45 colt octagon barrel ??

[buckslugger]

just got a 45 colt barrel that is octagon 10 inch, man these things are thin at the muzzle, my question is it ok to shoot heavy loads for hunting in these barrels ??

thanks roy

[Ladobe]

Roy -

I shot fairly stiff factory loads in it without any problems (as you can see).     
But you are right, there is not much metal left at the muzzle of that barrel.

Thanks again pard, was great to get to meet you.   Enjoy your new toy.

L.

[Ken ONeill]

I suspect that your palm and elbow will give out long before the thin barrel does.

[buckslugger]

thanks guys, i just want to shoot like heavy factory stuff ,lite hunting loads not the big garretts or anything

roy

[Lloyd Smale]

Its the chamber area that needs to be strong. Ive seen some pensil weight barrels on guns like 375 mags that run 3 to 4 times the pressure of stout 45s

[Keith L]

Most of the factory 45 LC ammo is loaded for old single action revolvers, and is not all that hot.  You can get some that is as hot as 44 mag factory stuff, but you have to work at it.  I guess I wouldn't be all that concerned with any of it in a Contender.