.45 Super 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 Super: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Pistol |
| Primer Type | Large Pistol |
| Used For | Self-defense, Competitive Shooting |
| Case Design | Rimless, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1988 |
.45 Super: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
- ✘ Increased recoil compared to .45 ACP
- ✘ Limited availability of factory ammunition
- ✘ Requires stronger recoil springs in most firearms
- ✘ May cause accelerated wear on non-reinforced firearms
- ✘ More expensive than standard .45 ACP ammunition
.45 Super: High-Performance Handgun Round
The .45 Super is a high-pressure variant of the .45 ACP cartridge, designed to offer increased velocity and energy while maintaining compatibility with many existing .45 ACP firearms. Developed in the late 1980s by Dean Grennell, the .45 Super pushes the boundaries of .45 caliber handgun performance, offering ballistics that approach those of the .44 Magnum in a semi-automatic platform.
Development and Characteristics
The .45 Super was created to address the limitations of the .45 ACP in terms of velocity and energy. By utilizing a stronger case and higher operating pressures, the .45 Super achieves velocities up to 1,300 fps with 230-grain bullets, compared to the typical 850-950 fps of standard .45 ACP loads. This results in significantly increased muzzle energy, typically ranging from 500 to 600 ft-lbs, making it suitable for hunting medium game and providing enhanced stopping power for self-defense scenarios.
While dimensionally similar to the .45 ACP, the .45 Super requires firearms specifically built or modified to handle its higher pressures. This typically involves a stronger recoil spring, a fully supported chamber, and potentially a heavier slide. The cartridge uses small pistol primers instead of the large pistol primers found in .45 ACP, which helps contain the higher pressures generated by the round.
Applications and Adoption
The .45 Super has found a niche among handgun enthusiasts seeking magnum-level performance from a semi-automatic platform. It's particularly popular for hunting, where its high energy and flat trajectory make it effective against medium-sized game at moderate ranges. In self-defense applications, the .45 Super offers increased penetration and expansion potential compared to standard .45 ACP loads.
Despite its performance advantages, the .45 Super remains a relatively specialized cartridge. Its higher recoil and the need for firearm modifications have limited its widespread adoption. However, it continues to have a dedicated following among handloaders and those seeking maximum performance from a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Timeline of .45 Super Development:
.45 Super Performance Characteristics
Key performance metrics of the .45 Super cartridge compared to standard .45 ACP loads.
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,200-1,300 fps with 230-grain bullets Compared to 850-950 fps for standard .45 ACP |
| Muzzle Energy | 500-600 ft-lbs Nearly double that of standard .45 ACP loads |
| Effective Range | 75-100 yards Increased over .45 ACP due to higher velocity and flatter trajectory |
| Recoil | Significantly higher than .45 ACP Requires stronger springs and slide modifications in most firearms |
| Penetration | 18-24 inches in ballistic gelatin Varies depending on bullet construction and velocity |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .45 Super loads.
.45 Super: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .45 Super ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Defense | 0-50 | Excellent stopping power, higher capacity than .45 ACP |
| Hunting (Medium Game) | 0-75 | Suitable for medium game at close ranges, high energy transfer |
| Target Shooting | 0-100 | Higher velocities allow for flatter trajectories than .45 ACP |
| Competition | 0-50 | Used in some IPSC and USPSA divisions, offers higher power factor |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .45 Super offers increased velocity and energy compared to the .45 ACP, but may require modified or purpose-built firearms. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .45 Super
The .45 Super's high-performance characteristics make it suitable for several applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .45 Super
The .45 Super is a high-pressure variant of the .45 ACP cartridge. To understand its place in the handgun 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 Super with other popular handgun cartridges. (Based on a 2.5 lb handgun)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .45 Super with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .45 Super with other popular handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .45 Super with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .45 Super
The .45 Super is a high-pressure variant of the .45 ACP cartridge. It offers increased velocity and energy over standard .45 ACP loads while maintaining the same cartridge dimensions.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .45 Super | 185 | 0.141 |
| .45 Super | 200 | 0.152 |
| .45 Super | 230 | 0.175 |
Note: The .45 Super uses the same bullet diameter as .45 ACP (0.452 inches). Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². While the .45 Super offers higher velocities than .45 ACP, it requires firearms specifically rated for its higher pressures.