Most accuate and best built 45 colt lever gun?

[Lee Robinson]

In terms of accuracy and durability, which manufacture and model would you rate best for shooing a relatively steady diet of ruger/thompson load 45 colt rounds? (with 270 grain hard cast lead Keith bullets being used).

Ultimately, the gun will be used with iron sights...but the gun will be accuracy tested with a scope if possible (depending upon the model) or at least with bench shooting off a sandbag with a peep sight (if scoping the gun is not practical with a particular model) before reverted back to iron sights for short range hunting (less than 100 yards).

I had a Marlin Cowboy model 1894 gun and sold it as I wasn't satisfied with accuracy, fit, and finish of that gun...nor was I satisfied with over-sized chamber in that particular gun. Looking up some of my old data about that gun, I did have a few loads that I got decent accuracy from. Should I get a new 45 lever action...I expect no more than 2" at 100 yards or 1" at 50 yards. If I can't get that type of group, I won't use the 45 and will stick with rifles and calibers that perform better...but if possible to get one that will meet this criteria I would enjoy having a 45 colt lever action.

[Graybeard]

Rossi Model 92. It is stronger and all three I've owned were more accurate than me. I sure can't say that for the Marlin 1894 Cowboy I owned. The Rossi is also available in .454 Casull that will also shoot the .45s but all I've owned are the .45s plus a .44 magnum and a .357 Magnum. All would do better if my eyes were younger but even so they are quite accurate.

[Lee Robinson]

How would you compare the Rossi 92 to the Winchester 92 (or Winchester 94) in terms of finish and accuracy? Is the 92 as strong as the 94 in your opinion? I hear mixed reports on that.

[Graybeard]

Yes I'd think the 92 to be as strong as the 94. The 92 came first and the 94 is mostly just an enlarged 92 to use .30-30 length cartridges rather than the revolver rounds the 92 was designed for.

I've never owned a Winchester M92 and for the most part they were made a very long time ago of lesser steels than are currently in use. For that reason I would assume the Rossi 92 to be stronger than the winchester 92.

Prolly the best of them are those being made in Japan for Winchester and Browning but they cost more than double what the Rossi does. I'm happy with the quality of all my Rossi M92s.

[cwlongshot]

Well I have four Marlins chambered in Long Colt. A std 1894 a limited 16" barrel and a Ckowboy 24" barrel. The fourth is a chopped cowboy at 18". My littlest brother has that one, its his favorite! the std has a funky chamber. My hot loads leave brass with a good sized "lump" in the side. I keep brass seperate. But over the last twenty years its never created a problem.

I had a couple Winny 92' but Beverly in LC. I had a 38/40 and a 25/20.  I like the Winny '92 best for action fit and classic lines.

I have used a couple Rossi rifles and altho serviceable they have all been rough. Henry makes the big boys maybe that one will be nicer. I know they are smooth.

Overall I like my Marlins

CW

[AtlLaw]

What Bill said about the '92!     Of course mine is in 44 Mag. but I don't see why the 45 would be any different... 
 
My 45 lever gun is a Uberti M73 Sporting Rifle.  It, like the M92, is very accurate.  Unfortunately it is not as strong as the M92.     But for looks and workmanship the Uberti can't be beat!  And it kills deer to!   

[Lee Robinson]

Any thoughts on the accuracy of the new 1892 Winchesters made by Miroku (in Japan)?

I hear they have excellent action and finish, but how is their accuracy? I am interested in shooting 270 gr Keith hard case lead bullets over H110 or 2400.

[AtlLaw]

I think I've had (have?  ) at least one Nipponchester... or maybe it/they was/were/are Brownoku's...     Sometimes senility can be a real pain... 
 
Anyway, I remember coming to the conclusion that Miroku does good work.  I can't imagine that observation not including accuracy.   

[dpe.ahoy]

I'm down to 5 Rossi 92's and they are more accurate than I am.  The 357 I let go to a new home, had been mounted with a Burris 2 3/4 scout scope and once I had it dialed in, was busting clay pigeons at 200 yd shooting from the porch rail at the cabin.  If you can find a Rossi 454, buy the thing!!!  The chamber is tighter than the 45 colt, both follow SAMMI specs, and they will handle the loads you are wanting with ease as that is a light load for the 454.  I have a Win. 94 Trapper in 45 colt that has done well with 325 gr cast loads using Ruger level loads, but the brass swells a bit in the generous chamber, same with the H&R 45 colts.  If you don't fully resize the brass for your rifle, it will last longer and perform better.  Use the largest bullet you can chamber and accuracy should not be an issue.  The Rossi 92's are stronger than Marlin 94's,  Win 94's  and MUCH stronger than any 1873 repro.  I was luck enough to find both a 16" and 20" Rossi chambered in 454, and use them most for hot loads.  Mine are smooth from the box, wood isn't the greatest but quite usable.  DP

[greenrivers]

Like Bill said, the Rossi shoots better than I do. I put a  tang peep on mine and am quite happy with it. Tear it down and do a bit of clean up and you will be amazed at the differance and it is very easy to do. They become extremely smooth. As far as strength, I can't imagine that the .454's get pulled off the line and heat treated any differantly than the rest! Could be wrong, but it doesn't sound cost effective.

[454Puma]

I have a Win '94 AE 20" in 45 LC, and no it will not take the Ruger loads. I broke mine with those loads. To be exact the lifter snapped while working  up to Ruger loads. Lucky me it was just before Winchester closed there doors!  Now I keep my loads to a grain under the Ruger only loads which still give plenty of power to stomp just about anything you'd want.  I run 300 gr WFN's at 1750 ish fps, 250 gr XTP's at around 1800 fps.   Mine is scoped and I get groups of around 2-2.5" at 100 yards normally.  Plenty accurate for hunting out to 175yards.