New CR Carbine

[tomf52]

Does anyone have one of these and how do you like it? Wha twould or could you use it for besides paper punching? I don't know much about the caliber but the carbine just looks so darn appealing I thought I might like one and find a shooting venue for it. I was all set to go for the 38/55 target model until I did all the reading about the bad chamber sizing. Is the 45 Long Colt something that's worth playing with for target? Thanks for any input on this, Tom

[cowboyup453]

Here's a recent post on this topic.
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,111003.msg1098337629.html#msg1098337629

[dubber123]

Nobody has mentioned one aspect about this gun, and that is it's power potential.  IF it has a tight chamber, and IF it has a long enough throat, it may be capable of some surprising power.  Ross Seyfried did an article where he had a sectioned 45 Colt, and a 454 Casull, both loaded to max overall length for a custom Ruger 5 shot revolver.  The powder capacity is identical.  If you use Federal cases, the case thickness looked  identical too.  He shot a 413 grain lead LBT bullet, and got 1,348 fps. out of  a 6-1/2" barrel.  That sounds like a traditional  45-70-405 load to me, but out of a much shorter barrel.  No doubt the pressures were in Casull territory, but since NEF chambers the 500 S&W, they apparently think they are strong enough.  I believe the chamber tolerances will be the issue, a short throat can be reamed out.  When I can lay my hands on one, I intend to see what it can do.  In the right gun, the Colt is a real performer.  (30% greater case capacity than a .44 mag).  We'll just have to wait and see.

[Daniel Laws]

I am looking for these barrels to get available on the accessory program.  I think a barrel reamed to 454 casul or even a 460 S&W would be interesting.  Puma is chambering the 460 in their lever gun, and with a little sane handloading, the handi should work OK.  As long as pressures are kept around 500 S&W levels, anyway.  I know a guy who carries one of the Pumas in 460 on his bear hunts with dogs.  He says you need something to take the bear out quickly, because the dogs pour in when you shoot.  If you don't want to bury some expensive dogs, you have to have something that works well.  That little rifle looks like a Red Ryder BB gun, but it suits his purposes to a T.  I'm thinking with a good set of receiver sights and the right set of stocks, the Handi would work just as well.  SAMMI specs on the 460 are 65K psi, so I think factory ammo might be a bit too much, but reloads down to 55 or 60 should be in 500 S&W ranges.  I plan on finding out about July, anyway!