Graybeard,
Have you had a chance to play with the new toy (45 Colt Ti tracker ) yet or does spring have you too busy on the outdoor chores? Hope evrything is going well.
An interesting footnote to the pressure question and analogy to 45 ACP cylinder dimensions. Clark custom guns is converting S&W model 25's, also notorious for thin cylinder walls, to 460 Rowland by drilling the cylinder bores an extra 1/16 of an inch, so that the longer brass will seat properly. I asked how they could justify a pressure of 40,000 (higher than Ruger 45 Colt), in 45 ACP with cylinder size with the same footprint as 45 Colt. They said they have fired hundreds of rounds through them in many guns with no problem and killed quite a few hogs, etc. I have a call in to Georgia Arms who makes 460 ammo about this as well. I mentioned it to S&W customer service who spoke to their engineering department. Engineering thought that was very interesting, to say the least. By the way, S&W also said that the tapered forcing cone area just forward of the cylinder is pretty thin in the 45s and can go before the cylinder. Good to keep in mind. I have a 460 Rowland drop in kit for my Colt Commander. It is compensated and gives over 1300 fps with a 230 gr and over 1250 with a 250. Great gun, but I have no experience with revolvers in this caliber.
By the way, John Linebaugh, in his gunnotes (from his site or sixguner.com link) says the S&W 45 can run up to 32,000 psi and he has fired hundreds with no problem but he recommends 25,000 for every day use. He gives load data with 296 and 110. I am hoping Taurus will tell me that we will be fine at 45 ACP pressures in the 460. I have spoken to everyone there and they are asking Brazil. Told them that one of the ammo companies might be willing to make a factory intermediate load for Taurus 45 Colts if they say those pressures ore OK. They said they wll get back to me. I;m guardedly optimistic.
Also, Accurate Arms has a whole section on 45 Colt loads (their conservative Ruger loads section, at 45 ACP pressures, so we don't have to guess on pressures). No. 7 and No. 9 look the best for breaking 1100 fps at 255 and up. Check their web site.
By the way, I tried some of Paco's Kelly's loads (from sixgunner.com) at 45 ACP pressures in my Ruger (5 1/2 in.) and got the velocities he suggested. 296 gave the best hope of reaching 1100 fps or theareabouts with a 250-300 gr cast bullet. I stopped at 15 grains with Blue Dot because I didn't know what the pressure is. Didn't try 2400. Titegroup didn't quite get me where I wanted. It was fun trying it in a strong platform, worry free, first. If I can learn here I won't have to try everything in the lightweight gun and batter it too badly, but can stick with the most promising and not accelarate wear.
Stay in touch. I can't wait to see how you make out with the gun. I haven't ordered it yet. I think patience here will serve me well.
Phil from Virginia
