.45 colt for self defense ?

[BillCA]

my only question would be what kind of self-defense loads are being made? If you reload, what kind of self-defense bullets are on the market.

I've always liked the idea of a 45LC revolver because, other than the 44 special, it's really the only big bore revolver not made for hunting. Seems if you like the idea of revolver chambered in a heavy, large-caliber bullet for self-defense, but you don't want a magnum, the LC is the way to go.

But, I always wondered if I would be able to find the full array of self-defense
loads offered for more common revolver rounds (e.g. 357, 38 etc.).

For the .41, I've seen LSWC bullets as low as 165gr and up to 250gr. In a slow moving bullet, I'd opt for the semi-wadcutter over a JHP every time.

The .41 Magnum can be reloaded at a reduced power level so it's firing a heavy 220gr JLSWC at around 825fps from a 4" tube. You could customize a similar "mouse-fart' round for a 2" barrel too. The trick is to use a powder that's bulkier than Unique so that you have enough powder in the case to avoid a detonation.

There are a broad range of "self-defense" rounds for the .38/.357 guns. Almost by definition any .38 Special round is a self-defense round. Start with the lightweight 95/110gr JHPs. Move up to the most common - 125gr JHP. There's the 146gr LSWC-HP that was known for years as the "L.A. Manstopper". Bullet weights and configurations are varied from 95gr to 200gr and with proper handloading almost any will be fairly good for S.D.

Note: Years ago, there was a fad of taking the 148gr HBWC (hollowbase wadcutter) target bullet and loading it backwards with a gas-check over the "nose" of the bullet. Driven at around 875-920fps from a 4" barrel, the gaping hollowbase combined with the soft-lead bullet formed an impressive mushroom shape. But at 20 yards the bullet tended to tumble sideways (showing severe yaw at 12 yards) so accuracy was not its strong suit.

 

[Socrates]

"Socrates, what are the laws in respect to gun ownership in Greece or are you the resident "Cultural Attache" to the US Embassy in which case no such banalities apply?"

Greece, like Hawaii lifting the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Federal Penal code, are nearly identical to the Peoples Republic of Kaliforina, where, if you are a public employee, one might fear for their job, if posting under their own name, since, in our facist-liberal state, the facist liberal bosses have facist tolerance for the 2nd amendment. In other words, they swear to uphold the US Constitution, but only the parts they like...

 

[vitesse9]

I should correct myself

I've always liked the idea of a 45LC revolver because, other than the 44 special, it's really the only big bore revolver not made for hunting.

Using moon-clips, one can have a revolver in 45ACP. But I've never liked the idea of rimless cartridges in a revolver.

I too have only seen corbon self-defense loads for 45colt. I see a lot of cowboy ammo for LC, but it just doesn't seem like you'd have as many SD ammo choices if you used a 45LC.

I'd love to be proven wrong b/c I've always had a soft spot for the S&W mountain gun.

 

[vitesse9]

I should correct myself

I've always liked the idea of a 45LC revolver because, other than the 44 special, it's really the only big bore revolver not made for hunting.

Using moon-clips, one can have a revolver in 45ACP. But I've never liked the idea of rimless cartridges in a revolver.

I too have only seen corbon self-defense loads for 45colt. I see a lot of cowboy ammo for LC, but it just doesn't seem like you'd have as many SD ammo choices if you used a 45LC.

I'd love to be proven wrong b/c I've always had a soft spot for the S&W mountain gun.

 

[44mag@ucnsb.net]

I own the Taurus Model 460 stainless in a 4" barrel... It is the same size gun as the Taurus snubbies with 2 extra inches of barrel... I shoot the following factory loads in my gun, across my chrono, they give me these velocities...

CCI Blazer 200gr GDHP @ 950fps
Corbon 200gr JHP @ 1000fps
Speer Gold Dot 250gr GDHP @ 900fps
Master Cartridge 260gr JHP @ 900fps

http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/revolver_manual.pdf

The Taurus manual (link above) says you can shoot a 255 grain bullet @ 950fps out of this gun safely, and that is what their lawyers approve of. All of the above factory loads are within the pressures created by the Taurus load. I also handload my 250gr keith's and 250 grain GDHP's to 1000fps out of my gun and they are very docile to shoot in my little taurus. It is definately CCW material and very easy to conceal.

As stated earlier, you can shoot 45 ACP's out of this gun as well, I have a half dozen of the taurus star clips for the 45 acp version of my gun and they work great. I am currently loading some of my 250 grain @ 1000fps loads in some 45 win mag casings I have so that I can use the star clips.. I have yet to find a speed loader for my gun. Have a good one.

Hope it helps..


P.S. For those who would argue the 45 colt does not reach 44 magnum strength, just look at Hodgdon's website, you will find the following heaviest load for the .45 colt...

360 GR. WLN GC (Maximum Loads)
DIA. .452
COL: 1.680"

H4227 22.0C 1167 29,800 CUP

H110 21.0 1151 28,300 CUP

LIL'GUN 18.0 1131 29,700 CUP

That is 5 grains heavier and about 60fps slower than what the 44 does with Hodgdon loadings, all of that with alot less pressure.. 10,000 CUP or so.