Battery examination, suggestions?

[awp101]

I've got my primary battery (and backups) for "social work", hunting and CCW settled. Now I'm looking at my secondary battery (other than rimfires) and possible/probable caliber consolidation. These are primarily range/fun weapons but I'm keeping an eye on the "what if's" in life. I'd like some feedback on my ideas keeping in mind that smokeless and BP might be used where applicable.

USFA .45 Colt Rodeo: Not sure if I can part with this one ( ) but it's on the mental chopping block. Closer to a real SAA than the Blackhawk but the BH can handle stouter loads if needed and I'm not hung up on having to have a real SAA or clone. Considering turning it into a convertible .45ACP/.45 Colt BH since I already stock both calibers and I find the multiple calibers in one platform a bonus. I rarely shoot the 9mm cylinder for my .357/9mm BH but it's nice to know I can iffn's I need to.

.45 Colt Rossi 92 clone: Nice little rifle but it just doesn't grab me like a Marlin 1894 (I know, heresy in some circles ). I think I'd be better served with a Marlin in .45 Colt. I like the CB model but that's just a "want" issue.

Marlin 1895CB .45-70: So the Winchester purists don't keelhaul me, here's a Marlin that may be turned into something else (although like the USFA I'm not sure I can let it go ). For my purposes there's nothing I can't do with a hot .45 Colt load in a rifle that I can do with a .45-70. No buffalo roaming around here or rogue elephants and it's not the only .45-70 I own anyway. Besides, if we get a herd of buffs around here there's always the .45-120.

What I'm considering as replacements to suit my purposes are:
Marlin 1894 .45 Colt in either the regular carbine or CB model: Overall I like the platform better than the Win 92

Ruger .45 Colt/.45ACP BH: Dual duty, takes hotter loads than a SAA or clone if need be

BLR .22-250: this is a new development that I'm researching but I can see it scratching the itch for a .223 bolt action for about the same cost and it appears that I can use many of the same reloading components I would for a .223 anyway but I need to look deeper into that issue

That's what I've come up with so far, along with my reasoning. Once my train of thought gets back on track I may have some more thoughts but I'd like to hear some feedback and if I've mis-thunk something I'd like to hear the reasoning there as well.

Thanks!

[Old Savage]

Of Course, aw, there is the off site battery retention program where I hold and maintain the guns for you and periodically function test them. For the purposes of Calif law I would have to take "technical ownership" but of course, you still OWN them and can have them back when you want.

[Old Savage]

I like the 22-250 because it uses the same case head size as the 30-06 class which simplifies things on the RL 550.

[awp101]

Of Course, aw, there is the off site battery retention program where I hold and maintain the guns for you and periodically function test them. For the purposes of Calif law I would have to take "technical ownership" but of course, you still OWN them and can have them back when you want.

Well, we'd have to work out something for all those black rifles in CA that I need to "store"...

And I didn't know the .22-250 used the same case head as the -06!

BTW OS, two questions: Did you see the thread I started yesterday on the BLR I found yesterday? Also, on a knife thread I was hoping you'd chime in about the one in your sig line. Care to now?

[Old Savage]

On the Knife - it is a Sheffield Bowie, 6 inch blade - if you go to their web site you can find many choices as to blade length and handle material. It was about $80. And by the same case head I meant .470" - you could make 22-250s out of 30-06s if you had to.

I'll check your BLR thread.

[Hobie]

I'm not parting with anything.

[awp101]

I'm not parting with anything.

Even if it meant passing on something that could improve your battery despite the fact the trade/sale material is just sitting in the safe?

As much as I'd like to be in the "keep it all" camp, I simply can't.

[awp101]

On the Knife - it is a Sheffield Bowie, 6 inch blade - if you go to their web site you can find many choices as to blade length and handle material. It was about $80.

Thanks for the knife info! What material is the handle? I REALLY like the handle on that one!

[awp101]

Started reconsidering the .45 Colt for .44 Mag and did some thinking. Once the smoke cleared I did some reading...

If I'm reading the threads I found correctly, it's almost a wash between the .44 Mag and .45 Colt for various reasons.

Marlin (my preferred platform) .44s have a slow twist that may not stabilize over 240g bullets BUT (at least around here) I can find full power factory .44 Mag at any store that sells ammo.

