AmmoSight

.45 Colt Trajectory Calculator

See how .45 Colt stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every handgun caliber side by side.

The .45 Colt is a classic big-bore revolver cartridge with roots in the Old West. With a 250-grain bullet at 860 fps and a 25-yard zero, expect about 2.6 inches of drop at 50 yards, 8.4 inches at 75 yards, and 17.5 inches at 100 yards. Muzzle energy runs 411 ft-lbs and stays above 345 ft-lbs at 100 yards—enough for deer at close range with proper shot placement.

Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Standard pressure loads run 800-900 fps while +P loads in strong revolvers push past 1,000 fps with heavy bullets. You can also factor in wind and atmospheric conditions.

.45 Colt Trajectory Chart

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.45 Colt Ballistics Data

Range (yd) Elevation (in) Elevation (MOA) Elevation (MIL) Windage (in) Windage (MOA) Windage (MIL) Time (s) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lbs)
0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.001 860.0 410.67
5 -0.15 2.75 0.799 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.019 855.96 406.82
10 0.07 -0.67 -0.194 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.036 852.09 403.15
15 0.17 -1.08 -0.313 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.054 848.27 399.54
20 0.15 -0.71 -0.207 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.072 844.48 395.98
25 0.01 -0.03 -0.008 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.089 840.73 392.47
30 -0.26 0.82 0.238 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.107 837.01 389.01
35 -0.65 1.76 0.511 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.125 833.34 385.6
40 -1.16 2.76 0.804 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.143 829.7 382.24
45 -1.8 3.81 1.109 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.161 826.09 378.93
50 -2.57 4.89 1.424 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.18 822.53 375.66
55 -3.47 6.0 1.746 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.198 818.99 372.44
60 -4.49 7.13 2.074 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.216 815.5 369.27
65 -5.65 8.28 2.408 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.235 812.03 366.13
70 -6.94 9.44 2.747 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.253 808.6 363.04
75 -8.36 10.62 3.089 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.272 805.18 359.99
80 -9.91 11.81 3.435 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.29 801.8 356.97
85 -11.6 13.01 3.785 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.309 798.44 353.99
90 -13.43 14.23 4.138 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.328 795.12 351.04
95 -15.39 15.45 4.494 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.347 791.81 348.13
100 -17.5 16.68 4.853 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.366 788.54 345.25

Take this table to the range

The .45 Colt reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.

Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.

Customize this card

Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.

Available .45 Colt Ammunition Ballistics

Product Velocity (fps) BC 25yd Drop 50yd Drop 75yd Drop 100yd Drop
Ammo Inc .45 Colt 250gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 842 0.146 0.0" -2.7" -8.8" -18.4"
Ammo Inc Signature .45 Colt 250gr TMC Ammo Ballistics 842 0.146 0.0" -2.7" -8.8" -18.4"
Atomic .45 Colt 200gr LRNFP Ammo Ballistics 800 0.125 0.0" -3.1" -9.9" -20.8"
Barnes VOR-TX .45 Colt 200gr XPB Ammo Ballistics 1025 0.145 0.0" -1.7" -5.8" -12.5"
Black Hills .45 Colt 250gr RNFP Ballistics 725 0.14 0.0" -3.8" -12.2" -25.2"
Buffalo Bore Heavy .45 Colt +P 300gr SJFP Ammo Ballistics 1325 0.165 0.0" -0.9" -3.3" -7.5"
CCI Blazer .45 Colt 200gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 1000 0.14 0.0" -1.8" -6.1" -13.1"
Corbon .45 Colt +P 200gr JHP Ballistics 1100 0.13 0.0" -1.5" -5.1" -11.1"
DoubleTap .45 Colt +P 255gr HCSW Ammo Ballistics 1450 0.145 0.0" -0.7" -2.7" -6.3"
DoubleTap Hunter .45 Colt 255gr HCSW Ammo Ballistics 975 0.145 0.0" -1.9" -6.5" -13.7"
DoubleTap Hunter .45 Colt +P 360gr HCSLD Ammo Ballistics 1200 0.175 0.0" -1.2" -4.1" -9.0"
Federal American Eagle .45 Colt 225gr JSP Ballistics 860 0.195 0.0" -2.5" -8.3" -17.2"
Federal Champion .45 Colt 225gr LSWCHP Ballistics 830 0.154 0.0" -2.8" -9.0" -18.9"
Fiocchi Cowboy Action .45 Colt 250gr LRNFP Ammo Ballistics 750 0.14 0.0" -3.5" -11.3" -23.5"
Fiocchi Training Dynamics .45 Colt 225gr CMJ Ammo Ballistics 750 0.145 0.0" -3.5" -11.3" -23.5"
Fort Scott Munitions .45 Colt 225gr TUI Ammo Ballistics 869 0.12 0.0" -2.6" -8.4" -17.6"
Hornady Critical Defense .45 Colt 185gr FTX Ballistics 920 0.14 0.0" -2.2" -7.3" -15.4"
Remington HTP .45 Colt 230gr JHP Ballistics 850 0.145 0.0" -2.7" -8.6" -18.1"
Sierra Sports Master .45 Colt 225gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 850 0.157 0.0" -2.6" -8.6" -18.0"
Underwood .45 Colt 135gr Extreme Defender Ammo Ballistics 1410 0.095 0.0" -0.9" -3.3" -7.7"
Underwood .45 Colt 225gr Hard Cast WC Ballistics 1050 0.12 0.0" -1.7" -5.7" -12.2"
Underwood .45 Colt 225gr Soft Cast HP Ballistics 1050 0.13 0.0" -1.7" -5.6" -12.1"
Underwood .45 Colt 255gr LSWCGC Ballistics 1000 0.12 0.0" -1.9" -6.3" -13.4"
Underwood .45 Colt +P 250gr XTP JHP Ballistics 1400 0.15 0.0" -0.8" -3.0" -6.8"
Winchester Bigbore .45 Colt 250gr JSP Ammo Ballistics 845 0.146 0.0" -2.7" -8.7" -18.3"
Winchester PDX1 Defender .45 Colt 225gr JHP Ballistics 850 0.14 0.0" -2.7" -8.7" -18.1"
Winchester Super-X .45 Colt 250gr LFN Ammo Ballistics 750 0.14 0.0" -3.5" -11.3" -23.5"

Zeroing the .45 Colt

Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 250gr G1 .160 at 860 fps, with a 0.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Handgun zeros are short because the sight sits close to the bore and the bullet arcs little inside 50 yards; the choice is really about where you want the crossover. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.

.45 Colt zero comparison

.45 Colt 250gr reference load zero comparison at 0.5" sight height over bore
10-yd zero 15-yd zero 25-yd zero
Near zero 10 yd 15 yd 9 yd
Far zero 21 yd 15 yd 25 yd
Max ordinate +0.1" 0.0" +0.2"
Max ordinate distance 15 yd 14 yd 17 yd
Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") 0–44 yd 0–42 yd 0–46 yd
Sight in at 25 yd -0.2" (-0.7 MOA) -0.3" (-1.1 MOA) +0.0" (+0.0 MOA)
Drop at 50 yd -2.9" -3.1" -2.6"
Drop at 100 yd -18.2" -18.6" -17.5"
Energy at 50 yd 376 ft-lb 376 ft-lb 376 ft-lb
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How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 100 yards.

Key terms

Near zero
Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
Far zero
Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
Max ordinate
The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
Point blank range (MPBR)
The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.

.45 Colt with a 10-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 10 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 250gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 10 yards, peaks +0.1" at 15 yards, crosses back down at 21 yards, and is -2.9" at 50 and -18.2" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.45 Colt 250gr reference load, 10-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 860 411 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.45 -1.00 856 407 0.1
10 0.0" -0.04 -0.01 852 403 0.1
15 +0.1" +0.37 +0.11 848 400 0.2
20 0.0" +0.01 0.00 844 396 0.2
25 -0.2" -0.68 -0.20 841 392 0.3
30 -0.5" -1.52 -0.44 837 389 0.4
35 -0.9" -2.46 -0.72 833 386 0.5
40 -1.5" -3.47 -1.01 830 382 0.6
45 -2.1" -4.52 -1.31 826 379 0.7
50 -2.9" -5.60 -1.63 823 376 0.8
55 -3.9" -6.71 -1.95 819 372 1.0
60 -4.9" -7.84 -2.28 815 369 1.1
65 -6.1" -8.98 -2.61 812 366 1.3
70 -7.5" -10.15 -2.95 809 363 1.5
75 -8.9" -11.32 -3.29 805 360 1.7
80 -10.5" -12.52 -3.64 802 357 1.9
85 -12.2" -13.72 -3.99 798 354 2.1
90 -14.1" -14.93 -4.34 795 351 2.4
95 -16.1" -16.15 -4.70 792 348 2.6
100 -18.2" -17.39 -5.06 789 345 2.9

