Griff

Let me rephrase... I wouldn't shoot (AT) them even if I owned 'em. I did "fire" a pair of borrowed ones oncet. Did the New Year celebratin' suck all the sense of humor outta y'all?

I wouldn't shoot 'em even if I owned 'em. I do believe I fired a pair of 'em that were borrowed at a match in AL several years ago.

Flames are not really a problem per se when emitted from the cylinder gap at the front of the cylinder... It can be a indicator of a problem... But, it's when it also spits lead that you have a serious problem.

Yeah, if anyone claims I bought a Ruger, ya best bet yer life savings it t'weren't me... 'cause you'd be a winner!

Helps prevent leading. Even fairly hard lead bullets, if pushed fast enough can have lead stripped off and deposited in the grooves. It can be a bear to remove. Velocity, finish/condition of bore, & lead alloy can all be contributing factors.

Operative word: "may". Yes, and yes... but, IMO bullet to barrel fit is more important than a specific Bhn. For pistol cartridges, whether in a rifle or pistol straight WWs work In the 4 rifle cartridges I cast for, I add 1 part linotype to every 6 parts WWs and use a gas check.

The 225 is a truncated cone and while it has a sharp corner at the leading edge of the front driving band, it doesn't have a lip with a 90º corner, so it cycles thru my Uberti '60, both '73s, Rossi '92 & Marlin '94 with equal ease, unlike a 255 SWC. A traditional RFN @ 250 or 255 grains has a rather small meplat for a levergun, IMO. I've tried a number of 45 bullet weights & shapes, but don't favor them in my rifles for different reasons. For BP loads, most don't carry enough lube for a rifle. My favorite .45 bullet of all time is the now discontinued Speer "Flying Ashtray". In front of an appropriate load of smokeless, I've found it unsurpassed as a SD/hunting where total transfer of energy is preferable to total penetration, be it from 1911, SAA or levergun. I have molds for 160, 185, 200, 225, 250 & 255 grain bullets, SWC, RFN & TC nose shapes, I cast in all of them, load them all for different purposes

Every time I hear of such nonsense, I'm reminded of a early shoot put on by a club down toward So Texas that decided to throw in a stage that included a main match pistol, rifle, shotgun, a derringer, single shot rifle, rifle caliber rifle, a bow & arrow, knife & hatchet... with the stated intent "to make sure a non club member wouldn't win the match." I don't remember how that worked out for them, but... I haven't entered one of their cowboy matches since. Although I have taken home a couple of their belt buckles at their mounted shoots.

Yes, I bought my 1st '73 in 1987 and have shot BP thru it from the beginning, Lubed with a mixture of Crisco, lanolin & bees wax until S{PG came out. The 45-225-CAV has been my primary BP bullet. I've used Goex, (2f, 3f & Cartridge), Swiss, (3f) and APP (3f), with my best groups with Goex "Cartridge", sadly no longer made

If it were mine to sell: fair would be $1500-2000. If I were the buyer: fair would be $500-800, box, original papers, etc all add value. some value unaltered more than others. What Phantom said.

ROFLMAO!!! You ask about hunting loads on a site dedicated to a sport/game populated by folks who're most often accused of using mouse farts loads that barely make the 20-25' and make steel ring with a "tink". Many of whom think a lofty goal is to have loads so light they can dump 10 rounds out of their rifle in less than 2 seconds. I'm gratified that you received several well reasoned answers. IMNSHO, it's the Colt SAA that's the weak sister in your combo, due mostly to its thin chamber walls, especially the locking bolt cuts. Since you're not adverse to using cast bullets, I recommend Lyman's 4th Ed. Cast Bullet Handbook for load data for both rifle and pistol loads. If you happen to also cast, I can recommend the RCBS 45-225-CAV mold, it casts a truncated cone of about 230 grains with a nice grease groove & crimp groove for use with a BP compatible lube for Goex, In my '73 I need to crimp in the forward part of the crimp groove to keep OAL to around 1.57" to feed thru the rifle. The advantage to APP is that while a BP substitute, it doesn't require a BP compatible lube. Cleaning regime would be the same as Goex, warm water, or your favored mystery oil for BP cleaning. (I believe BP cleaning is easier than smokeless, just more often). While your pistol won't notice so much, using a slower burning powder in the rifle will gain you a few fps in the longer bbl. Stay away from "Ruger or Thompson Center" load data. 14,000 psi in a 45 Colt ain't anything to snicker at. If you consider jacketed rounds, stay away from bullets listed for the 45Mag or the more powerful .452 chamberings as their jackets may prove too stout to allow expansion. There're a few 45 Colt factory loads in the 225gr range that would serve hunting purposes well. While Sierra's 240 JHP has proven accurate in my 45 Colt rifles, I haven't ever found an equivalent cast bullet for more cost effective practice/sighting in purposes. Lastly, I've found Keith style bullets to be poor feeders in my toggle link rifles as the forward driving band tends to catch on the chamber mouth.

