.45 Colt +P

This is just a guess but the manufacturers that label their ammmo +P are known for making serious hard hitting ammo. Maybe the +P designation is there as a red flag to prevent their use in a SAA type 45 Colt by someone that doesn't really know what the limits are on their gun.

Thanks for all the comments and links on the 45 Colt Cases guy's

Most manufacturers will "nix" the shooting of ANY cartridge in their revolvers except the caliber that they are made for. People who shoot .45 Colt (of any stripe) in a .454, get a build up of carbon, etc. at the end of the shorter cases, then try to fire factory loads of .454 Casull (with their 60,000 psi.) can lead to catastrophic failure. Freedom Arms with their very strong .454 Casull specifically state this.

Is it dangerous? That is another question entirely. No, not on the surface. But if those .45 Colt heavy loads get into a standard .45 Colt SAA it can be BAD news. If you don't clean the .454 cylinder before you fire .454's in them after firing .45 Colt's, same thing.

FWIW
Dale53

Folks have been shooting .38 Special in .357 Mags for decades without issue. The simple trick is keeping the chambers clean. That said, the cynic in me sometimes thinks Freedom would rather sell you an extra cylinder when there really is no need (hey, they are in the business to make money after all). My FA in .454 gets fed both .454 and .45 Colt on a regular basis. I just don't see this as an issue. However, the problem lies with the lack of common sense exhibited by many folks nowadays (and the preponderance of lawyers looking for something to do) and I realize that companies (like FA) need to protect themselves by loudly stating the warnings (like carrying their revolvers with an empty under the hammer), etc.

Perhaps a moot point , but my SRH .454 was labeled on the cylinder : 454 and 45 Colt .....

regards , brushunter

Back when I had my freedom arms 454 it was said tha a steady use of high pressure 45 colt in the 454 chamber would create a rough spot that would cause the longer 454 round to stick or bind in the chamber.

I never used 45 colt in my 454 and have no idea if this is really a problem. Thousands of 38s are shot 357 chambers every year with little or no problem so it seems that this would be okay in the 454 as well.

The only thing different is that hot 45 colts run at much higher pressures than a 38 does..

However, the problem lies with the lack of common sense exhibited by many folks nowadays (and the preponderance of lawyers looking for something to do) and I realize that companies (like FA) need to protect themselves by loudly stating the warnings (like carrying their revolvers with an empty under the hammer), etc.

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This has more to do with it than the actual practice. Even with the warning of carrying with the hammer down on an empty hole FA still got sued and lost when a guy blew half his leg off with a 454. Common sense ain't so common anymore.

Yup, folks used to be able to rely on the safety mechanism between their ears. Not so much anymore.

MaxP said:

Yup, folks used to be able to rely on the safety mechanism between their ears. Not so much anymore.

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If stupidity prevented people from buying guns there would be far fewer gun owners.

What Claypool said, the potential problem is in the case length. With +P pressure, apparently Ruger does not feel comfortable with it from a safety (lawsuit) standpoint.

whichwatch said:

Any ideas why Ruger does not recommend shooting .45 Colt +P in their .454 Casulls? I emailed the other day inquiring about a load for my Toklat, their response was basically this, the load you asked about is fine, we don't however recommend shooting .45 Colt +P in your gun.

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Time for an email reply to Ruger's message, asking for the reason of their recommendation.
Copy and paste this ANSI/SAAMI chart below and ask them about the 45 Colt (Ruger) listed.


ANSI/SAAMI Pistol Pressure Specifications (Maximum Average pressure)
All Piezo measurements (unless specified)

Cartridge Pressure (Max Avg)
.38 Colt 12,000 cup
.357 Magnum 35,000
.357 Maximum 40,000
.40 S&W 35,000
10 mm 37,500
.41 AE 35,000
.41 Magnum 36,000
.44 Special 15,500
.44-40 13,000 cup
.44 Magnum 36,000
.45 Auto Rim 15,000 cup
.45 ACP 21,000
.45 ACP +P 23,000
.45 Colt 14,000
.45 Colt (Ruger) 25,000 cup
.45 Win Mag 40,000 cup
.454 Casull 50,000 cup
.50 AE 35,000