What are the load tolerances for the SAA

Harley Starr · March 20, 2009, 12:07:31 AM

Would a Buffalo Bore 255 grain .45 Colt standard load be too much for the SAA? I've read John Taffin's reviews of USFAs and he's used these in his .45 SAAs. $:-\$

Deadeye Don · March 20, 2009, 06:51:37 AM

If John Taffin has used them, then full speed ahead.

These guns are modern made guns with the capacity to shoot all standard 45 colt loads.

Fox Creek Kid · March 20, 2009, 02:12:47 PM

Just to be safe you could always call Buffalo Bore.

Fiddler Green · March 20, 2009, 04:56:43 PM

Quote from: Ridgway on March 20, 2009, 12:07:31 AM
Would a Buffalo Bore 255 grain .45 Colt standard load be too much for the SAA? I've read John Taffin's reviews of USFAs and he's used these in his .45 SAAs. $:-\$

Which SAA? If you tell us the model, we can look up the SAMMI pressures for it and compare them with the Buffalo Bore bullets. If the numbers work then the answer would be: "yes". If the firearms are not up to the pressure, then the answer would be: "just don't shoot it near me!".

Bruce

Deadeye Don · March 20, 2009, 07:19:11 PM

I assumed he was talking about USFA SAAs which is what John Taffin tested. If he was talking about a Uberti then my answer would probably have been different.

Marshal Deadwood · March 20, 2009, 10:24:44 PM

Deadeye...would you say a Uberti is not as 'stong' as ,,say a USFA ? I'm seriously looking for an answer. The metalurgy strength I suppose.

I'm not saying a Uberit is as nice a gun as USFA,,none are...but in your opinion ,,,are they ,,weaker ?

If they,,USFA..do the .44mag SAA in a 'reg blue'd version,,,boy,,I'd love to have one,,,jnot for a SASS revolver,,but just to hunt with. That they would build a SAA in .44 mag ,,I think speaks good for the strength of the USFA revolvers.

Just curious.

MD

Harley Starr · March 21, 2009, 01:53:25 AM

Quote from: Deadeye Don on March 20, 2009, 07:19:11 PM
I assumed he was talking about USFA SAAs which is what John Taffin tested. If he was talking about a Uberti then my answer would probably have been different.

I've got a USFA premium SAA chambered in .45 Colt being built as I am posting this.

Marshal Deadwood · March 21, 2009, 05:06:28 AM

Ridgeway, details sir ! Barrel length, calibre ??

I'm sure you will enjoy your USFA.

MD

Virginia Gentleman · March 21, 2009, 09:56:52 AM

USFA is constructed of the strongest and finest steel available for a pure replica SAA, with one bit of added measure of strength. Its cylinder is slightly larger in diameter than an original 1st gen. Colt SAA or even a 3rd gen made today. That does not mean it is a good idea to use .45 Colt Ruger level hot loads in it...in fact I would NEVER do it inspite of the fact that JohnTaffin did it and got away with it. The USFA is safe with upper level STANDARD load .45 Colt loads, but I would not want to guess how long it would be able to take the hotter loads before turning into a small mortar shell in your hand! DON'T DO IT, IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadeye Don · March 21, 2009, 10:38:47 AM

The original poster was asking about "Buffalo Bore 255 grain .45 Colt standard load " and not a +p load. I think this meets the definition of an "upper level standard load". Would I shoot this routinely? Nope. But if he wants to hunt with it or keep it for personal defense, I dont see a problem with it. FCK was right to suggest he contact Buffalo Bore about this issue as well as to call USFA for their opinion. Better to be safe than sorry.

Marshal Deadwood · March 21, 2009, 03:02:57 PM

Virgnia Gentleman.....my question about 'strength',,,wasnt on the slant of which one would last the longest using 'hot' rounds....but rather,, on 'longevity' with standard or below SAMMI..rounds. I should have been a bit clearer on what I was actually pondering.

MD

Virginia Gentleman · March 21, 2009, 10:52:08 PM

In that case, if the Buffalo Bore .45 Colt ammo is SAAMI spec, then there shouldn't be a problem with the USFA, Colt or imported clone. Even the so called softer steel of the imports is more durable than the late 19th and 20th century steels used in original later 1st gen smokeless guns. Common sense though, the hotter the load, the more stress and wear to the gun, but in a SAA this is going to be minimal anyway.

