.45ACP barrel length?

[Wrangler]

Some time back I remember readinga n article ina magazine where the author took a long barreled rifle and began cutting it in incriments then measuring noise and velovity as well as accuracy. It was interesting even if it destroyed a good barrel. I wonder if anyone has done that lately?

[Bigfoot]

I agree, the best way is probably to have someone make a .45 barrel for a Marlin, Savage or Mauser and test it. A chronograph would be helpfull too. Use hot loads and keep cutting off an inch until the sound level reaches your goals. At that point you should be able to use lower pressure loads safely and quietly.

Remember, Prebancolt said his 16.5" Marlin was quieter than his 18.5" Ruger 10/22. I was assuming 26" would be necessary but now I'm thinking 24" might do it.

BTW those guys that used 26" or longer .22LR barrels said that they are SILENT except for the sound of the hammer dropping and the bullets impact. Nice but I don't need to go that far.

There are 1911 colt and Glock pistol conversions, they claim a velocity increase also. I'd belive it with P+ or 45 Super ammo but I'd doubt it standard pressure ammo. http://www.mechtechsys.com/ They don't say anything about noise with thier 16.25" barrel.

Besides using a muzzleloader, another cheap way of testing barrel length is a chamber adapter in a .45 caliber rifle like a 45/70, I read an old poster saying these guys will make one but I didn't see it listed. http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm I asked that poster how long his barrel was and how loud it was with the adapter but he hasn't responded yet either.

[Bigfoot]

I just found something interesting.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/pr...category=Rifle
I'd heard it was coming out but I didn't know it had a 26" barrel. Lyman sells cast bullets in weights from 292 to 535 grains.

[Wrangler]

Reminds me of the old Winchester pump 22 I learned ot shoot with and they later copied.

[Bigfoot]

I'd rather have a long barreled Marlin Camp 45 but I might get one of these and see if the long barrel quiets those 45ACP pressure loads. Winchester has factory 225 gr HP Long Colt loads at 930 fps that are pretty close to a .45ACP load.

Looks like these are in demand so I could always find someone to resell it to. I might even decide I like the slide action enough to keep it.

[Bigfoot]

I finally got a response from a guy shooting standard pressure 45ACP from a rifle. It was CCI Blaser 230 gr with the brass case, Midway says 850 fps from a pistol. I asked him about his gun and how loud it is. Heres his answer.

" Thomson Center G2 with a custom 25 inch barrel.
Noticably quieter than a pistol, but still loud."

He also reports a 210 fps INCREASE for an average of 1060. Hmmm, real close to supersonic. I'll bet lighter loads or faster powder would quiet it down some more.

[Wrangler]

It would be nice to have sound readings in db to know what it actually was at the muzzle. Then the subjective would be quantified.

[vladzred]

First..thanks to Bigfoot for bringing this forum/thread to my attention...

Next...I've been working out a plan to use pistol ammunition in a long barreled rifle for a bit now...doing a lot of reading on the issue. Goal is to put a lot of energy on raccoons/feral critters out to max 100 yards, but do it quietly. Also looking at suppressed rifles/300 whisper, but if the long barrel/light load will do the job without the NFA..I'm for it.

Interesting info here http://guns.connect.fi/gow/ed.html as well as on the rest of the Gunwriters on the Web site. I don't reload as yet, so am looking at what loads are commercially avaiable that use heavy bullet with light load. Like to keep this all "off the shelf". Looking to read reviews on the Taurus.

[JF]

I had a 27 inch fast twist 44 mag barrel built for my TC Encore. I use 310gr lead bullets and relatively fast 231 powder. I cronograph them to make sure they stay at about 1000fps. They are pretty quiet for having that much knockdown. I don't need hearing protection at all to shoot them. I would say that it is similar to a 22 rifle in sound. I am getting about 1.5 inch accuracy at 100 yards. It was an interesting experiment even though the barrel maker probably though I was crazy for spending my money on it. For me, it was worth it to find out.

[tp555]

I made a barrel for an old 12 ga. single shot 1920's era shotgun in 45acp about 10 years ago. At that time i had ffl and was doing this type of stuff. used a douglass blank and made the barrel 18" long. Drilled and tapped for a scope shot dmn good. I hated to give it back, but it was for a friend. Don't remember the acoustics. Probably a bit less then pistol sounds. Had an exposed hammer. Wasn't trustworthy for modern 12 ga shells,but 45 acp was no problem.Yeah I wish but I got a marlin camp carbine. Its just not as accurate.regards.