Use of .45 ACP +P in a USFA cylinder?

Virginia Gentleman · December 15, 2005, 05:28:18 AM

I know USFA cylinders are slightly thicker than a Colt and clones, but are not at Ruger strength. My question is can they be shot safely with .45 ACP +P in their .45 ACP cylinders with the highier pressure?

RRio · December 19, 2005, 10:10:33 AM

I think I would shoot an email to USFA and ask them about that.

RRio

Virginia Gentleman · December 19, 2005, 06:12:13 PM

I think I will give them a call tomorrow and get the scoop on this. I suspect, like S&W they will say no for legal, not engineering reasons.

RRio · December 20, 2005, 02:06:06 AM

I would not think the pressure in .45 ACP +P would be that much higher than .45 Colt factory loads. I would be interested in hearing the answer you get from them.

RRio

Virginia Gentleman · December 20, 2005, 09:18:52 AM

The factory .45 ACP+P loads are around 21-22,000 CUP whereas the standard SAAMI non cowboy squib loads in .45 Colt are only 13-14,000 CUP. Standard .45 ACP is around 19,000 CUP by SAAMI standards.

Virginia Gentleman · December 20, 2005, 11:16:08 AM

I spoke with them and as I suspected they officially said no, but the reality is the gun could take a few of the 45ACP +P rounds every so often. This would of course add more stress and wear to the piece.

RRio · December 20, 2005, 12:46:01 PM

Quote from: Virginia Gentleman on December 20, 2005, 09:18:52 AM
The factory .45 ACP+P loads are around 21-22,000 CUP whereas the standard non cowboy squib loads in .45 Colt are only 13-14,000 CUP. Standard .45 ACP is around 19,000 CUP.

Really??!! That is surpising! I have noticed that when shooting Remington (non-cowboy) 250gr. rounds, they seem to have a heavier thump than my Ten-X 250grs. I realize that the Ten-X loads are cowboy loads, but they aren't "squb" loads either. And I would have never thought the .45 ACP+P load would have been that high.

RRio · December 20, 2005, 12:56:29 PM

This was relevant:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,6353.msg76647.html#msg76647

Virginia Gentleman · December 20, 2005, 01:48:04 PM

Quote from: Rawhide Rio on December 20, 2005, 12:46:01 PM
Really??!! That is surpising! I have noticed that when shooting Remington (non-cowboy) 250gr. rounds, they seem to have a heavier thump than my Ten-X 250grs. I realize that the Ten-X loads are cowboy loads, but they aren't "squb" loads either. And I would have never thought the .45 ACP+P load would have been that high.

The .45 ACP +P is loaded with lightier bullets from 185 to 230 grains, but it is loaded to highier pressure. Most 45 Colt Cowboy Action Loads are squibs by comparision to the regular loaded Winchester and Remington 45 Colt loads in either 250-255 lead bullets. I know of one old loading manual that has a 250 grain lead bullet in a .45 ACP case going 1000 fps, which I am willing to bet is +P and would get anyone's attention. I would not even think about shooting that load out of my SAAs, in a Ruger with a spare .45 ACP cylinder yes.