Project: Baby Big Bore
Posted: 15 May 2017 11:30
Those familiar with some of my earlier griping know that i want something a little bigger than my 357s while staying in a compact package. Im exploring what im calling the Baby Big Bore -- baby because i am one (and also because i want to keep recoil manageable), and big bore in that itll be a Rossi in a caliber beginning with the number 4. The purpose of this project is twofold: to find a fun big bore for putting large holes in things, and to be a future hunting gun, in that im trying to get into that hobby/sport
Criteria: Must be lever action, bullet must be larger than four tenths of an inch in diameter, logistically easy to support with reloading, rifle must be 20" barrel or shorter, must have versatility in loads (". . .from mild to wild")
Stipulations: will not be scoped, iron sights only, will be shooting powder coated cast lead only no jacketed or FTX etc, no factory ammo other than a few boxes to build a stockpile of cases, pistol-caliber with matching pistol preferred but not required
Contestants: Rossi M92 16" Round in either 44 Mag or 45LC shooting 240 or 250/255 bullets respectively -or- Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70 shooting 300 gr
M92 44 Mag - a ".429 Magnum carbine" seems like the smart choice as load data is easy to find for hot (magnum) or cat-sneeze (Special) rounds, and the rifle itself isnt too difficult to find, albeit blued only. Hot 44 mag loads would certainly knock down anything im likely to see outdoors in the eastern half of the country as well. Im not too hot on 44 mag pistols though. Affordable options are 'Special Only' and while i would only load pistol rounds to Special levels, i want to avoid keeping and loading two different case lengths. Other hand, 44 Mag pistols are expensive or hard to find (or both). I also cant ignore how i feel about the ol' "429" since i know its big bore but theres that voice that asks "but is it big bore enough? Wheres the number 5??"
M92 45LC - I was winning an auction for one just yesterday when someone pulled in front and out bid me in the last few hours. I love that these are readily available especially in stainless which would help differentiate it from my 357 rifle. 45LC also offers lower pressure and that all-important (to who??) number 5 with its true-blue big bore .452 bullet. Can be certainly loaded mild for plinking soda can bandits (bandits that are soda cans, not soda can stealing bandits) but by all accounts can be a "mini Marlin guide gun" in the 16" barrel with hot loaded big pills. Unfortunately there's a dearth of published, reliable heavy hitting load data. Pistol options would come down to either a fun cheap Heritage (to keep it in the Taurus family) single action or the Judge which can both be bought at under $500 each. Im not so into pistols that im eager to drop more than $600 on one, so no Rugers or S&W. Honestly this option is my favorite so far
Rio Grande 45-70: this ones a cheater considering its not a "baby" big bore at all, but one cannot dismiss just how cool a 45-70 is. Ideally it would be loaded with a 300gr bullet loaded either as mild as can be or heavy for a hunt or trek through unfamilar woods. Pistol options wouldnt matter actually since i could just get a 357 revolver to carry on the hip as backup since im already reloading in that caliber, and happy to do it, since im afraid of taking my Rhino anywhere theres dirt. I cant help but feel like a cop out on this option though, like the guy "car guys" like to tease or joke about, y'know the one who bought the V6 Mustang or F-150. I read a post somewhere from someone opining that many people buy 45-70s and then load them down like they're 45LCs, which made me blush a little as it felt like he was writing about me. Further, id be worried i wouldnt be able to down load it enough that the wife or kids would want to shoot it without resorting to odd things like "button collar bullets" and so forth
Questions: considering the M92s slow twist, are 240 and 250/255 grain bullets in 44 and 45 too long to shoot accurately at lower FPS? If no, would 300gr be? For each of these calibers, what powder recommendations can you make that will fit the range of mild to wild, or atleast yawn to warm? Bonus points if Hodgdons as thats what my LGS stocks
Thanks all, hopefully we can have some fun with this
Criteria: Must be lever action, bullet must be larger than four tenths of an inch in diameter, logistically easy to support with reloading, rifle must be 20" barrel or shorter, must have versatility in loads (". . .from mild to wild")
Stipulations: will not be scoped, iron sights only, will be shooting powder coated cast lead only no jacketed or FTX etc, no factory ammo other than a few boxes to build a stockpile of cases, pistol-caliber with matching pistol preferred but not required
Contestants: Rossi M92 16" Round in either 44 Mag or 45LC shooting 240 or 250/255 bullets respectively -or- Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70 shooting 300 gr
M92 44 Mag - a ".429 Magnum carbine" seems like the smart choice as load data is easy to find for hot (magnum) or cat-sneeze (Special) rounds, and the rifle itself isnt too difficult to find, albeit blued only. Hot 44 mag loads would certainly knock down anything im likely to see outdoors in the eastern half of the country as well. Im not too hot on 44 mag pistols though. Affordable options are 'Special Only' and while i would only load pistol rounds to Special levels, i want to avoid keeping and loading two different case lengths. Other hand, 44 Mag pistols are expensive or hard to find (or both). I also cant ignore how i feel about the ol' "429" since i know its big bore but theres that voice that asks "but is it big bore enough? Wheres the number 5??"
M92 45LC - I was winning an auction for one just yesterday when someone pulled in front and out bid me in the last few hours. I love that these are readily available especially in stainless which would help differentiate it from my 357 rifle. 45LC also offers lower pressure and that all-important (to who??) number 5 with its true-blue big bore .452 bullet. Can be certainly loaded mild for plinking soda can bandits (bandits that are soda cans, not soda can stealing bandits) but by all accounts can be a "mini Marlin guide gun" in the 16" barrel with hot loaded big pills. Unfortunately there's a dearth of published, reliable heavy hitting load data. Pistol options would come down to either a fun cheap Heritage (to keep it in the Taurus family) single action or the Judge which can both be bought at under $500 each. Im not so into pistols that im eager to drop more than $600 on one, so no Rugers or S&W. Honestly this option is my favorite so far
Rio Grande 45-70: this ones a cheater considering its not a "baby" big bore at all, but one cannot dismiss just how cool a 45-70 is. Ideally it would be loaded with a 300gr bullet loaded either as mild as can be or heavy for a hunt or trek through unfamilar woods. Pistol options wouldnt matter actually since i could just get a 357 revolver to carry on the hip as backup since im already reloading in that caliber, and happy to do it, since im afraid of taking my Rhino anywhere theres dirt. I cant help but feel like a cop out on this option though, like the guy "car guys" like to tease or joke about, y'know the one who bought the V6 Mustang or F-150. I read a post somewhere from someone opining that many people buy 45-70s and then load them down like they're 45LCs, which made me blush a little as it felt like he was writing about me. Further, id be worried i wouldnt be able to down load it enough that the wife or kids would want to shoot it without resorting to odd things like "button collar bullets" and so forth
Questions: considering the M92s slow twist, are 240 and 250/255 grain bullets in 44 and 45 too long to shoot accurately at lower FPS? If no, would 300gr be? For each of these calibers, what powder recommendations can you make that will fit the range of mild to wild, or atleast yawn to warm? Bonus points if Hodgdons as thats what my LGS stocks
Thanks all, hopefully we can have some fun with this