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While posting on the "357/44 Bain & Davis" thread it occurred to me that it was not going to be a walk in the park to build a light, compact lever action rifle capable of firing this cardridge without spending a lot of money. Most, if not all of us that were posting, agreed that in order to do it right would require the services of a gunsmith. Not any gunsmith but one that had "done it before". One was found who's material and labor amounted to $500 (US). That's $500 plus the cost of the Marlin 1894 or USRA M92/clones used as the platform.
The goal is to obtain 1500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from one of these quick pointing marvels of blued steel and warm wood. Sure, that's been available for years chambered in 45 Colt, 44 Remington Magnum, and the King; the 454 Casull.
So, why bother?
First, do we really need to make a .429 or .454 hole in that deer, yote, tin can, paper target, etc? My answer to that is no.
However, I have seen some Russian Bores here in the Louisiana swamps that would make you feel undergunned with such.
Second is trajectory. A projectile with a diameter of something less .429/.454 of similar weight traveling at a higher velocity is going to shoot flatter. Higher ballistic coefficient.
Third is "JUST BECAUSE WE WANT ONE".
Here's my pitch:
Here lately several manufacturers and importers have offered 38-40 chambered lever action rifles. I didn't think much of it at the time until today when a light went on. Why not rechamber using the 45 Colt case necked down to 38-40, which is .400"-.402". Why not indeed. Maybe that's been done before. If so, we're good to go. If not, we are still good to go with a little more cost for a special order reamer and dies. Beartooth Bullets casts a 10MM (.401"-.4025") 200 grain RNFPGC that appears to be perfect for the project.
Is 2000 fps possible while keeping the pressure under that of the 44 Mag which is 43,500 CUP. If so, then the muzzle energy would be around 1775 ft-lbs. Maybe someone with a ballistics program knows.
Flatter trajectory, less recoil, less muzzle blast, more penetration. These are more than enough reasons to justify owning another gun. WHY BOTHER INDEED.
NITRO,
New Orleans, LA
"The only problem with instant gratification is that it takes too long".
The goal is to obtain 1500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from one of these quick pointing marvels of blued steel and warm wood. Sure, that's been available for years chambered in 45 Colt, 44 Remington Magnum, and the King; the 454 Casull.
So, why bother?
First, do we really need to make a .429 or .454 hole in that deer, yote, tin can, paper target, etc? My answer to that is no.
However, I have seen some Russian Bores here in the Louisiana swamps that would make you feel undergunned with such.
Second is trajectory. A projectile with a diameter of something less .429/.454 of similar weight traveling at a higher velocity is going to shoot flatter. Higher ballistic coefficient.
Third is "JUST BECAUSE WE WANT ONE".
Here's my pitch:
Here lately several manufacturers and importers have offered 38-40 chambered lever action rifles. I didn't think much of it at the time until today when a light went on. Why not rechamber using the 45 Colt case necked down to 38-40, which is .400"-.402". Why not indeed. Maybe that's been done before. If so, we're good to go. If not, we are still good to go with a little more cost for a special order reamer and dies. Beartooth Bullets casts a 10MM (.401"-.4025") 200 grain RNFPGC that appears to be perfect for the project.
Is 2000 fps possible while keeping the pressure under that of the 44 Mag which is 43,500 CUP. If so, then the muzzle energy would be around 1775 ft-lbs. Maybe someone with a ballistics program knows.
Flatter trajectory, less recoil, less muzzle blast, more penetration. These are more than enough reasons to justify owning another gun. WHY BOTHER INDEED.
NITRO,
New Orleans, LA
"The only problem with instant gratification is that it takes too long".