By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Among my favorite handgun and carbine cartridges is the .45 Colt.
This old cartridge is too good to die and offers real utility in many chores, not to mention a great deal of smack down power against bad actors and big game.
There are many reasons I am an advocate of the .45 Colt, but then I am not alone. The .45 Colt was introduced in 1873 in the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Both are alive and kicking. The cartridge was initially loaded with lead bullets weighing 230 to 260 grains, copper and brass cased, originally with black powder and then smokeless powder. Velocity of early loads was as much as 870 fps in a 7 ½ -inch barrel. The goal of the ordnance board was to create a cartridge capable of dropping an aboriginal war pony at 100 yards. More horses than men were killed from Roman times to the last of the Indian wars and the .45 Colt proved its mettle.
But that is a thrice told history lesson. The modern .45 Colt is a different cartridge in many ways, and the guns that chamber it are much stronger, while the modern projectiles have definitely evolved.
A bright spot among modern shooters is the carbine chambered for this legendary cartridge. The original cartridge case wasn’t well suited to lever action carbines because the case rim was too small to give ejectors a good bite. After all, it was designed for a button ejecting revolver. Modern .45 Colt brass cartridge cases are stronger and with a larger case head. These cartridges run just fine in a .45 Colt carbine.
One of my favorite .45 caliber long guns and a fun shooter is the Taurus Thunderbolt. This rifle is a close copy of Colt’s 1890 Lightning rifle. It isn’t a lever action but a pump action rifle. Open the action, load 14 cartridges in the magazines, and you are ready for an evening of fun shooting.
This rifle is suited for cowboy action shooting or simply enjoying a look at the Old West. The Thunderbolt is suitable for loads in the 255 grain/800 fps category. It feeds well and offers decent accuracy out to 50 yards or so. With a 26-inch barrel, the Thunderbolt isn’t a carbine! I would not recommend anyone entering cowboy action shooting to begin with this piece. It is long out of production and the lever action guns shoot rings around it. If you already own one or find a used piece at a good price this is a fun rifle.
I have also used the Winchester 1892 and Rossi 1892 models. The Rossi is available in more variations. These are neat, fast handling, even slick lever action rifles with plenty of leverage. A short revolver cartridge is simply much easier to quickly feed, fire, and eject than a bottle necked .30-30. Inside of 100 yards this is an advantage.
Those who grew up with the lever action rifle will find the pistol caliber versions a formidable defensive firearm. But we really need a more specialized piece for tactical use, a formidable lever action with good sights and a strong action. A ’92 is fine for most uses.
I think when folks are in fear as many are today a well-made lever action is a good choice. In areas where AR 15s are a problem to own and use, the lever action has much merit. Even if you own a good AR- and you should- a flat, easily carried, simple to make ready carbine firing a hard hitting big bore cartridge has much appeal. Even in freedom loving areas, the “Brooklyn Special” as it is sometimes called may be a better choice than an AR 15. The main concern is to be ready! In many years of police service I looked over quite a few bodies of people who were surprised. Surprised by burglars, knife wielding maniacs, or domestic abusers. Be ready!
Among the finest examples of a lever action rifle I have been privileged to own is the Smith & Wesson 1854. The stainless steel .44 Magnum version is a great hunting rifle and all around survival rifle. I simply prefer blue steel and walnut. And the .45 Colt cartridge!
The 1854 comes standard with the excellent XS sight rail and aperture sight. It is fast, very fast on target. Inside of 50 yards there is no more accurate combination than these sights. Even at 100 yards it isn’t difficult to stay on man sized targets or the sure kill six inch circle of a deer. Wild boar may be taken with this rifle handily.
Most .45 Colt factory ammunition is loaded down in deference to older revolvers. That’s fine, because a 250-grain bullet at 750 fps is still a formidable defense load in a revolver.
For hunting, we need something else. The Taurus should only use cowboy action loads or handloaded equivalents. The Rossi .45 is pretty strong and I use Buffalo Bore standard pressure loads in this one or 255-grain SWC handloads. A 255-grain bullet at 1,100 fps makes an emphatic smack.
The Model ’92 is fine with Buffalo Bore’s Deer Grenade load. But then, the strong action of the 1854 and the ability to mount optics opens up new areas. Hunting game animals to 150 yards and defense against bears and the big cats is a good fit with the 1854 and Buffalo Bore loads. I have fired a good number of these loads with excellent results.
With the supplied sights a 4 inch 100 yard group is average, and with a good optic you may shrink that group to 3 inches. That is all that is needed for headlong pursuits.
If the game is to be taken at longer range you need something else.
For defense against human predators, short range is the rule. For the big cats and bears, the 1854 is a good choice to have handy.
I like my .45 Colt carbines and have a set role for each. The Taurus is a lot of fun and takes us back to 1890 and put a smile on any shooter’s face. But I don’t really need the 1892’s with the relatively light and reliable Smith & Wesson on hand.
With the new S&W 1854 in hand, I elected to test a number of .45 Colt loads. This carbine is going to be used for short range personal defense and animal defense, and boar hogs to 50 yards and thin-skinned game at 100 yards. I should add a good optic if it is taken hunting or a red dot sight if put into use for boar or area defense. This is a formidable carbine! Here are some velocity results. Be certain never to fire the strongest .45 Colt Buffalo Bore loads in a run of the mill carbine. I like my .45 Colt long guns and chances are they suit your needs as well.
Taurus carbine
Fiocchi 250 grain Cowboy 889 fps
Smith & Wesson 1854
Fiocchi 250 grain Cowboy 856 fps
Handload/255 grain SWC Titegroup 999 fps
Buffalo Bore 225 grain SWC/HP 1111 fps
Buffalo Bore 255 grain SWC 1169 fps
Buffalo Bore 325 grain +P 1410 fps
(Increased recoil!)
Buffalo Bore 225 grain Barnes 1877 fps
(This load offers significantly less drop at 100 to 150 yards than most any .45 Colt load in the carbine!)
Buffalo Bore 300 grain big game load +P 1489 fps
This is a tremendous load. For the big cats or big bears this heavy duty deep penetration solid bullet is a sure bet. I would be hesitant to fire this in any firearm other than a S&W 1854 or a Henry rifle, or a good tight Marlin. While the Ruger Redhawk revolver is strong enough for this loading recoil is significant.
