DoubleTap's +P 255-grain HCSW is a hard-cast semi-wadcutter, a flat-nose solid that does not expand and is built to drive deep and straight for hunting and bear defense. At 1,450 fps it carries 1,190 ft-lbs, the highest muzzle energy of the .45 Colt loads compared here, and a power factor of 370, more than double the 165 major floor. From a 25-yard zero it sits 0.7 inch low at 50 yards and 6.3 inches low at 100. This is a +P load: DoubleTap restricts it to large-frame Ruger revolvers and similar guns rated for it, so check your revolver before you buy. The brass case is reloadable.

Against the standard-pressure DoubleTap Hunter 255-grain HCSW, the same bullet at 975 fps, this load is 475 fps faster with 652 ft-lbs more energy and about 97 percent more recoil energy in the same revolver. Underwood 225-grain Hard Cast WC, the other standard-pressure solid, gives up 400 fps and 639 ft-lbs to it. Among the +P solids it is the fastest: Buffalo Bore Heavy 300-grain SJFP is 125 fps slower and 20 ft-lbs behind, and the DoubleTap Hunter +P 360-grain HCSLD trades 250 fps for 105 more grains of bullet and gives up 39 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Both carry the same +P restriction, so the same check applies.

This is the load for a large-frame Ruger owner who hunts or carries where bears live and wants the fastest of the hard-cast solids here. It is the wrong choice for a revolver of unknown rating, and a poor first hot load for anyone who has not shot the standard-pressure version. If you want the same 255-grain weight for practice without the +P restriction, Underwood 255-grain LSWCGC at 1,000 fps and 566 ft-lbs recoils about 47 percent less in the same revolver.