FA 83 or 97 ??

[Reloder28]

I plan to hunt with the 45 LC. I already have a Ruger SBH Hunter in 45 LC, 7.5" barrel and a Leupold 4x Scope. It shoots great. If I could find another my problems would be solved but I can't find one.

I think I would prefer a 97 for hunting. While I do not expect full power loads for hunting I would like to get at least 1200 fps from the 97. What is the upper limit of the 97 vs the 83?

Also, I like the Ruger scope mount idea as it places the scope over the barrel and dampens the recoil considerably. How does the FA compare with it's more aft mount?

[Dusty Miller]

I can't help you with your question but there's no doubt in my mind that the 97 will take deer consistently.  The difference in price between the two guns would buy a whole bunch of reloading supplies. 

[GRainwater]

I'm getting right at 1100 fps with my 5 1/2" 97 45LC with 300gr XTP at 1.58 OAL.  Going by some reloading manuals I should be able to scare 1200 with the right powder.

If you choose a longer barrel, longer OAL, lead bullet, lighter bullet, or feel lucky enough to push the envelope, then 1200 fps looks possible. 

[Lee Robinson]

Trimming my brass to 1.250" after being resized for the caliber...and then seating a 270 grain keith style bullet in the crimp groove over 22 grains of H110 gives me right at 1200 fps and an overall length of 1.600"

This is with a 5 1/2" Model 97 Freedom Arms in 45 Colt. See the post below about "97 strength."

Using a 255 grain bullet it would be considerably easier.

[MarkH]

The 97 in 45 will handle a Nosler 250 grain sporting hollowpoint at 1350 fps out of a 7.5" barrel and do so with great accuracy.  I've gone to heavier guns for this sort of thing now, but at the time I used Lil Gun powder to do this.

The 83 in 454 will easily handle a 260 grain well-constructed jacketed bullet at 1900-2000 fps.  I generally shoot a 300 grain hardcast or heavy jacketed at 1550 fps.  I've not shot the 83 much in 45 Colt format.

[Ken ONeill]

My 5.5" Mdl.  97 will easily run a 250 XTP at 1200 fps with 2400. You can, in fact,approach 1300. It won't be as comfortable as your  Ruger Hunter, because of the weight difference. In my 7.5" Mdl. 83 in .454 brass, I run a FA 260 gr. up to 1725 fps, and a 300 Sierra or XTP @ 1550 fps, with 296.

[Rod in Pa]

I had the same problem choosing between an Model 83 and a Model 97 in a 22 lr. Refer to the previous post. After getting feedback from several members of this forum and Bob Baker of Freedom Arms I choose the Model 83 in the 22 lr. It came down to the best trigger and grip of the two models. I hope this helps. Rod in Pa