new CR carbine

[stefarms]

Howdy. I've just ordered a new H&R CR carbine in 45 Colt. I've owned guns chambered in 45 Colt before, but never loaded for one. I do reload other calibers but need to buy brass, bullets and dies. I previously owned an H&R Target Model in .38-55, and found that H&R used a .380 bore unlike most of the other modern .38-55s. I also found that the brass had to be cut down. Does anyone know if the CR carbine will it shoot well using .452 lead bullets or does it need something larger? Hornady sells .454" bullets, and Remington's are .455". I've found that my big bore revolvers seem to like oversized bullets if the bullets are soft and the load is fairly light. .452" Laser Cast bullets are the easiest to find. I'm only going to use the gun for short range plinking, but want it to be accurate and not lead up the barrel. Thanks, Stef.

[LaOtto222]

Welcome to GBO a fine place for fine sportsmen. I do not have a 45 so I am going to defer the best answers to the ones that do. I do know you will get your best results with cast bullets that are .001" - .002" over bore. You should slug your barrel to find out exactly what it is and buy bullets that are > or equal to .001" over bore to get good accuracy and keep leading to a minimum. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[mcwoodduck]

I would just use what you are using in your revolvers.  And load for the weakest action.

[cwlongshot]

  I picked up just the barrel here from another member. It shoots great with available .452 bullets. I haven't fired lead thru it, but am sure it will be at least as good.  Mine will be chambered for the 454 Casull very soon. (As soon as the reamers arrive.  ) Tim here has had his re-chambered for the 460 S&W mag!!!

It is safe for the "Ruger/Contender" level loads. NO problem.

CW

[stefarms]

Thanks. I guess I'll start out with a box of Laser Casts and go from there. I was pretty disappointed to read that the new guns only have extractors, rather than the powerful ejectors that they used to have. I called H&R and was told the new barrels have been machined to prevent them from being fitted with an ejector. Apparently they were worried about lawsuits.

[quickdtoo]

The "powerful" ejectors were discontinued partly because they weren't "powerful" and resulted in sticking brass all too often, one of the biggest complaints H&R had about them. But extractor barrels can be converted to ejectors, I've done several, see the FAQs.

Tim

[stefarms]

That's good to know, but I'm afraid that's beyond my ability. Ever since my conviction for habitual firearms abuse, I'm not allowed to own a file, let alone power tools.