taurus 450, ammunition?

trespass · November 4, 2009, 09:55 AM

I own a taurus 450 2 inch 45 colt...
had cylinder modified to also accept
moonclips with 45acp...makes a pretty
decent "bulldog" type revolver.
Wondering for those who also own this thing
what ammunition they prefer...have heard
hotter loadings cause pistol to seize up,
not to mention damage to gun and wrist and thumb!
For those who also own and respect this little
revolver, what ammo are you preferring for
defense? thanks.

knight0334 · November 4, 2009, 03:57 PM

Taurus says not to use the hotter loads. Which that leaves the cowboy powderpuff stuff and the SAAMI standard loads.

The 450 is basically a K-frame sized gun, which isn't very strong compared to N-frame sized guns. Logic dictates cowboy-to-standard.

Piper Cub · November 4, 2009, 06:17 PM

Knight you have one?
I heard they are titanium and if you shoot bullets that are not crimped tightly the bullet will pull because of the light weight of that revolver. The barrell is also ported.

knight0334 · November 4, 2009, 06:50 PM

I had one awhile back. Mine was the stainless steel model, not the titanium or ultra-lite alloy model. It was ported with a snubby barrel. Mine however was not cut for using moon clips for 45acp.

Any uncrimped cartridge runs the risk of coming unseated in a lightweight revolver. ...which even the 28oz stainless is fairly light for the cartridge. If you launch a 200-250gr slug at standard, or even lower, velocities/pressures - there is a good chance the rest may work free. I imagine .45acp rounds with as sluggish as they are should stay seated if they have a factory taper crimp. With 45 Colt ammo, well there is a reason why their dies have a roll crimp feature and the bullets have knurls to crimp to even for heavier guns.

If you get yourself a 450, keep the 45LC at or below 15K PSI or CUP(cant remember limit) and the 45acp ammo at factory pressures as well. If you need magnum power, get yourself a gun that can handle it.

You can see all the models to be sure which one you have at Taurus' site. Once on their page, do a search for "Model 450". There are 4 hits, with 3 being discontinued.

knight0334 · November 4, 2009, 06:56 PM

I forgot to add..

Ammo, mine liked just about any bullet from 200 to 250grs, jacketed or cast. I loaded mine up with a light dose of BlueDot to get 250gr slugs out the barrel at about 700-775fps. Which with such a short barrel and the porting, thats about all one can get without cranking it up and risk having a hand-grenade.

trespass · November 5, 2009, 04:00 PM

thanks again...
think I am going to do handload some
200 grain hard cast stuff in both 45 colt
and acp and try in this thing...I suspect
it would do a fine job in this big bore for the
up close "get me to the door" gun this
thing is meant to be...

wnycollector · November 7, 2009, 05:35 AM

This might be a very effective ammo choice http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=343

Piper Cub · November 7, 2009, 06:24 AM

they are not really inexpensive... -$500
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=138524878

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=139169772

I really want one now but they are no longer made.

November 4, 2009, 09:55 AM	#1
trespass Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2004 Location: oklahoma Posts: 269	taurus 450, ammunition? I own a taurus 450 2 inch 45 colt... had cylinder modified to also accept moonclips with 45acp...makes a pretty decent "bulldog" type revolver. Wondering for those who also own this thing what ammunition they prefer...have heard hotter loadings cause pistol to seize up, not to mention damage to gun and wrist and thumb! For those who also own and respect this little revolver, what ammo are you preferring for defense? thanks.

November 4, 2009, 06:17 PM	#3
Piper Cub Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: TEXAS Posts: 465	Knight you have one? I heard they are titanium and if you shoot bullets that are not crimped tightly the bullet will pull because of the light weight of that revolver. The barrell is also ported. __________________ "Pray for Obama Psalms 109:8"

November 5, 2009, 04:00 PM	#6
trespass Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2004 Location: oklahoma Posts: 269	thanks thanks again... think I am going to do handload some 200 grain hard cast stuff in both 45 colt and acp and try in this thing...I suspect it would do a fine job in this big bore for the up close "get me to the door" gun this thing is meant to be...

November 7, 2009, 06:24 AM	#8
Piper Cub Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: TEXAS Posts: 465	they are not really inexpensive... -$500 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=138524878 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=139169772 I really want one now but they are no longer made. __________________ "Pray for Obama Psalms 109:8"

November 4, 2009, 03:57 PM	#2
knight0334 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2006 Location: Brookville, PA Posts: 190	Taurus says not to use the hotter loads. Which that leaves the cowboy powderpuff stuff and the SAAMI standard loads. The 450 is basically a K-frame sized gun, which isn't very strong compared to N-frame sized guns. Logic dictates cowboy-to-standard.

November 4, 2009, 06:50 PM	#4
knight0334 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2006 Location: Brookville, PA Posts: 190	I had one awhile back. Mine was the stainless steel model, not the titanium or ultra-lite alloy model. It was ported with a snubby barrel. Mine however was not cut for using moon clips for 45acp. Any uncrimped cartridge runs the risk of coming unseated in a lightweight revolver. ...which even the 28oz stainless is fairly light for the cartridge. If you launch a 200-250gr slug at standard, or even lower, velocities/pressures - there is a good chance the rest may work free. I imagine .45acp rounds with as sluggish as they are should stay seated if they have a factory taper crimp. With 45 Colt ammo, well there is a reason why their dies have a roll crimp feature and the bullets have knurls to crimp to even for heavier guns. If you get yourself a 450, keep the 45LC at or below 15K PSI or CUP(cant remember limit) and the 45acp ammo at factory pressures as well. If you need magnum power, get yourself a gun that can handle it. You can see all the models to be sure which one you have at Taurus' site. Once on their page, do a search for "Model 450". There are 4 hits, with 3 being discontinued.

November 4, 2009, 06:56 PM	#5
knight0334 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2006 Location: Brookville, PA Posts: 190	I forgot to add.. Ammo, mine liked just about any bullet from 200 to 250grs, jacketed or cast. I loaded mine up with a light dose of BlueDot to get 250gr slugs out the barrel at about 700-775fps. Which with such a short barrel and the porting, thats about all one can get without cranking it up and risk having a hand-grenade.

November 7, 2009, 05:35 AM	#7
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 956	This might be a very effective ammo choice http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=343