45-70 and the 454 Casull

[brybenn]

I'd go 4570. In the black powder days it nearly wiped out the buffalo. A big heavy slug to the boiler room of any animal will bring it down. The sheer momentum of those big heavy bullets is enough to break the shoulders of anything that walks this earth. If you want a powerful motor get a 454 if you want a thumper of a gun get a 4570 iMo

Also a 3030 is bout perfect for a black bear over bait and has prolly taken more moose then any cartridge in the world. But I agree when after bigger animals I like more punch as well

 

[45Beargun]

I'd take a black bear or moose with a 30-30 if stand hunting, but not walking around, stalking.

 

[CanuckWR]

I haved an older Marlin 1895 with the 20" barrel and the pistol grip (straight grip) stock.

I handload and cast my own so for me the options are endless, and as such it will do almost anything mentioned here. It is so much more flexible for a bush carry, big game hammer, or plinker so keep that in mind. You may decide to reload in the future if you do not yet, and that will open up a NEW WORLD for the old girl.

Don't have a chainsaw? 480gn Hard cast RNFP at 1700fps will cut down trees too.

Thats versatility!

 

[Dorian Gray]

I'll bite...

The Rossi is a lesser quality rifle than the pre-Rem Marlins.

I trust my 1895GS more than I trust my Rossi M92 quality just isn't there.

Can you give me an specifics? Is it just overall a little more poorly made?

I haved an older Marlin 1895 with the 20" barrel and the pistol grip (straight grip) stock.

I handload and cast my own so for me the options are endless, and as such it will do almost anything mentioned here. It is so much more flexible for a bush carry, big game hammer, or plinker so keep that in mind. You may decide to reload in the future if you do not yet, and that will open up a NEW WORLD for the old girl.

Don't have a chainsaw? 480gn Hard cast RNFP at 1700fps will cut down trees too.
Thats versatility!

I like the way you think!

So far i'm leaning toward a new 1895GBL. 45-70, pistol grip, laminate and a nice short barrel. Seems like the way to go.

As for the 30-30, I'd have no problem carrying one for the type of stuff i'll be doing. Right now i carry a savage 99 in 300 savage for tight stuff or dogging but i've got the itch for a new rifle and already have more than a few 30 caliber rifles and no 45's so that's why i'm leaning this way. I'm sure you guys understand.

 

[Camp Cook]

Can you give me an specifics? Is it just overall a little more poorly made?

Quality control just isn't there on the Rossi's.

When I purchased my first Rossi M92 in 454 Casull I happily cleaned it then took it to the range after my first shot I noticed that there was a weird line on the empty case I then inspected the chamber it had a spiral gouge in it.

Took the rifle back they exchanged it for another this one after a few shots had a crack start on the buttstock where it attaches to the receiver this is part of the reason I now have black-gray laminate stocks on this rifle the other reason is I like the look of stainless steel/black-gray laminate combo.

I shoot a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull as well my loads are slightly reduced when compared to Freedom Arms loads this is due to top FA loads causing the brass to have sticky extraction from the cylinder these were the same loads that I shoot in my M92 = close but not top loads.

I recently had the cross screw that holds the front barrel band break off had to get it drilled out and replaced and recently I have noticed that the barrel has started to turn our slightly the iron sights are no longer perfectly aligned with the reciever.

I had a gunsmith turn it back but it looks like it is starting to twist slightly again.

Don't get me wrong these are fun fast action accurate rifles they just do not have the overall quality controls that pre-Remington Marlins have.

 

[Freyr_255]

Quality control just isn't there on the Rossi's.

When I purchased my first Rossi M92 in 454 Casull I happily cleaned it then took it to the range after my first shot I noticed that there was a weird line on the empty case I then inspected the chamber it had a spiral gouge in it.

Took the rifle back they exchanged it for another this one after a few shots had a crack start on the buttstock where it attaches to the receiver this is part of the reason I now have black-gray laminate stocks on this rifle the other reason is I like the look of stainless steel/black-gray laminate combo.

I shoot a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull as well my loads are slightly reduced when compared to Freedom Arms loads this is due to top FA loads causing the brass to have sticky extraction from the cylinder these were the same loads that I shoot in my M92 = close but not top loads.

I recently had the cross screw that holds the front barrel band break off had to get it drilled out and replaced and recently I have noticed that the barrel has started to turn our slightly the iron sights are no longer perfectly aligned with the reciever.

