Next lever action - .45 colt or .38-55?

[Red Cent]

A 38-55, a 357, a 45 Colt, and another 357.

Started shooting cowboy with the 45 Colt. Switched to 38s. Use the 38-55 in side matches at cowboy matches. Also compete in "Buffalo Shoot" matches with the 38-55. 10 grs Unique, 245 gr cast bullet sized .380". Very accurate.




..
The 38-55 is the daddy of the 30-30. Cheap way to get brass. Especially for you'

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=103213

 

[tahoe2]

Red Cent

WOW ! Those are really, really, nice !!

wlewis;

I have a Marlin in .375 Winchester that I enjoy shooting 38-55 class loads with 375 brass . I shoot a hardcast 260 grn rfn gas check over H4895@1900 fps; very accurate in my rifle out to 200 yds (haven't shot it any further yet), pleasant and a lot of fun to shoot , even my 14 yr old likes it. But I've always liked the one round, two gun concept !!

 

[jason41987]

little fact about real 19th century lever guns... .45lc was almost non-existant due to its regular extraction problems due to a rather narrow rim... .44-40 was the most popular pistol cartridge in a lever gun then and before hollywood

 

[mavracer]

I have a legendary frontiersman and a Rossi '92 24" 1/2 round 1/2" octaginal barrel in 45 Colt. It's a dang tough choice which I like better. Both are capable of pushing a 250gr bullet anywhere from 800 to 1600+ fps.

 

[wlewisiii]

little fact about real 19th century lever guns... .45lc was almost non-existant due to its regular extraction problems due to a rather narrow rim... .44-40 was the most popular pistol cartridge in a lever gun then and before hollywood

Yes, I've read that as well. OTOH, my Ruger Blackhawk with it's transfer bar and not enough clicks on the hammer but safely carrying 6 rounds hammer down is already quite the anachronism.

That said, I am leaning towards the .38-55, especially with the information about forming brass from my .30-30 cases.

 

[Jake1996]

Winchester now makes a gun in 38-55 quite a nice gun. Drilled and tapped for scope mounts even.