Post by handloadingnotes on Nov 24, 2020 15:22:01 GMT -5
If I had to pick one revolver with one cylinder from my collection — my 6" Freedom Arms M83 with it's slightly thinned grips and the 45 Colt cylinder.
If I had more time to prepare, probably a custom 5 to 6 inch barreled 5 shot 45 Colt on Ruger lockwork to have a transfer bar, a hair less weight, and everything fitting me and the cartridge just so. I really enjoy shooting 45 Colt loaded moderately to stiffly. I know the beefiest 45 Colt still gives up some horsepower at the high end compared to 454 or the other true monsters calibers, but the flexibility makes it the winner for me. Bottom line is that I have confidence in the caliber with the right bullets loaded to the full potential and cylinder length of the gun. Or at least I've got more confidence in the caliber than I do in me. I've had a 500 Linebaugh Blackhawk a few years that I enjoy shooting it when the mood is right, but I haven't loaded it beyond 435 grains at 1250 fps and am not sure if I ever will. The recoil and psychology of the whole thing is a limiting factor — the gun is probably capable of more, but I'm not. While I haven't actually run the math on it, I'll bet I could get that exact weight and velocity combination with a custom 5 shot 45 Colt build and custom molds.
If I had to pick just one Contender barrel that I have in-hand to match with a strong 45 Colt, probably a 10" 22 K Hornet. Although I haven't been able to shoot it yet, so maybe a 10" 22 TCM is the winner. But something mild and flat shooting. 22 Long Rifle isn't a bad way to go either. The extra-mildness and ammunition availability make up for it not being as flat shooting.
I need several years more experience with single shots to know what I'd commission. Bolt actions sound nice, but I've never shot one. Maybe that changes everything. I know .223 in a 10" barrel isn't for me, but I want to try a longer barrel and an Ackely Improved chamber (to limit trimming) before writing it off. I also need to try a .221 Fireball, or similar capacity, because it was a well thought out answer to the single-shot-pistol optimization problem. I know I prefer rimmed cases in a break-action. But that just opens a whole can of wildcat worms. My current thinking is that a "Rem Jet Improved" design using 357 Magnum or Maximum as a parent is probably the way to go. But actually testing that is years out.
I'm even more lost if "one revolver" includes double actions. I have even less experience with them. But I know I'd regret passing on a double-action or semi-automatic capability, so I'd have to pick one. My initial thinking is that I'd go with a smaller double-action revolver and a hand-cannon single shot. But I just don't know.
If I had more time to prepare, probably a custom 5 to 6 inch barreled 5 shot 45 Colt on Ruger lockwork to have a transfer bar, a hair less weight, and everything fitting me and the cartridge just so. I really enjoy shooting 45 Colt loaded moderately to stiffly. I know the beefiest 45 Colt still gives up some horsepower at the high end compared to 454 or the other true monsters calibers, but the flexibility makes it the winner for me. Bottom line is that I have confidence in the caliber with the right bullets loaded to the full potential and cylinder length of the gun. Or at least I've got more confidence in the caliber than I do in me. I've had a 500 Linebaugh Blackhawk a few years that I enjoy shooting it when the mood is right, but I haven't loaded it beyond 435 grains at 1250 fps and am not sure if I ever will. The recoil and psychology of the whole thing is a limiting factor — the gun is probably capable of more, but I'm not. While I haven't actually run the math on it, I'll bet I could get that exact weight and velocity combination with a custom 5 shot 45 Colt build and custom molds.
If I had to pick just one Contender barrel that I have in-hand to match with a strong 45 Colt, probably a 10" 22 K Hornet. Although I haven't been able to shoot it yet, so maybe a 10" 22 TCM is the winner. But something mild and flat shooting. 22 Long Rifle isn't a bad way to go either. The extra-mildness and ammunition availability make up for it not being as flat shooting.
I need several years more experience with single shots to know what I'd commission. Bolt actions sound nice, but I've never shot one. Maybe that changes everything. I know .223 in a 10" barrel isn't for me, but I want to try a longer barrel and an Ackely Improved chamber (to limit trimming) before writing it off. I also need to try a .221 Fireball, or similar capacity, because it was a well thought out answer to the single-shot-pistol optimization problem. I know I prefer rimmed cases in a break-action. But that just opens a whole can of wildcat worms. My current thinking is that a "Rem Jet Improved" design using 357 Magnum or Maximum as a parent is probably the way to go. But actually testing that is years out.
I'm even more lost if "one revolver" includes double actions. I have even less experience with them. But I know I'd regret passing on a double-action or semi-automatic capability, so I'd have to pick one. My initial thinking is that I'd go with a smaller double-action revolver and a hand-cannon single shot. But I just don't know.