Ballistic gel test for Ammo Inc. .45 Colt. On an unrelated note (and shameless self-promotion) if you like fantasy fiction, check these out: www.amazon.com...
So many 45 Colt hollow points just don’t expand at these low factory loaded velocities. Another great test! Thank you for doing these. Keep them coming!
That's actually a very respectable wound channel in my opinion and the fact it still got full penetration is a bonus. Personally I think that's pretty damn good results but I also come from the crowd who prefers more penetration. People get too hyped up on velocity, bigger, slower bullets still do a hell of a job.
What he needs is longer Clear Ballistics. Either two end to end , or at least a 6inch mini block in front or behind. For big calibers , with potential dual purpose usage , it's meaningful if it's just barely exceeding 20 vs Reilly deep .
The clothing Barrier may make that bullet perform completely different In testing any bullet for self-defense, needs to have some type of clothing barrier.
I’ve very good luck with 225 gr semi wadcutter gas check with softer alloy for general use,wheel weights allow for penetration. 2400 powder about 950 fps
Federal used to make a .45 SWC HP that seemed to be somewhat effective in street shootings, but lack of mass and velocity made the handgun hunters not too happy. It just lacked the punch to go deep enough into 20 inches of fur, hide, bone and meat to reach a vital on an end on shot of anything over 140 pounds. 250 gr. SWC will though.
The .45 Colt is capable of SO much more than what most manufacturers build it as. I'm sure there is some concern for someone sticking a hot round in the chamber of an antique but as noted in the video, how likely is that? Outside of soft loads (like this one), the .45 Colt can be loaded up all the way well into magnum territory, making it quite a utilitarian round. Alas, not many modern manufacturers care to let it shine. This load seems to deliver very good disruption in the gel, just goes a wee bit far out the other side. Now, I think I need to check out your fantasy series. :)
Started carrying a Smith &Wesson 25-5 early in my LE career. Started with 255 round flat point and ended with Silvertips. I had one of the first 25's out in about 1980-81. Still have it. 45 Colt is still my favorite cartridge.
This ammo is a step backwards. The best self defense hollow points are a 200 grain Speer that hits 900 plus fps. The other good loads are hard cast 255 swc that can hit 900-1000 fps out of a 4 inch barrel. No need for a jacket on a 250 gr bullet in the sub 800 fps range👎
Total agreement. Those old CCI Lawman 200 gr. JHP and the Winchester Silvertip bullets were the only .45acp rounds I knew would expand in a human at .45acp velocities. The hard part was getting a 1911 to feed them reliably in rapid fore. I had a 1911 (actual) and a 1991 that would feed those and even 185 gr. lead match SWCs without a stutter, in rapid or slow fire but I also had 2 1911a1 that had feed issues with them.. A 250 gr. Keith hard cast lead at 900 fps solves any NE US hunting problem, but it is very much over penetration for a gun battle on a crowded city street. Situation, environment and backstop always have to be considered when loading up for the day.
I would love to see you tank a 45 colt round to your chest wearing a plate carrier, it would knock you on your ass and make you wish you had never eaten breakfast, now imagine without a plate carrier, one holopoint of 45colt is going to make a would be home invader/threat have a very bad day.
I’m a big fan of 45C. I would not shoot any thing over 900 fps due to the design of the S&W cylinder. I think the forcing cone can handle higher pressures it’s just the bolt notches are over the cylinder, the thinnest part of the cylinder. That being said give me a RedHawk by Ruger and it’s rock & roll. I have seen loads above 1300 and close to 1400 fps with no problems. Ruger Black Hawk probably just as strong maybe stronger both excellent guns. But if you want to get your “Dirty Harry” on it’s the Smith every time. Just done go overboard with the pressures.
Would love to see more 45 Colt tests. I suggest putting some water bottles or something behind the gel to capture the bullet. That is a pretty gnarly wound channel. If it didn't expand it must have tumbled. Yes manufacturers download in deference to older guns. IMNSHO jacketed bullets in SAMMI spec 45 Colt is stupid. LSWCHP would give higher velocities and more reliable expansion.
Definitely prefer Buffalo Bore heavy loaded 45 colt 200 grain hollow point at 1000fps out of my Blackhawk 5.5bbl will definitely expand in your target. Keith wadcutters are better at slower velocities IMHO.
I had a S&W Model 25 back in the 80's for a while. I can't remember if it was a 6" or 6.5" barrel. Gorgeous gun, wish I'd never gotten rid of it. Back then they were reasonably priced. I'm sure that the price is outrageous in 2023. They can keep it.
They currently retail for a little over $1,000. I bought mined used in 1994 for maybe $400. It originally had an 8 8/3 inch barrel, but I eventually had it cut down to four.
It is pretty obvious to me that the low velocity was/is a nod to the many shooters carrying actual Colt SAAs. Yes, the 3rd generation ones can possibly handle 950 - 900 fps ONCE IN AWHILE. However, the 1st and 2nd generation Colts, probably not. I certainly wouldn't shoot any smokeless round in any of my 1st generation Colts (which includes the 1DA 878 or the 1902), but that is just me. These slow rounds are however probably quite safe to the shooter in a 2nd or 3rd generation Colt. I have a stainless Uberti clone that is also cabable (based on experimentation) of handling rounds in the 900 FPS range (also my M25 of course as my video on that topc shows), but no way would any ammo maker's General Counsel approve releasing for general sale rounds that drive .45 Colt bullets at 900 FPS from a short pistol barrel. I believe Corbin does, but their boxes come with all sorts of warnings and a fervent hope no one sticks one in an original 1873 and then sues them when the gun bursts and takes off a finger or worse. JHPs are usually a waste of money in any firearm not generating at least 1,100 fps (the old aluminum jacketed Winchester Silvertips with a very soft lead core probably being the only exception I can think of). The Miami FBI (and some other Federal shootings (we used to get Silvertips in 9mm back in the early 90s) and the discovery that Silvertips won't do a good job of penetrating windshields is probaly what led to their disappearance across the caliber board. A shame because that was also an excellent .32acp design. Noting also, even in my S&W M25-5 the big limitation on what one can do with it is S&W copying Colt's decision to place the cylinder notch at precisely the thinnest part of the cylinder wall. Why ir was no designed to have the cylinder notch offset 1/16 inch or so, I will never understand. Ruger's Redhawk is a much smarter design that way.
Factory " Cowboy Action " loads range from 250 gr @ 100 fps slower than " normal standard " velocity to 200 gr @ same velocity . Obviously no expansion. Still lots of penetration. At least in the Self Defense context . If you're talking hunting , the difference between 18 inch vs 36 inch would be meaningful.
Please more research, you can find great standard pressure heavy bullet loads at Buffalo Bore and others. JPH at cr#p FPS mostly never preform. Test something like Winchester Super X specs on box say 860 FPS 255 grain. Run these in your gelly. Just lead in your jelly. Wish luck
Thanks for the chrono data. I picked up some ammo inc 45 colt rounds and the velocity seems really low. There’s virtually no recoil. 700 fps seems about right.
I just picked up an Uberti 1847 Walker and converted it to shoot .45's, with a Howell conversion cylinder. Feels like shooting a .22, the gun is so heavy. lol I got it for my night stand. If I miss, it'll scare the shit out of them.
Well , Everybody called it Flying Ashtray back in the day . You know that the actual Ashtray was discontinued by Speer decades ago ? The current 200 ihp is a different bullet .
Not enough Velocity to expand. What a waste. Plenty of space in the 45 Colt cartridge to get a decent Velocity over 950fps, for use in a modern gun. Thanks for highlighting this load's underperformance.
