Colt 45 day at the range with 230 gr XTP test

[fortyshooter]

Very nice day this afternoon for shooting a variety of my Colt 45 shooters and to do a load test of my XTP 230 gr. JHP using 9.2 gr. of Unique.
Was very happy with the test data using the Ruger New Vaquero with 5.5 barrel for the speed test and the S&W Model 25-7 for the target and ballistic gel test. Let me say that the Model 25 would be the last revolver I would ever let go as the thing shoots extremely well! Target distance was 10 yds. and shooting one handed from standing position.
Very interesting was the second shot into the gel block which is the top track in block that swapped ends when it stopped!
Looks like both rounds reached the end of the block which was backed up with a second block and sprung back 1.5 to 2 inches from looking at the bullet track. Block is 16 inch in length and the bullets stopped at about 14.3 and little over 13 inches. Bullet expansion measured .680 and .650. and shot from 30 ft from gel block. Bullet speed was 950 to 970 FPS.
Again very happy with test results of the Hornady XTP 230 gr. bullet normally used for .45 ACP. Will load up more of these for Self Defense use for the S&W 25 and my other mid frame .45 revolvers.
The other load was my 230 gr. "Trouble Shooters" as I call them which are Missouri Bullets 250 gr RNFP faced back to a 230 gr. weight and a nice .390-.400 sized flat nose. Speed on those was 960 to 990 FPS as shot thru the Ruger New Vaquero and would make a nice stopping load for max penetration.
Also wanted to test out my new rear sight mod on the Rossi Ranch Hand. I set the buck horn rear sight up in the mill and cut a U shape or a semi ghost ring type deal. Easy to get on target and position the front bead. Nice 4 shot group with 2 in a ragged hole for the way you have to hold the Ranch Hand to shoot it and from 15 yds. standing. Load was typical 255 gr. LSWC and plated bullets with 8.5 Unique.
And last shot my .22 LR Cattleman 12 shooter after lightening up the hammer spring to see if it still fired rounds okay.

Was a great day at the range!

[Headhog]

Nice work Forty. I can see from your results why that S&W 25 is a favorite and a keeper.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

Thanks Headhog! Yeah I love that Smith and as you could see I badly pulled the first shot hard right...being a Lefty shooter of course!

[Hatchdog]

Forty, you mentioned shooting acp intended bullets in your colt cases. Is there any difference in the bullet diameter between the the acp bullets and the 45 colt bullets?

[fortyshooter]

Forty, you mentioned shooting acp intended bullets in your colt cases. Is there any difference in the bullet diameter between the the acp bullets and the 45 colt bullets?

Yes. The ACP type bullets won't have a crimp groove and you use a light taper crimp to a .470 diameter at edge of case. Now for revolver use you can go a touch tighter. Also the bullet diameter on the jacketed bullets can be .451 as compared to a Colt .45 bullet which is usually a .452
The .001 size different doesn't seem to matter much when shot in the revolvers...well at least in my S&W.

[BigAl52]

Came here lookin for a live and in action range report and nothing. Probably get tired of doing that but its fun to watch.

[Rifletom]

forty, that is some in-depth shooting and reporting. Impressed! And I believe you're right about those .451" jacketed acp bullets. Doesn't seem to make any difference from a revolver. Excellent range day forty!

[RanchRoper]

Cool stuff!

[fortyshooter]

Came here lookin for a live and in action range report and nothing. Probably get tired of doing that but its fun to watch.

Sorry for no video Al. In reruns now and new season begins sometime in Spring! Glad you stopped by anyway!

It was really a bit to wet in my range areas to set up steel targets as in walking in the muddy muck.Need a month of sunshine and bone dry weather around here!

[wolfman]

That 25-7 is a bad mamba jamba...