Author Topic: .45 Colt Classic Carbine....who's got one and shooting it?? (Read 1786 times)

alan in ga · « **on:** April 25, 2010, 04:36:44 AM »

I'm down to my LAST Handi Rifle, the .45 Colt. I've not even shot it yet as I'm out of ammo. I had a brand new box (50) of nickel plated cases but had to let them go in a trade off with my Ruger Blackhawk 45.
I'm going to buy something, brass or ammo. Tell me guys, what are you doing with your .45 Colt Handi?
I do have some Speer 250 gr swaged SWC bullets, and a few 325 cast .452" from a friend.
Thanks for any input.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2010, 07:25:09 AM »

I bought 100 pieces of Starline brass at a gun show because I couldn't find any at Midway. Turns out there were only 95 in the bag, oh well.
I started with my 200 grain Rainier plated SWC's that I use in my .45 auto over Trail Boss. I give them a very light taper crimp with a .45acp die. Good for 900 fps and moderate recoil. Accuracy seemed poor at first from the bench, but improved dramatically when I rested the far end of the forend on the rest, not the back as suggested in the FAQ's. It shoots about 1 to 1-1/2 inch groups at 50 yards and the bore stays very clean even after 100 rounds with the plated bullets.
I put a Williams peep rear and a Lyman #20 front globe on it because the stock sights had too much glare in the sunlight.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2010, 01:21:45 PM »

I have been running heavier bullets in both of mine, 300 and 315 gr cast. The older one has a larger chamber and with the heavier loads, the brass swells some. Newest one has a tighter chamber and will take the same loads with out stretching the brass as much. These loads are in the Ruger/TC level or beyond. DP

VA27 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2010, 03:50:19 PM »

I've cast up some Lee 300gr GCFP (cast from WW they weigh about 308grs with GC and lube). I use 21gr of H110.

I cast some RCBS 325gr GC (with WW they weigh 333grs with GC and Lube) same charge.

I've also sized down some 405 gr Lee and RCBS 45/70 bullets to .452 (with WW 410(Lee) and 422grs(RCBS), with GC and lube) using Lil Gun or H110.

My chrony is broke (did you know that the 9V battery will stop a 22mag slug after it passes through the front of the Chrony?) so I don't know what their speed is. I originally worked these loads up in my Blackhawk. They work in my Redhawk, too. Recoil is...brisk.

They are much more comfortable in my BC Carbine.

Standard weight bullets (200-255gr) are reserved for my Uberti Henry.

yukondog · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2010, 04:07:05 AM »

VA I did the same thing with one of mine but with a .380 fell over and the screan was flashing error,error,error!

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2010, 06:19:54 AM »

I'm getting ready to load some .45 Colt soon. I plan on making a bunch of plinking loads using Trail Boss and 250 grain LRNFP bullets. I'm also going to load some Sierra 300 grain JSP bullets using Unique, IMR-4227 and 2400 to see what works the best.

44 Man · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2010, 07:57:51 AM »

I have a bunch of LFN SWC that weigh 270 gr. I load those over 20 gr of 4227. That's an absolute top load for a non-Ruger and not one you would want to shoot all the time in a repro revolver. But she's a low end Ruger load that should be just the ticket for the .45 Carbine. I should have my hands on mine in another week! I can hardly wait! 44 Man

quatroclick · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2010, 03:24:47 PM »

I just snagged one today! Pretty snazzy looking for an H&R, if I do say so myself. Can't wait to shoot it.

How long does it take to get an accessory barrel mounted these days? I think I need a 45/70 Buffalo barrel as well.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2010, 04:36:53 PM »

You can see what's happening with accessory barrels in the Ilion Satisfaction Poll in the FAQs and Help sticky, 30 day turn arounds are the norm for in stock barrels, out of stock barrels will be longer as you can see in Jim's 35 Whelen barrel thread down the page.