I had a gunsmith turn it back but it looks like it is starting to twist slightly again.

Don't get me wrong these are fun fast action accurate rifles they just do not have the overall quality controls that pre-Remington Marlins have.

Is your 454 one of the first models before they did some re-designing? I know when I was looking at buying one they had them off the market mainly due to issues with the mag tube shearing screws and such which they changed out to a new design that could handle the recoil better.

As for my own Rossi M92 it did come from the factory with one major issue and that was that the feed rails(ones that guide the shell off the lifter arm) for the cartridge were too short. It looked like they used ones for a 45 colt rather than 454 casull. I solved the issue myself by grinding them out to accept the length of the cartridge. When I did this I also polished the internals on the action and now it's smooth as butter to cycle. No other issues have been noted to date, but then again I haven't done a whole ton of shooting 454 loadings out of it.

 

[Camp Cook]

Is your 454 one of the first models before they did some re-designing?

No...

 

[BigUglyMan]

So far i'm leaning toward a new 1895GBL. 45-70, pistol grip, laminate and a nice short barrel. Seems like the way to go.

It's like buying a half-ton pickup to pull your trailer. It'll do it, but a 3/4 or 1 ton will do it easier and better. The 45-70 can easily send a 420 gr cast bullet at 1950 FPS. That's over 300 FPS faster than Nosler lists their 300gr bullet from the 454. They're not even in the same class.

 

[Camp Cook]

A few years ago when I first bought my 20" barreled M92 454 Casull I posted a full range report with load data and velocities for bullets from 240gr - 405gr for the life of me I cannot find the link to that info now.

I do remember that 240gr Hornady XTP's = 2350fps and gave me 2 1/2" 100 yard 3 shot groups.

 

[torontogungal]

A few years ago when I first bought my 20" barreled M92 454 Casull I posted a full range report with load data and velocities for bullets from 240gr - 405gr for the life of me I cannot find the link to that info now.

I do remember that 240gr Hornady XTP's = 2350fps and gave me 2 1/2" 100 yard 3 shot groups.

The Amadeo Rossi M92s don't have that stupid bolt safety either like the Br#####h R92s.
I have a 20" round barreled Amadeo Rossi 92 in .454 Casull. I shoot mostly .45 LCs in it and Federal makes 260 grain Fusion .454 Casull cartridges which are in the .45 LC +P power range which I don't find unpleasant that would be great for deer hunting.
The full power .454 Casull loads knock my light frame around like a ping pong ball leaving deep bruising even with the M92s generous recoil pad and unless Ma Grizzly was closing in on me for the kill at 30 mph I won't be firing any more of those.

 

[Camp Cook]

I was out with my 5 year old son tonight due to this thread I grabbed the M92 454 Casull loaded up with 240gr 2350fps loads.

My guy with my help was shooting his T/C Contender carbine in 22LR shot mostly CB Longs tonight.

We both had a very good time plinking away these are definitily fun rifles to shoot/carry and gave me a very reassuring feeling when I had 9 454 Casulls in the mag tube.

 

[torontogungal]

I was out with my 5 year old son tonight due to this thread I grabbed the M92 454 Casull loaded up with 240gr 2350fps loads.

My guy with my help was shooting his T/C Contender carbine in 22LR shot mostly CB Longs tonight.

We both had a very good time plinking away these are definitily fun rifles to shoot/carry and gave me a very reassuring feeling when I had 9 454 Casulls in the mag tube.

240 grain projectile @ 2350 fps = 2942 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
Right up there with the .30-06 Sprng.
And that 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet has a big ugly maw on it like a Great White Shark coming at you.
I would only be using these in Yogi country.
A dislocated shoulder instead of half of my 125 pound body down a brontobruins gullet is a trade I'll make any day.
And the gun with iron sights weighs less than 6 pounds.
Most .45-70s come in at around 7.5 - 8.5 pounds.
2 less pounds on small shoulders like mine makes a lot of difference at the end of the day.
The range is about 100 yards but a bear that is more than 100 yards away is not a threat, YET.
That could change quick.
Those noses will even pick up the smell of fresh shot/caught grouse, rabbits, salmon, trout in a pack sack and if he's really hungry you might have company for a several course dinner (which you'll be part of).
I know.
I spent some time in and around Ketchikan, Alaska.
Pepper spray and bangers to stop 800 pounds of muscle, teeth and claws on a 30 mph charge? - NOPE, I'll pick the ballistic option thank you very much.