Great new toy. .45 ACP Lever Action?

March 01, 2017, 04:56 PM

Rolan_Kraps

Let me explain.
There is a "Side match" in Cowboy Action Shooting called "Wild Bunch".

For these matches, all shooters must have a 1911, a 1897 12 gauge, and a lever action Rifle in .40 caliber or higher.

I've resisted this side match because I didn't want to load another caliber in a rifle AND .45 ACP to shoot the match.

THEN I heard that Cody Conager could do a conversion on a .45 Colt to chamber .45 ACP rounds.

I just loaded several 200 Gr. SWC and 200 Gr. RNFP rounds and they all worked great in the rifle and in my 1911!

I like it so much that I may even use it for my regular match rifle.

March 01, 2017, 05:14 PM

PorterN

That's awesome!!!

March 01, 2017, 05:55 PM

Rolan_Kraps

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow, but Externally it looks like any other 1873.

March 01, 2017, 06:31 PM

PPGMD

A Winchester 1873 in 45ACP.

I've been wanting a lever action, but having to buy or load in revolver calibers is a something I've wanted to avoid. But to get one in 45ACP would be awesome.

-------
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"Slow is smooth... and also slow.

March 01, 2017, 06:42 PM

Rolan_Kraps

Lots of work involved. Cody has to remove the barrel and cut it down.

Then recut the threads for the receiver.

Then recut a new lifter.

Worth the price!

March 01, 2017, 06:52 PM

billnchristy

That's awesome. Someone needs to make a 9mm for giggles.

March 01, 2017, 07:19 PM

Rolan_Kraps

quote:
Originally posted by billnchristy:
That's awesome. Someone needs to make a 9mm for giggles.

Bill,

Actually, he mentioned that he has already built one, and is going to build another one for himself. He built one for a guy in Colorado after they passed the magazine ban.

My .45 ACP holds 15 rounds.I bet that the 9mm would hold 17 to 20.

March 01, 2017, 07:25 PM

billnchristy

Sweet, 15 rounds of 45acp is no joke

March 01, 2017, 11:26 PM

divil

It sounds like a sweet rifle. The 200gr. RNFP, or 225gr. RNFP bullets would be a natural in that rifle I would think.

The SWC bullets in a tubular magazine though... kinda pointy

March 02, 2017, 06:36 AM

Rolan_Kraps

quote:
Originally posted by divil:
It sounds like a sweet rifle. The 200gr. RNFP, or 225gr. RNFP bullets would be a natural in that rifle I would think.

The SWC bullets in a tubular magazine though... kinda pointy !

If you lay SWC "nose to base" you'll see that there is no real danger in detonation.

March 02, 2017, 09:03 AM

ACP1

Waiting for that pictured you mentioned.

March 03, 2017, 04:45 PM

Bisleyblackhawk

Rolan, I just saw this thread...looking forward to the photos and range report

...hopefully to see it in person if I can get down your way later this year for a shoot...

Did he do the work on one of yours or is he selling reworked 73s?

********************************************************

"we've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches
Making the best of what ever comes our way
Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may
And theres a cowboy in the jungle"
Jimmy Buffet

March 03, 2017, 05:38 PM

Rolan_Kraps

quote:
Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
Rolan, I just saw this thread...looking forward to the photos and range report ...hopefully to see it in person if I can get down your way later this year for a shoot...

Did he do the work on one of yours or is he selling reworked 73s?

Bisley,

He will do either. I choose for him to do a whole new rifle. I've been playing with it this week. It shoots anything (SWC or RNFP) .452 size. My Ruger 1911 seems to like them too!

I am going to try to shoot it in tomorrow's match at Riverbend. www.rbrr.org

Come on down if you can get a day pass.

March 07, 2017, 07:31 AM

Rolan_Kraps

I've put a hundred fifty rounds through the rifle.

50 200gr SWC
50 200gr RNFP
50 235gr RNFP

All ran flawless and really rang the steel. Little or no recoil. I DO need to get a butt cover for it. I feel confident enough that I'm going to shoot it this coming Saturday at the Piedmont match in Toccoa.

March 07, 2017, 05:12 PM

3/4Flap

quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
Let me explain.
There is a "Side match" in Cowboy Action Shooting called "Wild Bunch".

For these matches, all shooters must have a 1911, a 1897 12 gauge, and a lever action Rifle in .40 caliber or higher.

I've resisted this side match because I didn't want to load another caliber in a rifle AND .45 ACP to shoot the match.

THEN I heard that Cody Conager could do a conversion on a .45 Colt to chamber .45 ACP rounds.

I just loaded several 200 Gr. SWC and 200 Gr. RNFP rounds and they all worked great in the rifle and in my 1911!

I like it so much that I may even use it for my regular match rifle.

With those stubby little rounds you could load on Sunday and shoot all week!

**********************
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Read Quod Apostolici Muneris (1878) LEO XIII. This Pope warned us about the Socialists before most folks knew what a Socialist was...

March 07, 2017, 07:17 PM

Ozarkwoods

Rolan have you had a chance to Chrono the rounds?

March 07, 2017, 07:38 PM

3/4Flap

You rascalion SASS shooters...

Don't load that thing too light, Rolan. You do not want a bullet stuck in the barrel followed by another bullet.

PS: Our sheriff is an SASS shooter and NO ONE wants to test him in a gunfight. They might be the best shooters out there. Other guys buy guns and look at them. The SASS crowd actually pops caps.

March 07, 2017, 09:19 PM

Rolan_Kraps

quote:
Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
Rolan have you had a chance to Chrono the rounds?

No, I don't own a chronograph. I have to wait until a buddy brings one to the range.

March 08, 2017, 08:26 AM

gearhounds

Ballistics by the inch.
This site has some pretty useful info as to what pistol caliber rounds do in carbine length platforms. 16-18" seems to be optimal for velocity in a lot of pistol choices, but I can imagine how a lack of substantial recoil would make for an exemplary SD or competition shooter.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html

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March 11, 2017, 04:23 PM

Rolan_Kraps

I shot it today in a local match. I had 5 out of 6 flawless stages. The 6th was my fault. I didn't push the rounds far enough into the magazine, so it didn't feed right and cost me 10 misses. TOTALLY my fault, but I know how to fix it if I screw up again. I really love this rifle and will really enjoy shooting it.