.45LC Lever-Action Recommendation?

LeftyTSGC said:

Just be careful when using W231 in a .45LC case, there is a lot of room for too much powder, yes that is an issue with such a big case... No problem with W231, just be careful.

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This bears repeating. Inspect. Every. Case.

Picked up a NIB Rossi 92 in .357 today. Got it for $400. Store had to order it for me. But I placed the order this past friday and it was in my hands today. So, they can be found.

[mdauben=quote]A Henry owner may want to chime in to confirm or deny this, but I don't think their guns actually have brass receivers. I believe it's just a brass cover on a normal steel receiver. [/quote]

mdauben,
I've heard this before, from non-Henry owners. I've purchased 2 Henry Big Boys, in .357 Mag. and the receivers are solid brass. Their materials are named by location of their manufacture and quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU8qrHzk2Fc

Bowhunter57

Get some Unique for .45 Colt. It's A natural.

I own a Rossi '92 in .357 and a Uberti 1873 in .44 Special. I slicked both of them up but the Uberti is infinitely more reliable. I shoot CAS off and on and watch guys struggle with feeding in the '92's, especially 45 Colts. But if you're not going to be levering cartridges through fast, it won't matter. I also prefer the '73 design because it's really quite simple and rugged. I know people say the toggle-link action is weak, but Uberti chambers theirs in both 357 and 44 Magnum, so it can't be very weak!

35W

Rossi, Puma, older Marlin if you can find one, new Marlin if you can't...

Miscellaneous others that might jump at you from behind a gun shop counter.

Don't let the price fool you, Rossi makes some decent firearms!

Edit: how could I forget Uberti???

I've heard this before, from non-Henry owners. I've purchased 2 Henry Big Boys, in .357 Mag. and the receivers are solid brass. Their materials are named by location of their manufacture and quality.

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Thanks for correcting that for me! I'm not sure where that rumor originated but I'm fairly sure I had heard the "brass cover" info more than once. Good to know the truth.

bpshooter13 said:

I wound up buying a used Rossi M92 in stainless off of gunbroker for $459. It comes with a leather scabbard so I guess now I need to buy a horse.

Before I start horse shopping I think I'll head down to my local cast bullet shop and get 500 of their 45 COLT (Cowboy) RNFP 200 GR .452. I'm going to work up a mid power plinking load in 45LC using W231 and also see how the very same bullet feeds in my 45ACP 1911s. I have heard that a lot of people like this very bullet and profile in 45ACP so I think I'll put the bullet to double duty that way, if I'm happy with them I can order in higher quantity for a more better price.

I currently shoot their 230gr RN lead but it's sized to .451. It looks like all their "cowboy" ammo is sized to .452 and their 45ACP to .451

I'll just need to test them in both the Rossi and 1911 and see how it goes. Thanks again to all who chimed in with suggestions. This is a great community!

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I got into handloading as a result of buying a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt about 20 years ago. I have only used two powders for various loads, W231 and W296.

I find W231 to be excellent for low to mid powered loads for plinking or fun target shooting. I use between 7 grains and 9 grains depending on the bullet type and firearm. These loads work wonderfully in both the single action and my 1894 Marlin. As stated, you do have to be careful since it is a little bit of powder in a big case but diligence is always SOP when powder charging and inspecting. I have never once had an issue but I am anal about such things.

Small changes in W231 charge weights make big differences in performance since 9 grains is about 30% more powder than 7 grains, so be careful when working up loads. I always go by published load data (Speer, Nosler, Hodgden, Winchester, Hornady, Lyman, etc.) so what I am recommending here is right out of the book.

Have fun!

Dan

Congrats on the Rossi 1892 clone. I've owned 2 Rossi 1892 .357s and my shooting partner has a stainless Rossi 16" carbine in .45 Colt. It's a real honey. It feeds my 200 grain SWC loads, that's the same bullet I use in .45 acp target loads.

I have a Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt with the large loop lever and 16" barrel. Out of the box it had one of the nicest actions for a lever gun that I have ever had. The shorter barrel also makes it one of the quickest carbines for getting on target.

bpshooter13 said:

I wound up buying a used Rossi M92 in stainless off of gunbroker for $459.

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You definitely didn't go wrong there! I am handloading my 45LC for plinking. Currently I am using 200gr FN cast slugs with like 6 or 7 grains of Unique (sorry I forget my data when I'm not looking at it). It is a fun and highly versatile round and this load is very accurate in both my wheel gun and my M92! Have fun shootin!

bpshooter13 My Son and I load 45LC`s, and WIN 231is our 1st choice in powder for both our Ruger Pistols and Lever Action Rifles. Our load that we have been using for the past 8 or 9 Years is 7.0 grs of WW 231, WW LPP`s,and either a 250gr or a 255gr hard cast LRNFP bullets. WE get about 900 fps guessing don`t have a crony, just using the book. We use this load for Cowboy Action Shooting and Hunting all togather. LRNFP`s feed better in our rifles than LSWC`s. I have taken several hogs and a couple of deer full peneration on any thing we have shot. Shots taken 100yds or less 60 to 80 yds most of the time, have not lost any thing we have shot with this load. Very comfortable to shoot. Only word of caution you can dubble or triple the power charge, I am very carefull about that. I shoot a ROSSI SS 20 inch barrel rifle It is a great Rifle and I have never had any problems with it, If I could be of any help to you, it would be my pleasure. Good luck to you:
ken

For your purposes, stay away from the Italian 66/73 replicas. They're smooth and fast, but not strong. Outside of that, the Rossi clones of the Winchester '92 are the easiest on the wallet. They're plenty strong, but often need a little help to smooth out the action. Next would be a current production Marlin '94. Word is that Remlin is starting to get their QC under control, but still, check it out first. Older Marlins are a solid bet, but getting expensive. The new Winchester '92s are excellent, but, again, expensive. I'd not suggest a Henry Big Boy. While some swear by them, I've never seen one run worth beans at a SASS match. I quite liked the Henry .22 I had, but the centerfire doesn't seem to measure up.

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