The wimpy 45LC no more

[wingnut]

I’ve been reloading 45LC at Ruger pressures for over 4 decades. First with a couple of Blackhawks then added a T/C Contender single shot pistol with a 10 inch barrel. Loads with the 10 incher could near equal the legendary 45-60 (300 grain bullet @ 1390 fps), a cousin of the 45-70.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45-60_Winchester

When I heard Henry was to come out with a steel 45LC with a 1:16 twist and rated for Ruger pressures, I reached nirvana (and for my checkbook). Even the carbine can easily surpass the 45-60 and approach the 45-70 with 300 grain and above bullets. Shooting anything of less weight was for plinking and not for serious work. Sierra and Speer make outstanding jacketed flatpoint/softpoint 300 grainers suited to go thru bears and/or cut down trees. Oregon Trail (Lazercast), Cast Performance, Hunter Supply and others have hardcast 300-395 grainers with and without gas checks. Loading data is usually available from the makers.

Now, the BBS (and other BB’s) have a cartridge length limitation of about 1.600” from the factory. This impacts the heavier bullet’s powder space greatly. However, a little DYI or a trip to the g’smith can cure this handicap. There is a “fence” at the back of the lifter that stops the cartridge as it springs out of the feeding tube. This fence also limits the cartridge length. File, sand, machine .060-.070” off the foreword vertical face of the fence and you are set to load to 1.645-1.650”.

So, if you are a hunter and have a BB? in 45LC, I encourage you to forego using those wimpy light “pistol” bullets.

Sample data:
Loaded to 1.645" COAL
Speer 300g JSP, 22g 296/H110, large pistol primer
Standard warnings apply!

See reviews:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/55747 ... -box-of-50

Part 1

[Rifletom]

Curious. If you mill that "fence" to take a longer OAL, doesn't that void your warranty, should you need to use it?
Not stirring anything up here, simply curious. Thanks.

[North Country Gal]

Have shot such loads in a Contender. Definitely not grandpa's 45 Colt. Recoil is not for the faint of heart.

[wingnut]

Curious. If you mill that "fence" to take a longer OAL, doesn't that void your warranty, should you need to use it?
Not stirring anything up here, simply curious. Thanks.

Maybe. I would play with the rifle for a year first to workout any bugs then consider it if wanted. The jacketed and hardcast 300g bullets don't need the enhancement. Get to the 360+ and might want it.

[Rifletom]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I would be staying with the 250-255gr cast bullets for desert use. No hunting with it.

[wingnut]

Have shot such loads in a Contender. Definitely not grandpa's 45 Colt. Recoil is not for the faint of heart.

Ahhh, the bench strong-hand 3 round palsy, I know it well. The same loads in the BB will barely get your attention.

[North Country Gal]

Yeah, that was back in the day when I was a recoil junkie. I'm reformed, now. I don't shoot that stuff, anymore. Nope, I've been cured. Well, okay, mostly. Now and then, I get crazy, like the old days. Just bought a 30-06 pistol barrel for the Encore. Whoo Hoo!

[BigAl52]

Henrys are warrantied for life. I would not do anything like this to mine as I wouldnt take the chance of messing with the warranty. Why not just get a 45-70 if you want more lead. Aint nothin whimpy about the 70.

[Mags]

.
Aren't the spring trimming and trigger pull modifications seen in other topics also messing with the warranty?

Henrys are warrantied for life. I would not do anything like this to mine as I wouldnt take the chance of messing with the warranty. Why not just get a 45-70 if you want more lead. Aint nothin whimpy about the 70.

[wingnut]

Henrys are warrantied for life. I would not do anything like this to mine as I wouldnt take the chance of messing with the warranty. Why not just get a 45-70 if you want more lead. Aint nothin whimpy about the 70.

Come now, you know the answer ... Because.

I'm sure a spare untouched lifter could be standing by as a replacement.
And, its an entirely different caliber.
And, all the starving g'smiths in Africa.
And, if I wanted to get top performance out my 45-70, someone would come along and say I should've gotten a 45-90, a 45-110, a 458 Winmag.

In jest.