A box of .45 Colt ammunition currently costs between $30 and $50 depending on the manufacturer, bullet type, and box quantity. Budget target and Cowboy Action loads typically retail between $0.66 and $1.00 per round, usually sold in boxes of 50. Premium self-defense, hunting, and +P loads command much higher prices, generally ranging from $1.50 to $2.45 per round in 20-round boxes. Overall 45 Colt ammo price varies significantly based on brand, bullet design, brass casing quality, powder charge, and bulk purchasing discounts. Finding the cheapest prices often requires buying in bulk quantities of 250 or 500 rounds to drop the cost below 75 cents per round.
45 Colt Ammo Price
| Ammunition Model | Manufacturer | Bullet Type & Weight | Box Quantity | MSRP | Current Retail Price |
| MBI 45 Long Colt | MBI | 250gr FMJ-FN | 500 rounds | $385.00 | $330.00 |
| HSM Cowboy Action | HSM | 250gr Flat Nose | 50 rounds | $58.99 | $47.99 |
| Hornady LEVERevolution | Hornady | 225gr FTX Polymer Tip | 20 rounds | $33.99 | $30.59 |
| Underwood 45 Colt +P | Underwood | 250gr XTP JHP | 20 rounds | $32.99 | $31.99 |
| Federal Premium HammerDown | Federal | 250gr Bonded Soft Point | 20 rounds | $46.99 | $37.49 |
| Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman | Buffalo Bore | 255gr Hard Cast | 20 rounds | $53.68 | $48.99 |
Understanding the Price Data
Based on live market research checked on August 31, 2026, here is the breakdown of the table data:
- Lowest current price found:The MBI 250gr FMJ bulk pack offers the lowest retail price point at $330.00 for 500 rounds, which breaks down to just $0.66 per shot.
- Highest current price found:Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman heavy cast loads represent the top end of standard factory ammunition at $48.99 for a 20-round box, costing $2.45 per round.
- Typical price range: Most standard 50-round boxes of target or Cowboy Action ammunition fall between $45.00 and $55.00.
- Best-value models:Hornady LEVERevolution ($30.59 per box / $1.53 per round) provides exceptional terminal ballistics and accuracy for hunting without crossing the $2.00 per round threshold.
- Why some models cost more:Premium prices on Federal, Underwood, and Buffalo Bore cover specialized hard-cast lead, bonded hollow points, nickel-plated brass cases, and +P high-pressure powder charges.
- MSRP vs actual retail pricing: You will generally pay 10% to 15% less than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price when buying from competitive online ammunition distributors.
How Much Does 45 Colt Ammo Cost?
A reliable 45 Colt ammo price depends entirely on what you plan to shoot. If you are doing high-volume target practice or Cowboy Action shooting, you can expect to spend around $0.66 to $0.96 per round ($33 to $48 for 50 rounds). If you are carrying a revolver for wilderness bear defense or hunting whitetail deer with a lever-action rifle, you will spend between $1.50 and $2.50 per round ($30 to $50 for a box of 20).
45 Colt Ammo Price By Manufacturer
HSM (Hunting Shack Munitions)
HSM is highly popular among the Cowboy Action shooting community. Their Cowboy Action 45 Colt (250-grain Flat Nose, 50 rounds) carries an MSRP of $58.99 but retails around $47.99. This translates to $0.96 per round for mild-recoiling, lead-cast ammunition designed for older revolvers.
Hornady
Hornady offers modernized defensive and hunting loads. The Hornady LEVERevolution (225-grain FTX, 20 rounds) has an MSRP of $33.99 and a current retail price of $30.59 ($1.53 per round). Its polymer tip makes it safe to load in tubular rifle magazines while drastically improving aerodynamics.
Underwood Ammo
Underwood specializes in high-velocity, maximum-energy ammunition. The Underwood 45 Colt +P (250-grain XTP JHP, 20 rounds) carries a retail price of $31.99 ($1.60 per round). These +P rounds are designed strictly for modern, heavy-framed revolvers like the Ruger Blackhawk.
Federal Premium
Federal targets the premium hunting market with their HammerDown series. The Federal HammerDown 45 Colt (250-grain Bonded Soft Point, 20 rounds) lists an MSRP of $46.99 and retails for $37.49 ($1.87 per round). The cases are nickel-plated for smooth extraction in lever-action rifles.
Buffalo Bore
Buffalo Bore produces extreme wilderness defense loads. The Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman (255-grain Hard Cast, 20 rounds) retails for $48.99 ($2.45 per round). These loads use specialized hard-cast lead designed to penetrate deep through heavy bone and muscle.
45 Colt Ammo Price By Bullet Type
Bullet design and material construction heavily dictate the manufacturing cost.
| Bullet Type | Example Model | Current Price (Per Round) | Typical Use |
| Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) | MBI 250gr FMJ | $0.66 | High-volume range practice |
| Lead Flat Nose (Cowboy) | HSM 250gr LRNFP | $0.96 | Cowboy Action Shooting |
| Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) | Hornady 225gr FTX | $1.53 | Personal defense and lever-actions |
| Hard Cast Lead (+P) | Buffalo Bore 255gr | $2.45 | Bear defense and large game hunting |
45 Colt Ammo Price: Box vs Bulk
Because ammunition is consumable, buying in larger quantities drastically reduces the price per round. (Note: Ammunition does not have a “used” market, but surplus and bulk casing sales follow similar pricing discounts).
| Quantity | Typical Price Range | Notes |
| Single Box (20 rds – Premium) | $30 – $50 | Standard packaging for hunting/defense ammo |
| Single Box (50 rds – Target) | $35 – $55 | Standard packaging for range/cowboy ammo |
| Bulk Case (500 rds) | $330 – $450 | Best per-round savings; drops price under $0.75/rd |
| Bulk Case (1,000 rds) | $650 – $850 | Large upfront cost but maximizes long-term value |
Budget vs Premium 45 Colt Ammo
| Price Category | Typical Price Range | Example Models | What You Get |
| Budget | $0.66 – $0.90 / rd | MBI FMJ, Sellier & Bellot LRN | Standard brass, simple lead or FMJ bullets, basic powder charges |
| Mid-Range | $0.95 – $1.60 / rd | HSM Cowboy, Hornady LEVERevolution | Consistent velocities, polymer tips, cleaner-burning powders |
| Premium | $1.70 – $2.50+ / rd | Federal HammerDown, Buffalo Bore | Bonded jackets, deep-penetrating hard cast lead, nickel-plated brass |
45 Colt Ammo Price Compared With 45 ACP Ammo
Because .45 Colt is a massive, straight-walled cartridge that uses significantly more brass and lead than modern semi-automatic calibers, it is considerably more expensive to manufacture than standard .45 ACP.
| Category | .45 Colt Ammunition | .45 ACP Ammunition | Price Difference (Per Round) |
| Budget Bulk | $0.66 (MBI FMJ) | $0.27 (Magtech FMJ) | +$0.39 per round |
| Mid-Range Box | $0.96 (HSM Cowboy) | $0.45 (Winchester White Box) | +$0.51 per round |
| Premium Defense | $1.53 (Hornady FTX) | $1.10 (Federal HST) | +$0.43 per round |
Is 45 Colt Ammo Expensive?
Yes, compared to mass-produced 9mm or .45 ACP ammunition, .45 Colt is very expensive. It is considered a niche caliber today, meaning factories produce it in much smaller batches. The massive size of the brass casing and the heavy bullet weights (200 to 255+ grains) require more raw materials, driving up the base cost.
What Affects The Price?
Several concrete factors determine 45 Colt ammo prices:
- Manufacturer: Boutique brands (Buffalo Bore, Underwood) charge more than high-volume brands (Magtech, MBI).
- Bullet Material: Simple exposed lead flat-nose bullets are much cheaper than bonded copper hollow points or solid copper projectiles.
- Brass Quality: Nickel-plated brass resists corrosion and feeds smoother but adds 10% to 20% to the retail price.
- Powder Charge: Over-pressure (+P) loads require specialized powder testing and robust components, increasing cost.
- Box Quantity: Buying a 500-round case online is almost always 20% to 30% cheaper per round than buying individual 50-round boxes in a retail store.
- Intended Use: Ammunition branded and tested specifically for hunting or bear defense commands a massive premium over target loads.
- Retailer: Big-box sporting goods stores often charge closer to MSRP, while online wholesalers offer deep discounts.
