Colt Lightning Rifle & BP

[Hell-Er High Water]

I just finished a two day, 12 stage match shooting an AWA, 45 Colt, Colt Lightning rifle with BP loads.

This is a rifle built by Eldon Penner of Gardnerville, NV from AWA "Kits" that he had.

The only cleaning that was done was after the first day (the first 6 stages) the action was flushed out with Moose Milk, with the magazine and forearm wood removed, and the bore was cleaned with two Moose Milk saturated patches.  After reassembly the second 6 stages were shot the second day.

The gun funtioned flawlessly without a hitch.

Eldon builds a good gun and the AWA's can be made to shoot when properly built (or rebuilt).

This is for any of you that may have an AWA and are looking for a good gunsmith to get it working reliably with either BP or smokeyless.

HHW

[litl rooster]

 HHW does he have a web link?

[Hell-Er High Water]

litl rooster,

No web site but his eMail is HEPENNER@aol.com and his phone number is 775/783-8387.

I am very happy with his work and in addition to this Lightning he completly rebuilt an original Large Frame Colt Lightning for me and rebarreled and rechambered it to 45-85-285 caliber (Colt's designation for the 45-70).  Been shooting it for a couple of years now also with no problems.

HHW

[Howdy Doody]

I don't even have a lightning and I can vouch for Elrod and Toni 2 Bits as two pards that are just exactly what CAS is about. Eldon was instramental in the replica lightnings even getting produced.
So Rich, what powder do you shoot? I had shot Mohave Gamblers lightning with APP and it was nice to shoot. I believe his is/was and AWA edition.
I have seen more and more of the lightning show up down south here and they work slick. The pards that shoot them are using smokeless however.

[Hell-Er High Water]

Howdy Howdy,

At the present I am using 2.0 cc (approx 29.0 gr) of GOEX FFg, a 0.060" wad and a 195 gr SWC bullet designed for the 45 ACP.  I traded into 7500 of these unlubed SWC bullets a while back so I am using them up in the 45 Colt cartridge.  They have a single large lube groove and I lube them with either SPG or Pearl Lube from Dick Dasterdly.  Both lubes work with this bullet.

When I use up the remainder of these bullets I am going to switch over the 200 gr RNFP, "Big Lube" bullet.  I have the six cavity mould for it it shoots just the same as the SWC in the rifle.  The "Big Lube" bullet is a little longer so I will eliminate the wad and maintain the same OAL cartridge length with the same powder charge.

I've talked to a lot of people that have had a lot of trouble with the AWA Lightnings but after Eldon works his magic on them the problems just seem to go away.

I look forward to seeing you again and shooting with you somtime in the near future.

HHW