Taurus Thunderbolt
- Thread starter Grayrock
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BluesBear
member
Got a link to that other post?
OP
OP
Grayrock
Member
BluesBear
member
I'm amazed that Taurus can sell a newly developed and produced rifle for less money than they charge for a J-Frame revolver.
BluesBear
member
If the bullet started slowing down at 15½" that would mean that the propellant gasses weren't strong enough to overcome the friction of the barrel.
This would mean that the gasses had, in effect stopped, expanding.
In the last 10" the bullet would keep slowing and the expanding gasses would be depleted.
Therefore a bullet frired from a 26" barrel should be almost completely silent.
But it isn't.
And having chronographed the same lot of .45 Colt ammo from a 14" Contender, a 20" Marlin and a 26" Navy Arms Rolling Block The .45 Colt showed the biggest velocity increase in the Marlin compared to the Thompson Center. However, the velocities from Rolling Block were still slightly higher.
How can this be?
Have the laws of physics changed in the past 10 years since my tests?
However if you were saying that the bullet from a .45 Colt starts slowing down 15½" AFTER it leaves the muzzle then I would concur.
This would mean that the gasses had, in effect stopped, expanding.
In the last 10" the bullet would keep slowing and the expanding gasses would be depleted.
Therefore a bullet frired from a 26" barrel should be almost completely silent.
But it isn't.
And having chronographed the same lot of .45 Colt ammo from a 14" Contender, a 20" Marlin and a 26" Navy Arms Rolling Block The .45 Colt showed the biggest velocity increase in the Marlin compared to the Thompson Center. However, the velocities from Rolling Block were still slightly higher.
How can this be?
Have the laws of physics changed in the past 10 years since my tests?
However if you were saying that the bullet from a .45 Colt starts slowing down 15½" AFTER it leaves the muzzle then I would concur.
joab
Member
It's what they do.
When the CIA first came out several dealers had them for about $250 now look at where they are.
They put out enough product to start tongues wagging and the raise the price
BluesBear
member
We were comparing Federal factory lead hollow point ammo and Remington factory solid ammo.
We were trying to figure out why is shot so poorly in my 6" 25-5 but great in a 3" Great Western Sheriff's Model.
That's when I learned the 25-5 had chamber throats that were way oversized.
We were trying to figure out why is shot so poorly in my 6" 25-5 but great in a 3" Great Western Sheriff's Model.
That's when I learned the 25-5 had chamber throats that were way oversized.
That explains the difference then, I was specifically talking about jacketed ammo. Lead bullets have much lower dynamic friction. Actually I figure 26" is just about exactly the length for maximum velocity out of a hard cast bullet. Also, my calculations assumed pistol powder, so if you handloaded with a slow powder you could probably keep it accelerating the full 26" even with a jacketed bullet.BluesBear said:
Max Velocity
Member
Thunderbolt for Sale on Gunbroker
On Gunbroker:
Taurus Tunderbolt 45
I'm not connected with this sale in any manner.
On Gunbroker:
Taurus Tunderbolt 45
I'm not connected with this sale in any manner.
GunsAmerica.com has several listings for them.
But only in .45 LC so far.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976657744.htm
But only in .45 LC so far.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976657744.htm
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
45 Colt for now but should be coming in 357, maybe others....
Go to www.SASSnet.com there are 2 or 3 threads running about this rifle, including a range report or two.
I don't know why, but for some reason I *REALLY* *REALLY* want that gun.
I've never really been into guns like that at all before, except I like lever-actions and want one, but that Thunderbolt is just SCREAMING out to me.
Good thing they are inexpensive!!!
So........45 Colt vs. .357....which to get and why?
I've never really been into guns like that at all before, except I like lever-actions and want one, but that Thunderbolt is just SCREAMING out to me.
Good thing they are inexpensive!!!
So........45 Colt vs. .357....which to get and why?
BluesBear
member
You gotta give Taurus credit, when they finally get something in distribution they get a lot of them out there all at once.
Kinda puts a damper on the price gouging.
Kinda puts a damper on the price gouging.
Got one for inventory yesterday. Don't know how it shoots yet. It has a 26' bbl, 45 colt. Is nice fit... wood to metal. As always with Taurus a nice finish. The wood a brazilian hardwood and not unattractive. A graceful rifle and much nicer than the Italian copies we have seen. Understand it is also going to be made in 44 mag but unsure of a shorter barrel. We are a small shop so apparently they are available now. Should be popular as it is an accomodating price.
BluesBear
member
Hmmm... 44 mag? cool!
Then theres hope for a .44-40. Ot at least one could be made from the .44 mag by using a .45 Bolt and a rechambered barrel.
All the catalogue shows is .45 Colt and .357 mag.
How does the hammer mounted decocking contraption seem to work?
By the way Podster, what's you asking price and location?
Then theres hope for a .44-40. Ot at least one could be made from the .44 mag by using a .45 Bolt and a rechambered barrel.
All the catalogue shows is .45 Colt and .357 mag.
How does the hammer mounted decocking contraption seem to work?
By the way Podster, what's you asking price and location?
OP
OP
Grayrock
Member
Ditto that.
Texfire
Member
I got a chance to fondle one of these yesterday at my local guns shop.
It was chambered in .45LC, and had the 26" rifle barrel. The rifle takes 14 rounds in the magazine. The finish was a very nice deep blue that was very even and the furniture was nicely fitted. The action was just this side of buttery, and very smooth with a trigger that was neither light or heavy, but operated smoothly. It compared very favorably to the AWA Lighting that I got to shoot last weekend at 1/3rd the price. The point of balance was at the receiver end of the pump forearm, which made it very handy even with the long barrel. The sights were wide, allowing alot of daylight around the front blade. The one external difference I noted, if I remember correctly, was a decocker button mounted on the hammer that allowed you to drop the hammer without pulling the trigger, not a plus for me, but not necessarily a minus as it was small and unobtrusive. It was marked for $420, and was a very nice rifle for twice that price. I didn't go home with it, though it was a close thing, as I don't reload and the .45LC doubles my ammo costs over .38 Special.
The proprietor said that other models in the Taurus catalog are carbines, stainless steel models. and color-case hardened models. I was going to wait for a carbine in .38/.357, but after handling the rifle yesterday, I might change my mind on the barrel length.
It was chambered in .45LC, and had the 26" rifle barrel. The rifle takes 14 rounds in the magazine. The finish was a very nice deep blue that was very even and the furniture was nicely fitted. The action was just this side of buttery, and very smooth with a trigger that was neither light or heavy, but operated smoothly. It compared very favorably to the AWA Lighting that I got to shoot last weekend at 1/3rd the price. The point of balance was at the receiver end of the pump forearm, which made it very handy even with the long barrel. The sights were wide, allowing alot of daylight around the front blade. The one external difference I noted, if I remember correctly, was a decocker button mounted on the hammer that allowed you to drop the hammer without pulling the trigger, not a plus for me, but not necessarily a minus as it was small and unobtrusive. It was marked for $420, and was a very nice rifle for twice that price. I didn't go home with it, though it was a close thing, as I don't reload and the .45LC doubles my ammo costs over .38 Special.
The proprietor said that other models in the Taurus catalog are carbines, stainless steel models. and color-case hardened models. I was going to wait for a carbine in .38/.357, but after handling the rifle yesterday, I might change my mind on the barrel length.
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