.45 to .454?

[greenrivers]

I have a Rossi Puma in .45 Colt that is a really nice re-pro of the 92. My question is, has anyone re-chambered their Colts to the .454? As they are sold in the caliber, it would seem doable. Thanks for any responce.

[tacklebury]

They actually make a .454 lever now also.  I think I'd go with buying the correct chambering, because there may be differences in how they are heat treated, etc. 
 
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details.cfm?id=164&category=8&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

[dpe.ahoy]

I agree with tacklebury, if you want a 454 lever, buy one.  The 45 Colt can be livened up with Ruger level loads with out problems in the 92.  I have two of the 454 M 92's and they will run the 45 colts thru just fine.  You may run into feeding problems with the 454 rechamber as it's longer case may not feed right.  Not sure if the 454 receivers get different heat treatment or not.  DP

[greenrivers]

Thanks guys. I had asked a similar question earlier, but the question was not wether it could be done as much as has it been done. The cost of removing the barrel and re cutting would likely be high enough to discourage it. I can not believe that heat treatment would be done differently for differant calibers, but it may in fact. So far the .454 rifles have been really scarce in my area. I have seen but one carbine as well. A good indication that customers are hanging on to them. Though I would hate to lose the .45 I have, I think I would trade for a .454 if a good one came along. Thanks again.

[greenrivers]

I just got back from sighting my Rossi 92 rifle in. I had put a Marbles tang peep on it to help old eyes and then done a trigger and action job. A couple clicks down on the sight and she is on at fifty. A load of 21.6 grains of H110 behind a 325 home grown cast puts me at roughly 1230 fps. More than enough and very consistant. Recoil is a little on the sharp side, but pleasant, I can imagine that a carbine in .454 is lively. I hope to find one soon, but it will keep company with the rifle. Thanks guys.

[tacklebury]

Sounds pretty decent.  I use a load of 23gr. Reloader7 and you will get a lot less perceived kick than H-110 and it'll give you more velocity.  I'm using this with 300gr. XTP Magnums in my carbine with great success.    Started using Reloader7 after this article by Paco Kelly:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
Especially this section:

There is a whole world of surprises waiting the reloader using the rifle powder ReL#7 in the 45 long Colt case for rifles. (Rifle powder not #7 pistol powder) With the 260 Keith I start with 25 grains and work up. I want anybody that wants to try it...to work up slowly so I’m not giving the top load..but the top velocity from the Winchester is 1800 to top end 2000 fps. And in the Browning 1892 action it will reach nearly 2200 fps or more and a SK of 82. Go slow with mag/pistol primers, and ReL#7 and because of it’s slow burn rate, it gives great velocities. H4227 is the other really good powder, but obviously not as slow as ReL#7.

 

[greenrivers]

Taklebury, thanks for the reference. I picked up some good pointers from it and am printing it off for later reference. I am especially interested in the 260 gr. load. It would give me a bit less rainbow with the higher velocities. The above load velocity was taken from a Ruger SRH revolver so in the 24 inch rifle is conciderably better. In the revolver it entered a 250lb hog high on the nose, traversed and exited behind the last rib. Thanks again.