Which is the Best .45 Colt Lever Gun for the Price

[hammerdown77]

Really??? I didn't know that.

Here are the SAAMI drawings. I can see the taper in the chamber drawing, but not in the case drawing.

www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/45%20Colt.pdf

[johnnyflake]

Feb 28, 2012 17:08:10 GMT -5 subsonic said:

I think a lot of this "oversize chamber" stuff with the .45 Colt is caused by carbide sizer dies.

The .45 colt is a tapered case. Carbide dies produce a straight case.
Steel loading dies produce a tapered case with a "neck" section with paralell sides. Think .38-40 or .44-40 shaped. That's what a .45 colt is supposed to look like.

No disrespect intended, but are you sure about that. In all my years, I have never heard that mentioned before. You have peaked my interest and now I have a need to learn more about that. Do you know of any sources that speak of that issue?

[toroflow]

Feb 28, 2012 17:08:10 GMT -5 subsonic said:

I think a lot of this "oversize chamber" stuff with the .45 Colt is caused by carbide sizer dies.

The .45 colt is a tapered case. Carbide dies produce a straight case.
Steel loading dies produce a tapered case with a "neck" section with paralell sides. Think .38-40 or .44-40 shaped. That's what a .45 colt is supposed to look like.

Hmmm, interesting! I have both carbide and standard 45 colt resizing dies, think I'll resize one each and mic em to see if there's a size difference. If there is, then I know to only use my standard die when reloading for my Rossi 92. Thanks.

[dmize]

The case taper thing is new to me,but from personal experience concerning case issues and a 45 Colt I would blame it on lousy ass brass, after a little over 20 years of "playing" with this round I only use Starline or Federal brass and I would have to be pretty dang desperate to use Remington.
Think about this for a minute,your running different pieces of brass through one chamber,if the chamber is loose enough for the brass to let go Im pretty sure A it would do it more than 1 out of 100 and B you should encounter some difficulty at the deprime/resize station and probably have drag marks on the case.

[jwp475]

Feb 27, 2012 21:59:00 GMT -5 dmize said:

I have a Marlin 94 Cowboy Competetion that I shoot a lot and deer hunt with,I love it.
I say this knowing that they are hard to find and expensive when one is found.
FWIW I was looking for a Big Boy when I stumbled across the marlin.

The Marlin Cowboy is excellent IMHO the best out there

[vonfatman]

I have a Marlin 1894 and it's a sweetie. I see them for sale quite often. Nothing against Rossi, but I sought out the Marin and did not consider any other "flavor".

I think I gave $600, condition 96% (or maybe north a bit) and it is a pre-safety gun. I think you will find one worth the money if you take some time to locate one (Marlin Forum, Gun Broker etc)

I've not noticed any chamber issues with the 1894.

Bob

[dmize]

My next project will be looking for another 94 to have rechambered to an octagon 38-40. They advertised one in their catalog several years ago in Cowboy Competiton,gun store held my $500 deposit for a year apparently they never did make it.

[oldschool]

Feb 28, 2012 17:08:10 GMT -5 subsonic said:

I think a lot of this "oversize chamber" stuff with the .45 Colt is caused by carbide sizer dies.

The .45 colt is a tapered case. Carbide dies produce a straight case.
Steel loading dies produce a tapered case with a "neck" section with paralell sides. Think .38-40 or .44-40 shaped. That's what a .45 colt is supposed to look like.

I never realized that before. The SAAMI drawings that Hammerdown77 refers to show a nominal case diameter of .480", while the chamber is .4862" at the casehead & .4806" at the case mouth. Learn something every day!

[redlevel42]

I have been pleased with my Win Model 94AE Trapper. Very accurate, feeds SWC 250 grain bullets easily. I have never experienced the split-case problem. I use almost exclusively Starline brass. I have a soft spot for any gun I made a memorable shot with, and I once shot a running coyote at 50 yards with this one. Probably luck, but that short barrel seems to swing just right.