Yes, the last hundred I loaded 3 weeks ago all went bango, still have 500 of the last 1,000 I bought 50 years ago.

If you're reading all the replies, it should be obvious that the answer to your question is: It's a Ford vs Chevy vs Chrysler thing. Whether you pick up a Winchester, Marlin or Mossberg is really unimportant, as the real criteria is how they feel in your hands and how they handle for you. The other questions you need to answer are whether you can fill your needs with a carbine, or even a trapper, or do you need the added capacity only a "rifle" provides. My mdl 94 Trappers hold six rounds in the mag, my 20" carbines hold 7, while all of my mdl 94 26" rifles hold 10 rounds of .30-30 ammo. Then when you get that criteria narrowed down, and you've selected the best .30-30 rifle for YOU... you will then have to determine the best bullet for your rifle, in a load that it likes and provides you with your desired accuracy. Things like bullet weight, hardness, nose profile (generally you'll want a flat nose, but there are different profiles for even that), & velocity all affect the shooting experience. Are you a caster, or do you need "store bought" pills? Do you already handload .30-30s for another platform? My honest, brutal opinion is that none of the above should be determined by a popularity contest. There are many "bests". Some vary in minute details, others can vary greatly. Best for me, for you, or anyone else can be nearly identical, or differ wildly, expectations to the contrary are unrealistic.

Possibly the Marlin 336 as it's action is somewhat smoother than the Winchester 94... But, Microgroove rifling and cast have had a tumultuous relationship... that and Winchester is a marginally stronger action and easier to carry in hand (depending on bbl length & where the balance point is). Somewhat subjective in use however. Truly a matter of personal choice. With nearly 30 Winchester 94s in .30-30, my opinion is clearly tainted! But, when my best group with my favorite is ¾" @ 200 yards, it becomes no contest. Plus, why shoot an ugly rifle?

I've obviously been doing it wrong for the 37 years I've shot BP thru my shotguns in this game. I've ALWAYS used AA hulls and plastic shot cup/wads. First the WAA12R, and since that was discontinued, the Claybuster CB-1138-12. Clean up is simple, take the bbls off run hot tap water thru the bbls from the breech, push a nylon brush wrapped in a cotton patch thru once, change to a dry patch & lastly an oiled patch. (Removing the brush at the muzzle end each time to avoid drawing any fouling back thru the bbl). Only time I've had to make more that one swipe thru the barrels after shooting BP is when I've shot a 3-day match... You can spend your time at the match cleaning all the time... me, I'll clean once when I get home. Or... just fire a few smokeless rounds thru after the BP... (But, I still advise cleaning afterwards). There are multiple ways to skin a cat...

But... but... but.... a person might need a reason to turn over their brass inventory after a few dozen years....

I bought my 1st Stoeger in 1986, (coach gun), the 2nd in 1988 (26" bbls), and have shot my last two matches with that 1st one... + many, many matches in between. They've required less work than any other shotgun I've owned. And of my several double guns only one has seen the inside of a gunsmith's shop! And that one ain't a Stoeger!

Yes.

This is the product that I use: ONE SHOT® SONIC CLEAN™ CARTRIDGE CASE SOLUTION Non-toxic and uniquely formulated to clean brass cases. Quickly removes most tarnish, oxidation and carbon buildup. Designed specifically for the Hornady® Lock-N-Load® Sonic Cleaners.™ 32 fl oz. Item #043355 1 Gallon Item #043356 At 40 parts water to one part solution, MSDS is at: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://feeds.brownells.com/userdocs/MSDS/100-031-842_LNL_SONIC_BRASS_SOLUTION_1QT.pdf

Yeah, my only 45-70 is a lever gun. I wouldn't hesitate to reload them.

More permanent than marking with paint or ink, as a way to ensure the case is always oriented in the chamber the same way each time. By chance was the prior owner a BPCR competitor? I would feel absolutely fine reloading them and using them in a single shot... a repeater, I'd watch how they look after the first time... If no ill effect, I'd continue using them.

I just finished a mix batch of .45 caliber brass, 45ACP, 45 Colt & C45S with some cut down nickel 45 Colt brass mixed in. Using the Hornady One Shot sonic cleaner solution doesn't discolor either the brass or nickel cases.

I tried the Hornady Sonic cleaner on a batch of .32-40 & .30-30 brass today. Smokeless rounds and deprimed before tumbling. I gotta say, looks better than new brass! I'd say the primer pockets look as good as the outside! Thanks for the idea!

Only the rainy days are less than fun... but, if I stay dry, they're still enjoyable!

If you're asking about the one I pictured, yes. All I use, I only have Magtech brass 12 ga hulls.