.45 Colt vs .45 acp Ballistic Gel Test With the Taurus Judge & Rock Island Armory 1911!

Published on March 20, 2022
Duration: 13:51

This video provides a detailed comparison of .45 Colt and .45 ACP ammunition performance through ballistic gel testing. The expert instructor uses a Taurus Judge and a Rock Island Armory 1911, firing Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr FTX rounds. The analysis covers muzzle velocity, wound channel characteristics, penetration depth, retained bullet weight, and expansion diameter, concluding that both calibers performed very similarly in this specific test scenario.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test comparing .45 Colt and .45 ACP using Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr FTX ammunition, both calibers demonstrated similar performance. .45 Colt achieved slightly more penetration (13.75 inches vs. 12.125-12.25 inches), while muzzle velocity (~1000 fps), retained weight (178-180 gr), and expansion (0.67-0.70 inches) were comparable.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Overview
  2. 00:22Equipment and Setup
  3. 00:41Ammunition & Firearms Introduction
  4. 01:41Test Anticipation
  5. 01:54.45 ACP Chrono Test
  6. 02:43.45 Colt Chrono Test
  7. 04:08.45 ACP Ballistic Gel Test
  8. 05:37.45 Colt Ballistic Gel Test
  9. 06:16Ballistic Gel Wound Channel Analysis
  10. 07:37Penetration Measurements
  11. 08:21Gel Block Angle Views
  12. 09:22Bullet Examination & Measurements
  13. 11:52Conclusion & Comparison Summary
  14. 12:43Outro & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

How did .45 Colt and .45 ACP perform in the ballistic gel test?

.45 Colt penetrated 13.75 inches, while .45 ACP penetrated 12.125-12.25 inches. Both calibers using Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr FTX ammunition showed similar muzzle velocities around 1000 fps and significant bullet expansion to 0.67-0.70 inches.

What were the key differences observed between .45 Colt and .45 ACP in the gel test?

The primary difference was penetration depth, with .45 Colt achieving slightly more. However, muzzle velocity, retained weight, and expanded diameter were remarkably similar for both calibers when using the same 185 gr FTX Hornady Critical Defense projectile.

What challenges were encountered during the chronograph testing?

The presenter experienced significant issues with muzzle blast from the .45 Colt impacting the chronograph, leading to highly inconsistent and erroneous velocity readings. This highlights the importance of proper chronograph placement and awareness of environmental factors.

Which ammunition performed better in the ballistic gel test, .45 Colt or .45 ACP?

In this specific test using Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr FTX ammunition, both .45 Colt and .45 ACP performed very similarly. The .45 Colt showed a slight advantage in penetration, but overall terminal ballistics were comparable, making it difficult to declare a definitive winner.

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