.45 Colt here I come....

[JustsayMo]

Nem, there are Marlin 1894's cambered in 45 Colt. I have the Cowboy version and I really like it. I shoot Levergun Silhouette pistol caliber matches with it and a 255 grain slug knocks em down with authority - the chickens literally go flying with a low hit.

For hunting I use a 325 grain bullet and push it to just under 1500 fps. Comparatively very similar to what 300 grain factory ammo chronographs out of my 45-70s. Big Bore Lite...

Nem you REALLY need to take up reloading before you get a 45 Colt. Factory offerings are expensive and most underachieve. It is probably one of the easiest cartridges to reload for. Even paying 4 cents per primer and buying lead :banghead: I can still reload for less than a dime/round casting my own. Around here CCI mini Mag 22lr ammo almost costs that much... Shooting 45 colt out of anything is way more fun...

 

[Stainz]

Here is a short/long barrel .45 Colt 'fun' answer for Nem. I am not sure if my Puma, a SS 24" octagon barrel M1892, is still made as a Brazilian Rossi or not. Mine has never hiccupped - always just fun. The Marble's Tang Site is super - makes shotgun clays easily dispatched at 110yd. The Puma was pre-drilled/tapped and the sight was fitted when the Puma was new - before I ever shot it. The 625MG is fun, too!



My 830+ fps 250gr LRNFP reloads in my 4" 625MG make it up to 1,054 fps from the 24" Puma. More impressive - the GA Arms 200gr Gold Dots, which make 1,123 fps from the 4" 625MG, hit 1,424 fps from the 24" Puma.

.45 Colts are fun.

Stainz

 

[hamourkiller]

For those of you who cast your own boolits, over at castboolits forum. Mould maker NOE has two cavity moulds available in the 454424 255gr Keith style. I am using these moulds and bullets and they are superb. The most accurate bullets I have shot out of my 4 5/8 BH and 6" S&W. Cast out of Lyman #2 they weigh 254grs and hit like a freight train when pushed by 8.5grs unique.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=71160

There is also a group buy working up for a 270gr Keith Style SWC in a cramer style mould that will allow a hollow point or solid version from the same mould.

It is a good time to be a bullet caster!

 

[JustsayMo]

Nice setup Stainz. Those tools cover a lot of bases. With a setup like that a fella could expect to live free and prosper.

Those Puma's are a heck of a value. I've been tempted a number of times but manage to remain a loyal Marlin owner.

Hamourkiller, I wish I would have spotted that sooner. I picked up the RCBS 270 grain Keith style and like it a lot. Wouldn't mind that 255 Keith but fundage is low.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A "sleeper" of a bullet for the.45 Colt (especially in the Blackhawk) is the Lee .450 or .454 Improved Minnie Ball. This hollow based bullet weighs about 300 grains, depending on the alloy, and shoots very well in most Blackhawks

 

[AStone]

Mo and Stainz, thanks.

Nem you REALLY need to take up reloading before you get a 45 Colt.

I hear you loud and clear. Multiple people are telling me that.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Couldn't resist with all the SAA flying... my Stock (for now) Uberti made Taylor's Model #855 Top-break Schofield .45

With all the popularity of the Taurus Judge, we honest shooters have to work to find boxes of basic cowboy rounds lately.

Hammer is a bit oddly placed for some people, but is just about perfect for my big mitt,. My left arm has limited function, I just break out the shells and tuck it into my armpit to reload.

Being able to use a .45 speedloader with your single action gun has it's perks. No loading gate to fumble with.

The soft commerical winchester cowboy loads were exploding the 2x4's propping my targets up quite energetically. Heavy bullet and low velocity will still ruin anyone's day at the wrong end.

Getting my .45 Schofield was the final push to get me into working my own brass at home. You can't go hot on these clones, but so far it's been solid, (and fun) with the basics.

Those Vaquero look clean though, i'll have to scoop one for the collection.