The 45 Auto calibre
The 45 Auto calibre cartridge was designed by John Moses Browning for Colt in 1905. It was adopted by the Army Ordnance after the insufficient ballistic performance of pistols using 38 Long Colt calibre had been observed during the 1899-1902 war between America and the Philippines. The 45 Auto or 45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) with the metrical designation of 11.43x23 mm is a cartridge designed to be used in a semi-automatic pistol, the prototype of which was manufactured by Colt. After successful military tests, it was adopted with the Colt 45 semi-automatic pistol as the M1911 45 calibre cartridge. The cartridge/pistol combination was rather successful and was shown to be very satisfactory for military purposes until the beginning of the nineteen-eighties, when it was replaced by the 9 mm Luger calibre. Nevertheless, real connoisseurs looking for major stopping power make no mistake: the 45 Auto cartridge remains unchallenged. There are still many weapons around that are made for this legendary calibre. The 45 Auto cartridge is also used in certain revolvers with the aid of clips. The 45 Auto cartridge is an excellent military ammunition but also ideal for personal defence. It has not gone out of fashion quite the contrary! The first ammunition had a bullet weighing 13.00 grammes (200 grains) and an initial speed of 275 m/s, but this was soon replaced by a bullet weighing 15.00 grammes (230 grains) with an initial speed of 260 m/s. By tradition, Winchester has loaded the 45 Auto calibre cartridge since its origin and thus offers several quality loads.
