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Author Topic: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt  (Read 1918 times)

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Offline tomf52

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Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« on: February 10, 2011, 03:16:20 AM »
Do any of you out there have one of these and if so how do you llike it? I'm looking at one now but was wondering if this caliber is much good for my interests, that being paper punching mostly. I don't hunt anymore, just like to shoot but didn't want to buy it if it was an unpopular caliber and maybe hard to get rid of later. Pretty little gun though. Would this be a SB2 frame? Thanks for any help with this, Tom.
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Offline Oldjohn

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2011, 03:38:03 AM »
Hi,
I recently got one.  I like mine very much and it certainly is a 'fun gun to shoot".  I also intend to hunt with mine some.  45 lc does/can pack a pretty good punch.      I have just started working up loads for mine, using published 45 lc load data.  While I personally like a gun to preform at the top level, I am happy with the preformance of the rifle with plinker loads at the present time and in the near future will be working up some 45lc ruger only loads.  If one cast their only bullets, it become very cheap to shoot.  It is build on SB2 frame.
Oldjohn
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Offline rdlange

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2011, 04:05:56 AM »
I just got one.  It's nice to hold and shoot.  I'll be reloading because it's cheaper.  Seems like a good fun gun.  Certainly one of the best looking Handi rifles.  Have fun.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2011, 04:23:23 AM »
It's petty popular here. Not sure why it is discontinued.  But that's the way of things. Drop things when it's still popular. Keep people wanting more mentality.

I like mine altho it's FAR from factory now!!! Stocks are only 25/35, the frame is on one of my maximums and the barrel is rechambered for 454.  Wears a handi grip stock. ;)

CW
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Offline 6Covered

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2011, 04:37:19 AM »
I have one and really like it.   Probably now my favorite of 4 handi's.

I got it for the Grandkids to plink and maybe lateter hunt with it.

I bought dies and now have been expermenting with hot loads.  Got some 454 brass and cut it down for more strength over 45LC brass.  Thought I'd maybe bore to 454 or 460.  With hot loads (over Encore or Ruger meaning nuclear) I see no need.

Stuck a Red Dot on it and it hits 8" plates at 100yds with boreingly regularity. 

With Cowboy loads the Grandsons can plink all day.

Think you will come to really like it.

Jon
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Offline petemi

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2011, 04:46:08 AM »
I love mine.  It's mild to shoot and packs a punch.  It is easy to reload for and you can make it as mean or mild as you want.  It is one of the Handis I won't be without.  It handles very well, swings quickly, evenly balanced and hits.  A man can't ask more from a rifle.

Pete
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2011, 05:23:24 AM »
They're real popular, if you're serious, be sure to look at page 61 of CDNN's current catalog, $229.99 and $17 shipping will be hard to beat.  ;)

Tim

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Offline tomf52

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2011, 06:10:25 AM »
Quickdtoo - Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered it from there. This will be my first Handi-. I know there will be more coming and you'll probably be seeing me here pretty regularly. Hard to beat the low cost for these and I'm a caster and reloader so it adds to the fun. Thanks again, Tom.
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2011, 12:47:16 PM »
One thing I found out real quick was most of the factory ammo that you buy over the counter are loaded pretty light!

They'll work for plinking and small game, but the 45 is a versatile cartridge and handloading it you can get so much more from it in a rifle.

I remember reading somewhere, "be warned, once you hand load for it you won't want to ever shoot store bought ammo again!" and there is a lot of truth in that statement.

It's got a distinct sound to it but it isn't what I consider loud even with hot loads, and the same with the recoil being on the mild side.  I say mild because I've shot a 45-70, and anything that kicks less than that I consider mild!

I just love to shoot mine, and I've loaded up some cast lead bullets using Trail Boss powder and also I loaded some 300 grain Hornady XTP's using IMR 4227 for a hunting load, and I just installed my Skinner barrel mounted sight, so I'll get a chance this weekend to see how she does.
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2011, 03:49:23 PM »
It's a great caliber in a Handi. I just bought a 45 Colt barrel on the classifieds and it locks up perfect on my son's Versa Pack so it will be his first deer hunting rifle. They're great for both plinking and hunting.
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Offline Hit or Miss

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2011, 03:52:28 PM »
Of all the guns I have ever had it is the one I like the most.  To me, guns are tools but for some reason this one is different.
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Offline Darreld Walton

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2011, 01:44:22 AM »
When I first got mine, I took it out to the "dead pit" in the back field behind the in-law's milking barn.  The Jeep stopped moving in the snow, so I stopped, and the little laser said 100 yards on the nose.  I opened a box of handloaded 250 gr. hard cast, pushed with enough Universal Clays to give 'about' 950 fps.  I remember the first shot going down and it sent a soda can flying, next thing I recall is looking down and the entire box of 50 rounds had been shot!  Fun don't come close to describing the rifle!  I've since gone to jacketed 'heavies' in the round, with "Ruger" loads that my Blackhawk shoots well, and while not as much fun, it should prove to be a capable little rifle farther out than I would've imagined. 
I did mount a little M8-4X Leupold on it, and with 260 Noslers and a bunch of 2400, it shot into a satisfying group at a hundred yards, and for grins picked out a fist-sized white rock behind the 200 yard berm.  At the shot, the rock disappeared with a center hold.  I'm not claiming that the round would be effective nor ethical for use on even a whitetail at that range, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a "poke 'n hope" shot at a coyote or jackrabbit out there!
P.S. .....ya gotta load for it, because you'll go broke buying factory loaded fodder for it!
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2011, 06:13:26 AM »
I just got back from the range with mine and the two loads I found that shot the best were my 300 grain XTP's over 18.2 grains of IMR 4227 and grouped at 1" at 50 yards.

