Well its tax return season. So I have the gun buying itch even after ordering my new 798. Well I have been looking at several long guns, and I think I have decided on a Puma 92 in one of two calibers. Either in 454 cassul or 480 ruger. I am leaning towards the .454 with it having a cheap plinking round available in .45 colt. Is there much of a difference on game with either round? I have never shot anything in either chambering, and will likely have some work done to the gun. I am thinking some type of coating to the wood, a new finish on the gun. Something matte and durable. Shorten the barrel to 18 inches,change the mag tube to one from a 16" model, some type of ghost ring, a front fiber optic. Basically a guide gun in miniature form.

.454 or .480 ?

NHbwana

I have a stainless 480 and love it. I did away with the top safety and plugged the hole, slicked up the action a little. Runs flawless with everything I've run thru it so far.

Next upgrade will be a XS rear peep, and refinish the wood or fit something else to it. I'm not a fan of recoil pads on lever guns, just a personel thing.

I really wish they would offer it with a octagon barrel thou.

I'm kind of torn between the stainless and the blue. Guess them's details to work out later. You like the .480? Haven't heard from anyone who has one or shot one. Do you handload form it? Just curious what velocities your getting out of the rifle compared to stated handgun velocities. I was originally leaning towards the .480, as I think it really comes down to handloading and either one should swat with authority.

NHbwana

Not in a Puma, but I do have a .45 Colt carbine. It shoots the same rounds as my .45 Colt Ruger single-action. I load some pretty heavy loads for the carbine that do not go into the Ruger. Killing power has been great on the mule deer I've used it on.

quote:

Originally posted by NHbwana:
I'm kind of torn between the stainless and the blue. Guess them's details to work out later. You like the .480? Haven't heard from anyone who has one or shot one. Do you handload form it? Just curious what velocities your getting out of the rifle compared to stated handgun velocities. I was originally leaning towards the .480, as I think it really comes down to handloading and either one should swat with authority.

NHbwana

that's one thing I want to do this summer, is chrono it against my 7 1/2" Ruger SRH.

I shoot both cast and jacketed, can't say one is more accurate then the other, but 400gr bullets buck a lot from the little gun.

Not a Puma, Marlin 94S 45 Colt using 454 brass shortend, 300 gr. Oregon Trail with 680 win.28gr. Getting 1650 and they fly through just about anything except heavy steel plate

Seems 300 Grains at about 1800 would be feasible with the cassul then. I would like to see 400 grain loads..just out of curiosity. Can't imagine with a good hardcast bullet much of anything is a hard target. I wonder how hard you can push them before leading becomes a problem. And thoughts?

NHbwana

I have gotten over 1800 but backed down for better case life, The Oregon Trails Silver will not lead the bore, Most repeater guns have ramp in bottom of chamber and thats where cases will bulge with heavy loads

I bought a blue 454 with the 20" bbl after reading a rather extensive article in one of the gun mags. The chrono of the factory loads, according to the article, get as much as a 300fps boost over the 71/2 Ruger. The Hornady factory 300 gr was averaging right at 2000fps. There appeared to be a fair amount of velocity variation depending upon the manufacturer and bullet weight. Wish I still had the article so I could show the reference. You can expect that this is one gun that will NOT shoot different bullet weights to similar point of impact.

One of the advantages of a pistol caliber carbine is that is used the same ammo as your handgun.

[I use a 44 Mag rifle/revolver combo]

So I would choose the caliber for your Puma based on which revolver I would buy, or be most likely to buy.

Unless this is to be you only big game rifle, the .357 would be far better for all around use and enjoyment, serving for everything from rabbits to deer. Even a .44 mag will handle a moose with the right ammo. I think that you are going to find recoil from that light carbine in .454/.480 to be less than enjoyable for any session even approaching a reasonable amount of practice. No matter which caliber you choose, plan on handloading. That will be about the only way to garner enough ammo to truly become familiar with this piece. Finally, I'd shoot it for a while before any customizing. After familiarity, your plans for improvement could well take another course. Just my experience, FWIW.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
One of the advantages of a pistol caliber carbine is that is used the same ammo as your handgun.

[I use a 44 Mag rifle/revolver combo]

So I would choose the caliber for your Puma based on which revolver I would buy, or be most likely to buy.

Good point. If I was to procure a revolver of some sort, I would likely lean towards a Black Hawk in .45LC. I guess the Cassul would be the way to go.

Nhbwana

quote:

Originally posted by Blackhawk44:
Unless this is to be you only big game rifle, the .357 would be far better for all around use and enjoyment, serving for everything from rabbits to deer. Even a .44 mag will handle a moose with the right ammo. I think that you are going to find recoil from that light carbine in .454/.480 to be less than enjoyable for any session even approaching a reasonable amount of practice. No matter which caliber you choose, plan on handloading. That will be about the only way to garner enough ammo to truly become familiar with this piece. Finally, I'd shoot it for a while before any customizing. After familiarity, your plans for improvement could well take another course. Just my experience, FWIW.

Good point also. I'm not vary recoil sensitive. I am on my second .458 win mag after my CZ had a terrible accident. Taking delivery of a 798 in .458 soon. I have various other rifles kicking about. Really just wanted one to make a project out of I guess. I will see how it shoots though, whatever one I finally decide on, before I hack it up to much.

NHbwana

NHbwana

I have fired a friends Puma carbine in 454 and did not find the recoil to be "bad".

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
NHbwana

I have fired a friends Puma carbine in 454 and did not find the recoil to be "bad".

I didn't think it would be to be honest. It's a fair point though. I can easily see some people buying one and being turned off by it. Hey I took a gamble buying my .458, I could have bought it and found it to much. It's not though. And with a roughly 9lb .458 and a 6lb .454, I'll take the .454 any day. At least for a whole days shooting.

NHbwana