45lc/410 barrels questions

[timothy]

Is this barrel rifled? If so does it give dohnut shape patterns? If not can you get decent accuracy with the 45lc? Also can you mount a scope on it? I'd like to be able to shoot quail with the 410 and deer with the super hot 45lc loads and a scope. Can this be done with this barrel or do I need two?

[RonF]

The .45/.410 barrel is rifled, but it has a screw on choke with longitudinal grooves to stop the spin so it gives decent shot patterns.  The choke is removed for firing .45 Colt loads.  The problem is that the chamber has to be very long for the 3" .410 shell, so the Colt bullets have to travel a long way before contacting the rifling.  This often causes accuracy problems.  I have one of these in an older Contender and haven't gotten very good accuracy, and it leads TERRIBLY with lead bullets due to stripping.  Jacketed bullets are better but nothing to write home about in the accuracy department, at least for me.  Others (and you) may have different experiences.

RonF

[doc-and]

Since you mention shooting super hot loads in 45, you might do a search for reference to the "450 Mongo" cartridge.  It's suppose to work in the 45/410 chamber and is made up by fire-forming 444 brass.  Then you can reload using the 45Colt die set.

I have 3 of these barrels but have not tried out the 450 Mongo yet as I also have a 45 Colt bull Barrel that I love

Hope this helps or tickles your further investigation into getting that barrel to shoot.

doc-and

[EdK]

I also have a 45 Colt bull Barrel that I love

Me too. That's why I don't mess around much with anything but .410s in the combo barrel.

Also, it's real light so for your super hot loads I suppose it's going to recoil plenty.

[spinafish]

My first Contender barrel was a .45LC/.410 and I still think it is the most fun to shoot.  I get the best accuracy from heavy bullets, mainly, the 300 XTP, at about 1100 fps.  I have mounted a Tasco RedDot sight on the vent rib of the barrel using a shotgun vent rib mount from B-Square.  With the red dot I can use the shotgun and the .45.  I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at a deer within 75 yds, mainly because the dot would cover too much target at a greater range.  I have thought about removing the rib and having the barrel drilled and tapped so I could use a regular scope base, but I use it alot for a snake gun sans the red dot.
Be sure to remove choke when shooting any type of solid projectile!!  That would lead to "stripping" for sure!