45 Colt vs 480 Ruger in a rifle?

[WCF3030]

I'm looking for an excuse to spend some money.
Dose the 480 Ruger round out of an rifle have a distinct ballistic advantage over the 45 Colt with factory or hand-loaded ammo?
Looking to get a Puma in one or the other.

[86er]

I'd seriously look at 2ndovc's rifle in the classifieds. Piller shot his water buffalo/cape buffalo hybrid with a 480 using 400 gr bullets IIRC. The advantage over the 45 Colt is the additional bullet weight for the close range "thump" that is priceless on boars, bears and other larger critters. On the other hand, a deer sized animal at appropriate range wouldn't know the difference between them.

[1886]

It sure does. How could it not? Bigger,heavier bullet at similar velocity. 86er is a very accomplished hunter. He has witnessed many game kills. I am very familiar with J's .480 model 92. It is top shelf. If you are looking for a first rate .480 built on the 92 platform, it would be hard to do better. 1886.

[WCF3030]

Thanks for the responses.
I probably should of worded my post differently.
What are the standard vel of both rounds from a rifle. I know there are several variables but some ballpark figures would be nice.

[86er]

A 350gr in 480 does 1550 in a 20" bbl
A 335gr in 45 Colt (the heaviest and longest that will cycle) does 1400 in a 20" bbl

The 480 has more bullet weight and velocity, plus diameter.

[WCF3030]

A 350gr in 480 does 1550 in a 20" bbl
A 335gr in 45 Colt (the heaviest and longest that will cycle) does 1400 in a 20" bbl

The 480 has more bullet weight and velocity, plus diameter.

Yep that would do it!
That would make a devastating hog/deer rifle.
Thanks.

[Grizz]

what's the heaviest cast bullet that will cycle thru an 1892 .480?

[2ndovc]

Biggest I've used is 400 Gr. and still feeds well.

The rifle I have just shoots better with jacketed bullets.

Only reason I have it up for sale is I have just too much stuff and
trying to thin out some of the guns I don't shoot much. Plus I just
got that 1886 / .33 WCF to obsess over.

She's a handfull to say the least.

jb

[CowboyTutt]

Not to muddy the waters, but a 454 Puma with a 20" barrel will throw a 360 WFN at near 1800 fps and a Keith bullet at slightly less. I can't imagine needing more than that for your intended purpose. Just another option to consider.

-Tutt

[Old Savage]

Heavy critter shoot off - 86er's place - 480 vs 454. Tonnage talks __ walks.

Call it Keith Plus!

[WCF3030]

Not to muddy the waters, but a 454 Puma with a 20" barrel will throw a 360 WFN at near 1800 fps and a Keith bullet at slightly less. I can't imagine needing more than that for your intended purpose. Just another option to consider.

-Tutt

I've considered the 454, even loaded at heavy 45 Colt vel. Just not sure yet. But thats the fun of buying a new gun.

[Idahoser]

What is the real deal on those being used in each other's chambers...

I mean like you can shoot ..38 Spl in a .357 gun. You can shoot .45 Colt in a .454 gun. Isn't there a ____ that will also shoot .454 and .45 Colt?

I don't know which one it is, but some of the ones that pop into my head as possibilities are this .480 Ruger and .460 something... Rowland?

[CowboyTutt]

I was refering to the 460 Smith and Wesson which in a revolver which will shoot 45 Colt, 454 Casull and 460. They are all 452 diameter. This is harder (if not impossible) to do in a levergun because the designs are sensitive to cartridge OAL.

-Tutt

[Idahoser]

Ah, okay thanks.

[BAGTIC]

A 350gr in 480 does 1550 in a 20" bbl
A 335gr in 45 Colt (the heaviest and longest that will cycle) does 1400 in a 20" bbl

The 480 has more bullet weight and velocity, plus diameter.

Yes but...

The .45 has greater sectional density and ballistic coefficient. It will have flatter trajectory, probably better penetration and, of course, less recoil.


How much is enough?

The best is the enemy of the good enough.

[JustaJeepGuy]

There's quite a bit of "six-of-one, half-a-dozen-of-the-other" here...

[TedH]

I'd go with the 480 over the 45 or the 454 for that matter. The 480 operates at lower pressures than the 454, that means less battering, wear and related problems. As already shown the 480 has a decided advantage over the 45 Colt as well.

[CowboyTutt]

Ted, not necessarily. My friend Mic McPherson has repaired two Puma's latetly (before he stopped working on them all-together), one a 454 and one a 480, that had extractor's (or was it ejectors?)that were proud. The entire case head thrust was being born by the extractor, not the bolt face. Eventually, in both cases the extractor was deformed and headspace issues resulted. Both cartridges are capable of breaking a poorly built rifle. The problem with Rossi's, by any other name, is the poor tolerances and quality control.

Steve, have you seen this sort of extractor problem as well? Just wondering.

-Tutt

[O.S.O.K.]

A 350gr in 480 does 1550 in a 20" bbl
A 335gr in 45 Colt (the heaviest and longest that will cycle) does 1400 in a 20" bbl

The 480 has more bullet weight and velocity, plus diameter.

Yes but...

The .45 has greater sectional density and ballistic coefficient. It will have flatter trajectory, probably better penetration and, of course, less recoil.


How much is enough?

The best is the enemy of the good enough.

That last is a Voltaire quote. And how true.

If you want power in a sveldt levergun, go with a 444 Marlin, 45-70 or 450 Marlin chambered Marlin or Winchester. IMHO

I like the 480 Ruger but having a 45 Colt Marlin Cowboy, and a 45-70 Marlin, I don't see the upside - another cartridge that needs dies, bullets....

But hey, if you like it, you like it.