45lc pistol loads vs carbine

[Jwbfx4]

I've been reloading for pistols now about 7 years. I've learned everything I know from this forum or books. I just recently picked up a 1894 45lc. I've loaded and shot thousands of 45lc through various pistols but never shot any of my reloads through a carbine. All my reloads are standard cowboy loads, no ruger loads. Just looking for a little advice on the difference in loading for pistols vs carbines. How do you approach the differences normally if any? Thanks.

 

[Sunray]

Usually the same loads. Difference will be the velocity due to barrel lengths. You'll likely need a bit of crimp for a lever action too. Assuming you're not crimping already. Otherwise, the reloading process is the same. Rifle and handgun really only change a bit when loading bottle necked cases. No flaring the case mouth with those.
Hodgdon cast max loads are a bit hotter than Alliant's "Cowboy" cast bullet loads. Different barrel lengths used in the tests so velocities will be different anyway. Mind you, Alliant doesn't give barrel lengths with their cowboy loads.
Hodgdon doesn't show .45 Colt rifle loads, but they do .44 Mag loads and they're the same.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

The only consideration i would give is, if your shooting (powder puff) light cowboy loads in your pistols, then you may want to slightly increase your charge for a carbine, especially if your shooting out to 75 or 100 yards as we do. If your going to shoot close 25 yd targets with your carbine then your pistol load should be fine.

LeftyTSGC

 

[Jwbfx4]

Thanks for the replies. Basically said what I was thinking would be right. Hope to do some testing soon and see what this gun likes.

 

[25-5]

For SASS I load same .45 Colt for pistol and 1873 clone. Non "powder puff".
In the old West .44 was loaded the same for pistol and rifle. I don't think a .45 Colt chambering existed for lever action.

 

[Walkalong]

Usually the same loads. Difference will be the velocity due to barrel lengths. You'll likely need a bit of crimp for a lever action too. Assuming you're not crimping already.

Yep, nothing different but the length of the barrels and the fact the cartridges need to be able to feed.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would not shoot Ruger Only loads in your levergun. Even though it's a rifle it's really not much stronger and not up to Reger only loads or they would list them as Ruger, Freedom Arms, T/C & Marlin only.

 

[Riomouse911]

I will often load mid-range 230 gr RNL loads for the old Vaquero, Super Redhawk .454/.45C, and the Rossi 92 copy with 8.3 gr Unique. For my guns this has been pretty darn accurate, so I try to stay there. I do put a pretty firm roll crimp on the bullets so they don't collapse inwards in the rifle, and to date I haven't had any issues at all.

They are comfy to shoot, and feed/chamber extremely well in the guns I own.