45 Silhouette

Historical Notes:

The 45 Silhouette is an approach to a big bore silhouette cartridge using the full length 45-70 Government case, which is inefficient when used in 10 or 12 inch barrels. The initial development was carried out by Frank C. Barnes and Dick Smith of the Washoe County Crime Laboratory during 1984. The idea resulted from earlier experiences with the 458x1.5 inch cartridge which is based on the 458 Winchester Magnum shortened to 1.5 inches. The 45 Silhouette is made by cutting back the 45-70 case from the 2.1 inches to 1.5 inches. The performance of the two is similar, the difference being that the 45 Silhouette is a rimmed case whereas the 458x1.5 inch is a belted rimless case. The rimmed case is better suited to break open type actions such as the Thompson/Center Contender and might even be used in a revolver. Original testing was in a Siamese Mauser bolt action rifle with a 20 inch barrel. The idea is neither brilliant nor highly original. The end result is very similar to the old 45-50 Peabody sporting cartridge or the 11.5Rmm Montenegrin revolver cartridge, both of black powder vintage. In any event, those wanting to work with the 45 Silhouette can obtain a set of trim and loading dies from RCBS.

General Comments:

The 45 Silhouette is intended primarily to shoot a 300 grain bullet of .457 inch or .458 inch diameter. Lighter or heavier bullets can be used, but this detracts somewhat from the original purpose, which is to provide a 45 caliber handgun cartridge that shoots a 300 grain bullet. Although developed as a silhouette cartridge, it would obviously also make a pretty good hunting number for anything from small game on up through deer and black bear, at least when fired from a 20 inch or longer rifle barrel. After all, a 300 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of over 1800 fps and 2100 foot pounds of energy outperforms a number of popular deer class cartridges. Loading data listed below was developed in a Siamese Mauser bolt action rifle with 20 inch barrel and a custom barreled and modified Thompson/Center Contender pistol with a 10 inch barrel. A twist of 1:16 or 1:18 is recommended 1/4 inch of freebore.

Source: Cartridges of the World

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