I am debating buying an antique revolver for use as a woods defense gun here in Alberta...
I have been thinking about calibers. I have read that .44mag levels are too stout for most old guns.
However, I have read about antiques being converted to .45acp and that got me thinking. Could an antique handle the power of a .450SMC or .45 Super? If so could a revolver theoretically be setup to run on both .45acp and .450/.45?
If that is possible which make/model/etc would you guys suggest for this project?
Thanks
Not all 45 Acp ammo is loaded hot the trick is finding the correct 45 acp ammo for the gun BUT its even better to reload the 45 acp down to 455 presures.
Webley MKI and MKIIs are break open action guns for fast reloading there are some that are upgraded to a mKI** that meens its gone back to the factory and had a more modern MK V cylinder installed and barrel i have a few of theses and they handle factory Wolf 45 ACP SWC ammo no problem.
That ammo is loaded under 800 fps.
I know lotsa guys shoot the wolf 45 acp in regular webleys to thats why SFRC Sells outa it as fast as they get it in.
Just forget the 45 super and 44 mag ammo in any pre 1898 handguns cept maby a big old Remington 1871 single shot even then id be carefull.
One of the best made pre 1898 handguns for shooting stout loads thru is the DA Colt 1878 they have no stop notch cut outs in there chamber walls are soilid frame and can handle a very decent load read Elmer keith six guns on theses.
When a gun blows up for the most part the cylinder stop notch cut out is where they go frist but DA 1878s dont have them cut outs in the cylinders so there way stronger + the HD frame all one chunk of steel.
I have 3 DA 1878 Colts set up in 455 45 schofield and 45 acp comeing soon and they can handle factory 45 acp wolf ammo and stronger.
Keith shot his 17.5 gr 2400 Loads thru the 1878s in 45 colt with a 250 gr swc which is a 1100 + FPS load.
there one of the strongest made pre 1898 guns keeping the bullet Dia within a few tho of the bore dia is very important as well.
Tho any heavy load is hard on them old guns best to load down and keep everything lasting longer + there much more fun to shoot at under 800 FPS loads.
The recoil of a 2400 elmer keith load will rattle your fillings loose i know ive shot his loads in alot of diffrent guns includeing the remington 1875s with new cylinders there also very strong made guns but only if there cylinders are replaced.
