The .45 Automatic (.45 ACP) and its Colt Government Model pistol hold the distinction of serving longer military careers than any cartridge/firearm combination ever introduced in the United States. Adopted in 1911, both were retired from military duty in 1985 when its foe in many battles, the 9mm Parabellum, became Uncle Sam's "new" cartridge. After serving faithfully for three quarters of a century, the old soldier was put out to pasture as an older and less powerful cartridge took its place. Even though the .45 ACP is no longer our official military cartridge, it is more popular today among civilian shooters than it ever has been. And its popularity, along with that of the Colt 1911, keeps growing in leaps and bounds despite the introduction of new autoloaders and new cartridges such as the 10mm Auto, .41 Action Express and the .40 S&W. According to "Front Sight", the official publication of the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), over 70 percent of its members still use the .45 ACP in competition. Most of those guns are the old faithful Colt Government model. 

This text is based on information from “Cartridges of the World”, Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.

Show all 38 loads

To narrow your search, choose the desired bullet weight, bullet name, or powder.