45 Colt (Long Colt)

About this caliber

45 Colt (often called .45 Long Colt) is a large-bore centerfire revolver cartridge dating to the 1870s, used in single-action revolvers and lever guns for defense, hunting, and cowboy-action shooting.

Commonly used for

Self-defenseHuntingRange / targetCompetition

45 Colt is a historic large-diameter revolver cartridge firing a heavy bullet at modest velocity, giving a strong but generally manageable recoil impulse in heavier revolvers. It remains popular for cowboy-action competition, recreational shooting, and some defensive and hunting use, particularly in single-action revolvers and lever-action rifles. Ammunition is available but in a narrower selection and often at higher cost than the most common handgun cartridges. It suits enthusiasts of traditional revolvers and lever guns and those drawn to a classic big-bore cartridge.

General information about this caliber — not a recommendation for this specific firearm.

Firearms chambered in 45 Colt (Long Colt) · 47

Bond Arms 1836

handgun · BREAK-ACTION HANDGUNS

Bond Arms 30th Anniversary

handgun · BREAK-ACTION HANDGUNS

Bond Arms 30th Anniversary

handgun · BREAK-ACTION HANDGUNS

Bond Arms 30th Vet

Load	Type	Purpose	Grain	Velocity	Energy
Aguila Cowboy Action	SP	Defense	200 gr	600 fps	160 ft·lb
ARMSCOR USA	LRN	Defense	255 gr	800 fps	362 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Anti-Personnel	JHP	Defense	225 gr	1050 fps	551 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Anti-Personnel	WC	Defense	225 gr	1050 fps	551 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Buffalo-Barnes	JHP	Defense	225 gr	1500 fps	1124 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Buffalo-Barnes	JHP	Defense	225 gr	1000 fps	500 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Standard Pressure	LRN	Defense	255 gr	1000 fps	566 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Outdoorsman	LRN	Defense	325 gr	1325 fps	1267 ft·lb
CCI Blazer	JHP	Defense	200 gr	1000 fps	444 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Tactical	LRN	Defense	160 gr	1175 fps	490 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle	SP	Defense	225 gr	860 fps	369 ft·lb
FORT SCOTT MUNITIONS Tumble Upon Impact (TUI)	—	Defense	225 gr	869 fps	—
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45C+P3 45Colt+P 225gr Jacketed Hollow Point 20 Per Box/10 Case	JHP	Defense	225 gr	1000 fps	511 ft·lb
Hornady Critical Defense	SP	Defense	185 gr	920 fps	348 ft·lb
Hornady LEVERevolution	SP	Defense	225 gr	960 fps	460 ft·lb
Hornady Custom Cowboy	LRN	Defense	255 gr	725 fps	298 ft·lb
HSM Cowboy Action	LRN	Defense	250 gr	860 fps	411 ft·lb
Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense	JHP	Defense	78 gr	1800 fps	560 ft·lb
Magtech Cowboy Action	LRN	Defense	250 gr	760 fps	321 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition HTP	JHP	Defense	230 gr	850 fps	369 ft·lb
Sellier & Bellot Handgun	JHP	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Defender	JHP	Defense	225 gr	850 fps	361 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Silvertip	JHP	Defense	225 gr	920 fps	423 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Super X	LRN	Defense	250 gr	750 fps	312 ft·lb
Barnes Bullets VOR-TX	JHP	Hunting	200 gr	850 fps	321 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Heavy	LRN	Hunting	300 gr	1325 fps	1170 ft·lb
CCI Big 4	—	Hunting	140 gr	800 fps	199 ft·lb
CCI Pest Control	—	Hunting	150 gr	1000 fps	333 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Hunter	LRN	Hunting	225 gr	1500 fps	1124 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Hunter	WC	Hunting	255 gr	1450 fps	1190 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Hunter	WC	Hunting	255 gr	975 fps	538 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Hunter	LRN	Hunting	360 gr	1200 fps	1151 ft·lb
Federal Champion	WC	Hunting	225 gr	830 fps	344 ft·lb
Federal Premium	JHP	Hunting	250 gr	1025 fps	583 ft·lb
Fiocchi Hyperformance	JHP	Hunting	200 gr	1010 fps	—
Fiocchi Cowboy Action	LRN	Hunting	250 gr	750 fps	312 ft·lb
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45C4 45Colt 265gr Wide Flat Nose Gas Check 20 Per Box/10 Case	LRN	Hunting	265 gr	950 fps	531 ft·lb
HSM Pro Pistol	SP	Hunting	300 gr	—	—
HSM Bear Load	LRN	Hunting	325 gr	1155 fps	963 ft·lb
HSM Bear Load	LRN	Hunting	325 gr	1155 fps	963 ft·lb
Sellier & Bellot Handgun	LRN	Hunting	250 gr	709 fps	279 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Underwood Ammo 731 45Colt 225gr Hard Cast Wadcutter 20 Per Box/10 Case	WC	Hunting	225 gr	1050 fps	551 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Underwood Ammo 432 45Colt 250gr Full Metal Jacket 50 Per Box/10 Case	FMJ	Hunting	250 gr	960 fps	512 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO XTP	JHP	Hunting	250 gr	1400 fps	1088 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO XTP	JHP	Hunting	250 gr	960 fps	512 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Big Bore	JHP	Hunting	250 gr	845 fps	396 ft·lb
Atomic Cowboy Action	LRN	Target	200 gr	800 fps	284 ft·lb
Fiocchi Range Dynamics	—	Target	225 gr	750 fps	318 ft·lb
HSM Cowboy Action	LRN	Target	200 gr	750 fps	250 ft·lb
Magtech Cowboy Action	LRN	Target	200 gr	705 fps	221 ft·lb

Remington Ammunition Performance WheelGun	WC	Target	225 gr	830 fps	344 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Performance WheelGun	LRN	Target	250 gr	750 fps	312 ft·lb
Barnes Bullets Barnes Pioneer	JHP	—	200 gr	1190 fps	629 ft·lb
Barnes Bullets Barnes Pioneer	—	—	250 gr	1095 fps	665 ft·lb
CCI Pest Control	—	—	130 gr	1050 fps	—
DoubleTap Ammunition Snake Shot	—	—	220 gr	—	—
DoubleTap Ammunition DoubleTap Ammunition 45CS255HC 45Colt 225gr Hardcast Solid 20 Per Box/25 Case	LRN	—	225 gr	920 fps	459 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition DoubleTap Ammunition 45P250CE20 45Colt 250gr Semi Jacketed Hollow Point 20 Per Box/50 Case	JHP	—	250 gr	—	—
DoubleTap Ammunition DoubleTap Ammunition 45P335HC 45Colt+P 335gr Hard Cast Solid 20 Per Box/25 Case	LRN	—	335 gr	1250 fps	1163 ft·lb
Federal Power-Shok	JHP	—	235 gr	—	—
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45C+P10 45Colt+P 300gr Bonded Flat Point 20 Per Box/10 Case	SP	—	300 gr	1225 fps	—
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45C+P14 45Colt+P 335gr Wide Long Nose Gas Check 20 Per Box/10 Case	—	—	335 gr	1200 fps	1072 ft·lb
HSM HSM 45C10N 45Colt Subsonic 400gr Hard Cast Long Flat Nose 20 Per Box/20 Case	LRN	—	400 gr	1050 fps	979 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Core-Lokt	JHP	—	237 gr	—	—

45 Colt (Long Colt)

Firearms chambered in 45 Colt (Long Colt) · 47

Ammunition in 45 Colt (Long Colt) · 64

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