Reeder Custom Guns - I'm always stumbling through life wondering

things and seeking understanding, never fully satisfied.

I do not now if this is still a valid practice but it was a blurb from the last century concerning FA single action M83's. It was written by a respected shooter. Since the guns are currently sold with VERY expensive accessory fitted cylinders in .45 Colt (the .454 Casull guns) I assume it is still a valid practice.

Can you get away with it, obviously yes, a little. Should you do it? Shoot .45 Colts in your .454 FA? Seemingly not if you have an easy alternative for long term use. I certainly know what Bob Baker would say. So there you go. You're on your own free will.

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The end of the chamber in the 454 is square cut.

Sounds like someone doesn’t understand geometry. Maybe I don’t understand.

Explanations accepted.

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Note the chambers where they go from cartridge diameter to bullet diameter. See the angled "step"? The article quoted is saying those are not beveled in the 454 Casull. I don't remember ever seeing one that was not beveled/angled. The only "square" cut ones I have ever seen were in cylinders used with rimless cartridges that headspace on the cartridge mouth.

All the worries about .45 Colt brass in the 454 chambers as far as I am concerned only applies if you don't clean the chambers thoroughly after using Colt brass. In the early days we could not get 454 brass and shot nothing but Colt brass for a few years. Hundreds of rounds if not more.

Now, I could be wrong about the "step" in the chambers but I sure do not remember ever seeing it "square" and I used mine a LOT! I do remember people giving all sorts of reasons why Colt brass would damage the gun or would not work. None of their reasons ever made sense, other than if don't clean the carbon etc. out and use the 454 brass with heavy loads .. then that can create issues.

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clean any debris from the front of the chamber after firing 45 Long Colt then he should have stayed with a S&W model 10 in 38 special as obviously the 45 Long Colt/454 issue is way too complicated for him.
Simple common sense says if there is some left over debris in the cylinder from shooting the 45 long Colt, then take a good brass brush and clean it out. Also I would never shoot soft lead bullets in any of my guns. In this instance I am in the "too lazy" crowd as I simply don't have the time nor the desire to scrape out any soft lead found in the cylinder or barrel after shooting the 45 LC. God gave us gas checks for a reason.

Bob Baker is a good friend and I can completely understand his position on having a second cylinder to shoot the 45 Long Colt in and save the 454 cylinder for 454. If there is enough debris and left over lead in the cylinder after shooting the 45 LC and you shoot enough for it to build up to where that clump of soft crap is blocking the chamber mouth, then this can cause a big build up of pressure when you put a 454 in there then there is a chance there will be a large noise when you pull the trigger, followed closely with a smaller noise of the shooter screaming and trying to find some of his missing fingers. And he will have a hard time dialing his lawyer with 3 or 4 missing fingers.
As far as a square chamber in the cylinder, I think maybe that person has been enjoying way too many night caps before bed.

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I had a FA 454 and with the 45LC cylinder and factory loads needed shorter front sight. I think it was shorter, I may have it backwards.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Else’s .454’s. He said “we learned some things” that were important design characteristics. He was not specific but serious, the .454 really is a tiger by the tail! I had a Taurus that shot great myself. I’m not fond of top end 300 gr.+ loads. I’d need to be really mad at something. I think recoil is worse than the .475 LB.

I would like a clean shooting “painted” cast bullet moderate load to get more barrel time. I have a 7-1/2” and just got a 6” M83 in .454. I do think I’m going to stick with .454 cases just so I don’t have to fret with the chamber cleaning so much. But I’m not afraid to shoot a .45 Colt through it. I have several .45 Colts anyway.

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I'm always stumbling through life wondering

Wow. Square cylinders! …chamber in the 454 i

Cylinder Chambers

I agree totally with Jim. If one is too damn lazy to

Front post sight

Not a problem for a reloader to load to 45LC velocity.

So if you have a 44 mag FA, then you shouldnt shoot 44 spec?

I can’t stand it, I’m doing a cast of the FA chamber…

I know I have had 0 issues with my Ruger SRHs in 454.

Ok Bob once told me to “be careful” with anyone