45 colt, in a lever action. Useful?

[john 800]

I have a chance to buy a lever action 45 colt, looking at the ballistics, a 44 mag sure looks better as a brush deer rifle. Is a 45colt practical on whitetail? Or is it slower than ideal? I am kind of on the fence about it

 

[joshb]

It depends on which gun and if you reload. I bought a Rossi in 45 Colt and bought some factory rounds they had in the store. After firing a few of them, I realized they were pretty weak and started researching. I found out my gun also came chambered in 454 Casull, a much more powerful cartridge.
More research revealed a site where a bunch of guys were discussing this very issue and relayed their experiences with the Rossi. There is a load data section in my reloading manual that has heavier loads for modern Ruger guns. Using that data, I’m shooting 45 Colt loads that equal 44 Magnum power levels.
That experience sparked more interest in lever guns and I bought a new Ruger/Marlin in 44 Magnum. It cost me a grand but it’s a very nice accurate gun and worth every penny.
Do your research.

 

[nakneker]

What Josh said.

I have a 45 colt lever and love it. I don’t deer hunt with it but I can’t imagine it not doing the job with the right bullet and load. I also have a 44 mag Ruger Marlin, both are a lot of fun.

I also really enjoy loading some loads that are pretty tame to shoot. 45 Colt if a very versatile cartridge.

I shoot the 45 colt lever surpressed most of the time.

Is it useful? Very! Especially if you handload.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I had a Winchester model 94 Legacy in 45 Colt. Don't know why I sold it. I'm a dipshite. Now I have an 1885 in 45 Colt. I would not hesitate to use it on deer.

 

[Sniper338]

I have a 44 mag lever gun. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I have a 45 colt revolver... its very weak compared to 44 mag. I would not shoot a deer with a 45 colt unless it was REAL close.. like 20 yards max. 44 mag.. ive dropped hogs at 5 to 100 yards. Way more power in a 44 mag.

 

[kelbro]

I have an 1894 Marlin in 45 Colt and it has performed very well on whitetails. Not a single runner. Most drop within 50 feet of where they are shot. I'm getting too old to chase/track them so I try to take their front shoulders out. The 45 Colt will break bones and not destroy as much meat as some other choices. It's not a long distance gun for me but out to 100 is a gimme.

I had the 44 Mag before and it had all kinds of feeding issues that even Marlin couldn't resolve. No feed issues with the 45 Colt.

 

[Adam in WI]

Need to know what particular variant of lever action before really saying one way or the other. If this is a model 1892 clone or a Marlin 1894 you've got a good amount of runway to experiment with heavier loads. There may have been some 1894 Winchesters chambered in 45 too, I'm not 100%.

However if this is a Winchester 1873/1866 or original Henry clone with the toggle link locking; I think you'd be disappointed with the performance you should be holding it to. Original blackpowder/SAA ballistics is really all they should be experiencing.

 

[Fuj]

Still love that 44-40 in a 1892......

 

[spencerhenry]

In a strong action the 45 colt will do anything the 44 will do, just depends on how hot you load them. I have a model 94ae in 45 colt, its one of my favorite guns for small game. But, thinking of loading up some higher powered rounds for it and using it on elk this year.

 

[NF1E]

Love 45 Colt. May not be a lever, but the pump offers quick follow ups Effective on anything I intend to hunt. I do feel well armed with this 45 Colt combo. Whatta Hobby!

 

[30378]

Inside of 75 yds, 250gr of lead from a 45 Colt rifle is very convincing on meat.

 

[GotRDid]

I have a 44 mag lever gun. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I have a 45 colt revolver... its very weak compared to 44 mag. I would not shoot a deer with a 45 colt unless it was REAL close.. like 20 yards max. 44 mag.. ive dropped hogs at 5 to 100 yards. Way more power in a 44 mag.

Which model pistol, Sir?

 

[Sniper338]

Which model pistol, Sir?

I dont remember what it is. Old engraved single action with like a 9 inch barrel.

 

[GotRDid]

I dont remember what it is. Old engraved single action with like a 9 inch barrel.

Please advise if you get the chance.
Many replica .45 Colt chambered imports indeed may not be rated for ammunition much over the pressures generated by the original black powder energy levels.
I, like many others here, have Ruger Blackhawks, BFRs, Colt Anaconda, etc that permit near magnum velocities/FPE to rival .41 & .44 Mag cartridges.

 

[NF1E]

Rugers do a decent job. Whatta Hobby!

 

[ISS]

I have a Uberti M1873 full mag 26" barreled rifle in 45LC. I have killed several feral hogs and a couple White Tail Deer out to about 100yds with one shot.

 

[GotRDid]

Hornady Book #11 Pg.946 data for 250 gr Hornady XTP-JHP.



Loaded 250 Blue Bullets working up from 7.5 gr of Power Pistol out of a 5” Uberti SAA replica to 8.5 gr and called it good at 800 FPS.
Tried the same load in a Uberti 32” Lever Gun and was astonished at the results.







Quite accurate as well as good energy at 50 +/- yds on steel.

 

[kelbro]

The Hornadys are good bullets but there's just something about the 45 Colt that screams 'cast bullet'.