45 Colt bullet dia

opos · Mar 12, 2012

Just a quickie...I notice Speer sells a jacketed hollow point that is supposed to work with a 45 Colt load...it's .451 dia (jacketed)...I've read the info about lead and plated bullets being .452-.454 and slugging the bore, etc...I have a new model Blackhawk and am wondering if the .451 diameter jacketed bullet would work ok....planning on using Unique in moderate loads..Haven't loaded for the 45 Colt as yet and I got a feeling it would be just fine but thought I'd check ....thanks
opos

wizofwas · Mar 12, 2012

.451 for jacketed and .452 for lead is, as I understand it, the standard for reloading in the new revolvers. I'm sure that someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong.

Tellico · Mar 12, 2012

Thats what I use in my NM BH. and .452 Lead.

Iron Mike Golf · Mar 12, 2012

.451 jacketed. And even that may be a tight fit through your cylinder throats, depending on when your BH was made. I shoot .451 jacketed through mine.

PO2Hammer · Mar 13, 2012

There have been a couple good articles in the last two issues of Handloader magazine regarding the .45 Colt, bullet diameters and the various sizing dies.

WIL TERRY · Mar 14, 2012

IF I have choise I will pick .454" O.D. everytime . In over 40 yaers it has NOT let me down yet in every 45COLT sixgun I've ever owned and that is pretty much all of 'em, guys....still.

Rclark · Mar 14, 2012

What's jacketed??? Just kidding. All I use is lead, and all .452 . BTW, plated (different than jacketed) bullets should be treated like lead bullets of same weight.... All my cylinders have been reamed to .4525 as all my revolvers throats have been undersize. There are some older Rugers that I understand have oversize throats and then .454 are used. Depends on your revolver. My guess is .451 will work fine for your jacketed loads.