Very nice barrel you had built. You have to love the TC Encore and Contender platforms, I’ve been hooked for years. You have inspired me to pull them out of the safe and take them back to the range.
Charlie Fox - These days of primer shortages and high prices, making our shots count for maximum enjoyment is right up the alley of TC...Good shootin' to ya, Charlie... Steve
pk - The versatility of the 44Mag / 44 SPl / 44 Russian is huge. Efficiency is the name of the game in the more compact ammo....Good shootin' to ya, Steve
Conservative Sniper Hunter - Already did the shooting - and the barrel shoots very nicely out to 50 yards with light weight bullets over 1600 fps MV single digit SD. Have a great day, Steve
As a fan of oddball and rare calibers, I approve. I have a 20" T/C Katahdin barrel in .460 S&W for my Encore. I have played with several full power loads, and a "reduced recoil" load that has .44 mag power. However, when I pulled out a box of .45LC cowboy loads, I can't wipe the smile off my face! What a fun and versatile plinker! Now I'm ready for an invasion of anything from jack rabbits, to rabid rhinoceros. I may end up with a 16.5" .45 LC barrel for the Contender!
Dummy Round - How about the time four of us when squirrel hunting, and Ray walked right over a rattlesnake, I saw it just as Ray was over it, "Ray, just keep walking..." We took care of it with a barrage of 22LR launched from our Ruger Super Single Sixes. When Duane heard what happened back at base camp, he went back and cut off the rattle - kept it to this day. Best to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC that's pretty awesome. You should do a video series of just stories like these. Maybe show and tell the firearm you took for that trip. Thanks!
I also like the 45AR, my biggest problem is finding more brass. It's one of those calibers that has disappeared lately and just the brass, if you can find it will cost you over $.75 each. I'm hoping Star Line will make a run of it but I'm not holding my breath. I guess I'll have to shoot my Encore with my 460 S&W barrel for now, I'm saving what brass I have for my 625.
KFF - The 625 was the best home for the 45AR for many years. The 45 Cowboy Special is basically the 45AR with a 45 Colt rim on it. But I actually do like the thicker stronger rim on the 45AR. There's a lot more brass in the head than a 45ACP round, and in the strong Encore, we can push that round much more than in other guns chambering the round. Since I don't have other AR guns, no problemo, but I do label my reloads - For Encore Only anyway. Good shootin' to ya, Ken - Steve
It will be interesting to see which powders are most efficient for the combination of smaller case capacity and a long pistol barrel. Of course, OAL will not be as much of a concern you may even consider breach seating some projectiles and then loading the charge behind it. Lots of good cast bullet possibilities.
lh - Yes, the combinations of the many cast and jacketed bullets will offer much variety from light weights for range, recreation and varminting to heavier weights for deer or hogs from blinds. Some range shooting has already been done, and the results are already good. It's a fine cartridge that Troy at Bullberry said, "That's a very efficient little rimmed round..." Have a great day, Steve
cool barrel. looks super well made. and as too 45Autorim: I have a 1917 S&W in 45ACP. You can use Moon clips or autorim and the extractor star works. but, I found a innovated other use for them: I have a 1847 Colt Walker clone. For it I bought a Tailor and Company conversion cylinder in 45ACP. why 45ACP? Most go with 45 LC. Well, some while back in a thrift store hunt, I found a bag full of about 500 45acp brass used in the tools section. Price on it: $10. I bought it, cleaned, de-primed, and re-primed the brass and had them in a coffee can when the opportunity to get a Tailor and company cylinder presented. 45LC brass: short supply but they had a much cheaper 45acp cylinder. I Looked at that coffee can and.... about a week later the USPS fairy brought it to my door. Meanwhile, a cousin had brought over a few dozen 45 Autorim brass he didn't need. Well I sat at the loading bench and thought... pure lead wad cutters were called for, properly lubed. I used a mix of 50-50 buffalo tallow and beeswax. loaded those little 45s to the brim with FFFg black then pushed in my 230gr wadcutters almost flush to the shell rim over the now compressed powder load. At the range, these are Black Powder LOUD, have a ton of smoke, and are quite accurate. As a Walker requires total disassembly to remove brass anyway, I also tried the Autorims. MUCH easier to extract as 45ACP takes a pencil to poke the shells out. Autorim just come out even on a dirty gun. Reloading can be a many sided discipline :) Keep up the great vids. btw I love Handloader and have over 20 years of it.
That's a great use! I have a few cans of brass for calibers I'll get around to getting. I scored an 1860 replica with a Howell 45LC cylinder from GB for $175. Had timing issues and shot 3 feet high at 20 yards. I fixed the timing with a little filing of the bolt, and made a taller front sight with some brass stock I had. It's a lot of fun, but those cowboy loads in my Encore with a 20" .460 barrel are a hoot!
I have a 12” contender barrel in 45acp….absolute fun class of round. I have thought about getting some 45 super brass and hop it up since the contender could easily be chambered in 45 super.
KW - In the meantime, for a +P+ loading, you could use SP pocket brass to give you a bit more brass in the head to stand max and TC loads better... Good shootin' to ya, Steve
Do you have one in 500 S&W mag I see when shot out of a rifle length barrel you can approach 4000 lb. ft. Of energy. Also I finally found some accuracy 2015 to try in my 45-70’s in the manuals it seems to be tops for velocity. Also I was watching you vids on loading with black powder substitutes and also have some Shooters World multi black coming to try in my 45 colt and 45-70’s. Your vids were using 777 I was wondering if you’ve ever tried the Shooters World multi black? From what I understand is it more like cleaning for smokeless no need to completely disassemble the entire gun and give it a bath like is needed for real black powder, which is why I’ve never experimented with real black powder.
Hello to Surnblues..!! The 777 also cleans up like smokeless - recommendation to clean with water, but I tried with Ed's Red as a lark and the gun cleaned up beautifully - I did a little more with the brass brush to be sure I got all the residue out. Have not tried the SW, but the 777 is so good with a little extra pop, I'm completely happy with it.... Steve
William Pollock - I thought of shaving the 45 ACP Ruger Blackhawk cylinder, but there might need to be a deepening of the chamber shoulder, and if so, ACP brass would have headspace issues. The old Webleys in 455 Webley caliber was also a rimmed round without the shoulder so shaving the cylinder allowed use of the AR case, but then puttin in 455 Webleys would have headspace issues with the 455 rounds. Good shootin' to ya, Steve
The only thing wrong with the .45 Auto Rim is that the rim is too thick to use in any of the Peacemakers or Clones. The specs in my Lyman Manual show that the rim thickness of the .45 Colt is .060 inches while the .45AR is .089 inches. Trying to use .45AR in your SAA will just bind the cylinder.
AD - absolutely..!! The extra thickness of the AR rim makes up for the use of 45ACPs with moon clips. And that extra thickness also precludes use of AR in 45 Colt guns. However, for fans of thick rims - like the Russians - the AR shines. Brass supplies are problematic in times of shortage. Best to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC I have always regretted, in the abstract of course, that neither Smith and Wesson nor Colt ever produced in quantity the 1917 in .45 Colt. I can just imagine Crocodile Dundee saying, "No! THIS is a Revolver!"
Very nice barrel you had built. You have to love the TC Encore and Contender platforms, I’ve been hooked for years. You have inspired me to pull them out of the safe and take them back to the range.
Charlie Fox - These days of primer shortages and high prices, making our shots count for maximum enjoyment is right up the alley of TC...Good shootin' to ya, Charlie... Steve
Obsolete cartridges are great. I found that out with the .44 Russian.
pk - The versatility of the 44Mag / 44 SPl / 44 Russian is huge. Efficiency is the name of the game in the more compact ammo....Good shootin' to ya, Steve
Very nice barrel. The 45 Auto Rim cartridge will prove to be a performer in that barrel. I'm looking forward to see your various loads.
I’m looking forward to seeing how barrel shoots and what velocities you will be getting in that 16 inch barrel FortunCookie45lc.
Conservative Sniper Hunter - Already did the shooting - and the barrel shoots very nicely out to 50 yards with light weight bullets over 1600 fps MV single digit SD. Have a great day, Steve
As a fan of oddball and rare calibers, I approve. I have a 20" T/C Katahdin barrel in .460 S&W for my Encore. I have played with several full power loads, and a "reduced recoil" load that has .44 mag power. However, when I pulled out a box of .45LC cowboy loads, I can't wipe the smile off my face! What a fun and versatile plinker! Now I'm ready for an invasion of anything from jack rabbits, to rabid rhinoceros. I may end up with a 16.5" .45 LC barrel for the Contender!
Doug Powell - That will be one heckova cool Contender barrel. Best to ya, Steve
Awesome! I like hearing about those old stories of hunting and such. Looking forward to your upcoming projects, Mr. Cookie 👍
Dummy Round - How about the time four of us when squirrel hunting, and Ray walked right over a rattlesnake, I saw it just as Ray was over it, "Ray, just keep walking..." We took care of it with a barrage of 22LR launched from our Ruger Super Single Sixes. When Duane heard what happened back at base camp, he went back and cut off the rattle - kept it to this day. Best to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC that's pretty awesome. You should do a video series of just stories like these. Maybe show and tell the firearm you took for that trip. Thanks!
Great barrel and great cartridge. I have a 10 inch contender barrel in 45 Winchester magnum
Didn't see that caliber coming, but that should be a fun one!
I also like the 45AR, my biggest problem is finding more brass. It's one of those calibers that has disappeared lately and just the brass, if you can find it will cost you over $.75 each. I'm hoping Star Line will make a run of it but I'm not holding my breath. I guess I'll have to shoot my Encore with my 460 S&W barrel for now, I'm saving what brass I have for my 625.
KFF - The 625 was the best home for the 45AR for many years. The 45 Cowboy Special is basically the 45AR with a 45 Colt rim on it. But I actually do like the thicker stronger rim on the 45AR. There's a lot more brass in the head than a 45ACP round, and in the strong Encore, we can push that round much more than in other guns chambering the round. Since I don't have other AR guns, no problemo, but I do label my reloads - For Encore Only anyway. Good shootin' to ya, Ken - Steve
It will be interesting to see which powders are most efficient for the combination of smaller case capacity and a long pistol barrel. Of course, OAL will not be as much of a concern you may even consider breach seating some projectiles and then loading the charge behind it. Lots of good cast bullet possibilities.
lh - Yes, the combinations of the many cast and jacketed bullets will offer much variety from light weights for range, recreation and varminting to heavier weights for deer or hogs from blinds. Some range shooting has already been done, and the results are already good. It's a fine cartridge that Troy at Bullberry said, "That's a very efficient little rimmed round..." Have a great day, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC It would be interesting to make a 44 Russian +P for the Encore as I don't think anyone has ever pushed that old case hard.
cool barrel. looks super well made. and as too 45Autorim:
I have a 1917 S&W in 45ACP. You can use Moon clips or autorim and the extractor star works. but, I found a innovated other use for them: I have a 1847 Colt Walker clone. For it I bought a Tailor and Company conversion cylinder in 45ACP. why 45ACP? Most go with 45 LC.
Well, some while back in a thrift store hunt, I found a bag full of about 500 45acp brass used in the tools section. Price on it: $10. I bought it, cleaned, de-primed, and re-primed the brass and had them in a coffee can when the opportunity to get a Tailor and company cylinder presented. 45LC brass: short supply but they had a much cheaper 45acp cylinder.
I Looked at that coffee can and.... about a week later the USPS fairy brought it to my door. Meanwhile, a cousin had brought over a few dozen 45 Autorim brass he didn't need. Well I sat at the loading bench and thought... pure lead wad cutters were called for, properly lubed. I used a mix of 50-50 buffalo tallow and beeswax. loaded those little 45s to the brim with FFFg black then pushed in my 230gr wadcutters almost flush to the shell rim over the now compressed powder load.
At the range, these are Black Powder LOUD, have a ton of smoke, and are quite accurate.
