Can .45 colt in a rifle be accurate at 100 yards?

**c_brutsche** · August 4th, 2010, 05:33 PM

Hey guys,

Just curious if any of you know: I am really curious in getting a lever action rifle with 20" barrel in .45 colt. I want it in .45 colt because i reload that cartridge and have the dies for it already so it's just easier. Anyways is that cartridge coming out of a 20" barrel accurate "enough" at 100 yards? As in could I at least hit within a 12" X 12" radius? The range I belong to only has backers at 100 yards so that is why I was asking. Any info helps guys and thanks.

**ForwardAssist** · August 4th, 2010, 06:43 PM

12"x12" for a 45 Colt is easy. Hickok45 can hit a steel ram at 230yds with a 45 Colt revolver. (At least I seem to recall that, anyway)

http://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45

**c_brutsche** · August 4th, 2010, 06:51 PM

alright, im pretty sure you answered my question lol

**mrnyman** · August 4th, 2010, 11:55 PM

In the old days people used to hunt Buffalo with the .45 Colt, sure it can , just use a hot enough load to give you that flatter trajectory that you need.

Nyman

**knight0334** · August 5th, 2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by mrnyman

In the old days people used to hunt Buffalo with the .45 Colt, sure it can , just use a hot enough load to give you that flatter trajectory that you need.

Nyman

Rarely, and probably at close range if they did. Bison weren't timid of humans if you didn't act like a hooligan. The great slaughter was committed with mostly the 50-70 and it's child cartridges, and the 45-70 and it's child cartridges - very different cartridges from the .45Colt.

The .45Colt loaded with the 255gr slug, and 35-40grs of blackpowder would barely push break 1000fps in longer pistols. With at most 566ftlbs of energy at 1000fps, and the very soft lead bullets of the day I doubt the .45Colt took many bison.

One doesn't need a flat trajectory, one needs to just know the arc. Flat trajectories may be needed by those who are less skilled in knowing their bullet drop, but the drop itself doesn't bear weight on accuracy.

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To the OP,

Yes, the .45 Colt can be accurate. ALL chamberings can be accurate so long as the velocity and twist rate match the slug length. The casing plays little to nothing towards accuracy, it mostly factors in sealing the chamber and with varying designs to promote better ignition and fast/slower powder burn.

I can hit bottle caps all day long at 25-35yrds with my 16" Trapper model 45Colt Winny, standing up.. I'm sure I can hit a dinner plate at 100yrds just as easily. Now increase the sight radius by 4 inches by going with the 20" barrel, and accuracy will improve. Barring any atmospheric(wind/rain/etc) disturbances, there is nothing that would alter the flight path of the easily determined gravitational arc to make it any less accurate so long as the shooter does his job.

**Nullifidian** · August 5th, 2010, 02:19 PM

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**Noah_Zark** · August 5th, 2010, 02:27 PM

I have three lever guns in 45 Colt, all Marlins (16", 20" and 24" barrels) and I can chase a 2-liter soda bottle around the 100 yd berm with any of them, offhand, using the open sights on the rifle. With a 2-liter, I can pretty much hit the bottle with each shot fired. If I'm shooting at 20-oz soda bottles I usually hit 6/10 or better.

Noah