Author Topic: New Guy, new Clasic Carbine (Read 1046 times)

Fishbiscuit · « **on:** March 18, 2009, 04:42:32 PM »

Hello everyone. Just wanted to finally join the forum after sitting back and reading it for a few weeks. There seems to be a great amount of accumulated knoweledge here and great tips and help for the greenhorns and tenderfeet. Kudos to you all. I am an old greybeard myself, veteren of the southeast asia episode and like a lot of you I have seen the elephant.
Anyway, You all talked me into getting a Classic Carbine which I picked up today. I wanted the .45 Long colt because we can use it here in Indiana to hunt Deer and because it just looked to great not to buy. Ican't believe how well balanced it is and a real natural pointer to boot.

Got a set of dies for it, some Winchester brass, 250 grain round nosed flat points and some lil gun powder. I am ordering a couple of lee moulds, the three hundred grain for hunting, and the 228 round nosed for plinking and just because I liked the looks of it. Sure would appreciate some load data from you all, and some accounts of your experiance with this carbine.

Like many of you, there are things I want to do to the rifle .In one of the threads i saw a pic of a barrel mounted sling swivel. Do any of you know where I can get one? I also saw a photograph of a vernier sight mounted on the existing scope mount holes. I'd be a sucker for that too.

Anyway. those are enough questions to get me started. I'm looking forward to to the comeraderie. Thanks for the oppertunity. Fishbiscuit

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:35:21 PM »

They are a sweet little rifle. Lots of fun to shoot and pretty darn cute. My chamber is a tad big, cases tend to swell when using hot loads (Ruger-T/C) and they would drag on the ejector. Just a couple of seconds with the dremel and they come out easy now. Welcome and enjoy the ride. DP

Oldshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:43:20 PM »

Welcome and good luck with the shooter, you know there is a twelve step program for handiholics!

Show some pics when you get the chance! we love the pics

ro · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2009, 08:32:23 PM »

Fishbiscuit, welcome to GBO, glad you joined in and got you a handi-rifle
the bc 45 is a great first handi-rifle, you said you have been reading on here for a while so you know you can not just have one handi-rifle, so shoot that rifle and get you bunch more.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2009, 09:15:25 PM »

Welcome to GBO. I hail from Indiana too. What part of the state do you reside? I do not have the 45 Colt, but have a 44 mag and a 357 Mag reamed to 357 Max. I think the pistol cartridges are a great match to the Handi platform. As far as loads are concerned, most all reloading books have data. Some have extended pressure loads for stronger actions - this includes the Handi rifle. These loads with increased pressures will have more knock down power than a 44 Magnum. As far as load data - I could not find any listed loads for Lil'Gun with the 45 Colt in my loading books. Looks like H110 or W296 would be a good bet for your heavier loads and maybe Unique for your light loads. I think you will really like your 45 and it will do good job on the deer. I know several that have used 44 Mags here in Indiana and they like them fine, less kick than a slug and plenty of knock down power. The 45 Colt will do as well with good hand loads and an appropriate bullet. Good Luck and Good Shooting

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:07:19 AM »

For LilGun, go to the Hodgdon site and check the loads for the Ruger, Freedom Arms and T/C. DP

JerryKo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:18:00 AM »

Welcome, and thanks for your service!

I have the barrel but not the actual CC receiver, but it shot real good too. If your looking for an accurate plinking load I'll give you half the receipe. I'll have to refer to my notes later for the charge. I know it was the ugly 250gr round nose lead Remmys mine liked. My setup was shooting almost hole for hole at 25yds and factory open sights. I used some lazer cast 200gr SWC but groups were a little bigger. I'm pretty sure I was using Trail Boss as the propellant, like I said I'll check later. The last attempted Postal match I sent in a card that had that info onit, but I'm hopeful its still noted at home too. The remmys are.455" but very soft and have not leaded yet.

Pics are always nice and cant wait to hear range reports too! Enjoy.

Jerry

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:32:36 AM »

Welcome aboard Fishbiscuit!! Congrats on the new carbine, be sure to check out the FAQs and Help sticky, lots of great info there including Grampa Mike's 45 Colt range report, and here's one of mine, you'll do well with the Lil'gun and Hodgdon TC pistol data that ~~Jerrry~~ DP mentioned.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118881.msg1098392036.html#msg1098392036

myarmor · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:39:14 AM »

Welcome to GBO. Ya sound like a man with a plan, look forward to hearing how she shoots.

-Aaron

petemi · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:50:27 AM »

Welcome and congratulations on the new carbine. Next, you'll have to have a .45-70 and a .357 mag. Then a .30-30 etc., etc. etc. You've been around enough to know the serious ailment you're getting into.

I'm your same vintage, USN '61 - '68, and thank you, brother, for having been there for us. I'm glad you made it home. Yes, maybe you ought to think about a 7.62X39 just to put yourself on the friendly side of the fire for a change

You're appreciated.

