Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 Colt with .451 | 160gr | Barnes TAC-XP bullet and 5 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,402 psi | 90% | 1148 fps | 93.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,996 psi | 88% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,301 psi | 90% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,271 psi | 83% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 68% | 13,648 psi | 86% | 1030 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,039 psi | 82% | 1099 fps | 91.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,546 psi | 79% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,150 psi | 45% | 787 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,860 psi | 43% | 781 fps | 94.4% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,284 psi | 71% | 961 fps | 100% |
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 2 powders for .45 Colt loaded with the .451 | 160gr | Barnes TAC-XP. ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,063 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,060 fps to 1,063 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 2 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (110 MPa), the top charges use 83–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.