45 Colt Ammo Price Pros and Cons
45 Colt Ammo Price Pros
- The large, straight-walled brass casings are incredibly durable and perfect for at-home reloading, which drastically reduces long-term costs.
- A single caliber can be loaded light for cheap target shooting or loaded hot to rival .44 Magnum ballistics.
- Bulk purchasing online makes Cowboy Action shooting relatively affordable.
45 Colt Ammo Price Cons
- Very high baseline price per round ($0.66+) compared to modern semi-auto calibers.
- Rarely stocked in bulk at local sporting goods stores, forcing buyers to pay shipping fees online.
- Premium +P hunting rounds are extremely expensive, often exceeding $2.00 per trigger pull.
Final Comparison
| Category | Finding | Explanation |
| Typical Price | $45 – $55 per box | The average cost for a standard 50-round box of range or Cowboy Action ammo |
| Cheapest Current Model | $0.66 per round | MBI 250gr FMJ bulk cases offer the most affordable entry point |
| Best Value | $1.53 per round | Hornady LEVERevolution offers premium hunting performance without reaching $2.00/rd |
| Premium Price | $2.45+ per round | Buffalo Bore and specialty hard-cast bear loads represent the peak retail price |
| Target Price | $0.66 – $1.00 per round | Basic lead or FMJ rounds meant for volume shooting |
| Defense Price | $1.50 – $2.50 per round | Expanding hollow points and +P heavy cast loads |
| Overall Price Range | $0.66 – $2.50+ per round | Captures everything from budget bulk packs to boutique wilderness defense ammo |
45 Colt Ammo Price: How Much Does It Cost?
As of August 31, 2026, standard .45 Colt ammunition costs an average of $0.66 to $1.00 per round for target and Cowboy Action shooting, or roughly $35 to $50 for a box of 50. The lowest researched price is $0.66 per round when buying 500-round bulk cases of MBI FMJ. The highest standard production price sits around $2.45 per round for Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman hunting loads. Budget buyers should expect to pay $33 to $45 per 50-round box, mid-range buyers will spend $1.25 to $1.60 per round for defensive loads, and premium hunters will spend $2.00 or more per shot.
FAQs
- How much does 45 Colt ammo cost?Prices range from $0.66 per round for bulk target ammo to over $2.45 per round for specialty hunting loads.
- What is the price of a box of 45 Colt ammo?A standard 50-round box of target ammunition typically costs between $45.00 and $55.00.
- How much is 45 Colt ammo per round?Expect to pay around 75 to 90 cents per round for basic practice ammo, and $1.50 to $2.00+ for hunting ammo.
- What is the cheapest 45 Colt ammo?Bulk-packaged FMJ or Lead Round Nose Flat Point (LRNFP) ammunition from brands like MBI, Magtech, and Sellier & Bellot is currently the cheapest option.
- What is the most expensive 45 Colt ammo?High-pressure (+P) hard-cast lead loads and solid copper hollow points from Buffalo Bore and Underwood Ammo are the most expensive.
- Why is 45 Colt ammo so expensive?It is a heavy, large-cased cartridge that uses substantial brass and lead.Because it is a niche caliber, it lacks the massive economies of scale that keep 9mm and .45 ACP cheap.
- How much does Hornady 45 Colt ammo cost?Hornady LEVERevolution typically retails for around $30 to $35 for a box of 20 rounds.
- How much does Buffalo Bore 45 Colt ammo cost?A 20-round box of Buffalo Bore heavy cast ammunition generally retails for $45 to $50.
- Does bullet weight affect 45 Colt ammo price?Not as much as bullet construction. A 250-grain simple lead bullet is much cheaper than a 225-grain bonded hollow point.
- Are 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt ammo prices the same?Yes. “45 Colt” and “45 Long Colt” (45 LC) refer to the exact same cartridge, and the pricing applies equally to both names.
- What is the best-value 45 Colt ammo?For hunting and defense, Hornady LEVERevolution ($1.53/rd) offers an excellent balance of modern terminal ballistics and reasonable pricing.
- Is 45 Colt ammo more expensive than 45 ACP ammo?Yes, .45 Colt ammunition is typically double the price of .45 ACP due to larger brass casings, heavier bullets, and lower overall production volume.