Can a Rossi M92 lever gun in 45 colt be rechambered to 454 Casull?

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sgt.rock

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I have been on the hunt for a Rossi M92 in 454 Casull for years. Always missed out on the few I ever saw for sale.
It got me thinking......seeing as I have seen several 45 Colt rifles for sale the last few years, can I just have one of those rechambered to 454 casull or is there more to it... such as different twist rates for 45 vs 454, different lifters etc.
Thanks for any insight you guys may have.
 
My brother has one of the most desireable Rossi rifles, a stainless, 16" M92 in .454 Casull. It did okay with factory loads with light bullets, but I whipped up a batch of heavy cast bullet handloads, and the gun tore itself apart under recoil. If even the guns they built for the caliber can't take it, converting one from a milder cartridge does not sound to me like a good idea.
 
BattleRife said:
My brother has one of the most desireable Rossi rifles, a stainless, 16" M92 in .454 Casull. It did okay with factory loads with light bullets, but I whipped up a batch of heavy cast bullet handloads, and the gun tore itself apart under recoil. If even the guns they built for the caliber can't take it, converting one from a milder cartridge does not sound to me like a good idea.
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The older Rossis had issues with the mag tube and maybe one other thing. It was addressed well over a decade ago. I have a 20" CBC made Rossi M92 on the way. The 16" is not currently in production unfortunately. If it's as nice as the .357 I bought I'm going to be a very happy man. As for the OP, anything can be done with enough money. The receiver is pretty well identical.
 
B said:
The older Rossis had issues with the mag tube and maybe one other thing. It was addressed well over a decade ago.
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He bought his gun brand new less than ten years ago. The mag tube was threaded into the receiver, a different arrangement than the traditional slip fit. These facts make me believe his was indeed the model that had alterations to "address" the issues.

It didn't matter, the threads on the mag tube were poorly cut and stripped right out.
 
That could be a case of a poorly made rifle. The Taurus Rossis were definitely hit or miss. Even the "good" ones usually needed some work. I had a few blued .454s over the years and they seemed to hold up fine. I don't think I ever put over 1000 rounds through any single one though. I usually sold them looking for a 16" stainless model that seemed to always sell out before I got one.
 
High end 44 loads should be close to mild 454. Other than acquiring what you see as a unicorn, what are you trying to do. No really, not to be a Richard. The 45 colt would a fun pinker, with much cheaper ammo and components, probably ok for treestand deer at bow range. Just wondering, with the "tearing apart" comment above if your exceeding or on the edge of the M92 platform. Pushing a pistol bullet, when a rifle caliber lever gun might easily and cheaply scratch the itch, just not the unicorn itch.
 
In a modern model 92 action the 45 Colt should be able to do anything the .44 Mag can, likely better even. I currently shoot 300gr XTP's at 1500 fps out of my 16" R92, pretty sure I could likely drive them a bit faster still without issue. A hard cast 300-325gr bullet might do even better and would no doubt penetrate better with minimal to no expansion. Definitely on my list of things to try sooner than later.

This guy: https://leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
has hot rodded the 45 Colt in the Rossi 92 action beyond what I thought was possible(and a bit past where I would likely try to get mine to, but it's impressive nonetheless). Makes these small carbines heavy hitters for their size and weight.

John Linebaugh also has an interesting read for loading the 45 Colt up to impressive levels, though his information is geared more towards shooting it from Ruger single action revolvers, or his that he makes from the Ruger frames I believe - https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings
 
sgt.rock said:
I have been on the hunt for a Rossi M92 in 454 Casull for years. Always missed out on the few I ever saw for sale.
It got me thinking......seeing as I have seen several 45 Colt rifles for sale the last few years, can I just have one of those rechambered to 454 casull or is there more to it... such as different twist rates for 45 vs 454, different lifters etc.
Thanks for any insight you guys may have.
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I believe the receiver on the 454 is made heaver and heat treated differently
 
My main reason for wanting a 454 is mainly for a powerful camp gun. I spend about 2 weeks every year in Grizz and Big blackbear country. Have had over a dozen huge blackies and 2 Grizz waltz through our camp at all hours. The worst was the face to face with a Grizz when I went off to the edge of the sandpit at 11pm to "sit & think". I think he followed me.
Anyhow, I love the short nimble pistol caliber leverguns. My 357 Rossi has quickly morphed into my favorite gun. I desire more oomph as that Grizz made an honest man out of me. I'd be happy with a 44mag but happier with 454. I own several other leverguns in 30-30, 307win and 308win but just love the little M92 best. I doubt any newer model made on CNC machines will "tear apart".
 
My 44 isn't coming apart anytime soon. Nice little carbine...camp gun. Here, with no alpha predators it's a walk in the salal thicket rifle. Across on the mainland, one of the highest concentrations of big blacks and cats in Kanada. As a kid, won the gold medal in windfall hurdles being chased by a Blackie. Little 44 carbine approaches 1900 ft/sec and 1800 energy. About the same energy at the muzzle as a 243, and weighs about 6lbs.

Definitely a reloader caliber(454). I doubt it would be easy to find ammo in Vancouver, or Edmonton, must be hard up there. Seems like your a lever guy. Close enough to smell them, don't know if there's a good choice against G bears. A number of years ago, I believe someone made a stainless/laminate/takedown, short barreled lever gun in 500 Smith. North of $2k. Doubt it's 6lbs or as handy as a 92.
 
Big horn armory model 89......says cross between a 92 and 86. Base rifle is $2500 usd on their site, 7lb 10 9unces. Must have mistook the stainless takedown, with Chiappa? Alaskan.

Everything being way up in price, not available. Bet it would be $4k and a wait here. That's too much Dinero. Watching Hickock45 video.
 
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If the op wants a light, short, hard hitting, shot by anyone camp carbine.....a 45-70 isn't the answer. My wife shoots the guide gun, with vanilla factory ammo. Actual full house loads, have scared her away. Even the big horn armory is probably 2lbs heavier than the Rossi.

That big horn also comes in other big bores. I believe 460 Smith. IIRC, the Smith pistols shoot 460, 454, and 45lc in the same revolver, just like 38spc and 357 in rossi 92. Wondering I that would work in the bighorn. It just seems like a.lot of money. But if you look on the ee,.45-70 guides are listing double$ of what they should. if the op bought a.new rossi, had the gunsmithing done (by whom), tooled up to reload......bet he's pushing $2k. Prophet river out of stock. Insomnia sucks.

Hickok video claimed the 500 Smith pushes 458wm power. Just spit balling here, as I don't think it's really what the op wants. Heck if what he wants is a cheap 50ft defense gun for dropping a deuce, short barreled 870 with slugs.
 
Oh damn, thought I was done buying this year after picking up that Rossi 92 in 45 Colt, if these are the stainless versions coming in I may have to make an exception. My Rossi pretty much overnight became my favorite gun to carry and shoot.
 
Andy said:
Source? If it's other people who "think" that, it's a great example of how myths take root.

It will do more than the 44 Mag will do and mine will be among the last gun to be taken from my hands......
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I'd be interested in knowing as well. I didn't see anything about that and I'm not sure it would be necessary. The M92 action is incredibly strong.
 
Two points to consider.
45 colt chambers are typically cut quite oversized due to outdated specs. 454, I'd expect would not clean up the old chamber properly.

45 colt with starline brass, and ruger level handloads will meet or exceed most people's recoil comfort level in a lightweight carbine, with performance to match. If a 325 grain cast bullet at 1500fps is not enough oomph, a 45-70 would be the most logical step up.

Regards,
Stomp
 
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