45 Colt bullet hardness

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philthephlier

Bearcat
Joined
Sep 8, 2009
Messages
17
For 1000 FPS with 260 gr. cast bullets from a NM Blackhawk 5-1/2" barrel, how hard should the bullets be?
 

B.Roberts

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
101
Location
Gig Harbor, WA
I think what chamber pressure it required to get to your 1000fps matters more than the speed itself. I use cast bullets with a bhn of 11-12 for Unique and Universal at those speeds.
 

pisgah

Buckeye
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
1,633
Location
Upstate SC
In my .45 Colt Uberti, I find wheel weights just abourt ideal for 900-1000 fps. The good work that can be done with such a load is a wonder to behold, enough to make you wonder why so many people feel the need to abuse themselves with magnums. They certainly have their place, but the old , pokey .45 will do a heckuva lot of what they'll do.
 

philthephlier

Bearcat
Joined
Sep 8, 2009
Messages
17
In my .45 Colt Uberti, I find wheel weights just abourt ideal for 900-1000 fps. The good work that can be done with such a load is a wonder to behold, enough to make you wonder why so many people feel the need to abuse themselves with magnums. They certainly have their place, but the old , pokey .45 will do a heckuva lot of what they'll do.

The devastation that the 45-70 is capable of with 530 grain round nose bullets is legendary. 1300 FPS, it would drop 2000 lb buffalo like a mountain fell on it. I used to be a big .357 magnum fan and still am to a degree but I am quickly turning into a 45 Colt devotee and could easily see myself making it my first choice as an all around home defense cartridge. I'm lovin' it. I just ordered my first NM Blackhawk in 45 Colt with a 5-1/2" barrel. Really looking forward to it.
 

Rclark

Hunter
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
3,533
Location
Butte, MT
....but I am quickly turning into a 45 Colt devotee and could easily see myself making it my first choice as an all around home defense cartridge. I'm lovin' it. I just ordered my first NM Blackhawk in 45 Colt with a 5-1/2" barrel. Really looking forward to it.
You will like it. I sure like mine. .45 Colt loaded 'normally' is my first choice for home defence and my hiking/fishing/camping/etc.
 
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
3,051
Location
Alexandria, LA USA
The 260 gr wheel weight cast bullets that I've used for years over Unique and Herco run about the 1K fps range and I have only had leading problems with one Blackhawk. And that was with my standard 10gr Unique load. I really need to lap that barrel and see if it helps but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I heard that Buffalo Bill use to cast his own with wheel weights and what's good for ole Bill is good enough for me. :roll:
 
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