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Post by 45MAN on Nov 9, 2022 7:31:25 GMT -5
"ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE", EXCELLENT ACQUISITION. I AM MOSTLY A 45 COLT MAN BUT THE CUSTOM LOADED 45AR IS ONE HECK'UVA A 45 CAL CARTIDGE.
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Post by squigz on Nov 9, 2022 8:03:01 GMT -5
So, this is what jealously is. Wait, I've felt this before. Damnit.
That's an excellent grab!
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Post by x101airborne on Nov 9, 2022 8:31:33 GMT -5
That will be a very versatile weapon! Keep us posted!
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 9, 2022 9:19:30 GMT -5
Early this morning, I tried 45 Schofield in the 45 Colt Cylinder. It won't even come close to chambering in my first FA97 due to the larger Rim.
Much to my surprise, it dropped into two chambers and could be pushed into the other three.
So, I went to work. I cut the tip off of a round sided needle file and polished it shiny so I couldn't cut the rim recesses deeper.
I slowly started turning the cylinder by hand until I opened each recess up with .001" clearance around every case head. This was not a fast process, but the fine needle file cut a very smooth finish.
So, now the 45 Colt Cylinder will chamber 45 Colt, 45 Schofield and 45 Cowboy.
When completed, this gun will shoot:
45 Colt
45 Schofield
45 Cowboy Special
45 ACP
45 ACP +P
45 Super
45 Auto Rim
It doesn't get more versatile than that...
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Post by paul105 on Nov 9, 2022 12:36:24 GMT -5
Congrats on a great acquisition! Picked up this little gem in a 3 gun deal (other two FA97 .44 special, premier FA83 .475 linebaugh). At the time only interested in the .475. Funny thing, the two M97s .44 and 45 are still here and the .475 is long gone. The 45 acp cyl is pretty much a permanent fixture: .  . Here with 45 colt cyl .  . A favorite for sure. . Paul |
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 9, 2022 12:39:12 GMT -5
Great gun Paul...
We tend to be attracted to big bore power before learning less is more fun.
I'm not selling my big boomers, but highly unlikely to add anymore at this point.
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Post by paul105 on Nov 9, 2022 12:46:09 GMT -5
I still have FA83s in 454 Cas, 475 LB and a Huntington 500 JRH conversion. Still like the guns with moderate loads too much to sell. Getting too old to handle upper end stuff anymore.
Paul
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 9, 2022 15:08:11 GMT -5
Spent some time at the bench with some 45 Schofield Ammo this afternoon.
We all know that accuracy from shorter rounds in long chambers is a sometimes thing.
Glad to say, this went well. Groups from a solid rest averaged 1.25" at 25 yards when I did my part. With open sights, that's about my limit anyways.
Really didn't expect anything less from a Freedom Arms.
But, the ability to use Schofield Brass will alleviate the short cylinder/bullet selection issue standard with these guns. At 25-30k PSI, it's only 100 fps behind the Colt.
Same power as a Keith 44 Special Load that punches bigger holes.
This was an easy modification that took me about an hour...
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Post by paul105 on Nov 9, 2022 15:44:38 GMT -5
Yrs ago there was a forum (message board?) that Tim Sundles occasionally posted on. He detailed load development for the FA97 .45 colt with Schofield Brass, H110 and 300gr LFNGC bullets. Lot easier than trimming brass. Being lazy, I just deep seat in 45 colt brass to fit the short cyl.
Paul
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Post by tdbarton on Nov 9, 2022 19:06:32 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 9, 2022 19:14:32 GMT -5
Thanks Tim...
You can see how I altered the file in the bottom right of the picture.
Also, several of the chambers were dimpled on the edge. Was very easy to remove. Then just turn the recess on the file until it slowly removed enough steel.
My other FA97 45 Colt will be altered to accept 45 Schofield Brass too. But, will be done by a machinist as it will require more steel to be removed. It's definitely a worthwhile modification.
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 10, 2022 7:23:49 GMT -5
Paul...every time I see that "little" .45 Packer of yours my wallet gets the shakes...
A few months ago smj over on GunsInternational had one almost exactly like yours, but with no flutes, for $3100...
If I didn't just buy a Ruger pre-warning NM with both cylinders I would have probably bought it... Just the perfect launch pad for .45 ACP and Super.
Bob
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 10, 2022 7:52:32 GMT -5
There are 960 FA97s in 45 Colt between my two according to the serial numbers.
Somewhere in there, reamer dimensions were changed. At least on the rim recesses.
On the early model, recesses were cut .520". Virtually the same as Schofield Rim Diameter. It took only minor mods to allow Schofield Brass to reliably chamber.
The new gun measures .515". Will require .004" or so removed on the radius to reliably chamber 45 Schofield.
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 11, 2022 20:52:49 GMT -5
I hate to admit it, but this has already become woods walking gun #1.
The round butt grip points and gets on target fast. The square butt is better for precision, but not as fast. (For Me)
The 45 Auto Rim has so much appeal. Several powders push a 250 grn to 950 fps with standard ACP +P Pressures. This with very small charges of powder.
I didn't see this coming. But, will probably get an action job and overtravel screw on it too.
The Schofield might even have more appeal than the Auto Rim...
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Odin
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,101
Member is Online
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Post by Odin on Nov 13, 2022 19:20:31 GMT -5
The Schofield might even have more appeal than the Auto Rim... ...Case capacity has its place: a .38 Special is not a .357 Mag; a .44 Special is not a .44 Mag. The .45 Colt----the original “magnum”----would be more efficient as a “.45 Special,.” However, its status as a modern magnum resides in the 1.285” .45 Colt case. - David Bradshaw Been thinking for a while that the Schofield case would probably sing sweetly in the diminutive 97, hitting a real velocity/efficiency/recoil sweet spot. Maybe even moreso in the Blackhawk... at least for the man who's discovered that not everything needs to be stomped into the mud with a ferocious blast... |
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