Chrony: Factory .45Colt & .44spl JHP loads from 20" Lever Rifles

[DHart]

Some of you will know that I'm interested in finding good factory defense loads in .45Colt and .44spl. for use in 16" lever rifles. I don't have the 16" Trapper yet, so I chronyed these loads with my Marlin 1894's with 20" barrels.

Here are the results from four loads which I hoped would have promise. Only one, the CorBon, performed better in the rifle than in the pistol. The other loads all suffered from the long barrel.

The test rifle was a Marlin 1894 CBC in .45 Colt with 20" barrel and for the .44spl it was a Marlin 1894SS stainless .44mag with 20" barrel. Velocity was measured in my laundry room at 9' from the muzzle with a Chrony F-1.

CorBon .45 Colt 200 gr. JHP
Pistol: 1100 FPS / 537 FPE (factory data provided)
20" Rifle: 1451 FPS / 935 FPE (my chrony data) +351 FPS !!!! WOW

Winchester SilverTip .45 Colt 225 gr. STHP
Pistol: 920 FPS / 423 FPE (factory data provided)
20" Rifle: 852 FPS / 362 FPE (my chrony data) -68 FPS

Speer Gold Dot .45 Colt 250 gr. JHP
Pistol: 900 FPS / 450 FPE (factory data provided)
20" Rifle: 828 FPS / 381 FPE (my chrony data) -72 FPS

Winchester SilverTip .44 Special 200 gr. STHP
Pistol 6.5": 900 FPS / 360 FPE (factory data provided)
20" Rifle: 893 FPS / 354 FPE (my chrony data) -7 FPS

From this I would guess that with the exception of the CorBon load, when fired from a 16" barrel, performance of the other loads *might* be comparable to that from the pistol data, but with the longer 20" barrel, performance over the pistol length barrels is definitely hampered. Except for the CorBon, these loads are definitely designed for use in pistol barrels. If chosen for use in rifles, the best choice would be the short choice, a 16" Trapper!

Guess I'll be sticking with the CorBon from my lever rifles until I can find something better... the Georgia Arms loads look promising, I'll chrony them from 16" and 20" barrels when I obtain them.

Of course with handloads, it's a whole different ballgame, but my interest here is strictly in off the shelf factory ammo for defense against two-legged vermin at close range. The lever rifles are the second choice after my Mossberg 500 Persuader, which is definitely a fair bit more "persuasive" than the rifles.

 

[TNGO]

Thanks for posting that data. I've got a .45 Colt Trapper that is currently loaded with Federal 225gr LHPs. Do you plan to chronograph that load?

Also have a Marlin 1894P loaded with .44 Special Silvertips.

Looking forward to seeing your results with the Georgia ammo.

 

[AZRickD]

Not a valid test, just yet.

You are relying on the difference between "factory data" and what you got in the real world.

Your chrony might not be accurate, or at least, it might not agree under the same conditions with that of the factory chrony.

What you need to do is to do your chrony with both pistol and long-gun. And do it with a 16" barrel as well.

Rick

 

[DHart]

TNGO... my guess would be that your Marlin with the .44spl. Silvertips might be a more effective defense round than the Federal 225's in the Trapper... could be pretty close, though. I was really surprised that the .44spl Silvertips outperformed the .45Colt Gold Dot and .45Colt Silvertips.

I may check out the Federal load you mentioned. Being a lead hollowpoint, I don't think we would want the velocity to get too high or the round would disintegrate too quickly. My guess is that it's performance in the 16" Trapper would be fairly close to it's performance from a 5.5" revolver.

AZRickD... yes, I've decided that I need to chrony the .45Colts from one of my Colt SAA's. WIll do so and report back. This does get expensive! Really a LOT of fun and interesting to do though.

 

[auschip]

Hmm, I was under the impression that it was considered "unwise" from the powers that be (whomever they are) to shoot the Corbon loads in the Colt SAA.

I think it would be interesting to see a triple comparison of:

Pistol (Maybe give you an excuse to buy a Ruger for the heavy loads? )
16 inch rifle barrel
20 inch rifle barrel

I had planned on buying the Corbon loads for a pig hunt I want to plan this year, but hadn't seen any 'real world' data on their performance.

 

[DHart]

auschip... good point... I probably don't want to beat up my beautiful Colts with CorBon, though I'm sure a few rounds wouldn't be a problem... they're new guns. But I think I'll avoid CorBon in the Colt SAAs. Thanks.

 

[Cosmoline]

Except for the CorBon, those loads are all extremely weak and only using a fraction of the potential power of the .45 Colt. Why are you limiting yourself to factory loads?

 

[DHart]

Cosmoline... I limit myself to factory loads because I don't reload myself, nor do I wish to at this time. And I am more comfortable using factory made ammo (vs. "home-made") for personal defense purposes.

I only need to find ONE load which I will use for personal defense at close ranges from a 16" Winchester 92 Trapper in .45Colt. (Back-up to my Mossberg 12 ga. Persuader).

The Corbon .45 Colt load is certainly an excellent contender for the job, but there are a couple of new Georgia Arms loads which look like they might be excellent as well.

I totally agree with you that the other loads are really watered down pistol loads. I will no longer consider them for use in my lever rifles.

 

[zeke]

DHArt-congrats on getting a Chrono, as ya begin the long slide into gathering the essentials for your future excursions into handloading . Out of those loads ya tried, the Corbon certainly looks best. Would be worrying what kind of bullet they are using, and if it will hold up to those velocitys.

Would also suggest ya call them up, before trying them in ANY Colt SA. While their listed speeds are certainly well below what can be acheived, they might be using a fast/very fast powder.

Can certainly understand your position on using factory loads, but am going to continue on with load developement for Speer's new 250 gn GD for the 45 LC.

 

[DHart]

Thanks zeke... I suppose that someday I will be reloading! And I agree that there is concern for the CorBon bullet performing properly at those velocities. I wonder if anyone at Corbon would actually discuss these issues with me or if I would just get some standard non-informative response... I'm really looking forward to trying out the new Georgia Arms .45Colt and .44spl loads... they look very promising.