JustsayMo
Member
I am considering getting a levergun in 45 colt to go with my Blackhawk. How does the 45 Colt (45 LC) perform in a rifle or carbine?
45 Colt in a Rifle/Carbine
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It is dependent upon the individual load, but you do get a decent performance boost out of a carbine vs pistol-length barrel. If you search the archives, I think there has been some chronograph work done by a few members on this very subject.
The 9mm Parabellum (Luger) round doesn't gain as much as say a .357/.44/.45Colt. The 9mm round was expressly designed for short barrel use with fast-burning powders.
The 9mm Parabellum (Luger) round doesn't gain as much as say a .357/.44/.45Colt. The 9mm round was expressly designed for short barrel use with fast-burning powders.
It varies A LOT! Check out Buffalo Bore, Grizzley, and Double-Tap - they sell some extremely hot .45 colt ammo - it can actually match the .45-70 factory loads from companies like Remington. Then, for plinking, or whatever, you can shoot cowboy loads that perform more like .45 ACP and feel like .22 from a rifle.
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JustsayMo
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Sounds like it might be pretty versatile. Is it as accurate at the 45/70?
I bought mine because I might have to move to Canada and I wanted a single firearm for most defensive/hunting purposes. Mine is a Winchester 16" Trapper, which is very compact, yet very powerful, both in terms of cartridge power and firepower (9 rounds in a quick lever gun). But, it is really limited to 100 yard or so in range, so it depends what you want out of it. Accuracy is pretty much the same as my Winchester 30-30, but I am sure that varies by manufacturer and model.
mrrick
Member
I got a Winchester cheapie from Big 5 last summer and enjoy it very much, got to go with mt US Firearms SSA.
Just got a .45 Trails End with an octagonal barrel recently.
Just got a .45 Trails End with an octagonal barrel recently.
epijunkie67
Member
I've got one and it's a blast to plink with. If you've already got a revolver in that caliber then there's no good reason to not get a rifle to go with it. As noted, the large case rounds do pretty well out of the longer barrels and the .45 colt is no exception. If you handload you'll be able to do even better.
I did some research previously and found that the .45 colt, 44-40, and 44 special are all very very similar. Calibers are really close, bullet weights are similar, and max case pressures are also very close to each other. And they all improve in the longer barrel of a rifle.
So grab one. I think you'll be happy with it.
You might be able to do a thread search over at the levergun forums on this. Those guys sweat and bleed leverguns.
http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2
I did some research previously and found that the .45 colt, 44-40, and 44 special are all very very similar. Calibers are really close, bullet weights are similar, and max case pressures are also very close to each other. And they all improve in the longer barrel of a rifle.
So grab one. I think you'll be happy with it.
You might be able to do a thread search over at the levergun forums on this. Those guys sweat and bleed leverguns.
http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2
GooseGestapo
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- Jan 6, 2003
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Ditto what others have said;
I have a Win. M94 "Heritage" w/24" bbl.
I would not have purchased this rifle, but won it in a pistol match.
It is a real "keeper" though.
After getting some brass and a single box of Magtech "Cowboy" ammo, I commenced shooting it.
Accuracy was approx. 2.5" at 50yds w/ open sights which I thought was acceptable. Velocity of factory ammo loaded to approx. 780fps MV for Colt replica revolver was 1,090 from 24" bbl.
Handloads were a "whole other thing"!
I worked up to the Nosler Max load for Blackhawks, Redhawks, and Contenders...... So, be wary if using these loads.
I got best accuracy with Alliant #2400, and Federal Lg.Pistol primers, in Starline Brass, and Hornady 250gr XTP (non-magnum). This is also the load that Nosler claims best accuracy with, and is their listed maximum load.
Accuracy at 100yds is a question of how accurate you can shoot the Iron sights. One five shot group went under 2", which would have probably been near 1" if shot with a scope. I actually embarrased another shooter on the line sighting in a Rem M700 in .270wcf with a 4-16X scope w/parrallax adjustment so bad, that he scoffed at the group I had fired, packed up his equipment, and stormed from the range disgusted with his rifle/ammo/group. I was told he sold that rifle the next week !!!!
