Author Topic: Curious about .45 Colt in a Handi-Rifle? (Read 1875 times)

olddaddy · « **on:** April 14, 2013, 01:14:30 PM »

Well, I was wondering about a Handi-Rifle in the .45 Colt pistol cartridge. I've read that it has a wide range of loads from quite mile to very wild. It seems like it might be a nice partner rifle to a .45 Cowboy Pistol. I know I could do a .44 or .357, but .45 is King in terms of history and all. I know it will not be the mighty .45/70, but perhaps a close cousin? It looks like they were made, but not any longer....anyone have one or know more about this cartridge in an HR?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2013, 01:16:21 PM »

There's tons written on it here, it was only available in factory form as the Buffalo Classic Carbine, last made in 2008, so good luck finding one, those that have them usually hang on to them but they come up occasionally on the auction sites and here in the classifieds, usually bring a premium price tho.

Tim

45 Colt Carbine

Jason F · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2013, 01:17:46 PM »

Lots of us have them. They are still around if you look hard enough.

kc5gxc · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2013, 01:40:33 PM »

On the MSGO .... MS gun owners' forum.....a guy has 2 for sale.

kynardsj · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2013, 02:06:02 PM »

While I don't shoot a Handi, my choice of rifle is a 45 Colt. I had MGM build me a barrel for my Encore. The increased speed and power that can be had from this round and the magnum powder of your choice is amazing. Nothing in my part of the world that I would hesitate to hunt with it. Long range, no, but within 150 yards it will bodyslam anything I put the crosshairs on.

Dinny · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2013, 03:36:38 PM »

Mine has always been a great shooter. I have only killed two deer with it, but have no doubt it will work on many more in the future.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,228800.0.html

Thanks, Dinny

geezerbiker · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2013, 03:38:47 PM »

Don't sweat it if you can't find one. I think the .45-70 has to be the cream of the crop for Handi rifles and there's plenty of them around...

Tony

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2013, 03:46:08 PM »

I have one caution.
If you are looking to go from mild ot wild wiht the 45 Colt then do not have it as a companion to a revolver unles that revolver is a Ruger that can handle the hot 45 Colt rounds.
If you are looking for a companion to a Colt SAA or Top break clone than keep the 45 colt rounds mild and ream the rifle to 454 Cas and only load the Cas rounds hot that will not fit in the weak revolver. Or even 460 Smith and you can have the ability to go to 45-70 type loads with the carbine pushing a 300 grain bullet in the same speeds
Shooting a hot load out of the weak hand gun can turn it into a hand gernade. And while you may be able to tell what are hot loads, can your kids or grandkids that may get the gun after you are no longer here to tell them and label may have fallen off loaded boxes years ago.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2013, 05:20:50 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on April 14, 2013, 03:46:08 PM

I have one caution.
If you are looking to go from mild ot wild wiht the 45 Colt then do not have it as a companion to a revolver unles that revolver is a Ruger that can handle the hot 45 Colt rounds.
If you are looking for a companion to a Colt SAA or Top break clone than keep the 45 colt rounds mild and ream the rifle to 454 Cas and only load the Cas rounds hot that will not fit in the weak revolver. Or even 460 Smith and you can have the ability to go to 45-70 type loads with the carbine pushing a 300 grain bullet in the same speeds
Shooting a hot load out of the weak hand gun can turn it into a hand gernade. And while you may be able to tell what are hot loads, can your kids or grandkids that may get the gun after you are no longer here to tell them and label may have fallen off loaded boxes years ago.

VERY good point...

petemi · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2013, 05:05:44 AM »

I don't own a .45 Colt revolver (yet), but I load my Handi only to high end pistol loads because I don't need more. I've got .357 Maxi, and .445SM if I want something extra in a pistol caliber. Neither of these will chamber in a .357 or .44 mag handgun. As previously stated, I'd be very careful about full house rifle loads ending up in your handgun. Good luck.

Pete

45-70.gov · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2013, 05:09:22 AM »

mine is now a 454

some day i will get a 454 revolver to go with it

wganz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2013, 03:36:09 PM »

Quote from: hoytcanon on April 14, 2013, 05:20:50 PM

Quote from: mcwoodduck on April 14, 2013, 03:46:08 PM
I have one caution.
If you are looking to go from mild ot wild wiht the 45 Colt then do not have it as a companion to a revolver unles that revolver is a Ruger that can handle the hot 45 Colt rounds.
If you are looking for a companion to a Colt SAA or Top break clone than keep the 45 colt rounds mild and ream the rifle to 454 Cas and only load the Cas rounds hot that will not fit in the weak revolver. Or even 460 Smith and you can have the ability to go to 45-70 type loads with the carbine pushing a 300 grain bullet in the same speeds
Shooting a hot load out of the weak hand gun can turn it into a hand gernade. And while you may be able to tell what are hot loads, can your kids or grandkids that may get the gun after you are no longer here to tell them and label may have fallen off loaded boxes years ago.
VERY good point...

This is why I ditched the idea of reboring a .44 Mag barrel to .45 LC. The overall cost of the project would have been higher than to stay with the .44 Mag H&R barrel and get a Ruger Alaskan. Plus, I don't have to worry with Mr. Murphy switching out bullets on me.

tacklebury · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2013, 05:15:56 PM »

This is what I wanted when I started down the Handi trail.

I got my .45 Colt Classic Carbine first and then a .45-70 Buffalo Classic, and it's all down hill from there.

I too wanted to match the .45 Carbine to my .45 Colt Blackhawk Convertible. I love the combination, although to truly get what a wonderfully adaptable round the .45 colt is, I started using Reloader7 Rifle powder in the carbine. I load a 300 gr. Magnum XTP and send it going about 2000 fps. Packs a whallop and is very manageable in recoil for me anyway.

I still shoot some std. level loads in the carbine too, when necessary, but it's almost a mini-45-70 with the rifle powder.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2013, 06:55:27 PM »

Mini 45-70? My 20" 45-70 carbine launches factory 300 grain JHP bullets at 1880 FPS.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2013, 11:48:51 PM »

Yup its a GREAT little carbine in a even greater caliber! I have been hunting whitetails with the 45 Colt for many years with many dozens of deer falling to my guns.

HUGE point about the heavy ''Ruger'' loads making it into SAA clones or S&W revolvers. BE CAREFUL!

I have shot the same loading of WW296 LPM primer and a Speer/Sierra/Hornady 300g SP bullets with identical results. I have not seen the need for the MAGNUM version of the Hornady slugs with this load in the Long Colt. My guns wear from 16-20'' barrels when it speaks, deer crumble.

My first H&R has been re-chambered to the 454 Cassul and its even a bit better! Accuracy and preformance both where improved. PLUS no worries of those hot loads finding there way into one of my expensive Colt SAA revolvers!!!

Find one, BUY IT and begin your fun!!

CW

tobster · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2013, 03:32:13 AM »

The .45 Classic Carbine strikes me as being in a class by itself. I'm curious why they decided to quit manufacturing them. The icing on the cake for me is that they are legal for deer in Indiana. The walnut stock on mine is almost too pretty to take out and scuff up. Maybe I need two - one to fondle and one to poke through the briars.

olddaddy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2013, 08:01:21 AM »

Yet another amazing rifle to put on the "must have" list. I am a real fan of carbines and big .45 caliber carbines must be even better. I am not inclined to hot load anything, so no worries on the rifle load in the pistol. Mild mannered is still sufficient to hunt pigs, deer and paper! I hope a deal comes along that I can afford.

tacklebury · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2013, 08:26:40 PM »

As was stated above, the Ruger Blackhawk is a perfect companion piece for it. I have a .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible that shoots better than most match grade .45 guns. I had an issue where someone, probably my kid, twisted my rear sight right before this last deer season. I was in my sitting spot opening day and saw a nice 8 point walking out about 75 yards away. Took aim and boom.... Just stood there looking at me. I shot again and it hit about 12 foot ahead of him and I wasn't leading... Again he looked then trotted over the hill. I was pissed... About 30 seconds after he'd disappeared, I was looking the gun over trying to figure out what could have happened, but didn't see anything and I chalked it up to the thin light and woods being shadowy. Suddenly I heard something right over my left shoulder. I carefully glanced back and there was 4 bucks standing there! One, a 6 point, was at a scrape about 15 yards behind me, there was a 4 point about 5 yards past him to the left and about 20 yards further was another 8 point and a spike horn sparring... I have literally never seen this many bucks on our land before. I slowly brought up the colt aimed at the 6 point and shot and it went under him at 15 yards and I knew something was messed up. I quickly pulled the Blackhawk and put one through his heart and he went about 5 jumps to the crest of the hill and I hit him in the rear left quarter. The second shot I found out wasn't necessary as he was dead on his feet and just messed up a good bit of meat. Anyway to end a story that's getting long, having the Blackhawk paid off and I was glad I'd practiced a bunch with it.

Dinny · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2013, 05:31:07 AM »

All these stories of Handi hunters packing companion pistols makes me want to buy a Blackhawk or Bisley Hunter.

That's coming from a Quigley too. I don't prefer pistols. Not saying I don't know how to use one though.

Thanks, Dinny

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2013, 02:34:37 PM »

Quote from: -Dinny on April 20, 2013, 05:31:07 AM

All these stories of Handi hunters packing companion pistols makes me want to buy a Blackhawk or Bisley Hunter.

That's coming from a Quigley too. I don't prefer pistols. Not saying I don't know how to use one though.

Thanks, Dinny

A handgun sometimes works out. When helping to cary / drag an animal back to the road, camp, or home it frees you up, When leaving the stand to answer the call of nature it is easier to keep with you.
And finally when walking around with a 22 or shotgun for small game it makes for a something to take the opertunity deer or hog with and only having to keep one load of ammo helps.

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:52:44 AM »

I happen to have the combination in question. A 'handy' combination for me. My 300 gr. XTP load works quite nicely in both. Had the Blackhawk (.45 w/4.675" barrel) before the CR45LC and already sighted to the above load, when testing the CR45LC I found that one click up on elevation slide brought it dead on at 100 yds. Being in my late 50s, the buckhorn sights take too long to get on target so will find the funds for a Burris Fastfire or similar holographic sight.

Have not killed with the CR but have with above load from my Blackhawk, does a dandy job. I also have another Handi with a barrel in .45/70 and wouldn't part with the .45/70 barrel for love nor money. Due to having the .45/70 barrel I keep my .45 Colt loads to 300 gr and mid-level Ruger level loads and if I feel the need for more I break out the .45/70 with heavier bullets in mid-range Marlin loads.

One last thought, I'm still trying to figure out why everyone wants to rechamber their CRs to .454 or .460. Don't get me wrong, I hold nothing against it just never felt any need with the way my Ruger level loads work with very manageable recoil and awesome accuracy without the inconsistency I've observed in .454 handguns.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2013, 04:45:25 PM »

Quote from: shvlhead.45 on April 23, 2013, 05:52:44 AM

One last thought, I'm still trying to figure out why everyone wants to rechamber their CRs to .454 or .460. Don't get me wrong, I hold nothing against it just never felt any need with the way my Ruger level loads work with very manageable recoil and awesome accuracy ....

Some people, like me do not own a Ruger Black hawk as a 45 Colt and have weaker frames that will not handle the 44 Mag equal 45 colt loads. But may want to have hotter loads for the carbine equal to 44 mag for deer and pigs, or have another 45 colt rifle like a 1873 or copy that will not take the hot loads. Down loading a 454 case to a hot 45 Colt load will make sure that you or one of your loved ones does not stick the wrong load into the right gun and a ruined gun and a trip to the hospital are in their future. And while you may know what bullet goes into what gun others may not and just see 45 colt.
The other reason is you can load 460 to 45-70 loads and in one little carbine they can go from Cowboy action 45 Colt plinker to 45-70. Others may have a S&W 460 X frame or a revolver using 454 Casul and they want a little carbine to share ammo.