Tim

ironbyaaron · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2010, 06:13:50 PM »

Confessions of a new handi addict
I bought a 45 carbine a couple of months ago. I ordered this rifle,kind of on a whim because they seemed cool and gallery of guns had them on sale.Then I discovered I cannot buy ammo readily in this caliber in NM,next came ordering a leeloader classic, 255gr bullet mold ,200 shells ,getting a five gallon bucket of wheelweights,learning to cast bullets, discovering the one place in town that sells reloading supplies only has 200 ea LP magnum primers, no large pistol primers and no idea when they will get more(cabelas had them in stock last week so I ordered 2000).Not reloading anything since I was teenager (30 some years ago)and that under close supervision of my dad,this was kind of a learning process.Aside from being kind of scared of my loads the first few rounds, this gun is a blast ,I have had it out once a week since I came up with loaded rounds.My loads seem as accurate as I am at this point ,of course the local gun shop did have cowboy loads after I set up for reloading and shot some of mine. I bought a couple of boxes and they do not seem any more accurate than mine. I shot 70 rounds after work today then watched the moon rise great fun! Aaron Craig.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2010, 06:00:48 AM »

Yep, I'd say you be hooked.....fun is what its all about!

AH-1G · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2010, 04:09:49 PM »

I just picked up mine today.stopped in at a small local shop and it had to come home with me.now to find a load it and the ruger bisley likes

.
pete

tacklebury · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2010, 05:20:53 PM »

I've got one, it shoots excellent. I'm getting 3-4" groups at 100 yards with the included Marbles sights, but I don't like how low I have to get my eye to get a good sight picture. I just picked up a WGRS for it, but need to add some height added to the front sight before it will be usable.

I've been putting Hornady 300 grain XTP Mags, std. XTP 250's and 200 grain lead tip lower velocity reloads through it right now. I am hoping to pick up some heavier cast lead bullets in the 300 grain range to try also. I had loaded some hot loads for the Mag's with H110 and light loads were done with Unique and Longshot. I have had some awesome luck using Reloader7 in this gun also, which reduced the kick a bit and kept velocity's up with the 250 gr XTP's. I also shot some of the lead 200 grain bullets with a full case and 1/16th inch compressed Jim Shockey's Extra Gold FFFg BP equivalent with pretty good success. Another bullet I am aching to try, but little tight on funds right now is the new Hornady FTX in .452. I load a lot of the .45-70 .458 for my Buffalo Classic and have great accuracy and performance.

My only issue with it has been a very loose chamber, which is blowing out my brass about 25 thousandths. I'm on the second gun and working with H&R now to see if I can get a properly chambered barrel, because the distributor won't give me a third. The brass won't even chamber 1/2 way into my Ruger Blackhawk once fired from the carbine, with neck only resizing, so beware if you are going to use the brass to reload for multiple firearms. $:-\$

AH-1G · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2010, 05:56:29 PM »

thanks for the heads up on the brass.
with the unique loads were the sights on ??.I have seen where they said the shots were printing high with the stock sights.
pete

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2010, 06:53:40 PM »

Quote from: AH-1G on April 29, 2010, 05:56:29 PM

'bout flipped when I saw your avitar there AH-1G!

I got that patch sewed on my orange flight suit in '67 or '68 I think it was when I was a Cobra flight instructer at Hunter! Left Cobra Hall in '69 going back to the RVN. PM me!

AH-1G · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2010, 07:51:36 PM »

I got that patch at hunter.238th AHC(gunrunners) we stood down and formed 2/9 cav. 73-94 from the AH-1 G to the apache when I retired.
pete

xapeymak · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2010, 04:42:49 AM »

I have 45 Colt carbine and I love this little rifle. For plinking out to 125 yards I reload cowboy loads with 250 gr bullet and Unique powder, this load also works in my Uberti single action 4 5/8 revolver. I just found two guns that I really have pure fun with. I'm now working on some hunting loads if I decide to hunt deer next year. I did put on a Williams adjustable peep sight and had to exopy on a front ramp from williams with the nub and a williams firesight {tall}. This sight system with the cowboy loads works well from 25 yda to 125 yards. Another part of the fun is to experement with different bullet weights.
Have fun and enjoy your carbine.

