Hi gents, I know Rossi did a limited run of 100 units in the day. I just saw one go on gunbroke for over 2500!

Got me thinking, can a Rossi 92 donor of another calibre be converted to 480 ruger? Coming from a big game rifle background, cost is not really an object, just whether can it be done at the gunsmith end. Or does Rossi do something special on the manufacturing side that cant be duplicated on a donor.

P.S No suggestions of 45 colts or 45-70's etc, I know a lot of other rounds make more sense. Its an engineering question on the 480

I would think so, the magazine tube will need some extra strength in attachment. As I remember, some guys who converted a 45 Colt to 454 casull had problemskeeping the tube from working loose.

Thanks for the comment. Regards the magazine tube, Rossi ended up making them heavier duty and threading them into the reciever for their later 454's. There is also continued speculation Rossi used a different heat treatment for the 454 actions. I dont think anyone ever had definitive word on that....

In any case I was thinking a 454 would probably be the most likely donor?

Finding a smith is the thing, particularly one who wants to work on levers. All the old names, Mcpherson, Forklin, JD jones, Reeder etc seem to be either retired or too busy.

Depends how bad you want one. Could get a pile of $ reworking a 454 to 480.
I have a .480 Rossi, hadnt thought about selling, but might. What is a fair price? $2500, new or not, is crazy, I agree.

Hi theback40, PM sent

No PM yet karl?

Hi all, have been getting gunsmithing suggestions by message, thanks all. just letting everyone know I am looking to buy theback40's gun above. Looks like a good item.

Also the 45-70 didnt turn up on the thread either which was nice, though I did get suggestions by private message to ditch the 480 in favour of it. The 45-70 guys cannot seem to help themselves.