All,

I was recently given about 1000 Starline 45 colt cases from a relative who got them from a friend etc. These looked to be the proverbial "once fired" brass and I was very happy to get them as 45LC is pricey indeed... But upon digging through the box of brass, I discovered that about 500 of them are "Starline 45 Colt Blank brass." which, though somewhat tarnished, appear unfired.

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/45-BLANK-45-colt-BLANK-brass/

I'd never heard of such a thing before -- they aren't crimped, look totally normal, etc. Upon checking starline's website I learned that they are identical in all respects to standard 45 colt cases - EXCEPT the FLASH HOLE is larger than standard (.140 in). BUT, the website states that they are not to be loaded with projectiles. They don't give a reason why.

I've done some sleuthing on the net and one forum mention said it was due to the larger flash hole potentially causing a more rapid ignition and subsequent high pressure condition. I'm not sure I buy that.

I'm shooting cowboy action/target punching loads with ~ 10,000 CUP (6.2 gr Titegroup) out of a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk which Mr. Linebaugh has demonstrated is capable of routinely handling 30,000 psi loads (I won't be shooting any of those, ever)...I will confess that I loaded up about 20 of these with 6.2 grains of titegroup and 200 LRNFP bullets and fired them with no adverse effects or any indication of pressure.

I'd hate to pitch 500 of my stash of brass - especially if the prohibition is based on a false premise (lawyers fear of someone loading a Linebaugh Load) or something that is simply not a concern out of a Bisley Blackhawk.

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

Todd

waiting for experts, myself.

I've been told that there is no 45 long colt, just 45 colt, but I have no clue why you couldn't use the blank brass. Get Riverider in here.

The "long Colt" moniker supposedly originated at a time when the Army was equipped with both Colt SAAs and S&W revolvers chambered in .45 Schofield. They'd say "Long Colt" for clarity's sake. Supposedly.

I have no idea whether the larger flash holes would actually cause an issue, but I suppose its possible. I'm not sure I'd take the risk without researching the subject and the experiences of others who have discovered the pitfalls. Brass is cheap relative to the value of a pair of intact hands.

see my "similar" post regarding larger primer holes:
http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4639218/Re:_.38_Special_brass_-_someth#Post4639218

I trashed them. I have also found that they are used for fast draw competitions where they shoot large grain black powder loads at balloons and the burning powder grains actually "pop" the balloons! OK, that might be fun .... assuming no burn bans are in effect

+1 45LC and 45 Long Colt are pet peeves for me. Stupid thing to hate I know. Like stated, might as well buy the "right" brass.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Paco Kelley. Take it FWIW.

All

First, yes I feel your pain on the proper name of 45 colt morphing into 45 Long Colt. Since Ammo makers themselves are labeling it 45LC and referring to it as long colt I think the battle is lost. Maybe we could channel our energies on stamping out "have got" used improperly in place of "have" as in " you've got mail"
But I think we have lost that one as well.

Second. Asic777 looks like a nearly identical situation to yours except my large flash holes are factory made yours were hand made (and smaller caliber).

Bottom line. I won't be shooting them (anymore). Just bought a collet to pull out the remaining 25 or loaded blank cases.

I called Dillon and spoke with one of their guys and he acted like I had pulled the pin on 25 hand grenades and sat on them. When I remained calm and asked why specifically a larger flash hole is SO SCARY he said it allows for rapid ignition. When I retorted that mobidy better use a magnum primer he said well Um er in cowboy action loads WITH position sensitive light loads where shooters tip barrels up or down (old school 44 colt routine apparently) the primer could "arc across the power and detonate it instead of incrementally burning it.

I remain skeptical having shot 30 rounds or more with no explosions using position INSENSITIVE tight group but I remind myself of the first Spaceshuttle Challengr explosion caused by the failure of the presumed safe solid rocket boosters and I figure I don't really need to star in my own Apollo 13 sequel.

I suspect concern for using ancient powder types that are vey position sensitive and or fear of very high pressure loads of which the 45 colt is capable led star line to issue a prohibition on projectiles in blanks.

Anyway anybody know any cowboy sass shooters looking to buy some brass???

Todd
Pls forgive silly iPhone typos

I'll resist until the day I die!

45 Long Colt. I just like the sound of it.

I don't 'cause it's wrong. Damn, I've met you in person. Stop it!

As long as someone doesn't refer to magazines as clips, I'm generally easy-going. But that's a line that is never to be crossed!

Awe heck my 10/22 has a clip and I have a ruger black hawk in 45 long colt. I call it a clip because that's what I was taught and ive never met a someone in person who didn't know exactly what I was talking about when I said clip. I call it 45 long colt because that's what the loading book, box of factory ammo, and box of dies all say on them.

Some of yal need to just un bunch your undies get on with life and worry about things that matter.

You mean like the difference between a .270 and a .280?

Yes that would matter!

Larger (than normal) flash holes allow for more effective ignition of reduced loads & blanks with certain powders.
NOT good for normal loads (can cause a primer blow-out).
( I have some setup this way for youth shooting).
Don't pitch 'em - I have a dozen 4-H youth that would love to fire more than one cylinders worth a week.

Oldoak,

Thanks. I won't pitch the unloaded ones as I will probably try to sell them to some cowboy action shooter who places higher value on them. There may be closer to 1000 than 500 as the shipping box from starline (in which I got them) has quantity "M" on it. When I have a few moments I may try to get a more accurate count, I figure they're worth about .08-.10 since they're .18 from the manufacturer...

I did buy a .451 collet for my hornady bullet puller...and it promptly snapped off one of the very very thin "wings" of the collet on my first attempt at pulling the bullets. I gave up an tossed the 20 or so loaded rounds into the misfire bucket at the range. Couldn't overcome the roll crimp and RNFP meplat with the puller.

Yours is the first explanation of "risk" from these larger flash holes that makes some sense to me. I can see the primer backing out with higher loads -- in theory. The primer pocket is the SAME size and it's plenty tight when seating them but presumably more force could be applied to the primer from the larger flash hole.

And, the primer could back out or maybe "blow out".That could jam the cylinder. Which would be annoying. but far from catastrophic. And I guess if one had one's face near the cylinder AND one wasn't wearing eye protection it could be a bad day at the range if any fragments or blast got in one's eye...

I definitely don't buy the "detonation" threat that the Dillon rep offered but I am an amateur explosives user and not a professional...

Thanks for the heads up.

Todd

Yep - it has something to do with the normal/small size of the flash hole helps limit the pressure wave from full powered loads (in the same way those E3 sonic Ear plugs have a tunnel hole that allows whispers to pass but block gun-blast).

Issue would show itself fast with any load getting up to or approaching max - gonna definately have problems/higher risks.

The big flash hole is fine/recommended for blanks, black-powder / reduced loads.

Just load them up with Trail boss and you won't have an issue. Use them to plink with. Max load for trail boss from the head to the base of the bullet once seated. Do not compress it.