The 45 Colt calibre
The 45 Colt calibre ammunition has contributed to the history of America: it was one of the first cartridges with a metal case and central percussion to have emerged in 1873. The 45 Colt cartridge is also known as the 45 Long Colt with the conventional metric denomination of 11.43x32 mm, even though it loads a bullet with a real diameter of 11.50 mm. Its history is closely linked to that of the famous Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Peacemaker. Many long guns, mostly rifles with finger lever, have been manufactured for this powerful ammunition that was initially loaded with black powder. The United States army adopted the 45 Colt in 1874, and it remained in service until 1892, when it was replaced by the 38 Long Colt. The United States army soon came back to the 45 Colt in 1898 during the Spanish-American and American-Philippine Wars. It was finally replaced in 1911 by the 1911 Model Colt semi-automatic pistol chambered with 45 ACP. Nowadays, it is limited to the role of an excellent ammunition for personal defence and for target shooting, but first and foremost as the reference ammunition for the shooting activity known as Cowboy Action Shooting. For this purpose, Winchester offers a perfectly optimised load with a lead bullet weighing 16.20 grammes (250 grains) / 229 m/s which can also be used with vintage weapons.
