.452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

For those who like to roll their own.

Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton

Post Reply
User avatar
RiverRat
Senior Member
Posts: 580
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:15 pm
Location: near Democrat, TX

.452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

Post by RiverRat »

Someone please help me understand if my understanding is correct ("what condition my condition is in", to quote an old song).

.451 = jacketed .45 acp, no problem with this one. Understand it's what I'm using in my XD's and 1911's.

Now??
In .45, I presently have XD's, 1911's, Colt SAA's, Ruger BlackHawk, a Winchester and a Marlin '94.
Will a .452 lead RN .230 grain work ok for all for reloading? I have been shooting a .454" measured Winchester cowboy in the Colt SAA, I haven't tried it in the others, yet. Figured the Ruger would work ok with the .454, don't know about the rifles??

.452 = RN lead .45 acp, ok for 1911, SAA, and Marlin 1894?
.454 = RN lead flat tip SAA .45, not ok for 1911
.458 = RN flat .45 lever only good for old Winchester '94, but not new Marlin??

Hope that's not too cryptic. I can't seem to find a definitve answer. Hope one of you experts has faced this before.
The guns I'm trying to load for are;
1911
XD45
Colt SAA
Ruger BlackHawk
Marlin 1894
Winchester '94

Thanks
Life member NRA and TSRA
Mike1951
Senior Member
Posts: 3532
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:06 am
Location: SE Texas

Re: .452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

Post by Mike1951 »

Only early .45 Colts were sized .454. I would use .452 in all .45 Colt loads.

.458 bullets are correct for .45/70 not .45 Colt.
Mike
AF5MS
TSRA Life Member
NRA Benefactor Member
User avatar
RiverRat
Senior Member
Posts: 580
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:15 pm
Location: near Democrat, TX

Re: .452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

Post by RiverRat »

Hey Mike,
Great News. That means I can use a single bullet to reload all. I was considering making my own and that would certainly lower the costs initially. One mold, one sizing die, etc. Was also considering lead bullets in .38 special. Thanks.

I hadn't considered the .458 being in the 45/70. My father-in-law has some. He mostly shoots huge grain bullets.....250, 300ish and above. Makes sense.

The .454 (measured the bullet itself) I have is in the Winchester brown box from Academy for cowboy shooting @ $26 a box. I shot 12 rounds of it the other day in the Colt SAA and it came out the other end with no problem.....which is good. It is what the gun store sold me to go in the '94 when I bought it. It was half the price at Academy. At least I have 10 boxes of good brass which has been hard to find and expensive.

Thanks again.
Life member NRA and TSRA
O6nop
Senior Member
Posts: 680
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:23 pm
Location: Austin

Re: .452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

Post by O6nop »

Is it possible or recommended to use bullets marketed for the .454 Casull or the .460 S&W to load for a 45Colt? Either rifle or pistol? For instance a Hornady 200g LEVERevolution with the flex tip (.452). Would the dynamics be incompatible?
I believe there is safety in numbers..
numbers like: 9, .22, .38, .357, .45, .223, 5.56, 7.62, 6.5, .30-06...
Mike1951
Senior Member
Posts: 3532
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:06 am
Location: SE Texas

Re: .452 vs .454 vs .458, I'm confused about .45's

Post by Mike1951 »

Bullets designed for the .454 or .460 may be too sturdily constructed to perform as desired at .45 Colt velocities.

You can email tech support at Hornady and ask about recommended velocities for the 45215 FTX bullet.

https://www.hornady.com/contact_us.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mike
AF5MS
TSRA Life Member
NRA Benefactor Member
Post Reply

Return to “Reloading Forum”