Puma questions

[Andrew]

I noticed when poking around at the different models that the .454 is only chambered in the carbines, not the rifles. Is this a ballistic problem for the .454 to have too long of a barrel or is it a "nobody wants one" thing that they don't even bother to produce them? I like the look of the 24" octagon barrels on the 92's and I don't know why they don't chamber them for the big .454 and .480 cartridges. The fact that they get that hideous rubber pad is a minor one that could be eleviated relatively easily, but, that barrel thing is a bit harder to take care of.

So suppose someone wanted a 24" octagon 92 in .454, could they rechamber a .45 model or is there a big difference in the action that helps with higher pressure? The way I see it, it might be easier to do it that way.

[Old Ironsights]

Probably a "nobody want's one" issue.

The .454 won't really gain much with an extra 4", and the .454 is really designed to be a short, handy, short-range .45-70 replacement.

[slimster]

Trust me, when you light off a 454 you will be glad that "hideous rubber pad" is there! I think O.I hit it on the head. Most buyers of the longer, octagonal, etc barrels with the traditional crescent butt plates seem to prefer the more traditional calibers.

[2ndovc]

Trust me, when you light off a 454 you will be glad that "hideous rubber pad" is there! I think O.I hit it on the head. Most buyers of the longer, octagonal, etc barrels with the traditional crescent butt plates seem to prefer the more traditional calibers.

Man that's for sure! I'd never say I was a recoil sensitive guy but when my .480 goes off I'm sure glad I've got that big old thick rubber pad. When I got my 480 it came two stocks: Kick-ezz padded and a steel crescent plate. About five rounds was all I could take with that steel plate.

When they go off you sure know it. I love the looks I get when I take it to the range

jb

[Buffboy]

IIRC they were going to offer it in a 24" rifle version originally as well. They advertised one but I've never seen one or even heard of anybody else that has. As I wound up getting a SS 16" trapper you'd think I'd not be interested in a rifle version but you'd be wrong. I know it's ugly but they REALLY do need that pad.

[slimster]

Andrew, before I rechambered a 45, I believe I would think about getting another barrel of the profile I desired in 45 and having it reamed for the 454 and installed on original 454 frame. I'm not sure if there are any different heat treating or slight diminsional differences, but better to be safe with a 60,000 psi round. Also, the threaded mag tube mounting is a plus with the heavier recoiling cartridges.

[Griff]

I understand the mag tube is screwed into the frame and uses a different loading method. Read: Paco's Review of the .454 Puma in GunBlasts.com.

[SoupOrMan]

Huh. I must be recoil-sensitive. After about 50 to 60 rounds of Remington's .357 JSP through my Puma, I'm wondering why they ever went back to the steel buttplate. The first shot is bad enough, but the last shot stings pretty badly, too.

[45Jack]

I have a 24" octagon barrel 92 in .45 Colt.
Steel crescent butt plate. I can load .45's to a very uncomfortable level pretty easily.
They are still below many folks "max" loads.
Trapdoor loads out of a Marlin Guide Gun are more comfortable to shoot.
Maybe the crescent butt plate just doesn't fit me, or my arthritic old shoulders don't like it.
It's one of my favorite rifles to look at, but it will never be my favorite to shoot. At least not until I put an ugly rubber pad on it.
Jack

[runfiverun]

if they would offer all their models [cals] with 20"
octagon bbls and a recoil pad. yeah a short rifle.
i would be buying a bunch more rossi's.
a few rounds with full power 44 mag or 45 colt and that crescent
plate don't seem so "stylish" anymore.
maybe that is why i prefer the carbines for shooting.

[Paladin]

Trust me, when you light off a 454 you will be glad that "hideous rubber pad" is there! I think O.I hit it on the head. Most buyers of the longer, octagonal, etc barrels with the traditional crescent butt plates seem to prefer the more traditional calibers.

+1 After a few boxes of ammo I didn't min the looks at all.

[CraigC]

With the velocities that can be obtained in the .45Colt `92's, I wonder why a handloader would even bother with the .454.

[45Jack]

With the velocities that can be obtained in the .45Colt `92's, I wonder why a handloader would even bother with the .454.

My guess would be to go to an even heavier bullet.
I know I can load .45 Colt to a level where I should charge myself with elder abuse.!
Jack

[jd45]

I sorta don't like to be a "bubble-burster", but the .454 Casull's groove & bullet diameter is really .451" I guess the "454" thing just sounded better. jd45

[jd45]

Craig, that's a very astute observation, IMO! Can't wait to try those heavy-bullet loads in my Puma! jd45