45 colt in a smith and wesson revolver

[df06]

 
 
I understand that the smith and wesson revolver is less stout than the rugers.
 
Is it safe to load for the smith by following load manual recipes in 45 colt?
 
Thanks

[kynardsj]

My understanding is that you need to load regular 45 Colt loads and stay away from the Ruger/TC loads. They will mess your toy up.

[tacklebury]

They are rated higher in pressure than the old single action army's, but I wouldn't go over 25k psi or so, where the old SAA's were 13k.  Modern Large frame rugers are 42-48K dependent on which model.    If you shoot something at pistol range with a .45 caliber 255 gr. bullet going 900 feet per second it will most likely kill it in N. A.  I normally avoid shooting Ruger level loads in my Blackhawk unless I'm in bear country or possibly will shoot at very large game. 
M. D. Smith's max load for a std. level with unique and a 255 gr. bullet is:
"Unique     9.0 gr.     905 MAX LOAD (I got 932.2 in revolver)"
If you reference his page, make sure you aren't reading a Ruger level section...
http://www.reloadammo.com/45cload.htm

[kynardsj]

One of my load books lists a 250 gr RNFP over 9.0 gr of Unique as a factory duplication load. 875 fps. It's the load I keep in the Vaquero that is my avatar. That big bullet going that speed will do a lot of damage and is very pleasant to shoot.

[30calflash]

 John Linebaugh has info on loading for the Smiths on his site.

The loads are lighter than the Ruger loads but good all around hunting loads. HTH.

[Bigeasy]

Even though the S&W N frame revolver will handle the 44 mag., the problem with that revolver in 45c is the larger chamber leave less steel in the cylinder chamber walls, and in the cylinder locking bolt cut outs, which are right over the chamber.   I have always loaded mine with 250 grain cast at about 900 fps., and found that to be a hard hitting, and pleasant load to shoot.  You can go a little hotter, but it really does not make any difference on game.  Ruger / TC loads are too much..
 
Larry

[S.B.]

Yes it is safe as long as you stay away from Ruger Only loads.
Steve

[S.B.]

Try this site
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm
Steve

[Mike in Virginia]

I had a 6" years ago.  My research revealed I should stay away from Ruger loads, but still, the S&W will take loads a good bit hotter than standard store bought.  Surely plenty enough for deer.  I know the old .44 Spl. loading of 7.5 grains of Unique under a 250 grn bullet doesn't harm my Charter Arms, and you can load your Smith 45C hotter than that. 

[SDGlock23]

The issue with the Smith isn't so much that the cylinder can't handle Ruger level loads, but the frame can't.   Still though, you can shoot some adequately stout loads through one.  A warmer but not Ruger level load is 10.0gr Unique behind a 250-260gr hardcast. 

[S.B.]

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12
Steve

[30calflash]

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12
Steve

 These are the ones that I mentioned earlier. +P loads, not something that will ruin your day.

 John Linebaugh has stated that his wife has shot several head of big game with an SAA clone, 260 gr SWC, <900 FPS. "A standard load with a good bullet" was his phrase IIRC.

[SHOOTALL]

I loaded some 44 mag rounds for a Ruger/TC and they found their way into my S&W Mod. 29 Custom DX and locked it up. The 45 Colt works at a tad less pressure I learned not to use Ruger Loads in a S&W revolver. They are not made for such. They don't claim to be.
 I now load 45 Colt loads for a Ruger Red Hawk that for all practical purposes will equal the 44 mag. I would not think of touching one off in a S&W . Even if it holds together the extra wear is not worth it.

[RevJim]

 I've only owned 4 Model 29s (2 were Mountain Guns, .44 & .41 mags) The Mountain guns were very light and were fine with most factory loads. The 6" Mod 29s were easier to shoot, but when I tried Keith loads, the problem I had was them getting out of time. I also found that in any .45 colt (Blackhawks, Vaqueros, New Vaqueros and one FA Mod 97) a 250-270 Keith hard cast around 800 in the New Vaqueros or up to 1050 in the FA was way plenty. I never "hunted" with any pistol, just always have one and did shoot rifle killed critters for bullet testing, etc. Those slugs may still be going, as they say!

[Lloyd Smale]

ive shot them loose but did it knowing i was shooting loads in them i shouldnt be. Factory 45 colt loads for single action armys work fine and will never give troubles. the smith is capable of more then that safely but not ruger level loads. Johns loads will work fine. But keep in mind that he isnt your average shooter. IF his guns get shot loose he can fix them in a morning himself. that said if a guy used johns loads for hunting and for most informal shooting used saa leve loads hed probably never wear one out.