Loads for Rossi 92 45Colt

[Mark-II]

Well I just got back from my first real range session with this thing, and I must say that I am hugely disappointed.

I had 2 different loads with me that shoot decent in my revolvers, but in this carbine I'm lucky to keep 5 shots on an 8.5x11" piece of paper at 50 yards.

I'm shooting a 250gr cast cowboy style bullet, with either 5.8gr Titegroup or 7gr 231. The Titegroup was completely hopeless.

1 string of the 231 almost held a group of about 5" but the next one just patterned again.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for a load for this thing?

I've got 231, Titegroup, and some HS-6 for faster burning powders, Longshot and a bit of 2400 for slower ones.

 

[LUTNIT]

Have you slugged your bore and made sure the cast bullets you're using are an appropriate size? You want .001" to .002" above groove diameter. Even new factory guns have a tolerance range on all parts; it could just be that the bullets are too small but your revolvers have tighter barrels/throats.

I know one guy with a .45 Colt lever rifle (don't remember the brand but not a Marlin; no Micro-Groove rifling) and it will only shoot well with .454" cast. A lot of cast meant for the .45 Colt are only .452" which is fine if you have a perfect, zero-tolerance bore but doesn't always work in real life.

 

[Mark-II]

I'm hoping that isn't the case, but it could well be.

The rifle doesn't mean enough to me to bother keeping if I have to stock completely different bullets for it.

 

[BrockPython]

I own two of these rifles one 44 mag with a 16 inch barrel and one in .357 with a 24 inch barrel. The like em hot, the 214g SWC over 7.5 grs of bullseye that shoot great out of my readhawk for plinking don't shoot worth a dam out of the rifle. 240gr LSWC GC over 21 Gr H110 shoot like a hose on fire. load that puppy up and you will get better accuracy.

 

[Andy]

I'm hoping that isn't the case, but it could well be.

The rifle doesn't mean enough to me to bother keeping if I have to stock completely different bullets for it.

If you expect the rifle to shoot well with the exact handloaded ammo that you use in your revolvers, then you can't blame the rifle if it won't.

 

[Mark-II]

I own two of these rifles one 44 mag with a 16 inch barrel and one in .357 with a 24 inch barrel. The like em hot, the 214g SWC over 7.5 grs of bullseye that shoot great out of my readhawk for plinking don't shoot worth a dam out of the rifle. 240gr LSWC GC over 21 Gr H110 shoot like a hose on fire. load that puppy up and you will get better accuracy.

Thanks. I'll try it out

If you expect the rifle to shoot well with the exact handloaded ammo that you use in your revolvers, then you can't blame the rifle if it won't.

Not terribly helpful.

I asked for advice on load development. What I'm not about to do is ponder buying an oversize bullet mold and sizer die for a single rifle. It's not worth it.

 

[Old Ranger]

I'm following this with a great deal of interest. I've just bought one of these and am picking it up on Aug 15th. I plan on it being a cast bullet shooter and have been thinking about trying cowboy action shooting. I have both 452 and 454 dies. No moulds yet. Thinking Lee to start. I'm hoping I can come up with a light to midrange load with OK accuracy. Got half a dozen pistol powders to try including Unique which seems to work well in everything and Trail Boss which was apparently developed for this type of application.

 

[Northman999]

My Rossi shoots fine with Cactus Plains 255 gr RNFP very well at velocities from 1100 - 1400 fps, which is what I tried them at. "Fine" meaning loonie sized 5 shot groups at 25 meters where the semi-buckhorn sights are still useful, with 3 shot groups sometimes being cloverleafs. Farther out the groups open up, but it's because of the crappy sights that every frickin lever-action rifle maker puts on lever rifles.

Sounds like your loads may be a bit light for a rifle and your lead bullets may not be expanding to fit your bore - just a guess. Some stiff handloads with the same bullets may help in terms of accuracy.

I've since scoped my Rossi for heavier hunting loads at longer ranges.

I do think it likes .454 cast bullets better than .452, but 50 yard accuracy with .452's is still pretty good.