The .45 Colt has a better twist rate for heavier bullets but really needs to be handloaded to REALLY shine. Also, most .45 Colt loads found around here are CAS loads. Nothing to scoff at but full house factory fodder is a bit scarce on the ground around here (as far as I've seen). I plan on reloading (and casting someday) but when I will ever get the set-up up and running is anyone's guess.

Is that pretty much the straight scoop or have I misread something along the way?

[Griff]

My test of a caliber's usefulness is whether I'd be willing to stand in front of one... that's generally a "NO". And while I consider myself a "manly-man", I have no need to punish my wrists with a .44, the .45Colt or ACP do the job just fine. On the "+" side, I know I handle them, and with a little practice, I can add the adverb "well" after that phrase!

'Sides, if I can pass my former department's qualification course with a SAA, I figure it's good for the street.

The only addition I would suggest would be a pump shotgun in either 20 or 12 ga, with a 18" tube and a 26" or 28" and screw-in chokes for both lengths.

[mescalero1]

Wow Griff,
First guy I have run into ( beside myself ) that is happy with a 20 guage, big medicine if you know how to use it.

[Griff]

Wow Griff,
First guy I have run into ( beside myself ) that is happy with a 20 guage, big medicine if you know how to use it.

Well... actually... I have 4 12s, the wife has the 20! But, the 20 is plenty good for fillin' the pot and standin' off the wolves!

[mescalero1]

I have 3 12's
Prefer my 20's

[awp101]

Appreciate the answers so far! This has really given me a chance to clear the mental cobwebs and force myself into finally focusing my accumulation into a working collection. Bouncing thoughts, ideas and what I've heard/read over the years off you folks is a great way to clear up popular misconceptions and things I may have misunderstood. Many thanks!

My test of a caliber's usefulness is whether I'd be willing to stand in front of one... that's generally a "NO".

Uh, that includes BB guns for me...

And while I consider myself a "manly-man", I have no need to punish my wrists with a .44, the .45Colt or ACP do the job just fine. On the "+" side, I know I handle them, and with a little practice, I can add the adverb "well" after that phrase!

True but Specials could be used as well. Or loading to Special power in Mag cases but that goes back to handloading. It's a vicious cycle that never ends....fun, ain't it!

'Sides, if I can pass my former department's qualification course with a SAA, I figure it's good for the street.

Any chance of video?

The only addition I would suggest would be a pump shotgun in either 20 or 12 ga, with a 18" tube and a 26" or 28" and screw-in chokes for both lengths.

Covered. 12ga 18" (or 20, I don't recall offhand) 870 Express Mag, cyl bore, mag extension and the plan is to get a 26" tube and a slug barrel.

And many moons ago when I worked in a pawn shop, I recommended the 20ga to many little old ladies who came in looking for protection from a neighborhood that had gone downhill 30 years before and was only getting worse. If a 20ga was my only shotgun, I wouldn't feel bad at all.

[brionic]

Regarding the Marlin, it really depends on what role you want the rifle to fill. If you want to shoot heavy bullets, you can't beat the .45-70.

But there is nothing wrong with the Marlin .44, IMO. Despite the slow twist rate, mine shoots everything I've put through it just fine - up to 300 gr. loads. I know that some people complain about the twist, some people complain about the Micro groove, some people even complain about the ports on the front of my bbl but the rifle is a keeper.

Although I like the .45 Colt and it may be "better" in the Marlin due to lower pressure and more optimal bbl, the .44 is more "practical" for every day use because can walk into any decent sporting goods store (not to mention a gun shop) and find appropriate cartridges. Not so with .45. And, with hand loading, the .44 Marlin is as accurate as my limited skills allow. This rifle can handle most of what I need any rifle to do, minus, say, long range hunting and high power competitions. Do I wish it had a faster twist? Yes. Does it bother me? Not at all.

Mine really was improved with the addition of Ashley sights, the Wild West trigger, and a new spring. Not that it needed any of this, but the net effect was dramatic improvement in my ability to make better shots, quicker.

[awp101]

Thanks brionic!

Gee, what a shame if I had to get a .44 AND .45 carbine...