The other load shot at 1" also using a 275 grain LFN bullet over 5.5 grains of Trailboss.

The two loads were like night and day!   The XTP's have a little thump to them and will be my hog and deer load, and the Trailboss is a mild shooting plinking round.

Couldn't take pictures as the range I use won't let you go down range and collect the target.
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline yotesmoker

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2011, 02:28:22 AM »
It's my favorite single shot.I call it my mini 45-70.One thing I noticed is that it does not throw out the 45 shells on opening as it does when I put my 223 bbl on it.I have to pick out the 45 shells,is this normal for the 45?
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2011, 02:51:56 AM »
Yep, the 45 is an extractor mounted barrel, you have an ejector mounted 223 barrel.  I prefer the ejectors myself, others like the extractor better.  Biggest problem I have is trying to remember which I have in my hand when shooting more than one at a shooting session. ::)  DP
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RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #15 on: February 13, 2011, 04:35:59 AM »
I prefer the extractor because I reload for the 45 LC and I don't have to go looking for my brass after a shot, and I've gotten where I can unload and put another shell into the chamber fairly fast.

I shot at a coyote and the first shot was a little far back and he flipped around and went down acting like he was going to get up, and I followed up with the next shot which anchored him, and I must have been in the zone as I just barely remember the unloading and loading of the second shot.

My hunting partner who was several hundred yards away, heard me shoot two shots at the coyote and he said it sounded like I was shooting a bolt action, the shots were so close together.
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline gr8ful

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #16 on: February 13, 2011, 05:18:05 AM »
I have had mine for a couple of years now, and I love it. There is a wide range of loads so there is one for just about anything you want to do.  If you don't reload, try the Buffalo Bore 325gr LFN for hunting, they have proven to be sledge hammers on deer and hogs! ;D
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Offline diddlyv

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #17 on: February 13, 2011, 12:46:36 PM »
Got mine from CDNN a while ago.  Two trips to the range first time shot only factory cowboy.  Grouped ok at 100 but 3 or 4 inches to the side.

Next trip knocked the sights around until it shot pretty much centered on point of aim. Have not loaded any bullets (dont have any, but have Bear Creek Moly on order.

Actually shoots not bad at 200, inside a 6 inch circle.  Minute of coyote accuracy.
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Offline Guntrainer

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #18 on: February 13, 2011, 04:06:31 PM »
It is NOT in an unpopular caliber, and if you later decide to move it, which you probably won't, it will sell in about 2 seconds.

A truly FABULOUS plinker for young and old. Load Trail Boss and light bullets for Gallery Rifle noise and recoil. If you want it, the 45 Colt can be amped up slightly to harvest venison. Just finished a single serving deer steak (yum, yum).

A hard cast 250 gr SWC bullet at 1000 fps will anchor a deer at most any angle. A 250 gr Nosler Partition at 1400+ fps will anchor most ANYTHING. ;D

The Classic Carbine and Buffalo Classic are more fun to shoot than about anything I have ever owned.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #19 on: February 14, 2011, 03:10:04 PM »
She can be stepped up from what you see here.  I been runnin a 315 gr SWC on top of H 110 and H LilGun that will beat what the Partitions listed above are runnin.  That load has gone thru old railroad ties we had for a backstop and buried itself in the bank behind it.  On an SB-2 frame it can be run up to 454 Casull pressure in the Colt case, yes it will hold the pressure, I have cases that have been reloaded 6 times and still have tight primer pockets, or reamed on out to the 454 Casull.  Most all reloading data for the 454 has been backed down a bit from it's original pressure, same thing happened with the 357 mag and 44 mag.  At those pressures, the 45 Colt is runnin neck an neck with 45-70 factory 300gr loads.  I believe that'll get er done.  DP
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RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Guntrainer

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #20 on: February 14, 2011, 06:57:58 PM »
Although many folks really jazz up the 45 Colt in carbines, I will only go as far as Ruger revolver type loads.

It is interesting to know that such a fun shooting little gun can be loaded to such levels. 60,000+ PSI in low pressure pistol brass fired in an H&R does not seem prudent to me.  I primarily bought mine to shoot up bullets and brass I had left over from another project. I really enjoy single shot rifles, but don't care for the Ruger #1 or Contender/Encore.

I have a Remington 700 Custom 375 H&H in the safe if I ever need to kill a railroad tie. ;D
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Offline dangerranger

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2011, 07:17:20 PM »
I got a chance to shoot mine on a 200yd range and with cowboy ammo it would shoot easily into 8". thats a 230 gr lead bullit over 5gr of tight group. it gives me 1000 fps. im shure with ammo tailored to it I could cut that down quite a bit. mine also likes bullits sized to .454. these were as cast.  im waiting for a sizing die and working on a 300gr hog load. it will have the bullits seated out far enough to keep any of them from finding its way into an antique revolver. its nice to have a companion rifle to my colt pistols. but it will also shoot those thumper rounds when needed. DR
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #22 on: February 15, 2011, 02:40:23 AM »
Actually, the load that went through the railroad ties is a Ruger/ TC level load.  The 454 level loads are run through 2 Rossi 454 Casull's that I have.  I use the colt brass as the SWC bullet feeds smoother in the shorter Colt brass than the longer 454 brass.  The hotter ammo is loaded in small batches and well marked, kids know how the ammo is marked as they don't like the "kick".  I do not own any of the "weaker" 45 colt firearms other than a Ruger Blackhawk and a Winchester 94 Trapper.
Other than a flatter trajectory, there really is no reason to load the hotter rounds, they are quite "lively" in a light rifle. :o  DP
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RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Guntrainer

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Re: Classic Carbine in 45 Long Colt
« Reply #23 on: February 15, 2011, 04:24:05 AM »
Lively, indeed, with that recoil absorbing buttplate. ;D

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