AH-1G · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2010, 09:50:20 AM »

I loaded up some 452432 to try out.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2010, 03:39:24 PM »

And you got figure in the buttstock too!
Nice pair, got a good knife for the 'grouping'?
(yeah, but if I show it to you I'd have to......)

nframe · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2010, 07:27:20 PM »

I loaded a few Lyman pointy 480 gr gc bullets on top of Lil Gun a day or two ago. Shot a couple across the chrono today for about 1170 fps. Primers looked fine and the kick wasn't bad with the steel butt plate. Be interesting to see how they group when I load some more. They made round holes at 25 yds. Shot a couple of 300's on top of Lil Gun for about 1700. These were seated in the bottom of two crimp grooves. Primers looked fine. The 500 barrel on the BC frame is grossly unpleasant with full bore 370 gr. 400's at 1300 aren't horrible. I think I like it, but it needs longer range testing with the 480gr.

AH-1G · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2010, 03:52:32 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on April 29, 2010, 05:20:53 PM

I've got one, it shoots excellent. I'm getting 3-4" groups at 100 yards with the included Marbles sights, but I don't like how low I have to get my eye to get a good sight picture. I just picked up a WGRS for it, but need to add some height added to the front sight before it will be usable.

I've been putting Hornady 300 grain XTP Mags, std. XTP 250's and 200 grain lead tip lower velocity reloads through it right now. I am hoping to pick up some heavier cast lead bullets in the 300 grain range to try also. I had loaded some hot loads for the Mag's with H110 and light loads were done with Unique and Longshot. I have had some awesome luck using Reloader7 in this gun also, which reduced the kick a bit and kept velocity's up with the 250 gr XTP's. I also shot some of the lead 200 grain bullets with a full case and 1/16th inch compressed Jim Shockey's Extra Gold FFFg BP equivalent with pretty good success. Another bullet I am aching to try, but little tight on funds right now is the new Hornady FTX in .452. I load a lot of the .45-70 .458 for my Buffalo Classic and have great accuracy and performance.

My only issue with it has been a very loose chamber, which is blowing out my brass about 25 thousandths. I'm on the second gun and working with H&R now to see if I can get a properly chambered barrel, because the distributor won't give me a third. The brass won't even chamber 1/2 way into my Ruger Blackhawk once fired from the carbine, with neck only resizing, so beware if you are going to use the brass to reload for multiple firearms. $:-\$

so I would guess that these carbines are good for ruger only loads??.
thanks
pete

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #21 on:** May 01, 2010, 04:12:52 PM »

My second one has a tighter chamber than #1, have no problems pushing it higher than Blackhawk loads. #1 with the looser chamber will do fine at ruger level loads, just works the brass more and may not get as many loads out of it. DP

AH-1G · « **Reply #22 on:** May 01, 2010, 07:00:45 PM »

thanks for the info on the loads.I read all the faq and I know it was made in 2008 not sure on the sb1 or sb2??.

pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2010, 07:22:01 PM »

SB2, look at the model number on the end of the box.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,205691.msg1099078404.html#msg1099078404

AH-1G · « **Reply #24 on:** May 02, 2010, 02:37:27 AM »

thank you!!.

cruzerbotz · « **Reply #25 on:** May 02, 2010, 10:14:53 AM »

Had mine about three weeks now. Slugged the bore at .454. So, got a Lee sizer and re=sized some 350 gr cast bullets I have for my 45-70. Loaded over 16.1 gr Lil Gun. Finally got to the range this morning. Got on the paper with some old Cowboy loads. Then shot some Blazer 200 grain jacketed I had. Nothing spectacular. Hit close enough to the little paper plate I had for a target. Then shot the 350 gr loads. Stouter recoil. Adjusted the sights. The last three were within about 1 1/4" at 25 yards. With he open sights and my 20/200 vision. Two of them touching and the third off a little.

I initially bought the LC to ream out to 454 or 460 to go with my S&W 460. Now, I'm not so sure I'll ream it. A little more work and I'll have some nice accurate loads for the LC. Will have to try a couple of the loads in my 460. I think the bore on it is a couple of thousandths smaller. But, resized the brass and it dropped right into the 460 chamber.

Will work on doing something with the sights so my old eyes can shoot it more accurately. I have a BC with a vernier sight on it. Might take off the peep sight and use it on the LC.

Anyway, the LC carbine is a keeper.