.45 Winchester Magnum

The .45 Winchester Magnum is a .45 caliber rimless cartridge intended for use in semi-automatic pistols. The cartridge is externally a lengthened .45 ACP with a thicker web to withstand higher operating pressures. The 45 Win Mag is nearly identical in dimensions and loading to the .45 NAACO developed by the North American Arms Corporation for their Brigadier pistol, developed to supply to the Canadian Army after World War II. The army ultimately did not adopt the pistol and its non-NATO standard ammunition.

Not to be confused with .458 Winchester Magnum.
.45 Winchester Magnum
A lineup of Wildey cartridges, with the .45 Winchester second from left.
TypePistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerWinchester
Designed1977
ManufacturerWinchester
Produced1979–present
Specifications
Parent case.45 NAACO
Case typeRimless, straight
Bullet diameter.452 in (11.5 mm)
Neck diameter.473 in (12.0 mm)
Base diameter.476 in (12.1 mm)
Rim diameter.480 in (12.2 mm)
Rim thickness.072 in (1.8 mm)
Case length1.198 in (30.4 mm)
Overall length1.575 in (40.0 mm)
Case capacity38 gr H2O (2.5 cm3)
Primer typeLarge pistol
Maximum pressure (SAAMI)40,000 psi (280 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) JHP Underwood 1,600 ft/s (490 m/s) 1,307 ft⋅lbf (1,772 J)
255 gr (17 g) HC FN Buffalo Bore 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) 1,110 ft⋅lbf (1,500 J)
260 gr (17 g) Power-Point Winchester 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 831 ft⋅lbf (1,127 J)

The cartridge has been primarily used by small game hunters and metallic silhouette shooters.

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