.45 Colt / .410 Barrel

[mibighntr]

Hello,

This is a great site and after lurking for quite some time, I finally decide to join in the fun.

Anyhow, I just purchased an Encore with a 15" .45 Colt / .410 barrel and wondered if anyone had any success shooting the .45 Colts loads out of this barrel?

How was the accuracy?  Does anyone make a sope mount that could be mounted on this barrel to shoot the .45 Colt rounds and taken off to use the .410 loads?  Also, has anyone shot the high-performance load from Buffalo Bore through this barrel?  

Sorry for all the quetions at once....

Thanks!

Mark

[tipiguy]

I have the 45/410 barrel for a contender.  I can't consistently hit an 8.5"x11" paper at 50 yards with the 45.  Mine shoots horrible.  On the other hand the 410 patterns great.  I have heard on the board that some guys can get acceptable accuracy out of their 45s.  Just not me...

I put a red dot scope on mine as it would work well for both the shotgun and 45.  I don't like removing scopes and putting them back on again.

tipiguy

[Bug]

I've often wondered if the loooong bullet jump in this situation could be corrected by simply using something like a .444 Marlin case to load the bullet out to the throat. It's not an exact match sizewise, but looks like it would be close enough.
 I've read where folks make up brass shotshells for the .410, so the idea might work. It would take a position-insensitive powder, but it seems like it would solve one problem, anyway.
 Just something that ocurred to me, should I ever find one of these barrels thrust upon me! :roll:

[skeeter]

My thought is if you want a fun "shotgun" then buy the barrel.  I enjoy shooting clay targets with the 410.  I ran into a guy who hunts grouse with his 410 contender.  Don't buy the barrel to do both.  The sights on it would be terrible for shooting bullets.  My back site seems to slide aroud when shooting.  If you want an accurate 45 colt buy a plain 45 colt barrel.  If you want the 410 barrel then buy the 410/45 barrel.  My guess is that the only reason the its chambered 45/410 is that is the only way to legally chamber 410 in a pistol.  Shooting 410 out of the barrel is really a hoot.  I enjoy that barrel the most of my barrels, but I've never shot a 45 colt out of it.

[alwaystryin]

The 444 case is a good idea. I was thinking that the new S&W 460 case can be used and not need resizing first. Its just a long 45 colt.
Does anyone know the chamber dimensions on the 410 barrel?
It would be good to know what the maximum overall length of the cartridge should be.
Obviously you cant fill it with H-110 but with 5744 you can be safe.

[Redhawk1]

If your gun is chambered for the 45/410, stick with those cartridges. You are asking for trouble trying a 444 or 460 case in them. Case pressures can get extremely high when you under charge a large case.  :eek:

[newhh]

Do a search for 450 Mango info.  I belive this is the data for using 444 cases for 45 loads.  You might have to try different areas of this site (like the wildcat area) or mabe even different web sites.  Good luck with your search and please post your findings for the rest of us.

[mibighntr]

Thanks for the replies!  I bought this barrel to chase bunnies with here in MI and just for fun, so I will probably never shoot the .45 Colt through it.

I am thinking about have SSK build me a .460 S&W barrel for it and that should fit the bill for everything else.

Thanks!

Mark

[EdK]

Have rarely ever heard of anyone pleased with the 45 Colt performance of this barrel. You're on track looking to get a separate 45 caliber barrel. I have one of each: a 14" 45/410 that I only use as a shotgun and a 10" 45 colt bull barrel for a short range hunting round.

[mibighntr]

As a side note.....has anyone ever heard of chopping this barrel down to a more managable length?  Do you know of anyone that specializes in doing this type of work?  I love this barrel but would like something that balances a little nicer, say a 10".

Thanks!

Mark

[Scout]

Many have replied, but I'd figure I'd post anyway.. I had the same question some time back  -- I had rotten accuracy with the 45 - I tried diff bullets and loads and never got anywhere with it..  The fellow stating he could not hit a sheet of paper at 50 yds was not exagerating !!   I could not either - from a bench rest..  I bought one with the intention of using it for 45 and messing around with the 410.. Now the 410 part is the primary -- I have it in a 10" - not the 14" ..

The comment about needing it to be a 45 to be  legal makes sense - Never thought of it that way.

[Keith L]

As a side note.....has anyone ever heard of chopping this barrel down to a more managable length?  Do you know of anyone that specializes in doing this type of work?  I love this barrel but would like something that balances a little nicer, say a 10".

Thanks!

Mark

I think this may be the one barrel you can get away with doing yourself.  I don't think the crown being ragged will hurt accuracy.  It may even help<vbg>.  Re-threading it for the choke may be an issue...

[alwaystryin]

T/C made a factory 10 inch, I have one and use mine to shoot skeet. Obviously singles only.

[jro45]

I have a 14" contender barrel in 45 colt / 410 shot shell and I shot the 45 colt at 75 yds and filled the 2x1.5 target paper full of holes so I just use it for the 410 it shoots a nice pattern at 50 yds.

[hunt4570]

I went the other way...mine is a 16" job.I use it as a pistol,what a hoot and very accurate.My daughter uses it as a shoulder gun.Never shot a 45 out of it,probably never will.As for the scope mount question,T.C.made a quick release scope mount that works pretty well.I also have a 16"223 with that mount,that way I can switch between a pistol scope or a rifle scope depending on which way the gun is configured.SGB