Two popular, and more powerful, handgun cartridges out there are the 45 Colt and the 454 Casull. They both share a 45-caliber bullet, .452 to be exact, but they differ in cartridge size and performance. So in this article, we will look at each cartridge in-depth, each cartridge’s ballistics, and how these two rounds compare in-depth.
Here is the short answer:
The 45 Colt is an older cartridge with a long history and is suitable for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. The 454 Casull, on the other hand, is a more powerful and modern cartridge designed for hunting large game and providing maximum stopping power.
In-Depth Look at the 45 Colt
The 45 Colt, also known as the 45 Long Colt, was originally developed in 1872 for use in Colt Single Action Army revolvers. It was originally a black powder cartridge and features a rimmed, straight-walled case with a bullet diameter of .452 inches and a case length of 1.285 inches.
The 45 Colt is a versatile cartridge suitable for a wide range of applications, including hunting, target shooting, cowboy action shooting, and, on occasion, self-defense. The 45 Colt is effective against game as large as deer or hogs. It has very similar ballistics to the more popular 44 Magnum and is just as effective on game.
The only real downside to the 45 Colt is that it is not as popular as the ballistically similar 44 Magnum. So it could be a better choice for those who want a cheaper to shoot an easier-to-acquire round.
Here is the ballistics chart of the 45 Colt 250-grain jacketed hollow point:
| RANGE (YD) | DROP (IN) | WIND DRIFT (IN) | VELOCITY (FPS) | ENERGY (FT-LB) |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 1025 | 583 |
| 25 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 1006 | 562 |
| 50 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 989 | 543 |
| 75 | 3 | 1 | 972 | 525 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.8 | 957 | 508 |
| 125 | -5.4 | 2.9 | 943 | 493 |
| 150 | -13.3 | 4.2 | 929 | 479 |
| 175 | -23.6 | 5.6 | 916 | 465 |
| 200 | -36.4 | 7.2 | 903 | 453 |
In-Depth Look at the 454 Casull
The 454 Casull was developed in the 1950s by Dick Casull, Duane Marsh, and Jack Fullmer as a high-pressure revolver cartridge capable of firing heavy bullets at extremely high velocities. It features a rimmed, straight-walled case with a bullet diameter of .452 inches and a case length of 1.383 inches.
The 454 Casull is known for its exceptional stopping power and long-range performance, making it well-suited for hunting large and dangerous game. This is one of the largest pistol cartridges available and is capable of taking down elk, moose, and big bears.
One of the biggest considerations with the 454 Casull is its heavy recoil. It will be rather difficult for some shooters to handle and often takes quite a bit of shooting to get used to its recoil.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 454 Casull 300-grain soft point bullet:
| RANGE (YD) | DROP (IN) | WIND DRIFT (IN) | VELOCITY (FPS) | ENERGY (FT-LB) |
| 0 | -0.9 | 0 | 1520 | 1539 |
| 25 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1410 | 1324 |
| 50 | 0 | 1.4 | 1311 | 1145 |
| 75 | -1.4 | 3.1 | 1223 | 996 |
| 100 | -4.2 | 5.6 | 1149 | 879 |
| 125 | -8.6 | 8.7 | 1088 | 789 |
| 150 | -14.9 | 12.4 | 1039 | 719 |
| 175 | -23.2 | 16.7 | 998 | 664 |
| 200 | -33.5 | 21.5 | 963 | 618 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 45 Colt to the 454 Casull, several key differences appear:
Power and Performance: The 454 Casull significantly outperforms the 45 Colt in terms of muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and stopping power. The 454 Casull is capable of taking down large and dangerous game animals, whereas the 45 Colt is better suited for smaller game such as deer.
Recoil: Due to its higher chamber pressure and increased powder charge, the 454 Casull generates far more recoil than the 45 Colt. Shooters with limited experience will find the 454 Casull challenging to handle, especially in lightweight handguns.
Versatility: While the 454 Casull excels in hunting and outdoor applications, its heavy recoil and muzzle blast may be excessive for everyday target shooting or self-defense. The 45 Colt offers a more balanced compromise between power and shootability, making it suitable for a wider range of activities.
Cost and availability: The 454 Casull is less popular than the 45 Colt because of the fact that it is less versatile and harder to shoot. Additionally, the 45 Colt is less expensive to shoot per round.
Conclusion
Both the 45 Colt and the 454 Casull are formidable revolver cartridges with their unique applications. If you are looking for a cartridge that is easier to shoot and are not planning on shooting large game, the 45 Colt will work just fine. However, if you need a heavy-hitting cartridge that can take down the largest of game animals, then the 454 Casull is the way to go.