Author Topic: 45 Colt to 454 Casull or 460 S&W (Read 1244 times)

brennemanj83 · « **on:** March 19, 2009, 09:43:26 AM »

I just got a 45 Colt barrel off the classifieds and was wanting get your opinions.I was thinking about reaming it out to either 454 Casull or 460 S&W.I would like to be able use the 45 Colt rounds through it as well.I will be using it for hunting around here and what I will encounter in the woods is Deer, Black Bear, and Hogs in Up wards of 200 to 300 lbs.I now the 460 S&W will give me the most bang for my buck and tackle anything I will encounter around here , but will I still be able to use 45 Colt rounds through it?

moxgrove · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2009, 09:54:00 AM »

The .45 colt is no slouch on its own. A 320 gr hard cast bullet and a hefty helping of h110 will knock the stuffing out of a bear or hog just fine. As long as you put the bullet in the boiler.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:21:18 AM »

Tim and I both have reamed our Long colts. Tim to a 460 and myself to a 454. My reasons mirror yours. I think Tim did it because he could.

My reasoning is this. The long colt did everything I could ask from a med range whitetail hunting gun. The 454 is but a 1/10" longer but much more powerful. I likely will load lite for the 454 but still beat out my heaviest 45L. Colt loads by a bunch. I feel the bullet jump for a Long Colt in the 460 chamber is not ideal for accuracy. YES it will work and will work fine and be perfectly safe. But for what I need for power and the minuscule difference between 454 and 45 Colt it was a no brainer...

I have yet to fire mine since reaming.. soon watch for the range report!!

Good luck,
CW

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:56:45 AM »

CW is right on as usual, if I wanted to shoot Colt too, I would have done as he did, in fact that was my original plan, I even bought Casull brass, but then switched horses and went all the way!!, The reamer rental didn't cost any more, but I did have to wait for them to get the reamer in stock, the reamer was a virgin when I got it!!

I plan on shooting Casull and Colt in it just to see how it does after I get the 460 load sorted out, I've only tried one so far, have some 200gr FTX handloads to try in it next.

Tim

krod47nw · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:12:38 AM »

I plan to one day ream mine to 454. CW's last post about doing his convinced me. I've considered the 460 like Tim did his, but I was also concerned about the 45 colt accuracy. The 460 is also approching the realm of the 45-70 of which I also have a barrel.

Kevin

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:30:06 AM »

I was lured by the under 300gr .452" offerings, factory 460 ammo pushes the 200gr FTX to almost 2900fps, I'm hoping handloads will improve the accuracy and decrease the cost at the same time!

Tim

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:50:20 AM »

would a long heavy bullet work in the 45 COLT ? a real thumper .

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:06:32 PM »

Kurt shoots a 360gr cast bullet in his.

Tim

Quote from: PHATINJUN on January 26, 2009, 11:11:15 AM

I think my 45colt 360gr Oregon Trail cast and 1475fps is plenty big and slow good for 100yards light recoil. But then my 20gaULSH is 500gr slug at 1100fps got a pretty good wallop to it though. But it takes 45/70 to get up to 700 gr Tykster can show ya how to handle that recoil. ::)Kurt

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:25:02 PM »

i was thinking the bullet would not have as long a jump to make . it would still need to be seated deep enough to be held stright and secure .

Troyboy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2009, 01:36:06 PM »

just keep the 45 and buy a 500

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2009, 03:17:00 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 19, 2009, 12:25:02 PM

i was thinking the bullet would not have as long a jump to make . it would still need to be seated deep enough to be held stright and secure .

You mean like these?

CW

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2009, 04:31:30 PM »

In the Handi barrel on as SB-2 frame, you could load the colt very close to the 454. The brass is just as strong as the 454 brass, only a bit shorter for a bit less room for powder. John Linebaugh did the same with the 5 round chambered Rugers. DP

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:09:22 AM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on March 19, 2009, 04:31:30 PM

In the Handi barrel on as SB-2 frame, you could load the colt very close to the 454. The brass is just as strong as the 454 brass, only a bit shorter for a bit less room for powder. John Linebaugh did the same with the 5 round chambered Rugers. DP

Technically you are correct.. Although the brass is not truly in the equation of making a cartridge able to with stand higher pressures or not. It is plenty strong. (Federal cases are the thickest) John L. also had a couple big differences when compared to a Handi. His where not a factory cut chamber and being a revolver, don't forget its a vented barrel. Dick Casull also did this when developing the 454. Just as Taurus and Ruger found out...

