One revolver for .454 and .45 ACP
- Thread starter Shmackey
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BCRider
Member
That's a mighty big jump in power between the two. Swapping the cylinders may be easy but it's an iron clad cinch that you'd need to radically alter the sight elevation when swapping the cylinders out.
Besides if you want lighter plinking rounds why not just get some .45Colt and run it through the .454Casull cylinder? Seems like far less trouble to me. And easier to load and extract than the short stubby acp bullets and cases would be with a traditional single action loading gate.
If you reload your own I'm pretty sure that you can use the same dies for .454 and .45Colt by just adjusting the depths of the forming and seating dies. Or at worst or out of convienience you would just need another die plate and set of dies.
Besides if you want lighter plinking rounds why not just get some .45Colt and run it through the .454Casull cylinder? Seems like far less trouble to me. And easier to load and extract than the short stubby acp bullets and cases would be with a traditional single action loading gate.
If you reload your own I'm pretty sure that you can use the same dies for .454 and .45Colt by just adjusting the depths of the forming and seating dies. Or at worst or out of convienience you would just need another die plate and set of dies.
That all makes perfect sense. Quit being so logical. 
Thing is, all I load these days is various .45 ACP concoctions. I'd love to have a tough revolver for first-run tests, and I'd also like a big-hammer revolver for the occasional times when I'd want one. So it's not really a matter of looking for lighter plinking rounds. I can do that right now without any new guns.
To put it another way, I'd like a .45 ACP revolver that also can shoot .454 Casull--not the converse. So .45 Colt doesn't really come into play. If I were going to do this with two separate revolvers, I'd get one in .45 ACP and one in .44 Mag. The fact that .45 ACP and .454 Casull can use the same bores (and that Freedom Arms can cook up what I want) made me think there might be a way to do it.
Thing is, all I load these days is various .45 ACP concoctions. I'd love to have a tough revolver for first-run tests, and I'd also like a big-hammer revolver for the occasional times when I'd want one. So it's not really a matter of looking for lighter plinking rounds. I can do that right now without any new guns.
To put it another way, I'd like a .45 ACP revolver that also can shoot .454 Casull--not the converse. So .45 Colt doesn't really come into play. If I were going to do this with two separate revolvers, I'd get one in .45 ACP and one in .44 Mag. The fact that .45 ACP and .454 Casull can use the same bores (and that Freedom Arms can cook up what I want) made me think there might be a way to do it.
Yes. SS Ruger with Bisley frame plus .45LC and .45ACP cylinders. Quite lovely setup.
BCRider
Member
That all makes perfect sense. Quit being so logical.
Oops,... sorry...
Kludge has a good idea there. With the Ruger only loads you can darn near match .44Mag performance. And that would give you some big hit options at a far lower price point.
But FA stuff is gorgeous work even if it does leave a rather sizable dent in a gun budget. Now if you're fortunate enough for this to not be a deal stopper then what the hell, life is too short and we can't take it with us. Go for the FA gun and spare cylinder and live a little. And please post pictures so we can all enjoy it vicariously through your good fortune. And don't forget the videos for us Walter Mitty types as well!
.... Sheesh, I'm one to talk. I just bought a new Moto Guzzi as my retirement gift to myself...
Coal Dragger
member
Freedom Arms with a spare cylinder in .45ACP would be great for that purpose, and may be my next handgun purchase. The sight height difference is a non issue, just buy the appropriate height front sight from Freedom Arms and swap it out when you change cylinders!
FenderTK421
Member
Wild West Guns in Anchorage will convert your .454 Super Redhawks to accommodate .45acp on clips.
Find a used .45acp, .45 Colt Blackhawk.
Get some .45 Colt +p ammo from Buffalo Bore and you'll forget all about .454 Casull.
Get some .45 Colt +p ammo from Buffalo Bore and you'll forget all about .454 Casull.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I love the idea of a .45ACP single action but do not yet own one.
You can always get a Super Redhawk cut for moonclips.
You can always get a Super Redhawk cut for moonclips.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I can't think of anything practical that doesn't involve an extra, custom fabricated cylinder chambered for ACP. ($$$)
MCgunner
Member
Save some bux and buy a handloader. No real reason to shoot .45 ACP in a revolver way I see it. .45ACP isn't significantly cheaper than .45 Colt cowboy loads. BUT, casting and loading your own DANGED sure is.
But, then again, if you're talking Freedom Arms, I guess economy isn't your motive.
No real reason to shoot .45 ACP in a revolver way I see it. .45ACP isn't significantly cheaper than .45 Colt cowboy loads. BUT, casting and loading your own DANGED sure is. But, then again, if you're talking Freedom Arms, I guess economy isn't your motive.
FenderTK421
Member
There is no forgetting .454 Casull
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Better look again! I've never seen .45Colt for $17.50/50rds.
The .45ACP, handloaded or not, is a more efficient cartridge for loads in its range. You'll use less powder than the .45Colt and cases will eject much quicker and easier. Lots of good reasons for an ACP sixgun. I just don't wanna fool with moonclips and so would prefer a single action.
highlander 5
Member
IIRC Black Hills makes a 45 Schofield load that may be a better option or if you reload buy the brass from Starline and have at it. Come to think of it a 454 will fire 454,45 Colt and 45 Schofield interchangably so no need to swap cylinders.
Stainz
Member
If you want .45 ACP and a few other choices of ammo, well, try this:
Admittedly, it won't take .454 Casull. But, it will launch 2.5" .410 loads, .45 Colt, .45 Schofield, and .45 ACP. Hey, I put some Hoque .500 Magnum grips on it (It comes with boot grips!)... it's 29.6 oz Al/Sc frame/SS cylinder is a bit lite in weight. It's a pretty decent package - and it's cost is probably around the extra cylinder cost for that .454 Casull Freedom Arms. No need to worry about sight adjustments for elevation - it has a fixed rear sight and drift adjustable front tritium Night Sight. It also does something the FA won't... it'll go bang when you squeeze the DA trigger!
Stainz
Admittedly, it won't take .454 Casull. But, it will launch 2.5" .410 loads, .45 Colt, .45 Schofield, and .45 ACP. Hey, I put some Hoque .500 Magnum grips on it (It comes with boot grips!)... it's 29.6 oz Al/Sc frame/SS cylinder is a bit lite in weight. It's a pretty decent package - and it's cost is probably around the extra cylinder cost for that .454 Casull Freedom Arms. No need to worry about sight adjustments for elevation - it has a fixed rear sight and drift adjustable front tritium Night Sight. It also does something the FA won't... it'll go bang when you squeeze the DA trigger!
Stainz
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