I'm in the market for a new levergun in 45 colt. Ifound on line the PumaM92 and the Marlin 1894 cowboy. I like the octogon barrel and a 20'' barrel. The mane reason for this rifle would be hunting hog and deer in the swamp so a long shot would be far and few between. Does eny one have one of these fine guns or know of something they like better ( that you can still buy). I am using a cast bullet 315 (Lee mold) gase checked over 23grs of H110. These are a bit on the hot side.
45 colt rifle?
- Thread starter tcrocker
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Lonerider357
Member
Lot's of good Marlins out there if you can find an Old Marlin. Since Remington bought them out and moved the factory not so good! Try and find an older one. If you're looking at one in person look and see if it says Remington anywhere first!
Burt Blade
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If you plan to use hot loads for hunting, do not select a replica or actual antique of the Henry, Winchester 1866, or Winchester 1873. They have a toggle-link action intended only for blackpowder pistol cartridges. They are OK for low-pressure modern .45 Colt shells, but not the hot stuff meant for hunting.
The Winchester 92 and 94 designs are much sturdier, with better locking mechanisms, and can handle the better .45 hunting loads.
Personally, I like the Winchester 94 best for full-house .45 loads. Although no longer made by Winchester, you can often find these second hand. They are not exactly cheap, however. The 92 replicas are quite workable, altough some of the Brazilian-made actions are needlessly rough out of the box.
The Winchester 92 and 94 designs are much sturdier, with better locking mechanisms, and can handle the better .45 hunting loads.
Personally, I like the Winchester 94 best for full-house .45 loads. Although no longer made by Winchester, you can often find these second hand. They are not exactly cheap, however. The 92 replicas are quite workable, altough some of the Brazilian-made actions are needlessly rough out of the box.
BCRider
Member
While the Rossi 92 clone can be a touch rough right out of the box any decent smith that does a lot of cowboy action work in your area can slick them up until they are like greased lightning. Sure such work will cost you. But the Rossi comes cheapy enough that even with the labour charges it'll still be an inexpensive rifle.
But my Rossi wasn't all that bad right out of the box. The slicking up I've done is slowly making it better. I'm a believer of doing a little at a time and then try it since I'm new to gunsmithing even though I've been doing metal working for years. Taking it in to have it all done at once would be the "smart" thing to do but then I wouldn't have the same fun of tinkering on my own guns...
But my Rossi wasn't all that bad right out of the box. The slicking up I've done is slowly making it better. I'm a believer of doing a little at a time and then try it since I'm new to gunsmithing even though I've been doing metal working for years. Taking it in to have it all done at once would be the "smart" thing to do but then I wouldn't have the same fun of tinkering on my own guns...
highlander 5
Member
My buddy has a Marlin the 1894 cowboy rifle and IIRC it doesn't feed anything over 260 gr and a RNFP profile. Any bullet over 260 gr makes the OAL to long to function thru the action.
Bill_Rights
Member
Contra to what Burt Blade said, the modern Rossi replicas are of high strength steel and can take the heaviest modern powder loadings. For ex., the M92 in .45 LC is really chambered for the longer-case .454 Cassull.
Unfortunately, I have heard that Rossi has stopped producing this .45 cal levergun, at least for now. Maybe they no longer export to USA (from Brazil). Maybe they are changing US distributors. Maybe you can buy it from foreign source.
There are a few experts on Rossi lever guns here on THR. One of them may chime in soon with the real facts. Also, you can check Paco Kelly's Levergun Forum. Steve of Steve's Gunz works on these and would know.
I have one of these M92s in .45 LC/Cassull. I love it!
Unfortunately, I have heard that Rossi has stopped producing this .45 cal levergun, at least for now. Maybe they no longer export to USA (from Brazil). Maybe they are changing US distributors. Maybe you can buy it from foreign source.
There are a few experts on Rossi lever guns here on THR. One of them may chime in soon with the real facts. Also, you can check Paco Kelly's Levergun Forum. Steve of Steve's Gunz works on these and would know.
I have one of these M92s in .45 LC/Cassull. I love it!
Leaky Waders
Member
cluttonfred
Member
I really like the H&R CR-45LC single-shot carbines. Very classy with the color case-hardened frame and Marble sights and a great short-range deer gun, though for hogs you'd need to carry a backup pistol if you don't already. CDNN had them for only $250 or so not long ago. The question is...can you get the job done with one shot? Well, can you? ;-)
Moose458
Member
Check out Henry's Big Boy.
I have had a Rossi for 15 years or so. I really like it. It needed a bit of smoothing with stones but is real nice and reliable. Accurate too. I would have gone for the octagon barrel but it was not available yet when I bought mine. It makes a nice pairing with my Ruger Bisley....chris3
Curt Blunt
Member
I have a Rossi 92 (in .357) and a Marlin Cowboy 24 inch in .45. I like them both. I haven't tried heavy bullets/loads in the .45 but it does feed SWCs without issue. It is also easier to mount a scope or peep sights on the Marlin if that's a consideration.
bentongunclub
Member
Try Uberti. They made an octagon barrel lever action in 45LC. It is not a rifle to beat around in the bushes with unless your money is burning a hole in your pocket.
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