Need Recommendations on .45 Long Colt Ammo

[G-Man WC]

Reloading is best way to go with the 45 Colt.

I'd say reloading is the only way to go.
For whatever reason, it's a very expensive round to shoot.
I was shocked when looking at the price of factory box of 50.
It's truly a fun round and I've reloaded it with Trail Boss and W231.
Not the most high pressure round. If you want 44mag velocities look elsewhere. But then again your brass is going to last a long time just like the good ole 45acp.
Enjoy.
-g

[orangeusa]

A note, if you do reload, 45 colt can have multiple diameter bullets. Older pistols can be a 0.454" bore and newer ones may be 0.452" like the 45 acp. The 460 mag is setup to take 0.452" bullets, so I can run 45 acp bullets in the 45 colt cases to be fired in the 460. I don't know if your pistol is a replica of an older version and I'm not sure what diameter it would require, but it couldn't hurt to read up on it, even when using factory ammo.

Nicely put. Buy bullets designed for 45 Colt. I use RNFP lead .452 but they measure more like .454... Mine is a new gun... not the older Colts that are larger bore.... The Lyman Cast Lead reloading book was very helpful for me.... (of course the Lee book doesn't hurt).

[ARDude]

It's not the new model if I understand correctly. The seller said he purchased it in 2000 and from what I've read the "new" models came out in 2005.

Like I said, never shot the load before so I'm excited!

If it doesn't say "New Model Vaquero " on the side of the frame, then it is an original Vaquero. The first Vaqueros were "beefier" and can handle +P and even hotter rounds no problem.

But, I would use those hot rounds for bear/dangerous animals only.

Shoot it all day long with light loads. So much fun is the 45LC.

[zvardan]

I use 8gr of power pistol under a 255gr rnfp from xtreme bullets. Works nicely.

[Darto]

The old Vaquero is the same strength as the blackhawk. It can be loaded up to greater energy and knockdown than factory .44 Mag, I do that with my blackhawk once in awhile. More often just copy the velocity of the factory loads 250 gr. @ 850 fps.

For a companion rifle, the Rossi 92 45LC is super strong.

A SAA is way more comfortable recoil wise than an automatic pistol, because it will rock up instead of punishing you straight back. Ignore the strong arm holding techniques used on autos, you want the gun to flip. Youtube videos great source to watch.

[ARDude]

I use 8gr of power pistol under a 255gr rnfp from xtreme bullets. Works nicely.

I like Trail Boss with Xtreme 200 gr rnfp bullets.

Shoot all day long in my Ruger Vaquero. Very pleasant.