What twist rate does .45 Winchester Magnum use?

.45 Winchester Magnum typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .45 Winchester Magnum?

.45 Winchester Magnum uses a 0.452″ (11.481 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .45 Winchester Magnum still in production?

.45 Winchester Magnum is active; typical availability is limited.

What is .45 Winchester Magnum used for?

.45 Winchester Magnum is primarily used for hunting, self defense.

What is .45 Winchester Magnum based on?

.45 Winchester Magnum is derived from the .45 ACP case.

Pistol · SAAMI

.45 Winchester Magnum

.45 WinMag.45 NAACO

Powerful semi-automatic pistol magnum delivering .44 Magnum-class energy from a gas-operated pistol platform.

Caliber: 0.452″ · 11.481 mm
Introduced: 1979
Case: Rimless
Parent: .45 ACP
Primary use: Hunting, Self Defense
Status: Active

Velocity1,200–1,400 fps

Energy736–1,131 ft·lb

Typical grains230 · 260 · 300 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1979
Type: Pistol
Origin: United States
Inventor: Winchester / Wildey Moore
Manufacturer: Winchester
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Limited

Build

Case capacity: 41.3 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:16
Primer: Large Pistol Magnum
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 40,000 psi
Eff. range: 75 yd
Max range: 200 yd
Recoil: 5–8 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,300–1,500 fps · 18 loads
Parent case: .45 ACP

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingDoubletap DT Defense260 gr · Jacketed Hollow Point · 1,400 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseUnderwood Underwood Xtreme230 gr · JHP · 1,500 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetMagnum Research Desert Eagle Match230 gr · FMJ · 1,400 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .45 Winchester Magnum 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.

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	30.43	1.198	✓
Overall length	40.01	1.575	✓

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 Winchester Magnum is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 18 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Underwood	Underwood Xtreme	230	JHP	1,500	1,149	—
Doubletap	DT Defense	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Magnum Research	Desert Eagle Match	230	FMJ	1,400	1,001	—
HSM Ammunition	Self Defense	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Federal	American Eagle FMJ	230	FMJ	1,400	1,001	—
Winchester	Super-X FMJ	230	FMJ	1,400	1,001	—
DoubleTap	JHP	230	JHP	1,400	1,001	—
Winchester	Standard	230	JHP	1,400	1,001	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Cor-Bon	JHP	230	JHP	1,400	1,001	—
Wolf	FMJ	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Cor-Bon	DPX	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Black Hills	Match	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Armscor	Standard	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—
Sellier & Bellot	JHP	260	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,400	1,131	—

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

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .45 Winchester Magnum

11 models in the database chamber .45 Winchester Magnum. Browse all →

Wildey Survivor .45 Win MagAMT Automag IV 45 Winchester MagnumAMT Automag IV .45 Win MagGrizzly Win Mag Grizzly Win Mag 10mm 6.5-inchWildey Wildey Survivor .45 Win Mag 6-inchGrizzly Win Mag Grizzly Win Mag 45 Winchester MagnumLAR Grizzly Win Mag .45 Win Mag 6.5-inchLAR Manufacturing Grizzly Win Mag .357 Magnum 6.5-inchLAR Manufacturing Grizzly .45 Win Mag 6.5-inchWildey Wildey Survivor 10mm 5-inchLAR Manufacturing Grizzly Win Mag .45 Win Mag

Lineage

Immediate parent

.45 ACP

Family TreeOpen .45 Winchester Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads20 factory loads for .45 Winchester Magnum↗FirearmsFirearms in .45 Winchester Magnum↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced in 1979 by Winchester for Wildey Moore's gas-operated Wildey pistol. The cartridge offered a semi-automatic alternative to large-frame revolvers for hunting. The LAR Manufacturing Grizzly Win Mag also chambered it. Factory ammunition is still produced by Winchester but in limited quantities. The cartridge's followers are primarily handgun hunters who prefer the semi-automatic platform.

FAQs

What twist rate does .45 Winchester Magnum use?: .45 Winchester Magnum typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .45 Winchester Magnum?: .45 Winchester Magnum uses a 0.452″ (11.481 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .45 Winchester Magnum still in production?: .45 Winchester Magnum is active; typical availability is limited.
What is .45 Winchester Magnum used for?: .45 Winchester Magnum is primarily used for hunting, self defense.
What is .45 Winchester Magnum based on?: .45 Winchester Magnum is derived from the .45 ACP case.

Sources & provenance

StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →