The very best expanding bullets might offer a wee bit better wounding than the wadcutter.....but you can count on the wadcutter every single time if you put it where it belongs.
I have a couple 45 colts and I use lead Keith style semi wadcutter gc bullets exclusively. My 38 specials are fed the same way. These calibers just don't operate at pressures high enough to push expanding bullets fast enough to do what they're intended to do. A semi wadcutter pushed to about 1100fps out of a 45colt will give you stem to stern penetration on the black bear we have in nh
Whether or not they expand, those 45 Long Colt cartridges are responsible for a lot of cowboys meeting their maker a bit early, back in the day... Good Luck!
In 2006, Taurus introduced a revolver naming the Judge. In 2011, Smith & Wesson came out a similar revolver named the Govenor. No other gun manufacture followed suit in making the buck-shot revolvers naming the "Citizen or Bystander".
Great video showing the 45lc some love. I'm a big fan of multi caliber revolvers and its nice to see them represented well by some youtubers. Many people overlook the "dated" cowboy calibers, especially ones that originated as black powder cartridges.
The .45 colt is another tough one because of the fairly low velocities. I pulled some 230g HST’s and came up with a lil spicy load for hunting and they did great in testing in jelly, even put some pork ribs in there. Great test as always even though we knew the XTP’s weren’t moving fast enough. 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@ToolsandTargetsAnother great video. Are you interested in testing recoil control from gas pedals? I'm making my own bolt-onto-the-light-rail gas pedals made out of upside down optics risers. Any interest in trying one out on the small Canik?
Tools - I've been super curious about that Underwood 45LC wadcutter. Was thinking about running them in a Charter 45LC Bulldog. Really resolved my curiosity. Thanks a bunch. Merry Christmas over there!!!
It kind of annoys me how almost the entire industry tends to use the heavier hp's on the 'problem' calibers like 45 colt 38 special 45acp 380acp. I always figured if I had to to defend my life with one I'd want the lighter projectile with more speed for reliable performance
I think it’s probably because most people aren’t educated on expansion performance and assume every hollow point expands reliably. Where we watch videos to see demonstrations which clearly show otherwise. Speed, hollow point construction, and weight of the projectile all play a role to make sure the projectile expands how it’s intended to. Most consumers picking up boxes off the shelf probably want the most “knockdown power” and go heavy not realizing projectiles require speed for expansion. Shame on manufacturers for selling something used to protect one’s life that doesn’t work or isn’t reliable.
@@aaronfactor6838 that makes sense from a consumer stand point. They see 2 different weights and think "heavier means more power" and that's what sells better
Good test, I'd say the XTP started to expand and that created the tumbling since the nose of the bullet was dragging with the uneven expansion. The wadcutter wins this test as you said.
XTPs are solidly constructed bullets. The require high velocity to expand. Both those are decent hunting bullets. I carry 38 wadcutters for penetration.
Soft lead (non jacketed) hollow points are better for these big slow calibers because they open at lower speeds. Just take a hollow base wadcutter and load it backwards! The nice thing about the old Ruger 45LC handguns like the Vaquero is they were built on 44 magnum frames and could be loaded extra hot. Can't do that anymore these days.
Seeing these 45 caliber holes produced without expansion makes me wish we had a mild 50 caliber revolver round which could be chambered in normal-size revolvers that would drive a piece of non-expanding lead to abut the same distance we saw here. Think 50 GI with moon clips rather than 500 S&W magnum.
I guessed wrong on them. The XTP went about 3in farther than I thought but the wadcutter was about 5in shorter on penetration. May not have performed well but both will give a bellyache. Good stuff to know when picking a45 Colt round. Have a great Christmas. 👍🙏
@@randycecil7375 Got both. A 45 Colt with a 255gr SWC reaching 885fps in a 4 3/4" SAA revolver will hit well above 1050fps and closer to 1100fps in a Henry Big Boy rifle. It literally goes from mean to meaner. Edit: And 950fps in a revolver translate to around 1175fps to 1200fps. And I don't load many at that velocity in my 45 Colt SAA's. It's about top load for my weapons.
Performance expectations aside, these both still have a place. As the late, great, Paul Harrel would say (as he was motioning in a circle around his head) 'Shot placement is key.' Also, the heart or a sideways shot through the lungs.
Hey chief! Is there a chance you can do 10mm ammo with the highest velocity, least penetration but still full power? I love 10mm but can't find anything that isn't showing it goes 2+ feet through stuff!
With that xtp,if it dont expand at least they usually penetrate good! Ive just about been converted to using a swc or fmjfn over hp in my edc... That 500ftlb on that wad cutter is awesome 😊 Great test
The .45 Colt is an excellent cartridge but like this Underwood offering, it's almost always loaded far too light. The XTP is a very good bullet but it absolutely HAS to loaded with a high enough velocity to achieve expansion and that was never going to happen under 1000fps. Ammunition manufacturers are afraid of loading .45 Colt to a proper level all because that whole "but what if someone shoots it in an antique Colt?" concern everyone always repeats? We don't have .45-70's throttled way down just in case someone pops a round into an antique Springfield trapdoor so why are we still doing it for .45 Colt? .45 Colt is a fantastic caliber, when the ammo is loaded to the right level.
I've shot the same 45 colt wadcutters out of a bond arms 2½" barrel into gel the penetration was 18 inches with an average velocity of 675 fps pretty good from a short barrel
@richardcarroll2153 it has a considerable amount of recoil coming out of such a small gun but it can be managed. for me the heavy trigger pull is more of an issue but not a deal breaker
Interesting results! Have you ever tried Barnes Vor-Tx 200 grain JHP in 45 Colt? It expands consistently out of my S&W 25-7 (5" barrel, unfluted cylinder version).
Betting that long cylinder is the problem. It creates a LOT of freebore which reduces pressure significantly. I wonder if there was a gas check on that wadcutter that came off that you didn't see or find? That could easily make the weight difference up.
@@AlekseySh1982 The cylinder diameter is wider besides being longer to be able to chamber 410 shotshells there is a lot of gas blow by around the bullet as it travels free bore before hitting the cylinder throat. Also 45 ACP and 45 Colt have the same case and chamber diameters in modern firearms.
@@ToolsandTargets I wouldn't think so with their coating they use The new black coating looks a lot better than the stuff with the red lipstick LOL. I have a bunch of those rounds still.
Great content sir. Out of my Judge, 45 colt/410 Contender barrel and 1858 with a Howell conversion cylinder the 1858 is probably my favorite .45 Colt. If I had to say something negative, it would be the cylinder is rated for lead only ammo under 850fps. Thats no big deal tho. Have you seen the Underwood 220gr Maxium Expansion ammo specifically for the 410 revolvers?
I don't have a .45 Colt, but I still found this test interesting. I've considered carrying wadcutter in .44 Special and .38 Special. Is it a direct, one-to-one correlation? Probably not. But the comparison is still somewhat relevant to the other caliber decisions. If you don't get the velocity for reliable expansion, do you want reliable "caliber-size" holes and deep penetration? To paraphrase Shakespeare, that is the question.
@@ToolsandTargets Is there any difference between a normal Gold Dot and a "short barrel" Gold Dot of the same caliber and grain weight? I don't know if it's just marketing b.s. or if there really is a difference (velocity, expansion, or what). Any insights?
It would be neat to see what a cowboy load would do with a good old lead round-nose bullet in the gel. Just for historical research purposes and fun of course.
One hit with 464 foot pounds of force, tumbled, didn’t expand, and penetrated 24 inches. The other hit with 488 foot pounds of force, didn’t tumble, didn’t expand, and penetrated 22 inches. To ME, after watching the video, the question isn’t “which round is ballistically superior?” To ME, after watching the video, the question is “which round is cheaper to practice with?” Because, were I to ever find myself in a situation where my Italian made Colt SAA clone was my only defensive option, I’d take either of the rounds featured in the video.
I bet those rounds would do nice, out of a CSA. One of the biggest scams on the firearms market.. ... The Judge 😂 Great test Tools, Thank you! And Merry Christmas 🎄
2 suggestions if you haven't already same caliber but the extreme defender and a full lead or lead soft point ...just odd that these dropped men with one good hit back then but now is considered inadequate lol
I feel like .45 Colt is slept on too much. It might be old, but it's very capable with good modern loads. Also, I would recommend considering getting either a SAA clone, Ruger "old model" Vaquero, or a S&W Model 25 if you can get your hands on one. I think you'll see better results with something that doesn't have an extended cylinder that's really meant more for the .410 shotshells.
I think it tumbled b/c only the one side slightly opened creating a drag imbalance. After all your testing, Tools, you know it appears XTPs need 1100 ft/sec to expand as intended. I wouldn't say the test was unimpressive. 500 ft-lbs is no joke. It will do the job.
This would interest me more a week ago. I wanted a single action 45 but got a great deal on a broke original Blackhawk in 357 so took that instead and fixed it. Any advice on what 45 or 2.5” 410 round you think would do the best from a 3” derringer? That’s the only 45colt I own at the moment
@ToolsandTargets the base of that thing looks like it may have had one, or at least was inset for it. Idk. I'll have to shoot one into a bucket and look maybe.
Maybe the XTP would be better from a lever action. Do you test pistol ammo from Pistol Caliber Carbines? It could expand your audience. I have a 20" Rossi lever gun in 45 Colt, and a 1911 45 ACP with a 16" Mech Tech CCU. PPCs in 9mm are the most common.
Tools&targets I need help, I've watched many of your videos and I am overwhelmed trying to pick what caliber of handgun to get. I'm confident about handling something with more recoil, I don't want something that's $1.50 per round. Please reply I need help trying to find my first CCW.
IMHO how it gets to the result is not important if the result is good. And that XTP did a number on the gel. But 45 Colt is a Cowboy action round if I want a .45 revolver I would go to 454 casul or 460 mag
I would have liked to see the affect an X cut into the wadcutter has, but that's just curiosity, I never use them unless it's hardcast. Also those judges are not a great pistol for 45lc, they only have the last bit of the barrel that has rifling, at least mine is that way
I would say that HP is wasted in the 45 colt, but if it reliably tumbles like that every time, then one third of the time it's moving forwards side-on, which is a bigger but erratic cross-section than the consistent 45 caliber circle the wadcutter gives... so, it's the winner in that regard, but for all the wrong reasons. Personally I would take the wadcutter even with that because I feel it would plough through in a straight line more reliably, whereas the HP might get deflected more easily, particularly by or after passing through a barrier.
You don't even need hard cast at those velocities. I used to cast 255gr SWC out of straight wheel weight alloy. 10gr light really sounds like false advertising to me.
You are probably loosing some velocity from the chamber jump in that long Judge cylinder. Need to get you a Ruger or Taylor/Cimmaron single action with a 5.5 inch barrel for a dedicated 45 Colt handgun got to be able to find a used one pretty reasonable. Mainly carry my 45 Colts with a 255 grain semi wadcutter type bullets, want to try 200 grain Speer Gold Dots to get the velocity around 1050 to 1100 fps out of a 4 inch S&W 625 Mountain.
Been shooting, carrying, and loading 45 Colt for well over sixty years. Was also a professional gunsmith and peace officer for thirty years. I believe that should qualify the following statement. In standard chamber pressure loading in 45 Colt AND 45 Auto, one cannot expect expansion from the respective standard weight projectile. 255gr in 45, and 230gr in 45 Auto. The laws of physics are against you. IF you want any kind of expansion from either cartridge you MUST reduce the weight and increase velocity while still working within standard chamber pressure. 185gr JHP in 45 Auto moving out above 1075fps to 1125fps (being genuine velocity and not what the box says) will usually expand to suit most people. A 185gr to 200gr HP bullet from a 45 Colt clocking in above 1100fps or better will open up pretty well. I've never shot gel. I shoot meat and bone targets moving in my woods that are four footed mobile targets. Feral hogs often 200 pounds to as high as 400 pounds really show what these two cartridges are capable of. Coyotes are ripped apart with fast expansion from either. I personally don't use JHP'S in my 45 caliber weapons. I lean towards 250gr cast SWC hitting 900fps or more in my 45 Colts. And 200gr cast RNFP above 1050fps to 1100fps in my full size 1911A1's. Both flatten big hogs in their tracks. My opinions above are based upon years of experience in combat handguns. A .452" projectile is already pre-expanded upon exit of the bore. The common 9mm usually can't even approach close to that as it enters the target, and slowing down rapidly as well. And yes, I am one of those "Yahoo's" who carries a 45 Colt. Especially in the winter. Nothing says "Say when." like looking down the barrel of a big Colt Single Action Army in 45 Colt. 😏
My favorite carry revolver is a 4" S&W 625 Mountain Gun. And I agree with almost everything you said from the same kind of experience over 30+ years. I own and regularly shoot several .45 Colt revolvers. It kills game far beyond what it's paper or gel performance would suggest. And in the right revolver it can also outperform the venerable .44 magnum. And it does it with less pressure and felt recoil
@@johncoleman2495 You betcha! My introduction to the 45 Colt was in 1958. Imagine an eight year old boy shooting a 40gr black powder 255gr RNFP from an 1884 Colt Single Action Army. It was my great uncle's pistol he carried as a bounty hunter and part time deputy sheriff in Montana before the turn of the 20th century. He taught me much. Thanks Uncle Leo! I did pay attention.
When you’re shooting a 45 caliber wadcutter with 500 ft.lbs of energy, you don’t really need expansion! That’s a nice all purpose load👍
The very best expanding bullets might offer a wee bit better wounding than the wadcutter.....but you can count on the wadcutter every single time if you put it where it belongs.
Its still a .452 diameter hole which is larger than quite a few smaller diameter calibers can expand too🤷♂️
Yep
And they both had about a 100 ft-lb more energy than the 9mm+p Gold Dot and HST from the previous testing. Fat and slow for the win!
I have a couple 45 colts and I use lead Keith style semi wadcutter gc bullets exclusively. My 38 specials are fed the same way. These calibers just don't operate at pressures high enough to push expanding bullets fast enough to do what they're intended to do. A semi wadcutter pushed to about 1100fps out of a 45colt will give you stem to stern penetration on the black bear we have in nh
I use Buffalo Bore hardcast wadcutter in my 2 inch snubnose revolver. LOVE IT!
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Same. 44 specials. I also like that they have abrupt edges whereas the uw aren't.
The correct answer for a 45 colt is a 5.5 inch ruger Blackhawk with a 250 xtp at over 1400fps atleast for whitetail they drop every time
Whether or not they expand, those 45 Long Colt cartridges are responsible for a lot of cowboys meeting their maker a bit early, back in the day... Good Luck!
In 2006, Taurus introduced a revolver naming the Judge. In 2011, Smith & Wesson came out a similar revolver named the Govenor. No other gun manufacture followed suit in making the buck-shot revolvers naming the "Citizen or Bystander".
Tools is a very hardworking channel
Great video showing the 45lc some love. I'm a big fan of multi caliber revolvers and its nice to see them represented well by some youtubers. Many people overlook the "dated" cowboy calibers, especially ones that originated as black powder cartridges.
45 Colt. 250 grain Gold Dot. Wonderful stuff.
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The .45 colt is another tough one because of the fairly low velocities. I pulled some 230g HST’s and came up with a lil spicy load for hunting and they did great in testing in jelly, even put some pork ribs in there. Great test as always even though we knew the XTP’s weren’t moving fast enough. 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nice 😎👊
A different .45 LC revolver with a 6” barrel could be a great video comparison when using the Taurus Judge.
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isn't there something about the rifling on a taurus judge being too shallow so you don't get full velocity?
Please correct me if I am wrong. The 556 nato round created for war was intended to tumble because expanding rounds is not allowed in war
Thanks Tools! I finally just went to Buffalo Bore wadcutters for my J frame .38 spl
Nice 😎👊
@@ToolsandTargetsAnother great video.
Are you interested in testing recoil control from gas pedals? I'm making my own bolt-onto-the-light-rail gas pedals made out of upside down optics risers. Any interest in trying one out on the small Canik?
Cool! Interesting test. Wad cutters are an interesting addition to the testing. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Tools - I've been super curious about that Underwood 45LC wadcutter. Was thinking about running them in a Charter 45LC Bulldog.
Really resolved my curiosity.
Thanks a bunch.
Merry Christmas over there!!!
Thank you sir. Merry Christmas!😎👊
It kind of annoys me how almost the entire industry tends to use the heavier hp's on the 'problem' calibers like 45 colt 38 special 45acp 380acp. I always figured if I had to to defend my life with one I'd want the lighter projectile with more speed for reliable performance
Yeah, It's always a big ol chunk.
I think it’s probably because most people aren’t educated on expansion performance and assume every hollow point expands reliably. Where we watch videos to see demonstrations which clearly show otherwise. Speed, hollow point construction, and weight of the projectile all play a role to make sure the projectile expands how it’s intended to.
Most consumers picking up boxes off the shelf probably want the most “knockdown power” and go heavy not realizing projectiles require speed for expansion. Shame on manufacturers for selling something used to protect one’s life that doesn’t work or isn’t reliable.
I mean it almost seems like the lighter faster pick of those foot pounds quicker than the heavier slower
@@aaronfactor6838 that makes sense from a consumer stand point. They see 2 different weights and think "heavier means more power" and that's what sells better
@@mattjensen73 That was exactly how I thought before watching videos on this channel.
Good test, I'd say the XTP started to expand and that created the tumbling since the nose of the bullet was dragging with the uneven expansion. The wadcutter wins this test as you said.
Wadcutter for the win. Thanks for the jelly test Tools!
XTPs are solidly constructed bullets. The require high velocity to expand. Both those are decent hunting bullets. I carry 38 wadcutters for penetration.
Soft lead (non jacketed) hollow points are better for these big slow calibers because they open at lower speeds. Just take a hollow base wadcutter and load it backwards!
The nice thing about the old Ruger 45LC handguns like the Vaquero is they were built on 44 magnum frames and could be loaded extra hot. Can't do that anymore these days.
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Wadcutters are under-rated. Wadcutters are excellent for defense.
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Especially in bigger calibers.
@ or in 32 caliber
Especially when you load the projectile into the case backwards. ;)
No wadcutters are terrible for self defense. They are for hunting.
Underwood makes the XTP in a spicy +P version, item #434. I use it almost exclusively in my lever action carbine. 👍
T&T keep them coming
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Seeing these 45 caliber holes produced without expansion makes me wish we had a mild 50 caliber revolver round which could be chambered in normal-size revolvers that would drive a piece of non-expanding lead to abut the same distance we saw here. Think 50 GI with moon clips rather than 500 S&W magnum.
Sharp, astute, perceptive, brilliant, and insightful.
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Thank you for the video. It helps me look at different rounds for my 6 inch judge.
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I guessed wrong on them. The XTP went about 3in farther than I thought but the wadcutter was about 5in shorter on penetration. May not have performed well but both will give a bellyache. Good stuff to know when picking a45 Colt round. Have a great Christmas. 👍🙏
Merry Christmas!🎄🎅🎄
Good test. Love 45 colt. Yes, would like to see 45colt in a henry lever vs a good old single action.
Thank you sir.😎👊
@@randycecil7375 Got both. A 45 Colt with a 255gr SWC reaching 885fps in a 4 3/4" SAA revolver will hit well above 1050fps and closer to 1100fps in a Henry Big Boy rifle. It literally goes from mean to meaner.
Edit: And 950fps in a revolver translate to around 1175fps to 1200fps. And I don't load many at that velocity in my 45 Colt SAA's. It's about top load for my weapons.
I load the 250 XTP in 45 Super to about 1500 fps in a little carbine. It is the top performing bullet in my experience.
Merry Christmas Tools! You’re my favorite TH-cam guy and it ain’t even close 😊
Appreciate that, brother!😎👊
Performance expectations aside, these both still have a place. As the late, great, Paul Harrel would say (as he was motioning in a circle around his head) 'Shot placement is key.' Also, the heart or a sideways shot through the lungs.
That tumbling from the HP round looks like it would smart a bit.
Excellent comparison Tools! Thanks and Merry Christmas!👍🏻🎄😎
Interesting stuff Tools 🇺🇸👊 another ammo test in the books.
I’m curious about some 357 sig from Precision One self defense rounds. Your videos are great! Thanks for another one.
Hey chief! Is there a chance you can do 10mm ammo with the highest velocity, least penetration but still full power? I love 10mm but can't find anything that isn't showing it goes 2+ feet through stuff!
Both would get the job done
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Wish you would have brought the Circuit judge To do as well
With that xtp,if it dont expand at least they usually penetrate good!
Ive just about been converted to using a swc or fmjfn over hp in my edc...
That 500ftlb on that wad cutter is awesome 😊
Great test
The .45 Colt is an excellent cartridge but like this Underwood offering, it's almost always loaded far too light. The XTP is a very good bullet but it absolutely HAS to loaded with a high enough velocity to achieve expansion and that was never going to happen under 1000fps.
Ammunition manufacturers are afraid of loading .45 Colt to a proper level all because that whole "but what if someone shoots it in an antique Colt?" concern everyone always repeats? We don't have .45-70's throttled way down just in case someone pops a round into an antique Springfield trapdoor so why are we still doing it for .45 Colt?
.45 Colt is a fantastic caliber, when the ammo is loaded to the right level.
Could you try a slug in the Judge..just wondering what would be...of slug..thanks great job..
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I've always wondered how much of an the cylinder gap does have on the velocity
Nothing huge from what I've seen.
I've shot the same 45 colt wadcutters out of a bond arms 2½" barrel into gel the penetration was 18 inches with an average velocity of 675 fps pretty good from a short barrel
What’s the recoil like? I have a rowdy and have been considering carrying this same round…
@richardcarroll2153 it has a considerable amount of recoil coming out of such a small gun but it can be managed. for me the heavy trigger pull is more of an issue but not a deal breaker
@ thanks for the reply.
It wouldn't surprise me if wadcutter molds were rated for high lead alloy, when they make hard cast weighs less.
Interesting results!
Have you ever tried Barnes Vor-Tx 200 grain JHP in 45 Colt?
It expands consistently out of my S&W 25-7 (5" barrel, unfluted cylinder version).
Betting that long cylinder is the problem. It creates a LOT of freebore which reduces pressure significantly. I wonder if there was a gas check on that wadcutter that came off that you didn't see or find? That could easily make the weight difference up.
Where does the pressure go from longer cylinder:)? Wider cylinder will be the problem (for example 45 acp in 45 colt revolver) but not longer.
These don't have gas checks.
@@AlekseySh1982 The cylinder is wider than the bullet, the gases can go around once the bullet leaves the casing.
@@AlekseySh1982 The cylinder diameter is wider besides being longer to be able to chamber 410 shotshells there is a lot of gas blow by around the bullet as it travels free bore before hitting the cylinder throat. Also 45 ACP and 45 Colt have the same case and chamber diameters in modern firearms.
@@ToolsandTargets I wouldn't think so with their coating they use The new black coating looks a lot better than the stuff with the red lipstick LOL. I have a bunch of those rounds still.
Great content sir. Out of my Judge, 45 colt/410 Contender barrel and 1858 with a Howell conversion cylinder the 1858 is probably my favorite .45 Colt. If I had to say something negative, it would be the cylinder is rated for lead only ammo under 850fps. Thats no big deal tho. Have you seen the Underwood 220gr Maxium Expansion ammo specifically for the 410 revolvers?
Thank you sir.😎👊
I don't have a .45 Colt, but I still found this test interesting. I've considered carrying wadcutter in .44 Special and .38 Special. Is it a direct, one-to-one correlation? Probably not. But the comparison is still somewhat relevant to the other caliber decisions. If you don't get the velocity for reliable expansion, do you want reliable "caliber-size" holes and deep penetration? To paraphrase Shakespeare, that is the question.
Very true.😎👊
@@ToolsandTargets Is there any difference between a normal Gold Dot and a "short barrel" Gold Dot of the same caliber and grain weight? I don't know if it's just marketing b.s. or if there really is a difference (velocity, expansion, or what). Any insights?
@@fortyofforty5257 th-cam.com/video/kYf00XQ_TQM/w-d-xo.html 😎👍
Thanks for this testing of these rounds. Excellent 👌 work as always Tools! Hope tou and the range gang stay safe during these holidays. ♠️🎩🎯🇺🇸🏹
Thanks
Much love to Dick Casull. He knew what to do with these.
i would love to see if the r.i.p ammo came in 45 long colt .what it would do
Great video. Thanks as always.
Thank you sir.😎👊
It would be neat to see what a cowboy load would do with a good old lead round-nose bullet in the gel. Just for historical research purposes and fun of course.
One hit with 464 foot pounds of force, tumbled, didn’t expand, and penetrated 24 inches. The other hit with 488 foot pounds of force, didn’t tumble, didn’t expand, and penetrated 22 inches.
To ME, after watching the video, the question isn’t “which round is ballistically superior?” To ME, after watching the video, the question is “which round is cheaper to practice with?” Because, were I to ever find myself in a situation where my Italian made Colt SAA clone was my only defensive option, I’d take either of the rounds featured in the video.
I bet those rounds would do nice, out of a CSA. One of the biggest scams on the firearms market.. ... The Judge 😂 Great test Tools, Thank you! And Merry Christmas 🎄
I could have sworn I replied to this test, but I don't see it, maybe I'm losing my mind worst than I thought, Thanks Brian!👍🎄🇺🇸
I know the feeling!😂
2 suggestions if you haven't already same caliber but the extreme defender and a full lead or lead soft point ...just odd that these dropped men with one good hit back then but now is considered inadequate lol
Hey T... How about making some cap & ball tests? Various calibers, round ball vs conical would be fun. Keep working your magic.
Hey, them flat ones and HSM hardcast are my favorite Vaquero food.
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The short weight spec on the wad cutter is strange. And we wouldn’t know it if you didn’t test it. Thank you.👍😎🇺🇸👊🎄
Yeah, that one made me have to do a double take.😆
I’ve noticed a lot of your Underwood tests have been falling short? are they under new management
I got an Uberti single action army I'd like to see what the wadcutters do outa mine 🤔 as always interesting video my dude🇺🇸👍🏼
I had this crazy ammo in the 90s made by Aguila. Bullet seemed to be made out of aluminum or something. Wish I still had some left for a test.
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I wish I knew what they were thinking with 250 grains on the hp; why not get more speed with 225 or even 200? You called it.
Seems like a lor of places love these big chunky .45 Colt bullets.
Did the wadcutter lose it's gascheck? Maybe that's why it is lighter than it should be.
These don't have gas checks. Or at least this one didn't.😆
Maybe the missing grains from the wad cutter was from the grease that used to be in the ring gaps?
10 grains of grease would be almost unheard of its not that dense
I feel like .45 Colt is slept on too much. It might be old, but it's very capable with good modern loads. Also, I would recommend considering getting either a SAA clone, Ruger "old model" Vaquero, or a S&W Model 25 if you can get your hands on one. I think you'll see better results with something that doesn't have an extended cylinder that's really meant more for the .410 shotshells.
I’m a little curious about the weight of the wadcutter, I wonder if they are all under weight. Because that was 10 grains light.
Yeah, that's pretty far off.
I think it tumbled b/c only the one side slightly opened creating a drag imbalance. After all your testing, Tools, you know it appears XTPs need 1100 ft/sec to expand as intended.
I wouldn't say the test was unimpressive. 500 ft-lbs is no joke. It will do the job.
I don't have any guns in .45 Colt but it was still interesting to watch. Thanks Tools
This would interest me more a week ago. I wanted a single action 45 but got a great deal on a broke original Blackhawk in 357 so took that instead and fixed it. Any advice on what 45 or 2.5” 410 round you think would do the best from a 3” derringer? That’s the only 45colt I own at the moment
Let's go with an even shorter barrel
👍👍 great video Tools….appreciate it brother.
Can you do the 38 wad cutters from underwood I’m a big fan of those and think you’d like seeing what they do
Over the years, I've loaded 1000's of wadcutters . But I never used them for anything but punching paper.
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Gas check fly off the wadcutter maybe? You think that lil copper cup is probably 10 grains?
Do those even have checks? Couldn't really tell...
Pretty sure they don't. There's no mention of it on their site info.
@ToolsandTargets the base of that thing looks like it may have had one, or at least was inset for it. Idk. I'll have to shoot one into a bucket and look maybe.
Maybe the XTP would be better from a lever action. Do you test pistol ammo from Pistol Caliber Carbines? It could expand your audience. I have a 20" Rossi lever gun in 45 Colt, and a 1911 45 ACP with a 16" Mech Tech CCU. PPCs in 9mm are the most common.
Tools&targets I need help, I've watched many of your videos and I am overwhelmed trying to pick what caliber of handgun to get. I'm confident about handling something with more recoil, I don't want something that's $1.50 per round. Please reply I need help trying to find my first CCW.
Another great video thanks 👍👍
Thank you sir.😎👊
Don't see many 45 Colt reviews 👍
Looks like there was a gas check that's missing on the wadcutter. That might be the weight discrepancy.
I don't think they use gas checks with these since they give em the coating.
IMHO how it gets to the result is not important if the result is good. And that XTP did a number on the gel. But 45 Colt is a Cowboy action round if I want a .45 revolver I would go to 454 casul or 460 mag
That cylinder gap apparently caused the loss of nearly 10 grains of bullet weight!😧😂
Thank You for the presentation.
44 mag may be better.
another great review, thanks
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Wadcutters are a great option
Like to see what you come up with for that long bbl 45 colt👍
Another good ammo test
This was a fun video!
Appreciate ya! 🎄😎👊🎄
I would have liked to see the affect an X cut into the wadcutter has, but that's just curiosity, I never use them unless it's hardcast. Also those judges are not a great pistol for 45lc, they only have the last bit of the barrel that has rifling, at least mine is that way
This one is fully rifled.😎👊
@@ToolsandTargets Hey, Merry Christmas Brother.
I would say that HP is wasted in the 45 colt, but if it reliably tumbles like that every time, then one third of the time it's moving forwards side-on, which is a bigger but erratic cross-section than the consistent 45 caliber circle the wadcutter gives... so, it's the winner in that regard, but for all the wrong reasons. Personally I would take the wadcutter even with that because I feel it would plough through in a straight line more reliably, whereas the HP might get deflected more easily, particularly by or after passing through a barrier.
Im in South Dakota. Dont wanna here how chilli it is there....😅😅😅😅
Still waiting on the light and fast. 7.62x25 🤔
Awesome video, 🫡🇺🇲💪🖖
You don't even need hard cast at those velocities. I used to cast 255gr SWC out of straight wheel weight alloy. 10gr light really sounds like false advertising to me.
You are probably loosing some velocity from the chamber jump in that long Judge cylinder. Need to get you a Ruger or Taylor/Cimmaron single action with a 5.5 inch barrel for a dedicated 45 Colt handgun got to be able to find a used one pretty reasonable. Mainly carry my 45 Colts with a 255 grain semi wadcutter type bullets, want to try 200 grain Speer Gold Dots to get the velocity around 1050 to 1100 fps out of a 4 inch S&W 625 Mountain.
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When i need a wadcutter i go to tacobell !😂
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Been shooting, carrying, and loading 45 Colt for well over sixty years. Was also a professional gunsmith and peace officer for thirty years. I believe that should qualify the following statement.
In standard chamber pressure loading in 45 Colt AND 45 Auto, one cannot expect expansion from the respective standard weight projectile. 255gr in 45, and 230gr in 45 Auto. The laws of physics are against you.
IF you want any kind of expansion from either cartridge you MUST reduce the weight and increase velocity while still working within standard chamber pressure.
185gr JHP in 45 Auto moving out above 1075fps to 1125fps (being genuine velocity and not what the box says) will usually expand to suit most people.
A 185gr to 200gr HP bullet from a 45 Colt clocking in above 1100fps or better will open up pretty well.
I've never shot gel. I shoot meat and bone targets moving in my woods that are four footed mobile targets. Feral hogs often 200 pounds to as high as 400 pounds really show what these two cartridges are capable of. Coyotes are ripped apart with fast expansion from either.
I personally don't use JHP'S in my 45 caliber weapons. I lean towards 250gr cast SWC hitting 900fps or more in my 45 Colts. And 200gr cast RNFP above 1050fps to 1100fps in my full size 1911A1's. Both flatten big hogs in their tracks.
My opinions above are based upon years of experience in combat handguns. A .452" projectile is already pre-expanded upon exit of the bore. The common 9mm usually can't even approach close to that as it enters the target, and slowing down rapidly as well.
And yes, I am one of those "Yahoo's" who carries a 45 Colt. Especially in the winter. Nothing says "Say when." like looking down the barrel of a big Colt Single Action Army in 45 Colt. 😏
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My favorite carry revolver is a 4" S&W 625 Mountain Gun. And I agree with almost everything you said from the same kind of experience over 30+ years. I own and regularly shoot several .45 Colt revolvers. It kills game far beyond what it's paper or gel performance would suggest. And in the right revolver it can also outperform the venerable .44 magnum. And it does it with less pressure and felt recoil
@@johncoleman2495 You betcha! My introduction to the 45 Colt was in 1958. Imagine an eight year old boy shooting a 40gr black powder 255gr RNFP from an 1884 Colt Single Action Army. It was my great uncle's pistol he carried as a bounty hunter and part time deputy sheriff in Montana before the turn of the 20th century. He taught me much. Thanks Uncle Leo! I did pay attention.
It works at BP.Velosity.With inefficient RNL.any Modern load is beyonddescript
Typical result of 454casul projectile used in low power 45LC.