Effective Range of accuracy of the 45LC both in pistol and rifle

[captainjack]

Afternoon all,

Here is what I'm trying to learn.  In a SA pistol, what was the effective range of accuracy of the 45LC on average.  I have heard that 50 yards was about it.  I would also be interested in the same info on a rifle chambered for the 45LC.  I know there are a lot of variables, so, we might be all over the map.  That is ok.  Just looking for a general idea.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Captainjack.

[Delmonico]

I don't know what you consider for an accuracy requirement or consider effective, but the old SA's were sighted to hit dead one with the 255 gr Bp load at 75 yards.  Given the sorta crude sights on a SA, if you were standing where you and I could see bullets stires I know you wouldn't stand there long if someone who has played with a handgun at distance was shooting at you from 200-300 yards.  If you've never read Elmer Keith's book Sixguns you need to.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Del probably has it right for the revolver. With lighter bullets, maybe a little shorter. I know with a 200g bullet and a fairly stout load of Titegroup, my 24" Marlin CB could group 1" or less from bench and bags at 100 yards, and that was with the iron sights. Remember, until the .357 Mag came out, the .45 Colt was considered the most powerful handgun cartridge out there. I had a friend who owned a gun shop that could regularly hit targets out at 100 yards or more with a 7 1/2" barreled SAA copy using the 250g bullets and just a standard CAS load( about 6g of 231, IIRC)...............Buck

[Delmonico]

To put this in perspective the 22 LR round was brought out by the Stevens Rifle Company in the 1880's as a 200 yard match round. 

[Harve Curry]

There was a story about a cavalry tooper during the Indian Wars who held off an attack with nothing but his issue Colt SAA. Distances were from close to 100 yards or more. I've since searched and cannot find it.

[St. George]

Don't be fooled by the short distances and huge targets seen in C&WAS - these old rounds were damned effective at ranges far beyond what's commonly encountered.

Elmer Keith wrote about their accuracy potential quite a bit - read 'Sixguns', as has been recommended earlier.

You'll get both insight as to actual capabilities as well as a good read, to boot.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Silver_Rings]

I've used my Win 73 in 45 Colt on the 186 yd long range rifle cal gone shooting off hand and had no problem hitting the gong 4 out of 6 tries.  It would be even better if I adjusted my sights for that range as holding over is a pain it the butt.

SR