Puma Question?

[Freightman]

On the 45 Colt LS Puma do you have to stay with the published pistol loads or can you get them a little faster? I am not talking dangerous just 100/200 fps.
The rifle has a 24" barrel.

[timkelley]

I use what the loading books call Ruger/ Contender loads in mine. I can get to the sore shoulder loads before I get any excess pressure signs.

[Scrounger]

You can safely go to the load level suggested for Thompson Contenders and Rugers. It is near .44 Magnum level in pressure and velocity but completely safe in your lever action.

[KCSO]

Yoou can safely load a 250 grain bullet to over 1600 fps in the 24" Puma. The rub is what other 45 Colts do you have. if you only have a Ruger Bllackhawk or such you are ok but if you slip one of these in an Italian Colt clone you jjust bought a new gun. Even if you don't or think you won't miix up the ammo someone else could. I have a nice cracked cylinder in my collection where someone coulldn't follow instructions (DONT use the jacketed slugs in the revolver!!!) I much prefer using a 44 mag if that is the power level I need and then you know there will be no probllems.

Now if the above did not scare you off a hot load in a 45 Colt can equall or exceed a 38-55 factory load by a good margain and is coming close to a Hi Speed 38-55.

[Freightman]

Thanks, when I get it I will post pictures, its still in Oklahoma right now. Looking forward to it, I seem to be drawn to these older designs as I get older went through my AK/AR period now I am into big bore stuff, seems I can relax better with them. I am getting OLD!.
I do not at the present have another 45 Colt gun but you are right, if I have two guns of the same cal and want to keep separate I paint the rear of the case with my wife's old fingernail polish, last a very long time as some have been through 10 or more tumbling's and the writing is still red.

[missionary5155]

I took to using a BLACK marker on the bases of ammo that I wanted to be SURE never got fired in the wrong firearm. Red also shows up well and gets buffed off in a vibrator cleaner. The plastic ammo boxes are clearly marked also BUT sometimes stuff gets loose.

[Old Ironsights]

If you consider that they put a .454 onto the same frame, I wouldn't worry too much...

[corvette8n]

Here is what I shoot in my 16" Puma in .45LC
with the metal buttplate it kicks pretty good.

Here are the specs.
Doubletap Ammo
45 Colt +P 300
Muzzle Velocity: 1325 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1170 ft. lbs.

Information and ballistics from the manufacturer:
These loads are safe in all large frame Ruger revolvers, TC Contender, Colt Anaconda, and Freedom Arms firearms. These loads are safe in all modern Model 1892 leverguns as well as all Winchester & Marlin 1894's. DO NOT USE IN ANY OTHER FIREARM. THESE ARE NOT STANDARD PRESSURE CARTRIDGES!

[Freightman]

Thanks, will not need any heavy loads unless I go hunting. That one sounds like it would get the job done.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

In my .45LC '92, I use 11gr. Unique behind a 250gr. boolet for 100yd buffalo shoots. These shoot right on at 100 yds., and 4.25gr. Bullseye behind 160gr. boolets, shoot right on at about 30yds. for the cowboy shoots, without moving the sights.
That they chamber these guns in .454 is true, the action is more than strong enough. But they found the recoil started shearing the screw that holds the magazine cap to the barrel, and modified that in the .454's. Haven't had any such problem with mine, after sevral thousand rounds.
Morgan

[Bret4207]

I have a 44 mag Puma. Your shoulder will fail long before the brass/action, trust me!!!!

[Rick N Bama]

I have a 44 mag Puma. Your shoulder will fail long before the brass/action, trust me!!!!

'specially with the curved buttplate!

Rick

[Buckshot]

...............Birchwood Casey makes a liquid called "Brass Black" . I used to use it on cases that had had special things done to them, like opened up flash holes, or hotter then usual loads I wanted to keep out of weaker similar chambered guns. It's kind of like cold bluing, but for brass. I'd use a needle nose plier and dip the bottom of the case in maybe half way.

...............Buckshot

[Freightman]

Sounds better than finger nail polish as it takes a lot of time and gets in your action, not bad on a bolt action but an enclosed action it is a pain.

[cajun shooter]

I've been using Sharpies of various colors; but Buckshot I'll try that cold blue as it will last longer I'm sure

[Freightman]

Look at the pictures above.

[okotoks]

9.x grains of Unique or 18.0gr of 2400 with 250 RNFP cast bullet makes "one ragged hole" with 2 different Rossi '92 45 Colts. Ruger blackhawk loads not only are safe to use but work better. I load 22 grains of triple 7 for SASS competition, shoots better than factory or Trail boss but not as accurate as 9.0 U. I have not experimented with 45 colt loads higher than 9.5gr Unique.
Shooting the Rossi or Blackhawk HOT and clones "cowboy", I load "hot 45's" in Remington nickel brass, and shoot every thing else in regular Starline or WW.