Stupid Question about 45 cal big bore lever guns...

[Hillbilly]

The 45-90 thread brought to mind a question I had a few years ago... and never fully resolved.

I dont play with the older BP based cartridges and the big framed levers... so excuse my ignorace.

Can you fire a 45-70 from a 45-90 rifle. Would the freebore length totally ruin the accuracy potential? I assume there would be some carbon ringing (44scp from a magnum.. 38 from 357Mag kind of thing). Would this be "safe" if possible?

I passed on an poorly refinished 45/90 a few years ago... and have always wondered about these issues.

thanks guys

Jeff

[kimwcook]

I've shot 45-70 loads out of my 45-90 and they were actually more accurate. My range sessions aren't scientific by no means and I haven't shot many of either rounds through the rifle. I'm sure some work with the 45-90 loads would produce better results, but so far that's what I've got. And, yes, shooting 45-70's out of the 45-90 chamber probably isn't the best thing to do on a steady diet, but I don't plan on doing a ton of it.

[shdwlkr]

Biggest draw back I can see is the same as using 38 special rounds in a 357 mag or 44 special in a 44 mag. I only have 45-70 caliber so don't really know but it seems to be a logical issue.

[Gun Smith]

Over a long period of time you might do some damage to the 45/90 chamber in front of the 45/70 case. But that would be an awful lot of shooting, so I wouldn't worry about that much. Just as long as you don't let any fouling accumulate foward of the 45/70 case that could stick a 45/90 case later.