460 Rowland Madness

[Andy]

If you must have a compensator then by all means buy the expensive kit, but $500 for a non-compensated kit?

Few seem to realize that the 460 Rowland is simply a lengthened 45 ACP - the OAL's are the same. The extra length of the brass is said to prevent idiots from using the high pressure rounds in a pistol not strong enough for it, but essentially it's marketing foo-foo.

Choose a pistol of sufficient strength, e.g. a Norinco or Dominion Arms, then:

1. run a 45 ACP reamer in a bit more and use 460 Rowland brass; or
2. use shortened 460 Rowland brass in the 45 ACP chamber; or
3. use 45 Super brass with 460 Rowland loads in the 45 ACP chamber.

Then buy a stronger recoil spring from Wolff.

If you must have a "match" barrel, then after trying loads out in your 45 ACP chambered non-match barrel, spend the $200 or so and get one in 45 ACP.

Yes, I have done #2 and #3, and have converted 308 brass.

I see an opportunity here to rechamber barrels or sell shortened brass, but that would be exploitive.

 

[Levon12345]

I'm on the same spirit journey. One question, how did you ream the inside of the .308 cases? I'm picking brains to build a cheap and repeatable jig. If all else fails, I'll just get the .45 super brass. But I'm cheap and I've got a lot of .308 around.

 

[Calahan]

... Then buy a stronger recoil spring from Wolff. ...

On Wolff's website, I only see their recoil springs going up to 28lbs for the 1911. I always figured that 28lbs would be good for 45 Super. Is that strong enough 460 Rowland?

 

[Andy]

On Wolff's website, I only see their recoil springs going up to 28lbs for the 1911. I always figured that 28lbs would be good for 45 Super. Is that strong enough 460 Rowland?

in my experience, a 24 lb is enough and a 22 lb might do. Buy the package of extra strength springs and experiment.

 

[Andy]

I'm on the same spirit journey. One question, how did you ream the inside of the .308 cases? I'm picking brains to build a cheap and repeatable jig. If all else fails, I'll just get the .45 super brass. But I'm cheap and I've got a lot of .308 around.

Here's a good thread to review: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1187919-Hand-Cannon-NP-30BD-45-08?

Look at Post #29 for details on making 45-08 brass

That said, 45 Super is plenty strong for the loads listed. The limitation is that the firing pin has too much clearance around its tip and primers flow into the gap. That said in my gun that effect has not affected operation.