Anyone reload 45 Colt for rifles? Interested in any leading problems etc, in a rifle. I just bought a Moriku Winchester 1892 lever rifle, should be here the end of next week. I have some handloads for my Blackhawk that are lower end 'Ruger Only' loads that I'm sure would be fine for this rifle but might want to go somewhat higher. Yippie...kye...a....or something.
Thanks.

I do a lot of these, and what does well in a revolver will generally do well in the rifle.  I strongly suggest slugging the bore, to determine what you actually have.  The Jap Winchesters are good, perhaps better than the late US made Winchesters, IMO.  The 1892 is a tank, and is what I prefer, compared to the 94's.

I don't own a 45 Colt in either rifle or pistol BUT! One thing to check for is bullet size...Some use 0.451" jacketed or 0.452" cast and some of the 45 guns use 0.454" cast sizes.  Other 45 caliber rifles use 0.458" size jacketed bullets.

More than likely yours will use the 0.451" Jacketed and 0.452" cast

When I was shooting CAS, I just shot the same loads as my pistols.  Never had any leading problems.  Used standard loads with Unique and Red Dot.  Used a '73 and a couple Win 94's.

The Marlin is a better rifle, IMO, but that's not what he has, so moot point.

Bullet diameters are somewhat critical, but no different than ANY other .45,  .451 bore.  Generally, .451 hard jacketed (as in, NOT plated), and .452 for cast.  The only reason to adjust that is AFTER you slug the bore (and find out it's over/under size), or use an uncommon bullet design than needs it, which should be accompanied with a specific recommendation.

The fast CAS powders do well, but are far from ideal for rifle use.  The .45LC was originally a black powder cartridge, so that's the performance level "replicated" for nostalgic competition.  If you're looking at "Ruger only" power levels, or somewhere in between, the 1892 will take them in stride (it won't even break a sweat), but I recommend using much slower powders, up to and including Magnum powders (BD and up, AA9, W296/H110, 2400, 4227, etc. in no specific order).  Unique is an excellent target load powder, but I wouldn't go any faster unless you need to stay in the "original" power level range, or for pure economical concerns (but DON'T push them).  The .45LC is a large case, and has a lot of room for powder, but it also opens up the double-charge possibilities with faster powders.  Using Red Dot, you may not notice a double-charge, even if you look at it.

Quote from: DM1906 on June 10 2013 12:54:41 PM MDT
Using Red Dot, you may not notice a double-charge, even if you look at it.

Seeing a double charge of red dot in 45 lc case is like telling the difference between one and two spilled teaspoons of flour in a gym.

It is a real quandary and drives the benefit of a powder like trail boss.

"The Marlin is a better rifle, IMO, but that's not what he has, so moot point"


Did I miss something....who mentioned Marlins?  Anyway, I plan on slugging the bore when I get the rifle. What I have loaded is with Unique but I have some 2400 around. Having loaded these and 44 Spec I'm used to the 'sure is a lotta room left in there'....... Mostly wanting to know at what point do I need to think of using gas checks on cast.

I thought about a Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70....once they get their quality back up I might think of one later. 

Quote from: EdMc on June 10 2013 02:19:38 PM MDTDid I miss something....who mentioned Marlins? 

Not sure either.

In my Henry I use data for the Thompsen Encore  and the 300 grain WFN GC this load will,work as well in the model 92. About 900 in a 12" BBL 8.5 grains of Unique. 978 in a 15" so I am thinking around 1070 in rifle.

The loads I had were 9.0 of Unique @1.630 " under a Meisner 255 gr cast bullet. It was a load I found in a Lyman manual.....for a Thompson Contender. Cycled well enough in the new Win but shot low. Barrel slugged .450-.451 so these at .452 should be fine. Just looking for something using 296 or 2400. My main problem is limited access to a place to shoot a rifle.

The other loading manuals I have only list loading for jacketed bullets or cast at CAS levels. Not looking for the upper limits, just something that takes advantage of the strength of the rifles action. I did see that Midway has some Cast Performance 300 gr cast with GC in stock. Maybe ideas for a suitable load for these bullets also. Thanks.

I just ran some Lee WFN hard cast 310 grain over a load of H110 for 1650 FPS out of my Henry Big Boy great accuracy hits hard. These are +p only good for TC and strong rifles. Data from the new a Hornady Manual.

Quote from: Ramjet on July 09 2013 06:30:14 AM MDTI just ran some Lee WFN hard cast 310 grain over a load of H110 for 1650 FPS out of my Henry Big Boy great accuracy hits hard. These are +p only good for TC and strong rifles. Data from the new a Hornady Manual.

Works out to 1874 ft-lbs.  With a WFN that's a pretty good wallop.

Yes indeed you can tell when they hit berm. I just ordered a nice Skinner peep for that gun it should be a great little gun in the woods. That 6 cavity mold casts a pile of bullets in short order . I tumble lubed and have no leading issues at those velocities.

Thanks Ramjet.

Quote from: EdMc on June 28 2013 08:12:39 PM MDT
The loads I had were 9.0 of Unique @1.630 " under a Meisner 255 gr cast bullet. It was a load I found in a Lyman manual.....for a Thompson Contender. Cycled well enough in the new Win but shot low. Barrel slugged .450-.451 so these at .452 should be fine. Just looking for something using 296 or 2400. My main problem is limited access to a place to shoot a rifle.

The other loading manuals I have only list loading for jacketed bullets or cast at CAS levels. Not looking for the upper limits, just something that takes advantage of the strength of the rifles action. I did see that Midway has some Cast Performance 300 gr cast with GC in stock. Maybe ideas for a suitable load for these bullets also. Thanks.

Ed, I haven't worked up any rifle loads but have some good Ruger-level 45 Colt cast bullet loads if you're interested. May not be much different than what you have though?

With those 255gr cast SWC's, I settled on 10.0gr of Unique for a good general purpose mid-range load; good accuracy and moderate recoil. I generally used the 300+ weights for full power loads; my favorites were the Lee 300gr WFNGC and the Lyman 457122 HP (sized down from .457).

In my revolvers I concluded that 2400 wouldn't do anything I couldn't do better with either H110 or Unique (2400 was accurate but generally produced more blast for a given velocity). It may have some merit in a rifle though, and it does give good accuracy.