.45 Colt rifle

jerry b · Post by **jerry b** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:11 pm

I posted this over on (the new and improved) Gord's Board, but this is where lots of levergunner hang oout, so here is the question:

I don't do much "formal" hunting anymore (ie-out-of-state trips, deer camp, buying dooddads like in that other post, etc., etc.) so it seems reasonable to simplify my rifle needs. I can't think of a scenario where I'd hunt off my own premises, and the longest shot I can imagine in these woods is, maybe, 70 yards. I don't know why a trusty .45 Colt Marlin wouldn't do everything I needed done, slaying vermin in my small pastures, occasionally putting venison in the freezer, and defending the homestead. I've been simplifying for awhile, and this feels like an area I can make some cuts.

What do youz guys think?

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:37 pm

sounds like a plan.

what's gords board?

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:02 pm

I think that's a great choice in caliber and rifle--versatile--practical--effective. I've done the same with a Marlin 1894c in .357 Mag (2 handguns in that cartridge)
and a Winchester 94AE in 30/30... :)

new pig hunter · Post by **new pig hunter** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:37 pm

Great choice. When I started hunting 8 years ago, I bought a Winchester "Trapper" in .45LC. Plenty of stopping power, lightweight for carry, plus a caliber match for my Ruger Blackhawk. Both can handle hotter loads if desired. Very versatile.

Cheers,

Carl

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:48 pm

Would work fantastic!
Love the 45 Colt

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:08 pm

Excellent choice I would say. My Rossi easily handles a 360 Keith type at 1350.

hightime · Post by **hightime** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:19 pm

That's exactly the same thinking I had. And the 45 Colt was my choice. Although I'm not condensing , I'm still expanding.

Owen

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:45 pm

.45 Colt in a Marlin levergun is about the most versatile rifle there is (the funny part is I don't HAVE one... ). Lots of easily-available data on loads from pipsqueak to stout, and many available in factory form. Can get very stout SA or DA revolvers in same chambering. Marlin can be scoped easily, put a Burris Fastfire-II on it, or use a Williams FP ghost-ringed, and is reliable and easily cleaned/repaired vs. the competitor's leverguns.

You could say the same thing about a 1894 Marlin and Ruger Blackhawk/Redhawk/GP100 pair in .44 Mag, and .357 Mag for that matter, with the latter a bit more compact and a bit less knockdown power and a bit less cost to shoot. IF you can find such a pair, the .41 Mag would be another excellent choice, but overall I think the .45 Colt is the winner, even though I'm a .44 Mag fan because that's what I started out with.

One other thing, if you care about having same-caliber guns, the .357 Mag/Spl and .44 Mag/Spl pairs have smaller 'ccw' DA handguns like Ruger SP101's and Charter Bulldogs, vs the .45 Colt, which nobody seems to make a DA revolver for that is as small as those in the other chamberings. If you prefer another style gun for ccw, or wear bulky enough clothes to conceal a S&W .45 Colt, or a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt, of course none of that matters.

Enjoy...!

2571 · Post by **2571** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:50 pm

What's gords board?

+1

Does anybody know?

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:41 pm

Although I prefer the Rossi 1892 copy for it's (arguably) stronger action... a Marlin 1894 in .45Colt is an excellent choice. I'd better say that, since I'm building one from a almost junk .44Mag version! I happen to like the .45 Colt cartridge, and feel it's versatility (if you reload) far exceeds the .44Mag... but that's arguable also!

Don't forget to post pics of your new gun... and a range report... and ... well, your impressions would also be beneficial to others contemplating that same purchase!

TomF · Post by **TomF** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:04 pm

I have the Marlin 24", 45 Colt. I have taken several critters with it using homemade boolits. Power if you want it. As stated earlier, it is versatile.

TomF

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:20 pm

In the '92 line I have a Winchester 1892 32wcf, a Rossi .357, and a Rossi 45 Colt. They are all fine rifles with no problems at all. I carry one or other in the truck most of the time. Reckon there ain't anything in my part of the country the .357 can't handle so I figure my standard load for my 1957 made Colt SAA is enough in the carbine too.
I reckon you could do well with your choice.

jerry b · Post by **jerry b** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:33 pm

http://forum.sixshootercommunity.com/

Where's Hobie and Paul when you need them? Long story but brother Gordon saved the day back when and started the above. It has been maintained (Paul) and changed around (Paul) over the years, and folks have come and gone, but it remains a good place to hang out. They let Hobie in, if you can believe it. Heck, they let ME in, so the standards can't be too high.

It's the only place I go besides this fine establishment.

Marlin32 · Post by **Marlin32** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:44 pm

I would like a 24" barreled 45 colt Marlin. And I ain't down sizing!!

dbateman · Post by **dbateman** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:57 am

I like the 45Lc round I have a Win Trapper in 45Lc and I love it .

But I think you should have two rifle's maybe not in the same cal but just have two of them .

You know two is one , one is none .

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:19 am

Uberti '73, in .45 Colt for me.. Uncanny accurate with handloads, and powerful enough for my needs...

magyars · Post by **magyars** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:14 am

I have a Winchester, Rossi, and Marlin in 45 Colt, I find the Rossi, with buckhorn rear sight is the easist to carry, and comes to the shoulder faster.
But my scoped Marlin is the one I hunt with.

hightime · Post by **hightime** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:25 am

I guess I came to the 45 Colt as "the one" because it's big enough for white tail, small enough to plunk a turkey, not too big to cut down on the porky pine population and cheap to reload. Slow enough for cast bullets. Oh yeah, and I like guns of the Old West. Having the same load for my pistols and the rifle is way cool too.

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:12 pm

Jerry, a 45 colt is a peach of a round in a pistol or rifle if I was limited to one caliber it be 45. danny

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:24 am

jerry b wrote:I don't do much "formal" hunting anymore (ie-out-of-state trips, deer camp, buying dooddads like in that other post, etc., etc.) so it seems reasonable to simplify my rifle needs. I can't think of a scenario where I'd hunt off my own premises, and the longest shot I can imagine in these woods is, maybe, 70 yards. I don't know why a trusty .45 Colt Marlin wouldn't do everything I needed done, slaying vermin in my small pastures, occasionally putting venison in the freezer, and defending the homestead.

Sounds like a plan to me!

I do the same thing with a Marlin in .44 mag. From killing coyotes to deer and elk during season, also doing double duty as my home defense rifle it sure gets the job done.

2x22

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:33 am

Any caliber sounds good to me, just make it a lever!

pricedo · Post by **pricedo** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 4:02 am

horsesoldier03 wrote:Any caliber sounds good to cartridge me, just make it a lever!

I'll go with my 16" Rossi in .44 Mag.
Handy & light little gun (4.8 pounds).
The .44 Mag is a more powerful cartridge than the .45LC when loaded to factory ammo levels and I can shoot 44 SPL in it when I want it to shoot at the .44SPL/.45LC power level.
.44 Mag & .44SPL factory ammo readily available.
Keep it simple whenever possible.

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