Not all 454 chambers are created equal...
I do not mean to suggest its not safe. As we all know the 454 operates at much higher pressures than the L Colt. But any higher than say the 270Win or 25/06 both of which are chambered in the handi. So its should be plenty safe. Personally, I do not intend on "pushing the velocity envelope" with my Handi chambered 454. But I will likely be at a higher velocity than I was with the L Colt loads for the same bullet.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2009, 01:52:19 AM »

CW yep ! i used 35 cal rifle bullets in 357 mag cases . shot them in a 357 max . they worked good

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2009, 04:09:52 AM »

In reference to the case being strong enough, I was speaking about the primer pockets getting loose from the pressure. Before anyone attempts to load the grand old cartridge to that pressure, they need to read about his ( John's) experience with the 45. The chamber in my 45 barrel is to large to run it up to that kind of pressure, but I have used it in a Lever gun chambered in the 454 Casull. One note of caution on loading H-110/W 296 is not to compress the powder column. DP

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2009, 05:07:58 AM »

you do use small rifle primers in the 454 ?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2009, 07:32:13 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 20, 2009, 05:07:58 AM

you do use small rifle primers in the 454 ?

Yes, Small rifle Magnum primers to be exact.

CW

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2009, 07:58:32 AM »

The only reason I could see going to 454 or 460 is if you have a 45 colt in something else that can not, repeat, not take the pressure of hot 45 colt rounds. At one point I had 4 45-70 rifles most would take the modern loads but I had an 1884 Cadet trap door and had to limit my ammo to loads for it. Not saying the standard loads are not enough but the extra oomph is tempting. I sold the Cadet to someone who wanted it for thier collection. Allowing me to be able to not worry about someone grabbing the 500 grain Buff Bore and sticking it in the trap door and making a gernade. I have seen the remnants of a 45 colt SAA copy that was hot loaded. REPEAT remnants, cylinder and top strap in multiple pieces.
But back to your colt problem. If you, like me, have ammo loaded or keep ammo for the weakest action you have then it makes sense to ream out the rifle to 454 and be able to shoot both out of the rifle. the 45LC for plink and play with your other gun and the 454 for hunting.
Just my $.02.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:02:51 AM »

I had the same deal so i loaded cast bullets in the 45 colt and jacketed bullets in the 454 . with 44 spl i used copper colored primers in the Colt and silver ones in the ones for the Ruger .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:23:28 AM »

Don't get me wrong. I know what ammo I own and what gun to stick it in. the problem I have had is taking friends, customers, and haveing buddys at the range. the box can even say the rifle/ pistol/ or shotgun on it. I had a close call with a damascus side by side but was able to catch it. Now I do not bring out black powder guns while I have smokeless shells out.
My fear has been that they will stick a hot load into the wrong gun and Bang! Problem.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:36:28 AM »

Here's a good example of what can happen with mix ups, fortunately no one was hurt and the frame actually survived too, the barrel had to be replaced tho.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,70638.msg433117.html#msg433117

Sourdough · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:45:52 AM »

One question, why bother? Just go on to the 45-70 and get it over with.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2009, 09:12:37 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on March 20, 2009, 08:45:52 AM

One question, why bother? Just go on to the 45-70 and get it over with.

You are perfectly correct, nothing that any of these cartridges do, that cannot be duplicated with the grand old 45-70.. BUT this is s slippery slope as with this same analogy why have ANY other cartridges than the 22RF, 30-06 and 12Ga shot gun???

I like the variety and have long loved the 45Colt. These new FTX bullets have pushed me to try the 454 as they are made for velocities beyond what I am comfortable pushing the long colt to...

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2009, 09:15:22 AM »

some states allow pistol cart in a rifle

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:16:34 PM »

Very good point SHOOTALL, like Indiana!! My philosophy is ALL of them, the more, the better!!

Tim

45LCshoooter · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2009, 09:28:27 PM »

Quote from: Sourdough on March 20, 2009, 08:45:52 AM

One question, why bother? Just go on to the 45-70 and get it over with.

At one point i had a pair of blackhawks and a trapper in 45 Colt and a SIG 220 and loading with 2 powders and 3 bullet weights. .458 is not compatible with these. That's why i would do it.

That and i would't want to risk shooting any of my hot Ruger #3 loads in a break-action rifle.