.46 Rimfire

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp,

I have been researching the .46 short rimfire that was used in the first conversions of NMA 44s for the Army in 1869ish.  UMC had a loading of 227 grain .456 diameter bullet with only 20 grains of powder. 

The Winchester load, however, boasts a 230 grain .456 diameter bullet with 26 grains of powder!  That is just shy of the .45 Schofield with 27-28 grains of powder and a 230 grain .454 bullet, and for that matter, the US Army standard reduced .45 Colt loading of a 255 grain bullet with 30 grains of powder.

I image that the effectiveness is close to the same as they Schofield.  I can see why it might have been very popular.  For my Uberti gated conversion and Uberti forged frame with conversion cylinder I am going to duplicate the Winchester load with .45 Schofield brass.  That is about as close the original rimfire as I can get!

I am working on some period type labels for both loadings that will glue onto Pioneer products Schofield boxes.  When I am done, I will post as an attachment ot a new post.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

The .46 R.F. Remy also could and did fire the longer46 R.F. Long Carbine cartridge with much better results. I think that is one reason the regular 46 Cal Remington R.F.'s were not used. I know If i had a choice of the lesser and the carbinr cartridge I'd certainly choose the carbine cartridge.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Charlie,

Now that would be a heck of a handgun load!  Isn't it about 38-40 grains powder and a 275 grain bullet?  I'll have to check my cartridges of the world tonight!

That would be a thumper!  Better than the full bore .45 colt 255/40!  I can se why the Remmie .46 conversions were so popular, and ammo was made until WWI.