250gr G1 .160 at 860 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.45 Colt with a 15-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 15 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 250gr load first crosses the line of sight at 15 yards, peaks 0.0" at 14 yards, returns to zero at 15, and is -3.1" at 50 and -18.6" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.45 Colt 250gr reference load, 15-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 860 411 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.82 -1.11 856 407 0.1
10 0.0" -0.41 -0.12 852 403 0.1
15 0.0" 0.00 0.00 848 400 0.2
20 -0.1" -0.37 -0.11 844 396 0.2
25 -0.3" -1.05 -0.30 841 392 0.3
30 -0.6" -1.89 -0.55 837 389 0.4
35 -1.0" -2.83 -0.82 833 386 0.5
40 -1.6" -3.84 -1.12 830 382 0.6
45 -2.3" -4.89 -1.42 826 379 0.7
50 -3.1" -5.97 -1.74 823 376 0.8
55 -4.1" -7.08 -2.06 819 372 1.0
60 -5.2" -8.21 -2.39 815 369 1.1
65 -6.4" -9.36 -2.72 812 366 1.3
70 -7.7" -10.52 -3.06 809 363 1.5
75 -9.2" -11.70 -3.40 805 360 1.7
80 -10.8" -12.89 -3.75 802 357 1.9
85 -12.6" -14.09 -4.10 798 354 2.1
90 -14.5" -15.30 -4.45 795 351 2.4
95 -16.5" -16.52 -4.81 792 348 2.6
100 -18.6" -17.76 -5.17 789 345 2.9

250gr G1 .160 at 860 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.45 Colt with a 25-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 25 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 250gr load first crosses the line of sight at 9 yards, peaks +0.2" at 17 yards, returns to zero at 25, and is -2.6" at 50 and -17.5" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.45 Colt 250gr reference load, 25-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 860 411 0.1
5 -0.2" -2.75 -0.80 856 407 0.1
10 +0.1" +0.67 +0.19 852 403 0.1
15 +0.2" +1.08 +0.31 848 400 0.2
20 +0.2" +0.71 +0.21 844 396 0.2
25 +0.0" +0.03 +0.01 841 392 0.3
30 -0.3" -0.82 -0.24 837 389 0.4
35 -0.7" -1.76 -0.51 833 386 0.5
40 -1.2" -2.76 -0.80 830 382 0.6
45 -1.8" -3.81 -1.11 826 379 0.7
50 -2.6" -4.89 -1.42 823 376 0.8
55 -3.5" -6.00 -1.75 819 372 1.0
60 -4.5" -7.13 -2.07 815 369 1.1
65 -5.7" -8.28 -2.41 812 366 1.3
70 -6.9" -9.44 -2.75 809 363 1.5
75 -8.4" -10.62 -3.09 805 360 1.7
80 -9.9" -11.81 -3.44 802 357 1.9
85 -11.6" -13.01 -3.79 798 354 2.1
90 -13.4" -14.23 -4.14 795 351 2.4
95 -15.4" -15.45 -4.49 792 348 2.6
100 -17.5" -16.68 -4.85 789 345 2.9

250gr G1 .160 at 860 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

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Stock Up On .45 Colt Ammo for the Range

PRODUCT PRICE/RD
Fiocchi Cowboy Action .45 Colt 250gr LRNFP Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$1.05
400 Rounds
Atomic .45 Colt 200gr LRNFP Ammo
Sold by: Sentry Ammo
$1.05
200 Rounds
Fiocchi Training Dynamics .45 Colt 225gr CMJ Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$1.07
400 Rounds
DoubleTap Hunter .45 Colt +P 360gr HCSLD Ammo
Sold by: Sentry Ammo
$1.23
400 Rounds
CCI Blazer .45 Colt 200gr JHP Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$1.25
400 Rounds
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