Author Topic: Rechamber .45 colt Marlin 1894 to .454? (Read 576 times)

lgm270 · « **on:** December 26, 2003, 07:01:52 PM »

Is there any good reason why this can't be done? The .454 is just a little longer than the .45 Colt.

Alternatively, how about trimming .454 cases back to .45 Colt length and loading them to higher pressures?

Why? Why not?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2003, 12:27:04 AM »

the .454s run some pretty extreem pressures and in all reallity a heavy loaded .45 out of a rifle is probably more powerful then a .454 out of a handgun allready. If your using cast bullets your wasting your time anyway as they preform best at about 1400fps anyway. If you want something more for the what it would cost to rechamber and open up your action to allow function you could probably buy the new .475 that marlin just anounced.

44 Man · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2003, 10:22:34 AM »

Amen to that advise. Check sixgunner.com website and there is an article on heavy loaded .45 colt in rifles. That .45 colt will do more than you imagine. Just don't ever let any of those loads end up in a Colt SAA! 44 Man

lgm270 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2003, 02:57:24 PM »

Lloyd: Thanks for your advice. Your points are all well taken. Happy New Year to you.

WD45 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2003, 01:39:08 AM »

Just to add a tid bit to the other replies. Paco Kelly did some testing on a 45 colt using loads that would mimic 454 pressures and found that the standard 45 colt actions even the 92's started to trash out after not very many rounds. After that he was skeptical about the 454 holding up unless it was beefed up a little and the steel was heat treated differently. I understand it sounds logical but take the advice already given above and put it out of your mind... tempting as it sounds..... Now that new 475 has me salivating all over my keyboard