Question re. .45 Colt ammo

[Ted124]

.45 Colt, this caliber is new to me.
What do I have to look out for when buying manufactured ammo, such as Hornady Cowboy Action or similar rounds.
I am mostly concerned to keep the barrel as clean as possible.
I do not expect to shoot it very often and I do not reload (I wish I knew how, maybe it's not to late to start).

[Mags]

.45 Colt, this caliber is new to me.
What do I have to look out for when buying manufactured ammo, such as Hornady Cowboy Action or similar rounds.
I am mostly concerned to keep the barrel as clean as possible.
I do not expect to shoot it very often and I do not reload (I wish I knew how, maybe it's not to late to start).

You might want to learn to reload for this caliber. This caliber has gotten insanely expensive.
In my reloads i use copper and polymer coated bullets.

Factory that I have used in the past with no issues. To keep the barrel clean as possible between cleanings, go coated.
Aguila 45 (Long) Colt 200gr (least expensive)
HSM Cowboy Action 200gr and 250gr
Choice Ammunition Cowboy 250gr (coated)
Fiocchi Cowboy Action 250gr (coated)
Grizzly Cowboy Action 250gr
Hornady LEVERevolution 225gr (most expensive)

[Ted124]

Thank you Mags, that's very valuable info.

[Ted124]

My thought is for the number of rounds I send down range every year, are re-loading setup, learning doesn't quit seem to be the right option. I can get a box of HSM for around $1 per round. A box of 50 may just be enough for a year. Similar for .308.
I am thinking of getting a .223 single shot for plinking.

The list of brand name suggestions is valuable though.
In CA I would need a FFL03 +COE to get ammo shipped to my house directly (incl. out of state).
Prices outside of CA are something to dream of.
So, this may be the way to go, if my shooting increases.

[DsGrouse]

45 Colt is the round that got me into reloading.

I'm not a big fan of Hornaday. 45 Colt loads. The brass, IMHO, is terrible, and at least in my 4 45 Colt guns, accuracy is so-so. Winchester has been superb. That being said. I prefer to reload as mentioned above. For that, I like a simple blue bullets 250grn powder coated bullet, and Starline brass.

Powder coated Blue bullets.
https://thebluebullets.com/product/250-gr-rnfp-45-452/
Jacketed bullets Nosler 250 grain
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010873140?pid=199646
Starline Brass
https://www.starlinebrass.com/45-colt-brass
Forty and I have both had great luck with alliant BE-86 powder
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2184308109?pid=728959

I use 8.0-to 8.2 grains of Be86, barring any spillage; that's 850ish rounds per pound of powder.

If you watch Facebook Marketplace, you can pick up 2nd-hand reloading presses and gear for 0.30 to 0.40 cents on the dollar. A simple single-stage press, and you'd make your investment back in short order. (between 308 and 45 Colt)

You might be able to get supplies shipped directly to your house, i.e., powder, Primers, Brass, and bullets.

As for factory loads,
Federal has shot very well for me
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal ... -2990.aspx
My favorite Winchester
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/winches ... 09339.aspx
I've not tried this version of Winchester
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1029449944?pid=325031
I've had great luck with Buffalo Bore in my lever guns
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102701802?pid=826241