Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.45 ACP
Legendary American pistol cartridge with cult following.
- Caliber
- 0.452″ · 11.481 mm
- Introduced
- 1905
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self Defense, Military, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1905
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- John Moses Browning
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 26.7 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 21,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 9–14 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Browning BXP X-Point HP 230gr 230 gr, 830 fps, BC 0.210 G1 · 25 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 830 | 352 | -0.9″ | — |
| 25 yd | 816 | 340 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 50 yd | 803 | 329 | -2.4″ | -4.5 |
| 75 yd | 790 | 318 | -8.1″ | -10.3 |
| 100 yd | 777 | 308 | -17.3″ | -16.5 |
| 125 yd | 765 | 299 | -30.1″ | -23.0 |
| 150 yd | 753 | 289 | -46.6″ | -29.7 |
| 175 yd | 741 | 281 | -67.0″ | -36.6 |
| 200 yd | 730 | 272 | -91.3″ | -43.6 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open .45 ACP ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Terminal ballistics
392 FBI-protocol gel tests on record (Bare Gelatin, Heavy Clothing, Denim, Wallboard, Plywood, Auto Glass) — 284 passed the 12–18″ penetration window.
- Median penetration
- 14.9″ (bare gel)
- Median expansion
- 0.770″
- Protocol pass rate
- 284/392
Published FBI-protocol results (bare gel + barriers), not Lindcott testing. Pass = 12–18″ penetration with reliable expansion.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.48 | 0.452 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.09 | 0.476 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 22.81 | 0.898 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 32.39 | 1.275 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .45 ACP is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 580 active loads across 94 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 607 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore | JHP | 185 | JHP | 1,300 | 694 | 0.172 G1 |
| Buffalo Bore | JHP | 200 | JHP | 1,150 | 587 | 0.168 G1 |
| Federal | Personal Defense | 185 | JHP | 1,140 | 534 | 0.172 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep | 210 | JHP | 1,050 | 514 | 0.210 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep | 210 | Hydra-Shok Deep HP | 1,050 | 514 | 0.210 G1 |
| DoubleTap | Tactical | 230 | Bonded JHP | 1,010 | 521 | 0.210 G1 |
| Fiocchi | Extrema XTP | 200 | Hornady XTP JHP | 1,000 | 444 | 0.168 G1 |
| CCI | Personal Protection | 200 | JHP | 1,000 | 444 | 0.168 G1 |
| Federal | Syntech | 185 | TSJ | 1,000 | 411 | 0.168 G1 |
| Federal | Punch | 200 | JHP | 1,000 | 444 | 0.170 G1 |
| Armscor | HP | 185 | HP | 1,000 | 411 | 0.172 G1 |
| Federal | American Eagle | 185 | JHP | 1,000 | 411 | 0.172 G1 |
| Fiocchi | Extrema | 200 | XTP | 975 | 422 | 0.168 G1 |
| Fiocchi | Extrema XTP JHP | 200 | XTP JHP | 975 | 422 | 0.168 G1 |
| CCI | Blazer Brass | 185 | JHP | 975 | 390 | 0.172 G1 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
49 reloading powders listed for .45 ACP, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .45 ACP
12 models in the database chamber .45 ACP. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Designed by John Browning in 1905 for the Colt M1911 pistol. Adopted by US military in 1911. Replaced by 9mm in 1985 but remains extremely popular among enthusiasts and '1911 guys.'
FAQs
- What twist rate does .45 ACP use?
- .45 ACP typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .45 ACP?
- .45 ACP uses a 0.452″ (11.481 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .45 ACP still in production?
- .45 ACP is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is .45 ACP used for?
- .45 ACP is primarily used for self defense, military, target, competition.
- What are the best powders for .45 ACP?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .45 ACP include No. 1, S065, RS10, Bull's-Eye, among 49 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- StandardSAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .45 ACParchived
- StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawingsarchived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 580 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured; terminal-ballistics figures are published FBI-protocol results. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →