Looking for a LEVER in .45 LC - your recommendations???

PapaG said:

References, please on the 45/44 power differential.

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45colt holds more powder, about 5 grains of I remember, plus a bigger bullet even if powder capacity was the same the bigger bullet round will be more powerful. Plus on savage the 45 colt uses heavier bullets. Just look at the buffalo bore website.

Just went there. Top to top, 44 has 45 by 300 ft lbs. Been at this for sixty years, at least loading for that long. They are close but not equal. Capacity doesn't necessarily equal power.

It's very well know 45colt can be pushed to starting 454 loads, in cartridges powder capacity does matter. Newtons laws don't lie.

Regarding the 44 mag v. 45 colt, if you don't handload and want mostly powerful ammo, buy the 44, 45 if you want mostly lighty powered ammo. If you handload, it's a wash.

As far as the launching platform goes, it's also down to preference. I think the 92s are the best handling over the others. The Rossi's can be a little rough, but mine was great out of the box. The Japanese Winchesters are VERY nice if you want to spend a little extra.

My Nosler manual shows 44 mag 300 gr @ 1400 FPS max load and strong action (Ruger and T/C Contender) 45 Colt 300 gr @ 1000 FPS max load.

I’m just giving the info I have. I too have long heard 45 Colt can be loaded to 44 mag energies. The manuals don’t support that though.

I would choose 44 mag too.(and I already have) Even still, if the OP wants 45 Colt then get 45 Colt. It will still drop a deer like a bad habit even with lower pressure loads.

troy fairweather said:

It's very well know 45colt can be pushed to starting 454 loads, in cartridges powder capacity does matter. Newtons laws don't lie.

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Well known. Quote a reliable source, please. I'm seeing internet "wisdom" and little proven data.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/45conversion
The 45 colt sammi is much lower than 44mag. in a safe gun like a ruger or bfr even the Rossi 92, psi being the same the 45colt tips the44 mag.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

I have a .45 Colt Rossi 92... it’s my favorite pistol caliber lever. I favor it over my .357 Rossi 92 and .44 Mag Win 1894.
It has plenty of horsepower for deer etc at 100 yds +\-, can be loaded down for beginners, and it’s just a hoot at shoot.

Stay safe.

PapaG said:

Well known. Quote a reliable source, please. I'm seeing internet "wisdom" and little proven data.

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Any reputable loading manual will have a section for 45Colt data for modern high pressure pistols and rifles, a la "Ruger Only".

So, I quote Hodgdon, Lyman, and Hornady.

troy fairweather said:

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/45conversion
The 45 colt sammi is much lower than 44mag. in a safe gun like a ruger or bfr even the Rossi 92, psi being the same the 45colt tips the44 mag.

https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

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But the .45 also has more bolt thrust at the same pressure, and thinner chamber walls, and in a lot of guns, sloppier chambers too. So in a custom 5-shot revolver the 45 Colt wins, but in a lever gun I believe it's a wash.

Goosey said:

But the .45 also has more bolt thrust at the same pressure, and thinner chamber walls, and in a lot of guns, sloppier chambers too. So in a custom 5-shot revolver the 45 Colt wins, but in a lever gun I believe it's a wash.

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My Ruger Blackhawk holds 6 and isn't custom. My Rossi R92 is the same rifle in 45LC as is chambered in 44 Mag.

Next.

Not enough difference to make a difference.

A pissing match gets real fun when both sides are pissing directly into the wind.

My Marlin 94, Rossi 92, and Winchester 1873 are all fine rifles. One day I will get a Henry. My dad has one that I have shot many times. All great choices.

Miroku Winchester 1873. Just a beautiful rifle and one of my favorites.

Until Henry comes out with a side gate with a wood stock and not a polymer one like the new Big Boy X, I have to say Rossi. In .45 Colt for a lever action, I see no reason to pay $1000 or more for a cartridge that has an effective range of maybe 200 yards. Sure, the Rossi's are generally a 3-4 MOA rifle, but that works out to 6-8 inches at 200, only a few more inches than what rifles double or triple the price can shoot.

The Henry's seem to be around 1.5 to 2.5 MOA, which is good and they only cost around $200 more than a Rossi. So, unless you're willing to wait for Henry to make a traditional side gate in .45 Colt, go Rossi. However, if you want to shoot the very hot .45 Colt loads, the ones running around 30k PSI, I'm not sure the Henry's can handle that while the Rossi's can due to the 1892 design. Others have said the Henry's can handle the hot loads, but if they can it's not common knowledge like it is with the Rossi 92's.

I think it all boils down to budget and expected use. If budget is not a concern and fun is the top priority, it's hard to beat a 1873 copy. The 1892 copies are lighter and have a stronger action, but the smooth as silk action of the 1873 is what I love.

