Brian McGrew with McGrew Gun Works out in Oklahoma here. I've never been on this forum before, but decided this would be a good place to make this announcement. Ashley is a friend, and I'm glad to announce the addition of .45 caliber loadings in the Hammerhead line. If someone else has already beat me to the punch here, thanks, and I apologize for the redundancy!

Ashley just sent me a Word Doc copy of the load data sheets for the new .45 Colt and .454 Casull loadings he's added to the Garrett Hammerhead line of Cartridges he's taken over from Randy Garrett. He's spent the last year load testing himself, and traveling the span of the continental United States delivering these various loadings to the major revolver builders and friends in the handgun hunting world for their testing. We had a fun shoot out in Cody this year with several boxes each of all the new loadings along. Hamilton Bowen, Jerry Moran, Lee Jurras, Gary Reeder, John Linebaugh and many more were on hand to give them a try, and I heard nothing but praise. I've been in on the testing from the get go, and have fallen in love with the 405 at 1200 FPS from a 5 hole Bisley. It's a heck of a lot of power in a very managable package. The same load in the 4.2" Redhawk that was one of several used for load testing is an awesome, and affordable setup for bear defense, or just a packable pig gun. The 365 is a plenty for pig purposes, but I still like the 405 myself. Velocity is a constantly diminishing variable. Bullet weight and caliber are constants. Running the 1350 and 1500 FPS loads in .454 from a 7.5 FA messed me all up. Now I want an octagon 7.5 FA. The 265 grain load he's developed for the S&W and Colt/USFA revolvers is the real sweetheart of the bunch though. Here's an article John Taffin wrote about his hunt with the 365 in .454 last year.

http://americanhandgunner.com/dream-hunt/

I have some of each but haven't had the time to start testing but will hopefully in the next couple of weeks . I have no doubt this ammo is as good as the rest of his products.

If this ammo is as good as the 330gr Hammerhead round that I used on a boar 2 weeks ago, which was made when Randy owned the company,it should be great.....

They say the 45Colt +P hammerheads are safe to use in a 2d or 3d Colt SAA.
Anybody tried it in one yet?

It would be somewhat helpful as far as getting the 45 Colt to the next level with less than 21000 psi.
But, at two bucks a pop I am not going to try them just because of that.
Now the 45 Colt Redhawk only load that would be a Molly whopper.

They have a low-pressure .45 Colt now. I think that maybe they mismarked the label calling it a +P, but I would contact Ashley Emerson to confirm.

If it runs above 14,000 PSI it is plus P.
14,000 PSI is SAAMI specs is the standard.
His label says less than 21,000 PSI.

That would seem to be what many folks refer to as "Tier 2" 45 loads.

I realize that, however wasn't sure what the Garrett load was loaded to. Thank you for the clarification.

Looks like the 265gr at 1000fps is safe for a 2nd or 3rd generation Colt SAA, as well as Uberti's made after 2000. Among other things. Higher than standard pressures but still well below "Ruger only" levels. Pearce/Scovill data will yield you another 100fps. I've shot lots of similar loads out of my Colt's and USFA's. A 275gr LFN at 1050-1100fps, to be more precise. Potent and accurate.

I wonder if the 405s would be safe in a SBH Hunter... I won't be trying it, but I wonder... Is a RH that much more stout? Thicker cylinder walls I suppose.

Will your SBH Hunter accept an OAL of 1.785"? His literature says Redhawk only.

As meplat pointed out it's the OAL that's the issue. I have a box of the 405s and they don't fit.

Gotcha. Makes sense.

I have had the chance to shoot four of the new loads this week and am happy to report that they have all exhibited excellent accuracy from the two revolvers I've shot them from. I will post actual results tomorrow.

Here is a group I shot with the 365 grain 1,500 fps .454 load. It was shot at 50 yards off of the bench with a red dot. It measures 1.5-inches.

Mr Whitworth. what's the weight of the new 454 with scope base and red dot that you took the hog with. just curious sir. im thinking similar set up.

Thanks

Don't know, but I will weigh it and get back to you.

cool Thanks