Harley Starr · March 22, 2009, 01:17:38 AM

Quote from: Marshal Deadwood on March 21, 2009, 05:06:28 AM
Ridgeway, details sir ! Barrel length, calibre ??

I'm sure you will enjoy your USFA.

MD

Details you ask? Hold on to your hat Marshal, we know how you get when people mess with it!

USFA Single Action Army
.45 Colt
7 1/2" barrel
Dome Blue
Color Case frame
Nickel Plated Backstrap and Triggerguard

Ordered through Jim Finch alias Long Hunter.

What do ya think of that?

Harley Starr · March 24, 2009, 09:11:55 AM

Visited the Buffalo Bore website recently. There's also the 200 gr .45 Colt. Now they state that these loads are safe for use in any post war gun chambered in .45 Colt. They listed velocities from 2nd gen and 3rd gen Colts.

Doc Sunrise · March 24, 2009, 11:00:45 AM

There is a wonderful article by Brian Pearce in the Handloader Magazine where he discusses about the strength in USFA guns. He checked USFA guns for strength with stiff loads, but he won't publish his data for obvious reasons, but he clearly states that the USFA cylinder is .020 inches greater than the Colt SAA, which effectively doubles the strength over the locking bolt notches, which has been a wink link in Colt pattern SAAs. He states that the extra thickness combined with high-quality steel results in a sixgun with a comfortable margin of safety.

If anyone is looking for hotter loads, I believe the magnum series may be out this year!

shieldsmt · March 24, 2009, 11:52:01 AM

Great article by Pearce. I went through all kinds of research on hotter 45LC loads for the USFA, Pearce had another article a while back saying similar stuff to this current article. He just got out the calipers and got into more detail this time. I put one of my 3rd Gen Colts side by side with my USFA and measured them both inside and out. I usually am not this anal about this stuff, but I spend alot of time in the Montana backcountry in grizzly habitat and carried a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag w/ 250 gr hot loads. I really wanted to carry the USFA instead. I now load that RCBS 270SA bullet that is flat nosed and weighs 280 gr. It's loaded pretty stout. I know where it prints and haven't shot more than 20 rounds getting there, I'll probably never shoot any of the other 30 rounds I have with my backcountry stuff. I want to be prepared if I need it, but let's face it, chances are real slim that I'll ever need to use one of these rounds defensively. I've had several close encounters, but nothing that became dangerous. But, you never know... Maybe these loads would eventually shoot the gun loose, but I may never fire even one more round of it. These USFA's are set up right from the factory. They are the best, period. I'm a USFA guy for life.

Virginia Gentleman · April 11, 2009, 02:08:39 PM

I guess with limited use they might be OK in a USFA SAA, but not a stteady diet of them, but why? If you can safely get a 250-270 grain bullet to 900-950 fps that is going to be plenty of load for a bear with good shot placement. I agree USFA has no equal when it comes to quality and historical accuracy in a traditional SAA. I too am a USFA fan for life, others can worship the puny pony all they like, but make mine a USFA!

Marshal Deadwood · April 11, 2009, 02:14:39 PM

QuoteDetails you ask? Hold on to your hat Marshal, we know how you get when people mess with it!

USFA Single Action Army
.45 Colt
7 1/2" barrel
Dome Blue
Color Case frame
Nickel Plated Backstrap and Triggerguard

Ordered through Jim Finch alias Long Hunter.

What do ya think of that

?

That,,,sounds,,just,,,OUTSTANDING ! Outta be a LOOKER !

Pics when ya get it OK ?

MD

Harley Starr · April 19, 2009, 06:03:12 PM

Quote from: Marshal Deadwood on April 11, 2009, 02:14:39 PM
?

That,,,sounds,,just,,,OUTSTANDING ! Outta be a LOOKER !

Pics when ya get it OK ?

MD

Marshal, as soon as I get the know how to post pics on the web, you can count on it!

Doc Sunrise · April 19, 2009, 06:32:59 PM

Ridgway,

Here is what I told Charlie Bison.

Go to http://photobucket.com/ and sign up for free. Then place pictures from your camera to your computer. Go to photobucket and download pictures from your computer, and when completed photobucket will assign an image address as well as some others like hyperlink. Then, when placing a post here, just copy the image address from photobucket and paste it in your post. It should look like img in brackets, xxxxxxxxxxx img in brackets. When you finally "post" your post, the pictures will show up.