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Revolver · SAAMI

.45 Schofield

.45 S&W Schofield.45 S&W

Shorter than .45 Colt, developed for the top-break Schofield revolver.

Caliber
0.4559″ · 11.58 mm
Introduced
1875
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.45 Colt
Primary use
Military (Historical), Cowboy Action
Status
Active
Velocity700–800 fps
Energy250–330 ft·lb
Typical grains230 · 250 gr
Identity
Introduced
1875
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Smith & Wesson / Major George Schofield
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
27 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:16
Primer
Large Pistol
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
13,500 psi
Eff. range
50 yd
Max range
200 yd
Recoil
3–5 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Black Hills Cowboy Action 230 gr, 730 fps, BC 0.215 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd730272-0.9″—
25 yd7192640.0″0.1
50 yd708256-3.3″-6.3
75 yd698249-10.9″-13.9
100 yd688241-23.0″-22.0
125 yd678234-39.6″-30.3
150 yd668228-61.1″-38.9
175 yd658221-87.3″-47.7
200 yd649215-118.7″-56.7

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 TargetBlack Hills Cowboy Action230 gr · LRN · 730 fps · BC 0.215 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .45 Schofield 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 ⌀11.580.456·
Neck ⌀12.190.480·
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀12.190.480·
Rim ⌀12.950.510~
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.520.060·
Neck lengthn/a
Case length27.691.090·
Overall length36.321.430·

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 Schofield is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 10 active loads across 7 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
Black HillsCowboy Action230LRN7302720.215 G1
Ten-XDCAP250RNFP750312—
FiocchiLead RN230Lead RN730272—
Buffalo ArmsLead RN Cowboy230Lead RN730272—
Black HillsCowboy230LRN730272—
RemingtonStandard230LRN730272—
Black HillsCowboy Action FP230Lead FP730272—
FiocchiLead FP230Lead FP730272—
UltramaxLead RN Cowboy230Lead RN730272—
Ten-X AmmunitionLead RN Cowboy230Lead RN730272—
HirtenbergerStandard230Lead Round Nose730272—
GrafFMJ Standard230Lead Round Nose730272—
DoubletapHardcast230Lead Round Nose730272—
HSM AmmunitionCowboy230Lead Round Nose730272—
JamisonCustom230Lead Round Nose730272—

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

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .45 Schofield, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Bull's-Eye
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 Schofield

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

Cimarron Firearms Cimarron Schofield .45 Colt 7-inchTaylor's & Company Schofield .45 SplTaylor's & Co Uberti Schofield 45 Colt 5-inchUberti Schofield 2nd ModelA. Uberti Schofield No.3Dan Wesson DW 460 Dan Wesson 10-inchUberti Uberti 1875 Schofield .45 S&W Schofield 7-inchSmith & Wesson Schofield 2nd Model .45 SWSmith & Wesson Schofield RevolverSmith & Wesson Model 3 SchofieldS&W Schofield .45 S&W 7-inchSmith & Wesson Schofield Model 3 .45 S&W

Connected reference

Loads20 factory loads for .45 Schofield↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .45 Schofield↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Major George Schofield of the 10th Cavalry pushed for adoption of the S&W Schofield revolver. Its top-break action allowed faster reloading on horseback than the Colt SAA. The Army bought 8,969 Schofields but the incompatibility with .45 Colt proved a logistical disaster. Buffalo Bill Cody reportedly preferred the Schofield for its faster reload.

FAQs

What twist rate does .45 Schofield use?
.45 Schofield typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .45 Schofield?
.45 Schofield uses a 0.4559″ (11.58 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .45 Schofield still in production?
.45 Schofield is active; typical availability is common.
What is .45 Schofield used for?
.45 Schofield is primarily used for military (historical), cowboy action.
What is .45 Schofield based on?
.45 Schofield is derived from the .45 Colt case.
What are the best powders for .45 Schofield?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .45 Schofield include Bull's-Eye.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 10 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →