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Revolver · SAAMI

.45 Colt

.45 Long Colt.45 LC

The original American frontier cartridge.

Caliber
0.452″ · 11.48 mm
Introduced
1872
Case
Rimmed
Primary use
Cowboy Action, Hunting, Self-Defense
Status
Active
Velocity750–1,200 fps
Energy250–650 ft·lb
Typical grains225 · 250 · 255 gr
Identity
Introduced
1872
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Colt / U.S. Army
Manufacturer
Colt / Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
40 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:16
Primer
Large Pistol
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
14,000 psi
Eff. range
100 yd
Max range
300 yd
Recoil
10–25 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Winchester Super-X 255 gr, 860 fps, BC 0.225 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd860419-0.9″—
25 yd8464050.0″0.0
50 yd832392-2.2″-4.1
75 yd819380-7.5″-9.5
100 yd807368-16.0″-15.2
125 yd794357-27.9″-21.3
150 yd783347-43.1″-27.5
175 yd771337-62.0″-33.8
200 yd760327-84.5″-40.3

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

Best for HuntingWinchester Super-X255 gr · LFP · 860 fps · BC 0.225 G1Buy now →
Best for DefenseWinchester Super-X255 gr · LFP · 860 fps · BC 0.225 G1Buy now →
Best for TargetWinchester Super-X255 gr · LFP · 860 fps · BC 0.225 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .45 Colt ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · approximate
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀11.480.452✓
Neck ⌀12.190.480~
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀12.190.480✓
Rim ⌀13.000.512✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.520.060✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length32.641.285✓
Overall length40.641.600✓

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 Colt is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 452 active loads across 45 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 455 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
Cor-BonJHP265JHP1,3501,0720.193 G1
Buffalo BoreHeavy +P+ HC300LFN GC1,3001,1260.210 G1
Buffalo BoreHeavy Outdoorsman255Hard Cast1,3009570.175 G1
Buffalo BoreJHP225JHP1,2007190.193 G1
Buffalo BoreJHP255JHP1,1006850.193 G1
Cor-BonJHP200JHP1,1005370.193 G1
Buffalo BoreHeavy +P+ HC255LFN GC1,0005660.175 G1
DoubleTapJHP200Bonded JHP1,0004440.193 G1
FederalFusion SP225Fusion SP9604600.190 G1
FederalHammerDown Bonded HP250Bonded HP9605120.193 G1
AguilaFMJ230FMJ9504610.183 G1
FederalHydra-Shok JHP225Hydra-Shok JHP9204230.193 G1
FederalPersonal Defense225JHP9004050.193 G1
FederalPunch JHP 250gr250Punch JHP8604100.193 G1
WinchesterSuper-X255LFP8604190.225 G1

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

11 reloading powders listed for .45 Colt, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Bull's-EyeUniversalHP-38Power Pro 2000-MR572HercoS123HS-6Blue DotHS-7N360
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 Colt

12 models in the database chamber .45 Colt. Browse all →

Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Brass .45 Colt 20-inchMarlin Marlin Model 1894 Classic .45 ColtMarlin Firearms Model 1894 Classic .45 ColtTaurus Raging Hunter .460 S&W MagnumMarlin Firearms 1894 Cowboy .45 ColtColt Anaconda .45 Colt 4-inchColt Anaconda .45 Colt 6-inchTaurus Judge Executive Grade .45 ColtPatriot Ordnance Factory Tombstone 45 ColtHenry Repeating Arms Side Gate .45 ColtHenry Repeating Arms H027 Side Gate .45 Colt 20-inchTaurus Raging Hunter .460 S&W 8.375-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (2 · 3 total)
.454 Casull
Family TreeOpen .45 Colt in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads455 factory loads for .45 Colt↗Reloading11 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .45 Colt↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 for the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Saw service throughout the Indian Wars and became synonymous with the American West. Remained the standard cavalry sidearm until replaced by .38 Long Colt in 1892.

FAQs

What twist rate does .45 Colt use?
.45 Colt typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .45 Colt?
.45 Colt uses a 0.452″ (11.48 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .45 Colt still in production?
.45 Colt is active; typical availability is common.
What is .45 Colt used for?
.45 Colt is primarily used for cowboy action, hunting, self-defense.
What are the best powders for .45 Colt?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .45 Colt include Bull's-Eye, Universal, HP-38, Power Pro 2000-MR, among 11 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Manufacturer sources for verified factory-load figures on this page:

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 452 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →