Author Topic: Hot 45 Colt in Contenders (Read 546 times)

OMCHamlin · « **on:** February 26, 2005, 07:54:39 AM »

I'm new to contenders and have a question or two about mine. I have a '92 vintage Contender in good condition with a newly purchased 10" bull barrel in 45 Colt. Can I use some of the hotter loads in it? Like CorBon or Buffalo Bore ammo (265 Gr JHP @ 1465 fps)? Also, on this barrel I am considering mounting a heads up display type dot sight like an OKO or a Hakko, can I expect these to last OK? I was thinking about the OKO because it has a polymer body and is very light and (I'm thinking) might not be slammed around by it's own weight during recoil so much. Finally, with the right ammo and marksmanship, should I expect this to be a 50yd deer whacker? More? Less? Please educate me, thanks!

Chris

Bug · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2005, 12:20:11 PM »

Hamlin,
The Contender should digest those loads without a hitch. As far as deer hunting with them, the range will more-or-less be governed by your accuracy. The .45 Colt, with modern loads - NOT black powder equivalent loads- has plenty of bounce for whitetails out to 100yds plus. Trajectory comes into play much farther than that, though.
As far as sights, I won't hazard a guess as to durability. I went through a phase of trying various red-dot sights, but now all my barrels wear scopes.

Lone Star · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2005, 04:16:07 PM »

My 10" bull in .45LC (not .45/.410) launches the 240 XTPs at 1550 fps. I sight in 2" high at 100 yards, which puts me just 5" low at 150 yards. Sighted this way the cartridge is good for 150 yard shots with a center hold. At that range the bullet is traveling ca. 1100 fps and still has plenty of killing power. That is a 2 moa load off bags with the Leupold 4X. 150 yards is stretching it - I have yet to shoot at a deer that far off with this barrel - but it will do the deed if I point it correctly.

Jim S · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2005, 07:09:55 AM »

I had one back in the late 70's or early 80's not sure which that I shot 20/2400/250 JHP --not XTP at that time. That load was accurate but wrecked the TC reflex sight ,they sold at that time, in very short order. I shot it open sighted and it would group arround 1" at 25 yards and had a pretty stout recoil. I have no doubt it would have taken care of a little Texas deer at anything under 100 yards. I used the same load with a hard cast Keith cast bullet to put 4 of 5 rounds into the torso on one of the FBI targets at 200 yards with the open sight mode, OH for young eyes and perfect vision! In my opinion the dot sights have come a long ways since that 45 barrel and should be a good combo for a short range deer gun.

old4x4 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2005, 09:37:15 AM »

This is some good info. I just gave my deposit to Mike at OTT for a 17" 45 Colt barrel for my contender and I was going to put a red dot sight on it and make a superlite stock for it for a lightweight bang-around rifle. I've reloaded for the 45C for years and can't get any real good velocities out of it..no where NEAR Lone Star's...how about some loads for us 45 Colt shooters??

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2005, 04:50:43 AM »

Does anyone know of any restrictions for the 10" Oct. barrel and heavy loads? I just purchased one and would like to get more info on this barrel.

Also does anyone have any good loads using hard cast bullets and Unique powder for the .45 Colt? I load up 10.5 grs under a 240 gr lead SWC for my .44 mag and it is a dream to shoot. It is very accurate also. Would like to have something like this for the Colt round.

Thanks :grin:

RonF · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2005, 05:50:14 AM »

Other than on this forum, I've never read anything about cautions for hot loads in the .45 Colt Octagon barrels. I've fired some pretty hot stuf through mine with no problems, so I can't say that it's unsafe. It is, however, most unpleasant; that lightweight combo KICKS!!! For that reason, I don't do this any more and restrict my hot loads to bull barrels.

RonF