Federal .45 Colt lead SWC-HP

L

Lone Star

New member
The debate on .45 Colt, Long Colt, Medium Colt, etc. was getting a bit long, so I thought I'd start a new .45 Colt thread...

Hey: one fellow on that other thread likes the Silvertip for a defense round. Has anyone here tried the Federal lead SWC-HP .45 load on anything (living) at least as large as a coyote? If so, how did it fare?

Lone Star
 
I think I mentioned the Silvertip as a common defense load in this caliber, but I'd carry Cor-Bons, personally.

Then again, we're dealing with basically .45ACP ballistics and projectile design, so it's hard to go "really wrong" :).

At these speeds (900ish FPS) I'll bet a lead hollowpoint wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. If I somehow got ahold of a 3" barrel .45LC, something that would open at low speeds like that would sound pretty good. But most .45LC guns are going to sport 4.6" or longer barrels, so the Silvertip or Cor-Bon JHP oughta open.
 
I like the Blazer 200g .45 Colt load for my Mountain Gun...probably 950 fps or so out of the 4" barrel. Very accurate and easy to control.

The only Cor-Bon load I've tried is their flatnose lead semi-jacketed 300 grainer [really a hunting load], and recoil is...ummm...stout. :cool:
 
The downside to the Federal load is:

Fire 12 to 18 rounds quickly (double action if that is applicable) then spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning the lead out of the barrel.
 
Zander, that was their +P hunting load :). Different critter, and it's FOR use on critters, not people. Look under their "self defense" listings, you'll find a load just like that Blazer (200grain JHP) except maybe 100/150fps faster. That'd be my pick, it's not labeled "+P" or "Ruger ONLY" or whatever, even the Spagetti SAAs can eat the Cor-Bon self-defense grade .45LCs in moderation. The +Ps will tear those guns up in a heartbeat, if they don't hand-grenade.

The Blazer and Silvertip are both quite decent personal defense choices.

If Cor-Bon ever loads the Pow'R'Ball in .45LC, that'll be THE hot ticket in personal defense in the caliber.
 
Dave T.-
Thanks. I was afraid of that. Happens with the lead SWC-HP .38's, too. However, the rounds that I fired from a Colt SAA (4.75-inch bbl.) some years ago were awfully accurate, and they didn't lead that particular gun much.

I was kind of hoping to eventually get an S&W M25-5 with the right cylinder throat dimensions and use this as a defense and small game load. Thought it would expand from a six-inch bbl.
I wish that someone offered a similar .44 Magnum medium power round, and I'd just use that in an M629, which is definitly on my acquisition list when funds become available.

Lone Star
 
Lonestar,

For a medium power load for the 44 Mag, check out ProLoad. They offer a "tactical" load that is reported to be controllable. Uses Speer's Gold Dot bullet (a 200g if memory serves).
 
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