45/85 Colt Lightning

Fazer1

I have read different opinions. Is the 45/85 round for the Lightning the same as the 45/70 or the 45/90. That is is it a Winchester chambering.

There is a big difference, in my opinion, in the stopping power between the 2. The original Colt add says they are loaded with 85 gr of powder. Hard to get that into a 45/70 case, even an old one.

Thanks

11b6r

http://www.oldammo.com/august13.htm

Actually, 83 grains. Don't ask me why it was called a 45-85.

rufe-snow

Burt knows a lot more than I will ever know, about these kinds of cartridges. But I believe they were considered, black powder "express" loads. That is a lighter bullet, with a heavier charge of powder. For higher velocities. Perhaps this would reduce bullet trajectories for longer range shots?

Fazer1

I just found my Colt book by Ted Tivey. He says the 45/85 for the Lightning is the same as the Winchester 45/90. It is hard with all the companies making their own name for the same round, Winchester, Marlin, Colt, Sharps, Ballard.

Hawk Carse

If they did like Sharps and called it the .45 x 2 4/10" straight, there would be less confusion.

Bert H.

The Colt 45-85 load is the 45-90 WCF case, but loaded with a heavier bullet than the 300-gr used in the 45-90. Winchester also loaded a similar load (very rare) 45-82 WCF based on the 45-90 WCF, again with a heavier bullet. The concept was identical to the 50-100-405 versus the 50-110 EX. Winchester was looking for ways to appeal to more customers.