45 colt rifle for subsonic use

[ohnomrbillk]

After a talk with Spook, I am on the quest for a subsonic round with readily available cheap bullets that were designed to expand at subsonic velocity.

I've been thinking a rifle in 45 colt may be the way to go. The 300 gr hollow points will easily be loaded in the 1050 fps range, and the bullets expand at that velocity. I seems it would have more thump than the 45 acp.

The dilemma is what rifle. Although I own a 45 colt lever gun, it is not what I want for a silencer host. I was hoping for a bolt action, or even a semiauto. Any ideas on what could be made to work? I have a tc encore, and a barrel is easy enough to get, but I was hoping for a repeater.

Before anyone suggests the Ruger 77/44, I have 4 revolvers and 1 lever gun in 45 colt. More brass than I can count to go with it. I'd like to use what I have.

Input appreciated
Bill

[Spook]

mrbillk , I'm thinking that unless you like Encores or Handi Rifles that the only other option is a Puma pump action.
There's always the 45 win mag with a .480 base diameter.:smile:

[ohnomrbillk]

Spook,
I was afraid that might be the answer. Back to the drawing board. Thanks for the input.
Bill

[Bigfoot]

I got a Taurus Thunderbolt pump with a 26" barrel for the same reason but I haven't started loading for it yet. It's a fun gun to shoot and it has a decent trigger, it also would be tough one to mount a can on. The case capacity is on the large size but with some Trail Boss I'm sure that I can find some low velocity loads. I have some 300 gr Non-Magnums XTPs for it that I've read have double caliber expansion at 800 fps. I'm also on the lookout for some 250-300 gr soft lead cast hollowpoints.

[winmdl98]

I never suppressed my Marlin Cowboy 45 but I did make some very effective loads for it. I used 300 gr TC lead bullets seated backwards and only .200 of lead out of the case mouth. They chrono'd a mild 920 or so out of the 24" barrel. Easy on the ears. No need to expand a 1/2" wadcutter. The long tube magazine held 12 rounds of the short ammo. I'd have to check load notes for the powder charge.

[Bigfoot]

And they fed well? I considered doing that to take up powder space but I was concerned that the next cartridge might catch in the lifter and jamb. This was also my worry with 45 Cowboy Special brass which is 45C brass shortened to ACP length. I've read that the Thunderbolt needs to be modified to use the shorter cartridge but I haven't looked into it that much.

Would you compare the sound to a 22LR rifle?

[winmdl98]

I'll check my load notes and post them here. Keep in mind, pistol powder and a 24" barrel. I'll get back to you later.

[winmdl98]

I used R-P nickel cases, WLP primers, 6.0 gr of Titegroup, 300 gr Lead Truncated Cone bullet, bullets seated backwards to 1.400" Overall Length, there was .125" of exposed bullet out of the mouth of the brass. They chrono'd 933 FPS, muzzle flash was less that 2" when shot at the indoor range, rifle was a Marlin 24" Cowboy 45. Incredible low recoil. I did not have a 22LR to compare it to at the time.
Hope that helps.

[bgrayd]

I got a Taurus Thunderbolt pump with a 26" barrel for the same reason but I haven't started loading for it yet. It's a fun gun to shoot and it has a decent trigger, it also would be tough one to mount a can on. The case capacity is on the large size but with some Trail Boss I'm sure that I can find some low velocity loads. I have some 300 gr Non-Magnums XTPs for it that I've read have double caliber expansion at 800 fps. I'm also on the lookout for some 250-300 gr soft lead cast hollowpoints.

http://tornado-technologies.com/
This guy threaded my marlin 357 (subsonic use of course), and he does TOP NOTCH work.

If you end up doing a 45LC, I would love to see/hear how it went!

Brett