.45 Colt defense loads

Actually, RODFAC, additional expansion is a MOOT point, not a MUTE point. But I agree 100% about the additional expansion not meaning much with projectiles almost a half-inch in diameter.
 
Ratshooter yes the 200grain bullets are refered to as flying ashtray due to the large opening in the hollow point, but it still applies to these as well due to the still large opening of the hollow point.:rolleyes:
 
As Elmer Keith said a 250 gr .44 or .45 dead soft lead bullet at 800-900 fps will take the fight out of any man in a center of mass hit. And he was there so to speak. It didn't take fancy hollow point whiz bang modern marvel bullets to drive the buffalo almost to extinction and one of them weighs as much as 10 humans. And they were shot at mostly with bullets only weighing around twice as much. Elmer may have embellished a bit but in comparison to modern gun writers he was a saint.
 
Thanks for all the replies. The reason I wouldn't use hand loads is because I don't want to be the first guy found guilty of making super duper bullets that caused a criminal insufferable pain and suffering. Strange isn't it, I make the best load I can imagine for defense against toothy critters but only because they only have teeth and claws, no lawyers.
Click to expand...

Then don't make super duper loads. They aren't needed anyway. The only real difference between your gun and a regular model 25 is the mountain gun has a lighter weight barrel. Your gun will take the same pressure loads with no problem.

I have asked several cops about using handloads for SD and everyone has looked at me like I had horns and a third eye. They saw no problem with handloads for SD. Just make sure you are fully justified to use your gun for defending yourself and you should be fine. And the odds of you actually having to use your gun for SD is very slim unless you like to walk around Harlem by yourself wearing a KKK suit.

I don't understand why folks are so obsessed with using a gun against another person to the point that they let that scenario dictate what they buy and what they load for it. I have read that in the wild west if you stayed out of bars you would almost never have need of a gun except to hunt. And the few times one might be needed the old shotgun or rifle would do the trick.

Like stated earlier the original 45 colt loads will provide all thats needed for defense against people and some pretty large animals. The 45 colt was the most powerful handgun round available until the 357 mag came along in 1935.

And Smee the "flying ashtray" moniker was hung on the old 200gr hollow points. You can call the new bullets by the same name if you want but when you say flying ashtray the old bullets are what most think of.
 
Last edited:
Hornady now has "Critical Duty" rounds that exceed their "Critical Defense" rounds. Both are developed with the CIA to meet 12 critical goals. The Critical Defense round met 8 of 12 requirements...where Critical Duty met all 12. Both are designed to go through jacket material and bone before expanding (blooming).
 
There are two different opinions concerning using reloads vs. factory ammo. I have a third.

I have had no more of my hand loads misfire than factory loads, but I would still using only factory ammo in my semi-autos.

Revolver use is a no-brainer...given the confidence I have in rounds I have loaded, and knowing that all my (D/A) revolvers just need another trigger pull (assuming of course that it is not the last round in the cylinder), not a mag rap and rack, I would be comfortable using my hand loads with my revolvers as a SD round.
 
Anything in .45 Colt except the lightest-weight pipsqueak "cowboy" loads should be just fine for self defense. They will be at least equal to .45 ACP hardball.

I would use 250 or 255 grain RNFP or SWC bullets; anything loaded over about 800 fps.

225 or 230 grain hollow-points would make a mess too.
 
Wouldn't want to use hand loads for self defense, hence my question.
Click to expand...


That's exactly what I would want. You can pick the powder, bullet, primer....
Click to expand...


I'm with you. Since 45LC, non-Ruger, is not a very common self defense round, there is not a lot of easy to find self defense ammo for it, but yet there is everything in the world available for this caliber as a handloader.
 
A 255 gr 45 cal slug doesn't really nee a lot of velocity to be an effective SD load.

I'm thinking a mild recoil round which you can shoot effectively would be a better choice.
 
The reason I wouldn't use hand loads is because I don't want to be the first guy found guilty of making super duper bullets that caused a criminal insufferable pain and suffering.
Click to expand...
I've never seen any evidence showing the type of ammo used made a difference in the final outcome of a trial.

If a shooting is justified, it will make no difference

There really are no bad loads in a cartridge the size of a 45 Colt
 
I've never seen any evidence showing the type of ammo used made a difference in the final outcome of a trial.
Click to expand...

There has been such a case. I don't have the cite handy, but if you search the Handload/selfdefense threads you will find it.

The real boogeyman to worry about isn't the oft stated fear about the prosecutor trying to turn you into a killer because you loaded "extra deadly" ammo. That has been tried, numerous times, and so far, has never worked.

The case I'm talking about did result in a conviction, essentially because of a handload, and the forensic lab's interpretation of the evidence. Guy said wife was despondent, tried to shoot herself. He tried to stop her. Struggle over the gun, it goes off, she died. Tragic accident.

Lab looks at powder spray pattern, and says, "No, not enough powder residue for point blank shot. Shot came from across the room. Husband is lying. The Jury went with the lab's story, and convicted.

The ammo came from a box of mixed handloads. Even if it had been in a box with all components marked, it still would have been a problem, because literally, its only your word what the ammo is, and since you are in court, your word is suspect, automatically.

Any handloader knows that you will get a drastically different result from a charge of Bullseye than you do from a charge of 2400 powder. But lab analysis requires a standard to judge against. The common standard is factory ammo (of the same lot#, when known).

This is the point to be concerned about. A good shoot, the ammo won't matter. If you wind up in court, something is questionable, and your word isn't enough. What will matter is other people's opinions, and while in most situations, a handload will not matter, it is possible it might, in the eyes of others.

Standard .45 Colt, the traditional load with a 255gr bullet at black powder speeds was used by the Army to stop men and horses. It worked. In fact, the Army actually used more of a lighter load (.45 Army /.45 Schoefield), the ballistics of which were used as required the specs for the .45 Auto round when it was being considered for adoption.

The British .455 Webley used a 265gr lead slug at 600fps, and was considered to be an adequate manstopper. (but then, what do the English know?;):rolleyes:)

Placement is what matters most, and the .45 Colt in standard trim had all the oomph needed, if you do your part right.
 
There has been such a case. I don't have the cite handy, but if you search the Handload/selfdefense threads you will find it.
Click to expand...

That's not a self defense shooting, and without knowing the actual evidence, it's hard to say what powder residue they found (or didn't find)

Any powder should have left some residue if she shot herself from less than 2 ft away
 
Cor-Bon, as mentioned, makes a nice 225 gr. HP all copper Barnes-X. It's pretty warm for factory ammo but your gun can handle it easily. They are fairly pricey, but accurate and reliable in my 45LC's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top