Pete

Fishbiscuit · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:50:25 PM »

As far as the 7.62x39's go, I heard those up way close and personal.Didn't like 'em then. Kinda like to have one now though. i carried a 12 GAUGE Remington 870 an awful lot over there .Used Double ought and slugs. Worked so well that I could always get other guys in the rifle squad to carry extra ammo for me. I still have an 870, it's still loaded with double ought, and I still sleep with it in reach.

I'm in the very southwestern part on In. Posey county. Lots of big deer and turkeys here. Will try the Hovey lake area for both. Course, when I was down feeding the goats last night, I watched 14 turkeys walk out of the woods into the new wheat. "Thank ya lord, you made it right"

I picked up some win. double X 255 grain round nose today, cleaned the carbine and fellas I tell you she done good. I expected satisfaction with this little rifle, but I really didn,t think it would shht so good right out of the box. I don,t care much for that tiny brass bead on the front sight and my eyes are olde and tired, But, at 40 yards a few of thos holes were touching. I couldn't believe the way this little carbine came up to my shoulder and the sights were right there. Gonna keep her for sure.

I want to thank you all for the warm welcome, and for the tips. If any of you think of anything else, send it my way. Proud to be a part of your group. You seem like one good bunch of fellers. Fishbiscuit

JerryKo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2009, 03:14:45 PM »

Well, if it matters I did not find the Remmy notes. If the postal match collector is reading this and still has the card he can supply the info. I had loaded the 200gr Lasercast SWC with 7.5grns of Trailboss to acheive 900's, so more than likely I probably used 7.5 with the remmys too. No chrony data. For that postal shot was the only time I loaded and must have forgot to save the duplicate note card. Sorry.

Sounds like you'll be dipping your own anyway. Good luck.

Jerry

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:35:26 PM »

Hey Tim, I'm DP not Jerrry.

DP

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:02:12 PM »

Fishbiscuit,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to our country.

I've been thinking about that very same rifle all day today. I see from the H&R website that the stock is different and I love that straight wrist.

What about the receiver? Is there any difference there between the BC and a standard Handi?

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:09:47 PM »

Only the case-color finish. DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:40:07 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on March 19, 2009, 04:35:26 PM

Hey Tim, I'm DP not Jerrry. DP

Oops, sorry!!

Tim

Fishbiscuit · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2009, 06:03:31 PM »

I think the reciever is the same except for the color case hardening, The buttplate is color case too. The wood is halfway decent walnut and the straight wrist comes to hand real well and is easy to get used to. This may just become my take everwhere always have her with me shooter. It'll handle anything I'm apt to see here in Ind. or for that matter most anywhere else with the right loads. It just kind of takes me to another place and time when you could hold a piece of quality in your hands and say "by God this'll do"! You guys know what I mean.

That said, when I was at the gun shop gettin' cartridges today, the guy there had a .500 Smith and Wesson handi with fire sights for $249.00 and a .223 with the thumbhole stock for $349.00. Knew right then that I was hooked. I've got to have at least ONE of these.

Tell me you guys who are addicts, do you still have wives and families? Do people look at you sideways when they pass and tuck thier children tight up under thier arms hoping you don't make eye contact? Hello, my name is Fishbiscuit and I might be a handi-haulic

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2009, 06:12:05 PM »

Once you get several of em, the wife won't notice another one or two at a time, but gettin the first few can be hazarous!!

Tim

Oldshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2009, 06:18:19 PM »

Golly Tim that is a plethora of shoot'n irons !

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:54:04 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on March 19, 2009, 06:12:05 PM

Once you get several of em, the wife won't notice another one or two at a time, but getting the first few can be hazardous!!
Tim

TIM, LOL That's what I was just thinking as I read the post!!! LOL

WELCOME FISHBISCUT!!!!!

The 45Colt has long been a favorite of mine too! I didn't get the complete gun as you have, but I did pick up a barrel here @ GBO. Mine shoots very nice as well. Mine is basically a hunting gun, heavy bullets at 1400-1600fps. Accuracy has been more than satisfactory for all loads so far. (Stiff loads of 296/H110 and 250+gr bullets) I re-chambered mine to 454 but have not had a chance to go out and shoot it yet.

For lead bullets, the only ones I have shot game with are the 300 Gr WFNGC bullets. IIRC, they worked just fine. I like Jacketed better, no real reason, I just always seem to grab them first...

Good luck loading for it. If anything questionable comes up. Post up, someone is always here with a helpful opinion to lend a hand!!

CW

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2009, 05:05:15 AM »

Once you get a few of them you can go in and out of the house with a gun case mostly unnoticed some times there is a gun in it some times there ain't most times there is a gun in it on the return trip though. If you got a hankering for a very heavy bullet 360gr with 100yrd range for that 45colt shoot me an email I used it for WI deer last yr. Kurt

Fishbiscuit · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2009, 02:55:49 PM »

I like the empty guncase deal. Gonna have to try that one. The .223 ultra with the thumbhole stock may be my first test of that particular system. Yeah, I'd be interested in the 460 grain .45 cal. bullet. It's gotta drop em dead right there. How's the whollop on your end though? Fishbiscuit

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2009, 03:18:47 PM »

If ya got it bad some of the best medicine is a .357 mag and a .45-70. Always makes me feel better anyway.

aAnd welcome to handi land.