The Hornady Cowboy .45 Long Colt 255-grain Lead Flat Nose (LFN) Brass 20-round box is a specialized centerfire cartridge engineered specifically for Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) Cowboy Action Competition, historical target shooting, and vintage firearms. A primary friction point in cowboy action shooting is bullet fragmentation or splashback ricochet off close-range steel targets, as well as lead fouling and binding in legacy lever-action rifles and single-action revolvers. Hornady solves these competition hurdles by utilizing a cold-swaged, soft lead flat-nose projectile driven at a mild, manageable velocity, ensuring splashback-safe impact dynamics on steel and smooth mechanical operation through period-correct firearms.
The technical advantage focuses on uniform projectile density paired with bore-lubricating surface engineering. Launching its heavy 255-grain LFN bullet at a mild muzzle velocity of 725 FPS, this load produces light, manageable recoil for rapid sight re-acquisition and fast split times on timed match stages. Mechanically, the cold-swaging process eliminates internal air voids, producing high mass uniformity and flight stability at subsonic speeds. The soft lead construction and flat nose design flatten on steel contact rather than fragmenting, drastically reducing ricochet risks. Additionally, built-in lube rings and knurling retain lubricant along the bearing surface, minimizing lead fouling in the barrel over long shooting strings.
Slinging its 255-grain LFN bullet at 725 FPS, this classic .45 Colt round is optimized for smooth, non-binding mechanical function across single-action revolvers and tubular lever-action carbines. Assembled in premium reloadable virgin brass cases fitted with sensitive, non-corrosive Boxer primers and clean-burning propellants, it maintains low chamber pressures and minimal residue buildup around cylinder faces and action lifters. The precision-drawn brass cases ensure reliable chamber sealing, slick feeding, and effortless ejection, providing handloaders with durable, reusable brass for future match reloading.
Key Benefits
- Cold-Swaged Soft Lead Construction: Eliminates internal voids for consistent flight and deforms on steel targets to minimize ricochet risks.
- Lubricated Lube Rings & Knurled Bearing Surface: Actively reduces barrel lead fouling to preserve accuracy during extended match strings.
- Subsonic 725 FPS Cowboy Velocity: Delivers light, controllable recoil for rapid target transitions in timed SASS competition.
- Select Virgin Brass Casings: Precision-drawn reloadable brass ensures uniform chamber sealing, clean extraction, and long reload life.
Technical Specification
- Ballistics: .45 Long Colt (.45 Colt) | 725 FPS Muzzle Velocity | Subsonic Match & Target Profile
- Projectile: 255 Grain | Lead Flat Nose (LFN) | Cold-Swaged Pure Lead | Lubricated Bearing Rings
- Case/Primer: Premium Virgin Reloadable Brass Case | Non-Corrosive Boxer Primed | Clean-Burning Propellant
- Logistics: 20 Rounds Per Box | Hornady Cowboy Series
- Dimensions: .45 Colt Geometry | Single-Action Revolver & Lever-Action Carbine Configuration | SKU: 9115
- Application: SASS Cowboy Action Competition, Target Shooting, Historic Firearms, and Plinking
- Standards: SAAMI Compliant | SASS Competition Approved | Hornady Factory Precision Quality Benchmarks
Get consistent, SASS-compliant performance with Hornady Cowboy .45 Colt from SMKW, the trusted source for competition-ready ammunition that cycles correctly and performs predictably.
