.45 Colt Ammo

The .45 Colt (commonly called .45 Long Colt or .45 LC) is the original big-bore American revolver cartridge — introduced in 1873 with the Colt Single Action Army and still in active production 150+ years later for cowboy-action shooting, hunting, lever-action rifles, and self-defense. Factory loads push a 250-grain bullet at 850–900 fps from a revolver barrel, while modern +P loads from Buffalo Bore and Underwood push that same bullet past 1,100 fps for serious hunting use in strong modern revolvers like the Ruger Blackhawk and Ruger Redhawk.

Read our full .45 Colt Ammo Buying Guide ↓

.45 Colt vs. .45 Long Colt — Same Cartridge, Two Names

There is no difference between .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt — they are the same cartridge. “Long Colt” originated in the late 1800s to distinguish it from the shorter .45 Schofield cartridge used in S&W’s top-break revolvers. SAAMI lists the official name as .45 Colt, but “.45 Long Colt” and “.45 LC” are universally understood and printed on many ammunition boxes. All three terms will work in a search on our site.

Cowboy Action Loads

Cowboy-action shooting is the largest consumer of .45 Colt ammunition. Cowboy loads use lead or coated-lead bullets (200–255 grain) at low velocities (700–850 fps) to meet SASS power floor requirements while minimizing recoil for fast follow-up shots. Winchester Cowboy Action, Magtech Cowboy, and Ultramax are the most popular factory cowboy loads. Paired with an 1873 SAA revolver or a Schofield, these loads are what most .45 Colt shooters run week after week.

Hunting and +P Loads

The .45 Colt transforms into a serious handgun hunting cartridge in strong modern revolvers. Buffalo Bore, Underwood, and Grizzly Cartridge offer +P and heavy loads pushing 325-grain hardcast bullets at 1,100–1,300 fps — energy levels approaching .44 Magnum from a revolver that also shoots mild cowboy loads. These loads are NOT safe in older Colt SAA-pattern revolvers or any reproduction single-action — they are designed only for strong modern actions like the Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, and Freedom Arms Model 83.

Defensive Loads

Standard-pressure .45 Colt defensive loads from Hornady (Critical Defense 185-grain FTX) and Federal offer effective self-defense performance from revolvers and lever-action rifles at standard pressure levels safe in any .45 Colt firearm. From a lever-action barrel, .45 Colt defensive loads gain 100–200 fps over revolver velocities.

.45 Colt in Lever-Action Rifles

Henry, Rossi, and other manufacturers offer lever-action rifles chambered in .45 Colt, sharing ammunition with your revolver for a one-caliber camp/ranch setup. The longer barrel adds velocity and energy, extending the cartridge’s effective range to 100–150 yards on deer-sized game with hunting loads.

.45 Colt in the Taurus Judge

The Taurus Judge chambers both .45 Colt and .410 bore shotshells, making .45 Colt one of the most versatile revolver cartridges for Judge owners — switch between .45 Colt solid projectiles for self-defense and .410 shotshells for snakes, rats, and close-range pest control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .45 Colt the same as .45 Long Colt?
Yes — identical cartridge, two names. SAAMI calls it .45 Colt; “.45 Long Colt” is the common nickname.

Can I shoot .45 Colt in a .410 Judge?
Yes — the Taurus Judge is specifically designed to fire both .45 Colt and .410 bore.

Are +P .45 Colt loads safe in my revolver?
Only in strong modern revolvers explicitly rated for +P loads (Ruger Blackhawk, Redhawk, Freedom Arms). Never fire +P .45 Colt in a Colt SAA, reproduction single-action, or any revolver not rated for it.

.45 Colt vs. .44 Magnum?
Standard .45 Colt is milder than .44 Magnum. +P .45 Colt from a Ruger approaches .44 Magnum energy. .44 Magnum has more factory ammunition variety for hunting. .45 Colt has the cowboy-action market and Judge compatibility.