[Nushif]

Not sure which section this should go into. It kinda goes into Revolver and Rifle territory. Please move it if need be.

My wife has a stainless Rossi lever action chambered in .45 Colt.

She loves it and has been shooting it like crazy. Reloading like mad, too. But she's been getting restless. She says it doesn't have enough oomph, despite being near the max recommended load for .45 Colt. The Revolver variety.

I have load data for what my manual calls a .45 Colt (Rifle.) I know this will be safe, but here's my real question:
.45 Colt (Ruger) ... says to only use in the overbuilt Ruger varieties ... however it promises this "oomph" she's wanting. but will it be ok to use in her lever action?

[junebug]

NO !!!! and why take the chance .The folks that write the manuels have access to the best pressure equiptment made and use it. If she wants more omph get her a bigger gun.

[jbkebert]

I agree with Junebug.

If she wants oomph get her a .454 casull then if it proves to be to much oomph she can still shoot the .45 lc through it.

[Nushif]

Just to clarify, because I'm not sure I was clear:

You said it was probably not safe to shoot a .45 Colt (Ruger, Revolver) in a .45 Colt (Rifle) rated gun?
But .45 colt (Rifle) is still safe I imagine, right?

[hirundo82]

I'd think it would be fine. The Rossi is a Winchester 92 action, which is the strongest of the pistol-caliber lever gun actions. Rossi also offers it in .454 Casull (http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details.cfm?id=164), which is the next step up from .45 Colt.

[jbkebert]

I guess I didn't read the whole thread. Didn't notice this was a rifle. Call the folks at Hornady. I have called them a couple times on load questions and they are very helpful. If in doubt get the answer from experts.

[Nushif]

Call the folks at Hornady.

I never even thought of that! Gonna try that.

[monkyboy1975]

If it is the Rossi M92 I say go for it. They also chamber it in .454 Casull, and that M92 action should be up to the challenge. However I would advise to work up your loads carefully and look for high pressure signs.

[Jim Watson]

I dislike mixing sources but my Speer does not show .45 rifle loads and my Lyman does not show .45 Ruger loads. The Speer Ruger loads run about half a grain heavier powder charge than the Lyman rifle loads. That is not likely to blow up a lever action.

Case life may be short, the '92 action is strong but clearances between casehead and breechblock, breechblock and locking bolts, bolts and barrel can add up for case stretching in heavy loads. Note that aluminum Blazers are not recommended for lever actions because the aluminum is liklier to crack than brass.

[snuffy]

NO !!!! and why take the chance .The folks that write the manuals have access to the best pressure equipment made and use it. If she wants more oomph get her a bigger gun.

Perhaps you should KNOW what you're talking about before you make flat answers like that?

Most manuals have two or three sections in them for 45 colt and other old black powder cartridges. The Hornady #8 has a section called revolver and then another called Ruger and TC. In the explanation it specifies the data can be used for the Marlin 1894S and Winchester 94 rifles. Velocity is nearly double what can be gotten from the revolver section.

Starting velocities are well above the max loads for the revolver loads. So starting at the bottom is important for the Rossi. In fact, IF the starting load is accurate, it might be enough oomph to satisfy her.:uhoh:

[Gryffydd]

So called "Ruger only" loads will be fine in a modern 1892 clone.
Read this:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
Perhaps the people screaming "No!!!" would like to post some sources backing up their opinions?

By the way, I was out yesterday with my Marlin 1894 in 45 Colt, which does not have as strong of an action as the 92, and it was doing beautifully tossing 250gr XTPs at 1880fps and 300gr LTCs at 1550. (20" barrel"). I'm guessing that'll give her the oomph she wants :) This was using Hodgdon's Ruger/Freedom Arms/TC load data a little under max.

[Cop Bob]

I have used rifle only loading data for some 357 and 44 Mag rounds for my Rossi and Marlin rifles... I unintentionally shot some of the 357 "Rifle Only" loads out of a M-13. 4" Smith Revolver... no harm,, it smarted a bit, in fact, quite a bit ... A really sharp recoil... It got my attention, but it did not hurt the pistol at all......... I don't think that I would enjoy a steady diet of it..

