.45 Schofield

.45 Schofield
.45 Colt (left) alongside the .45 Schofield cartridge
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1875–1892
Used byUS Army
Production history
DesignerSmith & Wesson
Designed1875
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1875–present
Specifications
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.454 in (11.5 mm)
Neck diameter.480 in (12.2 mm)
Base diameter.480 in (12.2 mm)
Rim diameter.520 in (13.2 mm)
Rim thickness.060 in (1.5 mm)
Case length1.100 in (27.9 mm)
Overall length1.430 in (36.3 mm)
Rifling twist1 in 24"
Primer typeLarge pistol
Maximum pressure (CIP)14,500 psi (100 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
200 gr (13 g) Lead SWC 859 ft/s (262 m/s) 328 ft⋅lbf (445 J)
230 gr (15 g) Lead (factory load) 730 ft/s (220 m/s) 276 ft⋅lbf (374 J)
250 gr (16 g) Lead 710 ft/s (220 m/s) 283 ft⋅lbf (384 J)
Source(s): "Cartridges of the World"[1] / Accurate Powder[2]
Early .45 Colt cartridges, in the center is the shorter cartridge for the S&W Schofield revolver with Benet primer

The .45 Schofield / 11.5x27mmR, also referred to as .45 Smith & Wesson is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson for their S&W Model 3 Schofield top-break revolver. It is similar to the .45 Colt cartridge, but with a shorter case and a larger rim. The. 45 Schofield will generally work in revolvers chambered for that cartridge; but the reverse is not true, since the .45 Colt case is longer. United States government arsenals supplied .45 Schofield cartridges for the Schofield revolver and the Colt Army revolver to help simplify their armament needs.[1]

  1. ^ a b Barnes, Frank C. (1997) [1965]. McPherson, M.L. (ed.). Cartridges of the World (8th ed.). DBI Books. pp. 270, 275. ISBN 0-87349-178-5.
  2. ^ ".45 S&W Schofield Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine" data from Accurate Powder.