My top load with a 315gr WFNGC (Lee's), uses 2400, and gets approx. 2" for 3 shots at 100yds also. The is the MOST accurate load from my 5.5"bbl Ruger Redhawk, which will occasionally give 5-shot one-hole groups at 25yds. Did I mention that recoil from this load in the handgun is "thrilling",.... meaning that if you are not careful, it'll try to smack you between the eyes! I can't imagine shooting a .454 Casull, with another 250fps!
Only caveate (regarding the utitlity of the rifle) is that the widely divergent velocities between handloads and factory, and High vs Low velocity, lead vs jacketed, limits the utility of the rifle. The factory sights are set up for approx. 250gr bullets at approx 1,000fps. In other words, for cowboy action shooting.
The velocity with the 250gr Jacketed "high-vel" loads is approx 1,600fps, or.... about like similar loads with .44mag loads from carbines. Ditto the 315gr WFNGC, or.... about 1,450fps..... about 200-250fps faster than a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk (mine).
Hope this helps.
NOTE: I did NOT give charge weights, as they would be unsafe in anything but the above mentioned firearms. Consult either the Nosler or Lyman manuals for respective charge weights. I did NOT exceed their listed maximums.
I have a Win. M94 "Heritage" w/24" bbl.
I would not have purchased this rifle, but won it in a pistol match.
It is a real "keeper" though.
After getting some brass and a single box of Magtech "Cowboy" ammo, I commenced shooting it.
Accuracy was approx. 2.5" at 50yds w/ open sights which I thought was acceptable. Velocity of factory ammo loaded to approx. 780fps MV for Colt replica revolver was 1,090 from 24" bbl.
Handloads were a "whole other thing"!
I worked up to the Nosler Max load for Blackhawks, Redhawks, and Contenders...... So, be wary if using these loads.
I got best accuracy with Alliant #2400, and Federal Lg.Pistol primers, in Starline Brass, and Hornady 250gr XTP (non-magnum). This is also the load that Nosler claims best accuracy with, and is their listed maximum load.
Accuracy at 100yds is a question of how accurate you can shoot the Iron sights. One five shot group went under 2", which would have probably been near 1" if shot with a scope. I actually embarrased another shooter on the line sighting in a Rem M700 in .270wcf with a 4-16X scope w/parrallax adjustment so bad, that he scoffed at the group I had fired, packed up his equipment, and stormed from the range disgusted with his rifle/ammo/group. I was told he sold that rifle the next week !!!!
My top load with a 315gr WFNGC (Lee's), uses 2400, and gets approx. 2" for 3 shots at 100yds also. The is the MOST accurate load from my 5.5"bbl Ruger Redhawk, which will occasionally give 5-shot one-hole groups at 25yds. Did I mention that recoil from this load in the handgun is "thrilling",.... meaning that if you are not careful, it'll try to smack you between the eyes! I can't imagine shooting a .454 Casull, with another 250fps!
Only caveate (regarding the utitlity of the rifle) is that the widely divergent velocities between handloads and factory, and High vs Low velocity, lead vs jacketed, limits the utility of the rifle. The factory sights are set up for approx. 250gr bullets at approx 1,000fps. In other words, for cowboy action shooting.
The velocity with the 250gr Jacketed "high-vel" loads is approx 1,600fps, or.... about like similar loads with .44mag loads from carbines. Ditto the 315gr WFNGC, or.... about 1,450fps..... about 200-250fps faster than a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk (mine).
Hope this helps.
NOTE: I did NOT give charge weights, as they would be unsafe in anything but the above mentioned firearms. Consult either the Nosler or Lyman manuals for respective charge weights. I did NOT exceed their listed maximums.
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JustsayMo
Member
Goose, THANK YOU for your excellent post. I have to print that one. Great stuff!
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