I'm not a fan of the 16" models, but I have owned a Rossi 92 with a 16" barrel in .357. Traded it long ago. I now have a Rossi 92 in 44 mag and a Uberti 1873 in .357 - both with 20" barrels. I've shot another Uberti 1873 in 45 colt which pushed me to get mine. Just so smooth and fast to operate.

Another guy at one of my SASS clubs let me shoot his Miroku/Winchester 1873 and although a bit more expensive, it was so nice looking and smooth. I think the Miroku has a shorter stroke from the factory.

All that being said, my next lever will most likely be a Marlin 1894C with the Ballard rifling or an 1866 copy in 45 colt. My only 45 colt rifle at the moment is a Pedersoli colt lightning pump replica that is light, accurate and fun as all get out. I've never warmed up to the Henrys but I've never shot one so no real experience there.

I dont think any will disappoint. I'd try as many as I could before buying. Handling them in the store is not enough to get a real feel for the action. If budget is the biggest factor, the Rossi can be made slick pretty easy and is light weight. The wood leaves much to be desired and mine went back to the mothership after the first 40 rounds but was back in 2 weeks and has been trouble free since.

Cimarron/Uberti 1873 in nice. But don't think it will handle hot 45s well.

DocRock said:

My Ruger Blackhawk holds 6 and isn't custom. My Rossi R92 is the same rifle in 45LC as is chambered in 44 Mag.

Next.

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And your 6-shot Ruger Blackhawk can't push a 325 gr bullet to 1500 fps.

Goosey said:

And your 6-shot Ruger Blackhawk can't push a 325 gr bullet to 1500 fps.

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Ok, boomer.

Interesting thread this one. I went through the same evaluation some time time ago. I found my favorite to be the Miroku Browning B92. My brother has one in 44 magnum. Unfortunately, I could not find one at the time and I wanted one in 45 Colt to go with my Ruger Vaqueros. The Miroku Winchester is identical to the Browning except it has the tang safety (some don’t like this, but it’s really a non issue as far as I am concerned) My research and hands on with the rifles included Marlin, Rossi, Henry, Browning, and Winchester. In my opinion, the Browning and Winchester beat out the others significantly. I also looked at the 73, 66, and 94 in addition to the 92. The 92 is the smoothest and handiest of them all. It is also the strongest action for whatever that is worth. The models considered were all modern available rifles. Another comparison is that I have a Winchester 30-30 model 94 produced in 1959.

I handled all the manufacturers listed above and the choice was easy.

In the end, I purchased a 1997 Miroku Winchester 92 in 45 Colt with the scroll work on the receiver; it is a beautiful rifle with the 24.25” barrel and a joy to shoot. The quality is outstanding and rivals the quality of the 1959 30-30. I put a Marbles tang peep sight and never looked back. It is a decision I would repeat again without even thinking about it.

That said I wanted a carbine version so last year I bought a Miroku Winchester 92 carbine in 45 Colt. It’s more utilitarian than the rifle in appearance, but no less quality and I’m less concerned with putting a scratch on it. The surprising thing is that I have found it to be more accurate than the rifle. I mounted a Marbles peep on it as well. At 100 yards, I can hit a 3” steel target repeatedly resting my elbow on a table. I do reload and have found 250 grain cowboy lead at 1050 FPS is extremely accurate and will work safely in all my 45 Colt arms. I get 900 FPS out of a revolver, 1050 out of the carbine , and 1150 out of the rifle.

Now, if we want to talk firepower, my Winchester 1886 Deluxe in 45-70 is the big medicine. Lever guns are great.

Hokkmike said:

My revolver is a Taylor Smoke Wagon Delux with 5.5 inch barrel... It is modern manufacture. In your opinion will it handle hotter loads or should they be confined to whichever rifle I choose?

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I had the same Taylor deluxe revolver and it is a terrific revolver. The deluxe model are as smooth as silk. My advice is to keep to normal Sammi loads in that revolver as it is not made to handle hot loads. If you follow the manuals it will last. The hot loads are for Contenders, Blackhawks, and RedHawks. I ruined the cylinder pin in another Uberti cowboy shooting hotter loads. They are great for their intended purpose, but are more like the original Colt’s from a strength standpoint. Save the hot loads for the stronger actions and you’ll be extremely happy with your Smoke Wagon for a long time.

gotta go with the rossi 92 guys , yt'b slicking it up , added skinner sights , and i have a sweet shooting truck gun, plinker . it helps that it's stainless , and i have a matching blackhawk to go with it !

Another plug for the Rossi and definitely better after the slick up demonstrated on Youtube vids and on various websites.