Big Boy 45 Colt

Post by **Travlin** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:23 am

The round nose flat point was the original load for the .45 Colt. It was backed by 40 grains of FFG. black powder. The cavalry wanted a round that would shoot through a horse and so put the rider out of the fight. Anyone who has Elmer Keith's HELL I WAS THERE will read about how he saved his skin by shooting his horse that was dragging him after his foot hung up in the stirrup when he was bucked off.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:25 pm

My wife would never forgive me for shooting the horse, so I'd have to just drag along for a while and hope it's not too far back to the trailer.

Cyrille · Post by **Cyrille** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:05 pm

I have the BB in .45 Colt, I also have a .45 Colt "1st generation" Ruger "Vaquero" that I can load to the rifle's specs without worry it's the one Ruger made before they "downgraded" to the "New" Vaquero
I'm not saying that the "new" Vaquero is a bad gun it serves well the purpose for which it is intended. I'm saying the it isn't as "strongly built" as the 1st generation Vaquero.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:52 pm

1 more week. Then good Lord willing, we are off to the big city of Calgary to pick up my first Henry rifle. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa Claus.

Post by **Travlin** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 5:28 pm

Hey Ranch Roper, I hope you have a safe trip and are able to shoot your new Henry Rifle when you return. Tight Groups

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:55 pm

...7 more sleeps...7 more sleeps....

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:17 pm

I have used the .45 Colt in a rifle & it works fine. extraction was positive & I never experienced a case left in the chamber. I think that's why it wasn't chambered in rifles early. They used black powder then & the .45 Colt does have a narrow rim. I've never pulled one off in a shell holder but I suppose it is possible. it's a fantastic cartridge but the case is big it was designed for black powder & if you are not careful it can be double charged. Attention to detail will prevent this as will using Trail Boss powder. You cannot double charge a .45 Colt using Trail Boss I've purposely tried & it will be right to the case mouth, I don't think there would be any way to seat a bullet on a double charge of Trail Boss.
If you use a flat point bullet in the magazine of a .45 Colt rifle you won't have any trouble with either lead or jacketed bullets.
Let us know when you get it & a range report as well.
Thanks. Enjoy!

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 8:27 pm

Will do and thanks for the help and info. Cabela's has 2 in stock so I'm gonna pick out the purtiest one...

Post by **Travlin** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 9:13 pm

Trail Boss is a great powder for big handgun cases.

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:24 pm

I agree Trail Boss is a fantastic powder. You won't get top velocities with it, but it's a very safe powder. I get pretty good accuracy from it too! And I don't have to worry about a double charge. I like it, given a fair trial, I think most would too.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:49 pm

Thks guys, but this cowpoke will be shooting factory ammo for awhile. I may get into re-loading and will save up my brass. Seems to be lots of lead flat nose around in stores. For a country that don't like handguns there sure is a lot of six-gun bullets available...

adirondack · Post by **adirondack** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:22 pm

Don't over look the reloading. I'm loading .44 mag. Montana gold Jsp for .35 cents a round. Quality ammo designed for a rifle,( not a revolver. )extremely accurate. My new Big boy Steel holds 10rds and I have never stopped shooting until it was empty. It doesn't take long to go through 50 of em.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:27 am

Yes I may be singing a different tune after burning thru a few boxes of factory stuff.

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:22 am

RanchRoper, after you see how fun shooting that rifle is you will get into reloading.
Fine tuning a load just for your rifle is a lot of fun & when you see the groups tighten from your fine tuning you'll be hooked.
There is a common misconseption that you save money handloading, you don't. What you will do is spend the same amount of money, but you will shoot MORE for the same dollars spent!

adirondack · Post by **adirondack** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 4:49 pm

Amen to that Frank V! The postmaster can hardly lift my shipments LOL. 1,000 240 gr. Bullets are not light. then their"s the 45-70 bullets, .308 ,30-30, 7mm, 6mm,.223 etc......But my kids know reality is a lot more fun than a damn VIDEO GAME.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:47 pm

Good points. Thks.

Post by **Steve51** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:46 am

Frank V wrote:RanchRoper, after you see how fun shooting that rifle is you will get into reloading.
Fine tuning a load just for your rifle is a lot of fun & when you see the groups tighten from your fine tuning you'll be hooked.
There is a common misconseption that you save money handloading, you don't. What you will do is spend the same amount of money, but you will shoot MORE for the same dollars spent!

I fully agree.
FACT: More shooting = more fun

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:31 pm

RanchRoper if you get serious about shooting you will get into handloading. They compliment each other & once the basic reloading setup is bought to load another cartridge you usually only need components for it, dies, shell holder & that is about it. Once you are set up adding another cartridge isn't all that big a deal.
It can become addicting. Sometimes I load for the pure enjoyment of it. Of course it will add to your stockpile!

Post by **RanchRoper** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:08 pm

Stockpile is good...just talked to store and they have a BB 45 Colt, new in box, with my name on it...so far the plan is to head up to the city on the weekend.

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 11:57 am

Great, let us know how it goes.

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Big Boy 45 Colt

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