps when fired from lever action rifles or Ruger BlackHawk revolvers. Don't under estimate the 45 Colt as a great self defense cartridge as well. The key to the 45 Colt is pairing it's capability and flexibility when hand loaded with the right firearm. Firing hot rodded hand loads or buffalo bore +P rounds in a Colt SAA is sure to cause damage to your firearm. I love the 45 Colt for it's old western history, having been carried on the hips of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, Scott Cooley and Johnny Ringo. I think it is only fitting that I now find a nice Single Action 45 Colt to add to my collection.
If your looking for a fun relaxing day on the range reload a number of rounds of your favorite cartridge, grab multiple firearms and a chronograph and be awed by the variability between the combinations. If your looking for the best accuracy out of your favorite cartridge experiment with different powders and amounts of powder, over all lengths, crimps shot over a chronograph to reduce your extreme spread and standard deviation to as low as numbers as possible to achieve the best consistency.
| 255 LRN (.452″) 5.9 grains Alliant Red Dot, Starline cases, Winchester Large Pistol Primers April-13-2013 60°F Roll Crimp .471 |
| Avg Vel=763 |
| Std Dev =36 |
| ES = 61.12 |
| High = 791 |
| Low = 730 |
| Number Shots = 18 |
| Excellent Accuracy |
| Very Little Powder Residue |
| Not as smoky when fired from the 2in barrel |
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