[Gryffydd]

I have used rifle only loading data for some 357 and 44 Mag
Generally when a manual has rifle data for a handgun round it's because different powders work better in rifle length barrels and so you can get a better idea of velocities from the longer barrel. With .357 Mag and .44 mag there is only one pressure limit standard for each, whether it be rifle or handgun. There aren't different limits for different platforms for safety reasons like there are in 45 Colt.

[jfrey]

My son wanted some loads with UMPH too for his '92 clone. I loaded him some that were 1.0 over max. for pistol but still .5 gr. below the starting load for the Ruger specific stuff in my Speer book. I use Unique powder in all my .45LC and ACP loads. The loads actually shot very well and there was no signs of pressure on the primers or cases.
Understand, this is my load and anyone else should approach such things at least a grain lower and use caution when loading up from there.

[GaryL]

Get her a 45-70. That big cartridge should put a smile on her face. :neener:

[Nushif]

Right ... seeing as I sadly can't afford another gun right now ...

She'll load up to .45 Colt (Rifle) and see if that satisfies the itch, and if it doesn't ... .45 Colt (Ruger & TC) is next.

[PlusP]

call Rossi and ask what the max pressure can be used in your gun and stay below that ....
also ask about the differences in the frames in the 45 colt and the 454 casull it is probably the same, use your head and proceed with caution and don't mix the hot ones in with your COWBOY STUFF

[kludge]

Rossi makes a .44 Mag on the same frame. .45 Colt "Ruger" loads will be fine. Don't use .45 Colt data intended for Freedom Arms or 5-shot revolver data.

Try No.9 or 2400 and work up slowly.

[helotaxi]

If you look closely at the rifle and pistol data for the same cartridge, they use the same powders and the same charge weights. The difference is the data is in the velocity and the longer barrel is 100% responsible. Some powders gain more velocity from the longer barrel, but the appropriate powders are the same regardless of barrel length.

Every one of the manuals that I have (and I have most all of the current manuals) list the .45C (Ruger) loads as safe to use in Marlin 1894s and all Win '92 clones.

[CraigC]

Wow, glad we got past the first couple of posts by folks who obviously don't know what they're talking about. Your Rossi 1892 .45Colt is plenty strong for "Ruger only" loads that do not exceed 32,000psi. The modern 1892 is actually the strongest of the pistol cartridge levergun actions and stronger still than the Winchester 94, 94 Big Bore, Marlin 336 and 1895 actions. It is capable of withstanding a steady diet of loads in the 45,000psi range. Loads that will shake a 6-shot Ruger Blackhawk loose.

[Nushif]

Don't use .45 Colt data intended for Freedom Arms or 5-shot revolver data.


I guess I can give her the go ahead, then, but what does this mean?

[Gryffydd]

Depending on who you talk to there are quite a few tiers of 45 Colt loadings.

14,000 PSI for Reproductions etc. (SAAMI spec for the cartridge)
Somewhere in the .45ACP +P pressure range for large frame Smiths (e.g. 625) and New Vaqueros.
~32,000 for Ruger/TC/6 shot Freedom Arms, etc.
40,000 for Marlin 1894s (According to Paco Kelly)
50,000 for modern 1892 actions (Also according to Paco Kelly)
And Linebaugh says his 5 shot 45 Colt revolvers are fine with 62,000.

I'm not saying all these are accurate or are best practices, just that these are the opinions that are out there.
From my experience shooting 32,000PSI loads in my 1894 I'd say even those loads will give her all the oomph she's looking for out of a 6lb rifle. I'd start there and see what she thinks. I don't think anybody with a modicum of knowledge on the subject is going to worry about 32,000PSI in a modern 1892.

[CraigC]

I guess I can give her the go ahead, then, but what does this mean?
He's referencing .45Colt data that runs in the neighborhood of 50-55,000psi for Freedom Arms 83's and custom Ruger five-shot guns. Which may be a little over safe levels for the 1892. Coincidentally, factory .454 ammo usually runs in that pressure range.

[Gryffydd]

Coincidentally, factory .454 ammo usually runs in that pressure range.
Something tells me that's not a coincidence :D