.45 Winchester Magnum & the Contender

[vonfatman]

I picked up several barrels this past weekend and one was a Super 14 chambered for .45 Win. Mag.  I have ZERO experience with this caliber and was hoping some of you might tell me of your experiences (good and bad) with this caliber in the Contender.

Big bore barrels I already own include: .41 Mag.-10", .45 Colt -10" & 14", .45 ACP-10", 44 Mag.-10"

Reloading is not a problem as I already reload .45 ACP.

The only hunting I may try (if I decide to keep the barrel) is Whitetail.  I would scope the barrel with a 2x Leupold.  Other than than Deer, I'd just use it at the range occasionally.

Thanks for any comments or thoughts.

Bob

[Hopalong7]

     A powerful round in a Contender or anything else for that matter.  I've got two, a 10" and 14".  The 10" barrel is about like the 44Mag in recoil snap(ouch)...maybe not quite but close.  I found the 14" a little more pleasant to shoot.  Never have hunted with it, but wouldn't hesitate to do so.  I've never scope either barrel so I really can't say a lot about accuracy, but it seemed OK for irons.  Remember that she headspaces on the rim and you gotta(and yes, 'ol hardhead found this out the hard way) use a taper crimp or it won't chamber.  A 45acp taper crimp die will work.
FWIW: 14" 45 Win Mag barrel can be rechambered into one fine shootin' 45Colt.

[wheelgun]

i have  had my 45wm for 5 years and love it.very accurate,easy recoil.mine will put them in one hole with blue dot and 250 gr xtp.

[vonfatman]

Thank you both.  I do not have a 454 so this might be as close as I'd care to be to that caliber.

I imagine a .45 Colt in a like length Contender would be pretty tough on deer too.

Bob

[Hopalong7]

     I did not mean by the rechambering remark that there is anything wrong with the Win Mag vs the Colt.  The Colt has a little more case capacity and a rim.  I find the Colt a little easier to reload(but not a big deal).  Either one would be a deadly deer round for 150yd or so.  I second wheelgun's powder and bullet choice.

[Lone Star]

Another plus for the .45WM - plenty of pressure-tested loading data exists up to 40,000 cup.  Nothing like that for the .45LC, maximum data is at least 25% to 40% lower.  This is a hint that the Contender can handle 40,000 cup in a case that diameter, but no way to get there with certainty in a .45LC.



.

[vonfatman]

I have been reading in several manuals and have seen more data than I expected.
Bob

[leadbutt]

Have a 14" and bought it when the 14" first came out, every thing I was told by the guys at the specialty shops, the round was as close as you could get to the 454 in the contender, nice thing with the single shot tube is the ability to loaded WFN style lead in the round, have used hand loads and factory to take several hogs a one black bear

[Hopalong7]

     Time to stir the pot some....Just for the sake of good discussion!  I've got to believe the 45Colt comes closer to being a 454 than the 45 Win Mag.  Even though published data with pressure tests are 40,000CUP for the Win Mag and only 30,000CUP for the Colt,  the extra case volume at less pressure produces more velocity....i.e. Hodgdon shows the following:
     45 Win Mag  260gr Bullet...25.0gr H110...37,400CUP....1339fps
     45Colt         260gr Bullet...24.0gr H110...30,100CUP....1374fps

     The above data IS listed as MAXIMUM loads and the Colt data is for Ruger, Contender and Freedom Arms ONLY!!!  Granted the Colt data is for a 7" barrel and the Win Mag only 5".  The Win Mag pressure tested data(Hodgdon) stops at 260gr while the Colt data goes to 360gr.  Note that the Colt can do over 1200fps with 335gr bullets and well over 1100fps with the 360gr.  Now boys and girls, to my way of thinkin', when you put that in a closed breech 14" barrel...you got yourself a HAMMER!!! 

[vonfatman]

Since I have .41 Mag, .44 Mag and .45 Colt barrels...the .45 Win Mag barrel will be an "add-on" to the capabilities already in hand...but who said redundancy is a bad thing??

Bob

[wheelgun]

     Time to stir the pot some....Just for the sake of good discussion!  I've got to believe the 45Colt comes closer to being a 454 than the 45 Win Mag.  Even though published data with pressure tests are 40,000CUP for the Win Mag and only 30,000CUP for the Colt,  the extra case volume at less pressure produces more velocity....i.e. Hodgdon shows the following:
     45 Win Mag  260gr Bullet...25.0gr H110...37,400CUP....1339fps
     45Colt         260gr Bullet...24.0gr H110...30,100CUP....1374fps

     The above data IS listed as MAXIMUM loads and the Colt data is for Ruger, Contender and Freedom Arms ONLY!!!  Granted the Colt data is for a 7" barrel and the Win Mag only 5".  The Win Mag pressure tested data(Hodgdon) stops at 260gr while the Colt data goes to 360gr.  Note that the Colt can do over 1200fps with 335gr bullets and well over 1100fps with the 360gr.  Now boys and girls, to my way of thinkin', when you put that in a closed breech 14" barrel...you got yourself a HAMMER!!! 

I agree with you on the colt 45.i have always keep a eye out for a straight 45 colt tube ( not the 45-410) but never have seen one when i had alittle extra money.i always wanted the 45 colt in a 14" tube.the 45 wm and 45-70 are the only contender barrels i have a 45 colt would be sweet.I have a 454 in a ruger.

[MnMike]

I have no urge to get into the 45Colt vs. 45WMag debate, but I do love my Contender 10" .45 WinMag. It is accurate and is a good deer round for carrying on a drive. I just stick with the iron sights because they are quick.

good luck
mike