.38 or .45 Conversion?

Riot Earp · March 30, 2006, 11:26:47 AM

I'm planning on doing a .38 Conversion by having my .44 Remmie barrel sleeved to .357. But I could save some money by leaving the barrel as is and doing a .45 Colt conversion instead. The thing is, I don't like heavy recoil. Does anyone know of a really mild .45 Colt factory load? The only one that looks soft to me is the Ten-X 165 grain load.

I've never shot a .45 Colt handgun (I'm rather new to cowboy shooting).

Marshal Will Wingam · March 30, 2006, 02:36:03 PM

I chose the .38 for a couple reasons, the main one being so I wouldn't hammer my pistols with heavy loads. I reload with light loads to help. In my 45's, I do minimum loads and 165 grain bullets. They don't kick too hard but I don't shoot them all the time anyway.

US Scout · March 30, 2006, 03:35:06 PM

I had mine converted to .44 Colt. A bit milder than the .45. In fact, I prefer shooting the .44 Colt to either .38 or .45.

On the other hand, I have two Remingtons with the R&D cylinders. The cylinder has been modified to accept the larger-rimmed Schofield cartridges. Schofield has a shorter case than the .45 Colt.

I also suggest you borrow and shoot a .45 Colt before making your decision. Might be you enjoy it.

Marshal Will Wingam · March 30, 2006, 04:58:54 PM

Quote from: US Scout on March 30, 2006, 03:35:06 PMI also suggest you borrow and shoot a .45 Colt before making your decision. Might be you enjoy it.

Great suggestion, pard. That could save a few $.

Halfway Creek Charlie · March 30, 2006, 10:41:22 PM

Might I suggest the 44 Rem Cartridge. 44 Colt case, 248 grn outside lubed bullet and 28 Grn BP Kirst makes a true 6 shot 44 Rem conversion for the 44 Rem. and it shoots great. I now jhave two choices in bullets one the 248 Grn bruiser and a 210 .451 inside lubed Colt bullet. Bernie at Old West Moulds sent me some samples of this lighter bullet and I like it. I haven't shot it yet but I think it'll shoot fine. Both of these are heeled bullets. 4.5-5.0 grns Of Trail Boss Smokeless powder works very well too.
Save yourself a bunch of bucks and go the 44 Rem Route and shoot either one. the cost from Kirst for the 45Colt/Schofied and the 44 Rem are the same. and you don't have to sleeve the bbl.

Oldelm · March 31, 2006, 11:32:34 AM

Howdy U.S. Scout,.......just wonderin how you converted your .44 Rem to .44Colt. Did you do it by getting the Kirst 6 shot conversion cyl. chambered in .44Colt? What loads & bullets do you prefer in .44Colt? I also have an R&D for my 5.5" Uberti .44Rem and I like to shoot the .45 Schofield case with 27gr FFg under a 200gr Big Lube bullet. Light recoil,......Fun to shoot

Charlie,........what do those 210gr heeled bullets look like compared to the 248gr ones? Is the heel shorter? Can't figure what they look like being "inside lubricated",....lube grooves on the heel? Where's it crimped? Any way you could post a close-up pic of em? The reason I ask is based on the info in this article....

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/heelbullets.htm

.....the writer has done alot of testing of the heel based bullets, and highly recommends Old West Mold's 248gr,...I think he comments that the 210 grainer has a shorter heel, and it is not quite as accurate as the 248 grainer. I'll be curious as to what you think after trying the lighter ones out. Let us know what ya think.

Hope ya don't mind all my questions, Pards...

US Scout · March 31, 2006, 06:08:43 PM

Quote from: Oldelm on March 31, 2006, 11:32:34 AM
Howdy U.S. Scout,.......just wonderin how you converted your .44 Rem to .44Colt. Did you do it by getting the Kirst 6 shot conversion cyl. chambered in .44Colt? What loads & bullets do you prefer in .44Colt? I also have an R&D for my 5.5" Uberti .44Rem and I like to shoot the .45 Schofield case with 27gr FFg under a 200gr Big Lube bullet. Light recoil,......Fun to shoot

This is a permanent conversion I had done by RL Millington in Colorado. The barrel was relined, a completely new cylinder was made, a loading trough was cut out, and it had a hand powered ejection rod (no springs).

It is by far my favorite CAS pistol. I pair it with a 1872 Colt Open-top and an 1866 Winchester in the same caliber.

I have a couple of Remingtons with the R&D cylinders that I enjoy shooting as well.

Halfway Creek Charlie · March 31, 2006, 07:27:07 PM

Old Elm,
The heel is just as long as the 248 grn with lub groove one small drive band a groove then the ogive.
Bernie told me they weren't as accurate at the 248 grn. due to the length of space the drive bands take up.It looks good in the brass, but I read that same article and I agree with him. The longer length of drive bands the better. this one looks like it will tumble early, due to the drive band being short and place forward of center of the bullet. bernie told me he was working on a hollow based 210 grn but hasn't got it going yet. that might help.

The .210 grn has one drive band the same sizeas one on the 248 grn.. The 210 grn has one lube groove in the heel an a crimp/lube groove, drive band, outside lube groove and ogive.

I just wanted something that I could put in 44 Rem Mag Brass with the rim turned down that wouldn't poke it little nose out the chamber mouth like the 248 Grn does in the 44 mag brass. This one sits the nose 1/32 below the chamber mouth and the case holds 33 Grns of FFG Elephant. These are a home defence round only, but the 248 with 5 Grns. Trail Boss does the job just as well. so I think I'll stay with that bullet.

Pictures later.

Jubel · March 31, 2006, 08:48:34 PM

Me I have both. I shoot 45 Schofield for smokeless and APP Gold in 45 Colt to make smoke. I likes my 38's as well hard to choose. My recommendation is eventually own both. That's the cowboy way

!

Oldelm · March 31, 2006, 08:56:20 PM

QuoteThis is a permanent conversion I had done by RL Millington in Colorado. The barrel was relined, a completely new cylinder was made, a loading trough was cut out, and it had a hand powered ejection rod (no springs).

US Scout......thanks for the specifics. Sounds like a sweet Remington, and I can see why it's your favorite CAS pistol.
R.L. Millington does some superb work, and I really like the antique finishes he can do on his conversions.

I recently had a chance to pick up a Ken Howell '58 Rem NMA conversion he did in 1995. It's a full conversion chambered in .44-40, 5 shot with loading gate & ejector rod, Nickel Plated. Just as on yours, the barrel was relined to .429 groove dia.. It's a pleasure to shoot, and I'd say it's currently my favorite pistol, too.

_______________________________________________________________________________

QuoteI just wanted something that I could put in 44 Rem Mag Brass with the rim turned down that wouldn't poke it little nose out the chamber mouth

Charlie,.......Ok,....yea, that's a neat load for the .44 Rem Mag case,...fills out your whole chamber!!

I guess I'd have to actually see that 210 grainer to get the gist of it. Some things are hard to explain with just words, ....and I appreciate your takin the time to explain the details. Lookin forward to seein a pic of it sometime.