.45 Schofield Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.45 Schofield: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Revolver |
| Primer Type | Large Pistol |
| Used For | Historical Reenactment, Cowboy Action Shooting, Collecting |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1875 |
.45 Schofield: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
- ✘ Limited availability of ammunition
- ✘ Fewer firearm options compared to more modern cartridges
- ✘ Lower power than .45 Colt
- ✘ Not commonly used for self-defense or hunting
- ✘ Higher cost due to niche market status
.45 Schofield: A Historical American Cartridge
The .45 Schofield, also known as the .45 Smith & Wesson, is a revolver cartridge developed in 1875 by Smith & Wesson for their top-break Schofield revolver. This cartridge played a significant role in American military and civilian firearms history, offering a shorter alternative to the .45 Colt while maintaining substantial stopping power.
History and Development
The .45 Schofield was developed in 1875 by Smith & Wesson in collaboration with Major George Schofield. It was designed to be used in the Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver, which was adopted by the U.S. Army. The cartridge was created as a shorter alternative to the .45 Colt, allowing for easier extraction in top-break revolvers.
The U.S. Army adopted the .45 Schofield cartridge alongside the .45 Colt in 1877. This decision was made to simplify logistics, as the shorter .45 Schofield could be used in both Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers, while the longer .45 Colt could not be used in the Smith & Wesson top-break designs.
Despite its initial military adoption, the .45 Schofield's service life was relatively short. By the 1880s, the U.S. military had standardized on the .45 Colt cartridge. However, the .45 Schofield found continued use in civilian markets and with law enforcement agencies well into the early 20th century.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the .45 Schofield cartridge among collectors, cowboy action shooters, and historical firearms enthusiasts. Several manufacturers now produce revolvers chambered for this classic cartridge, and ammunition is available from specialty manufacturers.
Cartridge Specifications
The .45 Schofield cartridge features a rimmed, straight-walled case. It typically fires a .452-inch diameter bullet weighing between 230 and 250 grains. The original black powder load propelled a 230-grain bullet at approximately 730 feet per second, generating about 270 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
Modern loadings of the .45 Schofield, using smokeless powder, can achieve slightly higher velocities while maintaining safe pressures for use in original firearms. These loads typically push a 230-grain bullet to around 750-800 feet per second, producing muzzle energy in the range of 280-300 foot-pounds.
Timeline of .45 Schofield Development and Use:
.45 Schofield Performance Characteristics
The .45 Schofield offers substantial stopping power in a compact package, making it effective for self-defense and suitable for cowboy action shooting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter | .452 inches (11.5 mm) Consistent with other .45 caliber handgun cartridges |
| Bullet Weight | 230-250 grains Typical range for commercial loadings |
| Muzzle Velocity | 730-800 fps Varies between original black powder and modern smokeless loads |
| Muzzle Energy | 270-300 ft-lbs Provides substantial stopping power for a handgun cartridge of its era |
| Effective Range | 50 yards Optimal for self-defense and short-range target shooting |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .45 Schofield loads.
.45 Schofield: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .45 Schofield ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cowboy Action Shooting | 0-50 | Ideal for close-range competition shooting |
| Historical Reenactment | 0-75 | Authentic for late 19th century firearms demonstrations |
| Target Shooting | 0-100 | Suitable for recreational target practice |
| Self-Defense | 0-25 | Limited by lower velocity compared to modern cartridges |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .45 Schofield is known for its historical significance and moderate recoil. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .45 Schofield
The .45 Schofield's historical significance and moderate power make it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .45 Schofield's place in the revolver world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .45 Schofield with other popular revolver cartridges. (Based on a 2.5 lb revolver)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .45 Schofield with other popular revolver cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .45 Schofield with other popular revolver cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .45 Schofield with other popular revolver cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .45 Schofield
The .45 Schofield, also known as .45 S&W, is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1875. This table compares the sectional density of different bullet weights for the .45 Schofield.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .45 Schofield | 230 | 0.176 |
| .45 Schofield | 200 | 0.153 |
| .45 Schofield | 250 | 0.191 |
Note: The .45 Schofield has a bullet diameter of 0.454 inches. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². While the .45 Schofield has lower sectional densities compared to some modern cartridges, it was historically significant and effective for its time.