Rossi 92 480 ruger conversion

[mickbr]

Just saw a factory Rossi 480 ruger go on gunbroker for a decent sum. it got me thinking and I assume someone considered it a long time before me- can an existing Rossi 92 be converted to 480 ruger? Or is Rossi doing something special during 480 manufacture eg some dimensional difference in the action, which cant be arranged as part of a conversion.

[wvfarrier]

That seems like a recipe for disaster IMHO

[mickbr]

Do you have a technical reason why that should be so? Its the information I am after.

[AJMD429]

.
NKJ will eventually see this post and likely knows the real story. My guess would be the larger opening may be like the conversion of the Marlin 336 to 45-70, where the openings weaken the receiver quite a bit. They also make the 454 Casull, and it has some fundamental differences from the 45 Colt and others, such as the threaded magazine tube. I don't know if the 480 Ruger versions had that or not, but without it I understand the magazine tubes (first run of 454's) popped out under recoil.

[mickbr]

Doc from what I have read the 480's had the magazine threaded as well. Was it a fact the heat treat was different for the higher pressure calibres too, I read it once. Maybe the 454 casulls themselves could be the donor for the project. Way out of my paygrade to figure it out re magazine tube width, reciever, feeding etc.. I am sure it will give a headache or laugh for someone else more knowledgeable.

[wvfarrier]

Unless Rossi has reconfigured their metallurgy, the rifle will loosen up pretty quick. The one I had darn near fell apart after about 65 rounds.

[Trailboss]

I've got north of 2k rounds through my 480 Rossi. Still tight as the day I bought it, but smoother to lever.

[mickbr]

Name your price Trailboss, PM me. Just kidding. But seriously Id probably even take Wffarriers shaken up one if he still has the pieces.

[6pt-sika]

I bought a Rossi/Puma 1892 in 480 Ruger NIB from a now deceased friend that had a gunshop . Had him order it for me , so when it arrived I paid him and took it home . It sat in my safe unfired for two years . I never liked anything about it , nothing against those that like them . I eventually traded it to someone still unfired .

[AkRay]

I've never seen a Rossi/Puma chambered in 480 Ruger at a gun show. I've seen several in 454 Casull. One of those might be fun and useful to own.

[oldebear1950]

is the 480 more powerful than the 454?

I have a 454 casull that all I have fired in it has been 45 colt.
I have two pistols in 45 colt is the reason I ordered it.
I also have one in 38/357 mag, to go with my Ruger security six.
Both of these are stainless steel, the 38/357 with 16 inch barrel, and the 454 with 20 inch barrel

[wvfarrier]

I would love a Big Horn in 460 or 454 but just cannot justify the price

[348win]

I believe the 454 is a much more intense higher power (pressure) cartridge than 480 Ruger

480 has been "pleasant" to shoot - for a big bore
To me the 480 doesn't have that sharp rap even a 44 mag puts unto the operator

[6pt-sika]

I’d liked to have had one of the supposed to be Marlin 1895RL’s they advertised as being in 480 . Think they had them in the yearly catalog two years in a row but to the best of my knowledge NONE ever saw the light of day . This was in pre Remington days the same time they made the 1894CB in 32 H&R Mag actually got one of those when they first hit the market .

[mickbr]

is the 480 more powerful than the 454?

I have a 454 casull that all I have fired in it has been 45 colt.
I have two pistols in 45 colt is the reason I ordered it.
I also have one in 38/357 mag, to go with my Ruger security six.
Both of these are stainless steel, the 38/357 with 16 inch barrel, and the 454 with 20 inch barrel

They both have about the same case capacity, 480 ruger is 44 grains, 454 caull is 45 grains.
I think 454 wins the numbers game with lighter bullets thanks to much higher pressures.
Top factory load or in fact of any load including handloads I could find is Hornadys factory ammo back country 300 grain solid at 1820fps which is 2200ftlbs. Potentially this could run 2100fps in a carbine(?) which is 2900ftlbs or 444 marlin power.

The most powerful loads I have seen reported for the 480 ruger in a rossi carbine are about 1825 with 325 grains for 2404ftlbs. However I see by Hodgon load data as bullets get heavier the 480 looks about on a par with the 454 casull. Top loads for both with 370gn- 400gn cast bullets from a revolver are similar.

[AJMD429]

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I half expected Ruger to come out with one of their '99/' actions in 480 Ruger, but I'm guessing it may not be able to deal with the pressures. It looks similar in mechanism to the Savage 99, but the Savage receiver is steel and looks like it has a larger bearing surface between bolt and receiver on lockup.

Of course if budget isn't an issue, the Big Horn Armory 89's ("halfway between 85's and 92's") have been available in 475 Linebaugh and I think can be ordered in 480 Ruger specifically. You wind up spending twice or even three times what a Winchester, Marlin, or Rossi would cost you, but in my opinion you wind up with three times as nice a gun.

[AkRay]

If you have a Rossi Puma 480 Ruger lever action, you have 475 Linebaugh level performance in a handy carbine, and you have that performance without the steep recoil penalty you get from the handgun. Accurate aimed fire delivered with less wear and tear on the shooter. That's the biggest advantage I can think of.

[CowboyTutt]

My Rossi Puma in 454 has been a PITA since it arrived and modified by Mic McPherson years ago. Hopefully their metalurgy has improved, but mine is awaiting new locking bolts as the "heat treating" did not hold up at all and head space is screwed up. Mine is older however, but I doubt much has changed with Rossi. -Tutt

[Old Savage]

Been waiting for you to chime in. I always wonder in a practical sense - What is it for. I doubt there is much beyond the capability if this type platform that is beyond my Rossi 45 Colt with your special loads, a 360 at 1350.