.45 Long Colt

[Rocky Raab]

Whether you call it the 45 Colt or 45 Long Colt (there is some debate, but MOST agree that 45 Colt is preferred), there is even more disparity in the cartridge dimensions than almost any other round loaded today.

Most 45 Colt cartridges are designed to shoot a lead bullet of about 250 grains and .454" diameter. But there are guns out there with bore diameters ranging from .451 to .458" Cylinder mouth dimensions are also all across the board. The only thing a reloader can do is slug his bore AND cylinder.

If he's lucky, his cylinder mouths will be .001" larger than his bore diameter. In this circumstance, the bullet will slug up to the cylinder diameter upon firing, and then be swaged back down to bore diameter after crossing the cylinder/barrel gap.

If he UNlucky, the cylinder will be smaller than the bore, and then the bullet will simply rattle down the bore, ricocheting from side to side.

There are parallel problems related to the diameter of the size die, the expander button and more. Suffice it to say there are NO simple or straightforward rules about this 130+ year-old round.

I absolutely love both of my 45 Colt revolvers - but it's like loving a red-headed stepchild. Trying, very trying.