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Author Topic: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report  (Read 903 times)

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Offline Doublebass73

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45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« on: September 06, 2009, 10:21:39 AM »
Got back from the range a little while ago, I bought a NIB 45 Colt Carbine from a local candy store a few weeks ago. So far so good on this little rifle. Let's start with the only negative:
I don't care for the rear factory buckhorn sight. I shoot much better with peep sights so I'll be buying either a Williams FP or WGRS for this gun. The elevation on the sight doesn't go low enough to sight it in correctly with the front sight.

Now for the good stuff:
This gun is very light, a little over 6 lbs. It balances perfectly so it will be a dream to carry through the brush all day long. It has no recoil with the light loads I was shooting. A 5 year old kid could shoot this rifle with light loads, the recoil is just slightly above a .22. The factory trigger has a decent feel to it. I love the factory stocks. I shot targets at both 25 yards and 50 yards. When you look at these groups keep in mind that I don't shoot very well with regular open sights and that I am new to handloading. This is only the 2nd batch of handloads I've ever made in my life and they were done on a Lee Classic Loader. The loads are a 250 grain LFN bullet over 7.0 grains of Unique. I also didn't wait any time in between shots (I was having too much fun shooting).

25 Yards, 3 shot group. 2 bullets touching and a 3rd flier which brought the group out to 0.8"



50 yards, 3 shot group 1.9"



I'm happy with the rifle so far since I think it will be the perfect short range New England brush gun in my mind. Light to carry, nice to plink and practice with cowboy loads and if you search and look at Tim's range reports on his 45 Colt Carbine (before he had it reamed) you'll see that with the right loads it's a legitimate big game rifle within it's range limitations. I'm going to have lots of fun trying out different loads and working my way up to the heavy T/C-Ruger loads. My local Cabelas has some 250 grain Hornady FTX bullets I'd like to try along with a slower burning powder to work up some hunting loads.


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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2009, 10:29:03 AM »
Nice, congrats!!  ;)

Tim
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2009, 10:33:20 AM »
Thanks Tim, I'll be loading up some more tonight.  ;D
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"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."

---- William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783

Offline Datil

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2009, 10:34:18 AM »
 Good luck Good shooting Another Handi-holic, Hope the 45 handi makes frying pan dirty this fall!

 Marv.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2009, 02:34:49 PM »
I really liked mine too... now its a 454... My pop is looking for a CF Handi for deer hunting and prefers the heavy loaded 45 to the 44/41mags. We have been on the look out for one for him...

NICE report, glad you like it, its a very nice looking ad handling carbine!!!

CW
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Offline briannmilewis

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2009, 02:46:38 PM »
Quote from: Datil on September 06, 2009, 10:34:18 AM
Good luck Good shooting Another Handi-holic, Hope the 45 handi makes frying pan dirty this fall!

 Marv.
OK Marv, I admit my ignorance. What does "makes frying pan dirty this fall" mean?

Problem might be that I am a foreigner and it is a new term for me in the 28 years I have been here.
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Offline JerryKo

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2009, 02:59:30 PM »
KIND OF LIKE SAYING PUT MEAT ON THE TABLE....
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2009, 03:48:54 PM »
I shot it some more yesterday with 8.0 grains of Unique but it wasn't as accurate as it was with 7.0 grains. I'm going to order to order a peep sight and front fire sight soon then pick up a slower burning powder like Lil' Gun or H4227 and start working up some hunting loads. I love shooting the mild loads, though. Nice and easy on my bad shoulder :) I told my kids it kicks less than their .410 but they don't believe me yet.
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"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."

---- William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2009, 04:48:45 PM »
Watch yer shoulder with the heavier loads, the old 45 speaks with authority when ya load her up.  CW, I'm with your dad, I prefer the old girl to 41/44 mags my self.  Still thinking about reaming mine to 454 myself but with the generous chamber mine has, I may just think on it some more before doing it.  My cases bulge pretty good with the hot loads.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2009, 02:29:30 AM »
I figured the recoil would get worse with some healthy loads so I'll have to work up slow and find the happy medium where it's hot enough to kill a deer but not so hot that I don't want to pull the trigger  ;D
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"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."

---- William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783

Offline twhrider2

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Re: 45 Colt Carbine Range Report
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2009, 02:13:48 PM »
Just thought I would jump in here, ahoy is right the little .45 comes alive with the stouter loads. I tried a few today with 26-27 gr. of H110 over Beartooth 265 gr. hardcast bullets and got a little scope bite a couple of times even with a good hold. Groups averaged 1.25  at 50yds. even after the "bites". Still have a lot of tweaking to do  and would be happy with Quik's 2" at 100yds. But so far loving the .45
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