The .45 Long Colt is a versatile cartridge that played a key role in transitioning the firearms industry into the modern era. The round is a proven fight stopper, with extensive use by soldiers, hunters, and sport shooters across the country. Due to its impressive history, there’s a wide variety of loads from numerous manufacturers offering dependable performance.
History of the .45 Long Colt
Arriving at a pivotal point in U.S. history during continued western expansion and escalating conflicts with Native American tribes, the .45 Colt was designed as a replacement military sidearm cartridge. Current .44-caliber offerings were proving to be ineffective, and something with a bit more capability was needed. The U.S. Army specified the cartridge must be powerful enough to take down an Indian war horse at 100 yards.
Colt entered the handgun trials with the Single Action Army (SAA) revolver in 1872, and by 1873, the handgun and cartridge were officially adopted. The .45 Colt was originally a black powder round, and it was adapted to modern smokeless powder in the late 1890s. It featured a heavier, 255-grain bullet over 40 grains of black powder to produce a muzzle velocity around 1,000 feet per second.
The “Long Colt” designation came about a bit later in the mid-1870s after the army began issuing the new Smith and Wesson Schofield revolver, and shorter .45 S&W Schofield cartridge, to cavalry units. The Colt could fire both rounds, but the S&W could not.
Primarily a handgun cartridge, it wasn’t until much later that the .45 Long Colt was tweaked for use in rifles. The initial soft, balloon-head case was not suited to extracting from rifles. Modern ammo and bullet design have rectified the issue.
Today, the round remains popular for hunting, self-defense, and target shooting from both rifles and handguns.
How the .45 LC Stacks Up
In many ways, the .45 ACP can be viewed as a .45 Colt for semi-auto firearms. They’re each .45s and Colts after all. Both push a heavy, 200+ grain bullet at moderate velocities. However, the .45 Long Colt has much more potential. High-pressure +P .45 LC loads can push a heavy 300+ grain bullet over 1,200 fps to generate more than 1,000 ft/lbs of energy (as opposed to the .45 ACP’s standard 370 ft/lbs). This allows the round to stretch further into the hunting territory, capable of taking elk, moose, and bear.
Compared to another high-power revolver cartridge, the .44 Magnum, the .45 Colt achieves similar amounts of energy, but in different ways. The .44 Magnum relies more on velocity to hit hard, while the .45 Colt utilizes a heavier projectile. .45 Colt is also more versatile, with low-power loads falling into the 400 ft/lbs range. This allows it to be used across a range of historic firearms.
Ballistic Performance
Bullet Weights, Velocity, and Energy
.45 Colt bullets typically range from 200 to 300 grains. Factory loads are generally 225 and 255 grains, with historic ammo falling between 250 and 255 grains. Lighter bullets are excellent for target shooting, plinking, and competition shooting. They generally exhibit less felt recoil and make for faster follow-up shots.
Heavy bullets are mostly found in +P loads that are designed for modern, robust revolvers and geared toward hunting and animal defense. These may even be designated as “Ruger Only” to prevent damage to more historically inclined firearms.
Given the large variation in ammunition selection, .45 Colt can deliver between 400 and 1,000+ ft/lbs of energy. Velocity can range from 700 to 900 fps in standard pressure ammo, and up to 1,400 fps in +P ammunition. Firing from a lever-action can add 200 to 300 fps due to the increased barrel length and extra burn time.
Accuracy and Effective Range
The .45 Colt is an inherently accurate cartridge with proper ammunition. Traditional lead ammo must be matched to the firearm’s chamber mouth for consistent accuracy. In some cases, shooters may need to handload for the best results. Jacketed bullets help bypass this issue for improved accuracy. Good shooters can even reach out to 200 yards if the eyes allow for it.
However, the heavy bullet of the .45 Colt limits the effective range to 100 yards or less. Its rainbow-like trajectory makes range estimation for distance shooting key. Bullet drop is significant and must be factored into your calculations.
Recoil and Shootability
.45 Long Colt recoil can range anywhere from mild to harsh, depending on load and firearm selection. Light cowboy loads can be fired all day by a variety of shooters without much strain. Heavy hunting loads from a revolver exhibit magnum-like recoil and require a bit of practice for effective control. Shifting to a rifle can help distribute recoil forces more evenly for easier management.
Penetration and Expansion
At the time it was introduced, the .45 Colt was a showstopper in terms of penetration, producing better results than any other handgun cartridge available. Standard .45 Colt loads will penetrate 12 to 14 inches in gel and tissue. History has shown it easily punches through multiple 1-inch wood boards. Modern +P ammo only increases this, producing 18 to 24+ inches of bone-shattering penetration.
Expansion for the .45 Colt relies on proper hollow point ammunition. Most loads will mushroom out to around 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter. Velocity is important for consistent expansion. Most cowboy loads do not reach this threshold.
For the best results, look for a round that reaches at least 850 to 900 fps. Some bullets, like the FlexTip from Hornady, are designed for improved expansion. It features a polymer tip that drives into the bullet, causing it to expand more reliably. Some rounds strictly rely on fluid hydraulic energy for expansion.
Hunting with .45 Long Colt
Within its effective range, the .45 Long Colt is an excellent round for hunting. Anything from deer and feral hogs to black bear and big cats can be taken with ease. Even moose, elk, and large game can be had with heavy +P ammo. As with everything, ammo selection is important, and shooters should stick with flat nose expanding bullets or hard-cast rounds.
Standard pressure rounds are safe for use in Colt SAA revolvers and replicas from manufacturers like Cimarron and Uberti. Heavy and +P loads should be reserved for Ruger Blackhawks and lever-actions such as the Marlin 1894.
Notably, with a slow, heavy bullet, trajectory drop is significant as range increases. This makes shot placement imperative. Make sure you practice with your firearm and load selection to ensure an ethical kill.
Top Loads
1. Hornady LEVERevolution 225-grain FlexTip
For hunting with a lever-action in .45 Colt, look no further than Hornady’s LEVERevolution. Featuring a polymer FlexTip hollow point bullet, the round delivers improved aerodynamics for increased long-range accuracy. Additionally, the polymer tip drives into the hollow point cavity, causing consistent expansion and enhanced mushrooming.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 960 | 460 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 903 | 407 | 0 |
| 100 | 855 | 366 | -9.1 |
Hornady LEVERevolution .45 Long Colt Ammo 225gr FTX 20 Rounds
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2. Barnes Pioneer 200-grain XPB
Designed for both lever guns and revolvers, Barnes Pioneer provides faithful service. This .45 Long Colt load is loaded for massive expansion and weight retention for deeper penetration and devastating terminal performance. Non-corrosive box primers and clean-burning powders and propellants keep you shooting longer between cleaning sessions. There’s also a 250-grain option with Barnes’ original JHP FN bullet.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 850 | 321 | Unavailable |
| 25 | 827 | 304 | 0 |
| 50 | 805 | 288 | -2.3 |
Barnes Pioneer .45 Long Colt Ammo 200gr XPB 20 Rounds
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.45 Colt Self-Defense
Although it has been eclipsed by more modern rounds and semi-auto pistols, the .45 Long Colt is still a good choice for self-defense. The human body hasn’t changed since the U.S. Army employed it. Stouter loads allow it to be used for defense against predators while hiking or camping. Light loads work well in crowded urban settings.
Although it’s mostly known as a single-action revolver cartridge, there are a number of modern double-action revolvers chambered in .45 Colt. The Colt Anaconda, Ruger Redhawk, S&W Model 25 are prime examples. Taurus offers the Judge, and S&W has the Governor designed to chamber both .45 LC and .410 shotgun shells for added versatility. Charter Arms even makes its Bulldog revolver in .45 Colt for shooters on a budget.
Top Loads
1. Federal Power-Shok 235-grain JHP
Federal Power-Shok was intended as a hunting load, but it’s good for defensive purposes as well. It offers excellent short barrel performance with handguns, and the jacketed hollow point bullet provides consistent, controlled expansion at modest velocities. With a 235-grain projectile hitting roughly 850 fps, overpenetration is less of a concern than with ultra-hot rounds.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 850 | 377 | Unavailable |
| 25 | 834 | 363 | 0 |
| 50 | 819 | 350 | -2.2 |
| 75 | 804 | 338 | -7.7 |
| 100 | 790 | 326 | -16.4 |
Federal Power-Shok .45 Long Colt Ammo 235gr JHP 20 Rounds
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2. Hornady Critical Defense 185-grain FTX
Designed specifically for self-defense and everyday carry, Hornady Critical Defense is an excellent choice no matter the caliber. In .45 Colt, it offers a great balance of power and controllability. Featuring the same FlexTip bullet used in the LEVERevolution mentioned above, it ensures consistent expansion and good penetration for effective terminal performance.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 920 | 348 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 870 | 311 | 0 |
| 100 | 826 | 280 | -10 |
Hornady Critical Defense .45 Long Colt Ammo 185gr FTX 20 Rounds
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Target/Competition Use
The .45 Colt is extremely popular in Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) competitions. Many shooters are drawn to the round due to its historical authenticity. Low-recoil cowboy loads allow it to be used with period-correct single-action revolvers, as well as lever-action rifles utilizing the same caliber.
It’s also a fun round for plinking at the range. Oftentimes, switching from a modern semi-auto to a revolver or lever-action forces shooters to slow down and focus more on marksmanship. This is a great way to make your shots count and conserve more ammo at the range. Additionally, it can be refreshing to turn to a more classic firearm after the deluge of polymer wonder nines and AR-15s.
Top Loads
1. Hornady Cowboy Action 255-grain LFN
Cowboy Action shooters needing unmatched reliability know to turn to Hornady’s Cowboy load. The knurling at the base of the bullet holds an even distribution of wax for proper lubrication to prevent excessive leading of the barrel. Further, the traditional design provides proper positioning in authentic revolvers for increased stability and accuracy.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 725 | 298 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 687 | 267 | 0 |
| 100 | 651 | 240 | -16.9 |
Hornady Cowboy Action Loads .45 Long Colt Ammo 255gr LFN 20 Rounds
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2. Fiocchi 250-grain LRN FP
Fiocchi boasts its Cowboy Action load delivers authentic Old West performance with modern quality. It’s intended for smooth recoil and enjoyable shooting, whether you’re competing in an intense competition or casually plinking. The flat nose lead bullet incorporates a protective coating to reduce wear and fouling on your firearm.
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (FPS) | Energy (Ft/lbs) | Trajectory (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 750 | 312 | -0.5 |
| 50 | 693 | 266 | 0 |
| 100 | 654 | 237 | -9.6 |
Fiocchi Cowboy Action .45 Long Colt Ammo 250gr LRNFP 50 Rounds
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Final Thoughts: .45 Long Colt
With a legacy as large as the bullet itself, the .45 Long Colt holds a special place in American history. In many ways, the round is tied to the renowned Colt Peacemaker and other variations of the Single Action Army. With loads ranging from mild to hot, there’s .45 Colt ammo for any occasion. If you go with any of the options on this list, they’re sure to be a hit.
Have you tried Colt’s original .45? What are your thoughts on the .45 Long Colt? What are your favorite .45 Colt firearms? Share your thoughts in the comments.
The post Review: .45 Long Colt — History and Ammo Recommendations appeared first on The Mag Life.
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