Alas, the mythical .454

[Panzercat]

Finally. After a year and change of searching and sourcing through every channel I could, bud's finally popped something on my wishlist-- a Rossi 454 Casull Lever Action w/20" Round Stainless Barrel. Blued could be found occasionally on gunbroker and such, but stainless was a freakin unicorn. Yeah, it's sold out now, which is pretty indicative of its scarsity. Lasted a whole 48hrs on their site before going out of stock again. Regardless, I have one on the way

I'll post some pics when it comes in, but for now my thoughts turn to accessorization... Preferably budget accessorization. Any suggestions?

[Old Savage]

Congrats - had a 45 Colt Stainless. You will love it I believe.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Finally. After a year and change of searching and sourcing through every channel I could, bud's finally popped something on my wishlist-- a Rossi 454 Casull Lever Action w/20" Round Stainless Barrel. Blued could be found occasionally on gunbroker and such, but stainless was a freakin unicorn. Yeah, it's sold out now, which is pretty indicative of its scarsity. Lasted a whole 48hrs on their site before going out of stock again. Regardless, I have one on the way

I'll post some pics when it comes in, but for now my thoughts turn to accessorization... Preferably budget accessorization. Any suggestions?

Yep, the stainless 454's have been hard to find. It's been over a year since I got the last ones but I managed to get three last week.

Accessorization;
Two things to do to help deal with the recoil. Replace the plastic follower. Recoil will evenetually crack or warp the plastic one.
Next, consider glass bedding the wood to help prevent cracking from the recoil.

[Panzercat]

I figure if they're a pain in the butt for Steve to get a hold of, I can't be too far off. I may eventially send it to you, but I know you have backlog. Just happy to finally get a hold of the dang thing!

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I figure if they're a pain in the butt for Steve to get a hold of, I can't be too far off. I may eventially send it to you, but I know you have backlog. Just happy to finally get a hold of the dang thing!

I think the reason they were hard to come by as well as many of the other Rossi 92's is because Rossi had the machines tied up making the Ranchands and the Rio Grandes. Now I see were many of the distributor have plenty of the ranch hand on the shelfs and now the other 92 guns are starting to show up too. I figured they would get some guns shipped before the ShotShow or they woulde have had to listen to the distributor complian about not having them.

[AJMD429]

I have one like that, and no complaints. So far, just factory loads through it, but no problems.

The 'threaded magazine tube' threads aren't deep on mine, so if yours is like that, and you take it that far apart (no real need to) be careful on reassembly not to cross-eye the threads.

Some folks complain about the 'tube-loading' feature, but I like being able to unload a gun quickly without moving rounds through the chamber. There is a knack and rhythm that enables doing so with a receiver-only loading gun, but it isn't easy with gloved hands and fogged glasses and frozen fingers.

The only 'accessory' I put on mine was a Williams FP rear sight. That probably shrunk my groups by 2/3 or so. I sight in with the aperture in place, then remove it for a fast, but accurate, 'ghost ring' effect.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I have one like that, and no complaints. So far, just factory loads through it, but no problems.

The 'threaded magazine tube' threads aren't deep on mine, so if yours is like that, and you take it that far apart (no real need to) be careful on reassembly not to cross-eye the threads.

Some folks complain about the 'tube-loading' feature, but I like being able to unload a gun quickly without moving rounds through the chamber. There is a knack and rhythm that enables doing so with a receiver-only loading gun, but it isn't easy with gloved hands and fogged glasses and frozen fingers.

The only 'accessory' I put on mine was a Williams FP rear sight. That probably shrunk my groups by 2/3 or so. I sight in with the aperture in place, then remove it for a fast, but accurate, 'ghost ring' effect.

Another thing that tube load adds is it's good OAL gage. If your ammo won't fall straight into the slot then it probably won't cycle through the gun.

[Panzercat]

Well nice to hear they're finally making it to distribution here and there, even if it is sporatic and random. I have this fear that I'll get an email from bud's saying "oops, our mistake. It's out of stock."

One thing i noted after the fact is that it doesn't appear to have a sling point like my Marlin 336. I assume that's something I'll have to add in the aftermarket if I want one. I'm also hoping my old 30-30 ammunition 9 shell buttstock sleeve fits as well... Though if it's any smaller than my marlin, probably not.

[AJMD429]

One thing i noted after the fact is that it doesn't appear to have a sling point like my Marlin 336. I assume that's something I'll have to add in the aftermarket if I want one.

The Uncle Mike's "Magazine Tube" sling studs work well - keep in mind you have to use the right size and it is I think a "Mini-14" barrel one or something. Measure your magazine tube and order by size. The other option is to drill and tap the forearm band for a threaded sling stud, and that isn't all that hard, but you'll have to epoxy it in and grind off the protruding threads inside the band afterwards.

[KWK]

Some folks complain about the 'tube-loading' feature, but I like being able to unload a gun quickly without moving rounds through the chamber.

I recall reading old B.T.Henry preferred his way of doing it, too.

[rbertalotto]

Some folks complain about the 'tube-loading' feature,

My Rossi 454 has a side loading gate............Are you saying they now load through the tube? That would be a deal breaker for me...........




And then you need to convert it to Take Down...

Whole story here: www.rvbprecision.com

[AJMD429]

My Rossi 454 has a side loading gate............Are you saying they now load through the tube? That would be a deal breaker for me...........

I think some did and some didn't. NKJ surely knows.

My favorite loading method actually is a detachable box-magazine...

...now if someone would invent a detachable tube-magazine. . . I think I'd LOVE that...!

[Panzercat]

Now that takedown is just darn sexy. My only worry would be compromising the integrity of the rifle to fire .454 hammers. As far as the side gate goes, I've never seen a rossi lever featuring tube only loading so I won't get too worked up over it until I'm staring at it in my hands with a dumbfounded look.

[tman]

Some folks complain about the 'tube-loading' feature,

My Rossi 454 has a side loading gate............Are you saying they now load through the tube? That would be a deal breaker for me...........




And then you need to convert it to Take Down...

Whole story here: http://www.rvbprecision.com

WAY

[Pete44ru]

My Rossi 454 has a side loading gate............Are you saying they now load through the tube? That would be a deal breaker for me...........

I think some did and some didn't. NKJ surely knows.

AFAIK, the early 454's were sideloaders/loading gates - but when the issue of the mag tube backing out (forward) out of the receiver under recoil developed, Rossi designed the threaded, front-loading, mag tube.

The threaded mag tube models retain the side loading gate, so may be loaded/unloaded by either method.

.