Just picked up a Puma 92 SS rifle in 45 LC, and I see in my reloading manuals that there are lots of pistol loads, but does not mention of a rifle load for the 45 LC......

[ 02-25-2003, 19:10: Message edited by: CK ]

Chris -

Loads for handguns will work in your rifle. Velocities will generally be about 10-20% higher than those listed for the handgun version.

There's a thread here http://handloads.com/forum/showthread.asp?topic=3&thread=323 about the 45 in a rifle.

You can find lots of loads for the 45 floating around out there - they are generally in the 18 KPSI range for Colt SAA and clones; 25 KPSI for Smith 25's; 32 KPSI for Blackhawks and such; and 40 KPSI for Freedom Arms, Bowen modified BH's, Super BH's and other monsters. Don't know anything about the strength of your Puma, but, I'm guessing it can handle the 32 KPSI range (??).

See if you can find Handloader issue #202. There's an excellent article in there by Brian Pearce on loads covering the various pressure ranges mentioned.

Hodgdon also lists some heavy bullet loads at http://www.hodgdon.com/

I've never loaded for the 45 in a rifle, but talking with others who have, their main problems came when attempting to use LBT style bullets - the wide nose can sometimes cause feeding problems, so, if that's what you want to do, be sure to try some dummy rounds to be sure they'll feed.

R-WEST

R-WEST,

Thanks!........I like these Puma 92's so much, I'm buying another stainless Model 92, but in the 454 Casull..........This should be a little powerhouse.........Paco Kelly really liked it.......That's enough for me. I'm sold.

I loaded some 45LC rifle loads for a guy a few years ago for use in his Winchester rifle (M94 Trapper?). I just checked my records and:

R-P brass(new, once fired)
Win. WLP primers
LBT 335 Grn. WLN GS bullets
21 grns. w296
avg. mv 1348 FPS

Start low and work up, of course. Your milage may vary.

I'm assuming NO RESPONSABILITY for problems/trouble caused by the use of this info.
(Had to add that last part)

Didn't do any more load development after that. He sold off all his Long Colts at this point and went to full auto Mac 10. (That's another story.)

HTH

Hopsing

There have been a few articles in Handloader and Rifle concerning the .45 Colt in carbines. I have a Trapper and have really only tried jacketed bullets. What I have found as a general rule in the 16" Trapper; ANY load safe in a 7 1/2" revolver will give you 200-300 additional FPS over that clocked in the revolver. It truly has worked that way between a Ruger and my Trapper too.

I am not familiar with your rifle, my expereince has been with teh Trapper.

Heres a few good articles....... Rifle #199, Brain Pearce, "Sixgun cartridges in rifles". Handloader #149 Ken Waters, "45 Colt Trapper" , pretty modest loads in that one. Rifle #151, Jay Turner, ".45 Colt Trapper".

For a light plinking load ; 17.0 grs Accurate Arms #7, WW case, WLP primer,Nosler 250 Gr JHP. Good for 1200 fps, but VERY accurate and very good case life.

My hunting load is the 250 Hornady XTP, WW cases, Fed 155 primer, 26.5 of WW296 for 1820-1840 fps. I am unsure if the M92 can take that load though, so just listing a load that worked well in MY M94. I will say that after 3-4 firings these cases sometimes do not fit in the shellholder, so they are surely +P.

A 250 grain .452" slug at even 1200 fps is darned powerful out of the easy to shoot M94. Turn up the heat to 1800 fps and they work very well on deer at close to medium ranges.

FN in MT

I own a stainless Navy Arms (made by Rossi, same as the Puma sold by LSI) in 45LC. I used published "Ruger" loads for mine. Speeds are obviously more faster then from my Silverhawk 45LC. The recoil is quite stout, but managable (I've installed a Decelerator pad on mine). ~~~Suluuq

I use 20 grains of H110 with a 300 grain cast Saeco slug, in my Rossi 92. I could go higher but I've got accuracy with this so why push it.
I used the same starting loads with the same jacketed bullet weight that is shown under the 44 Mag data. Larger bore diameter, plus same weight bullet, lead bullet verses jacketed plus same powder charge equals less pressure! It's worked for me!
Jim

[ 03-01-2003, 16:35: Message edited by: arkypete ]

Frank,
Did you ever get my email way back?

Anyways thanks for the data.