As a Walker requires total disassembly to remove brass anyway, I also tried the Autorims. MUCH easier to extract as 45ACP takes a pencil to poke the shells out. Autorim just come out even on a dirty gun.
Reloading can be a many sided discipline :) Keep up the great vids.
btw I love Handloader and have over 20 years of it.
That's a great use! I have a few cans of brass for calibers I'll get around to getting. I scored an 1860 replica with a Howell 45LC cylinder from GB for $175. Had timing issues and shot 3 feet high at 20 yards. I fixed the timing with a little filing of the bolt, and made a taller front sight with some brass stock I had. It's a lot of fun, but those cowboy loads in my Encore with a 20" .460 barrel are a hoot!
GP - You and I can both pounce on 45AR brass from StarLine once they make their next run... Steve
I had a Thompson Center Contender for years, I miss it. I would like to get an Encore, but they are hard to find right now.
I have a 12” contender barrel in 45acp….absolute fun class of round. I have thought about getting some 45 super brass and hop it up since the contender could easily be chambered in 45 super.
KW - In the meantime, for a +P+ loading, you could use SP pocket brass to give you a bit more brass in the head to stand max and TC loads better... Good shootin' to ya, Steve
Could you tell me what issue that was from? I have the issues back to 1978.
Cool 😎 idea.
Yukon 454 - The copy of the article is back home...and others have asked same...I'll have to check ... Steve
Very cool good video
L.A. - Appreciate the comment....Steve
My neighbor is the biggest bore of all.
😆😆
Herr Prepper - LOL, Steve
awsome steve cant wait for you to do smome shooting with that beauty
Les Sage - We'll be posting some shooting, but it might not be with these particular loads....Best to ya, Steve
I'm in Utah at the moment, need to find a company that will ship to Australia.
Do you have one in 500 S&W mag I see when shot out of a rifle length barrel you can approach 4000 lb. ft. Of energy. Also I finally found some accuracy 2015 to try in my 45-70’s in the manuals it seems to be tops for velocity. Also I was watching you vids on loading with black powder substitutes and also have some Shooters World multi black coming to try in my 45 colt and 45-70’s. Your vids were using 777 I was wondering if you’ve ever tried the Shooters World multi black? From what I understand is it more like cleaning for smokeless no need to completely disassemble the entire gun and give it a bath like is needed for real black powder, which is why I’ve never experimented with real black powder.
Hello to Surnblues..!! The 777 also cleans up like smokeless - recommendation to clean with water, but I tried with Ed's Red as a lark and the gun cleaned up beautifully - I did a little more with the brass brush to be sure I got all the residue out. Have not tried the SW, but the 777 is so good with a little extra pop, I'm completely happy with it.... Steve
Nice set up there fortune cookie
Linkless Tennessee - Thanks for the comment, Steve
👍
Tom - Thanks for the like, Tom ... Steve
Would love to see a 50 AE done on this platform
What is stopping you? You'd be better off with a 500 S&W. 50 AE is not that great of a cartridge outside of semi auto firearms.
What is the overall length please 🙏
I shoot 45 auto rim out of an old Webley revolver I have that has a shaved cylinder. I just load them real light and with soft lead bullets.
William Pollock - I thought of shaving the 45 ACP Ruger Blackhawk cylinder, but there might need to be a deepening of the chamber shoulder, and if so, ACP brass would have headspace issues. The old Webleys in 455 Webley caliber was also a rimmed round without the shoulder so shaving the cylinder allowed use of the AR case, but then puttin in 455 Webleys would have headspace issues with the 455 rounds. Good shootin' to ya, Steve
The only thing wrong with the .45 Auto Rim is that the rim is too thick to use in any of the Peacemakers or Clones. The specs in my Lyman Manual show that the rim thickness of the .45 Colt is .060 inches while the .45AR is .089 inches. Trying to use .45AR in your SAA will just bind the cylinder.
AD - absolutely..!! The extra thickness of the AR rim makes up for the use of 45ACPs with moon clips. And that extra thickness also precludes use of AR in 45 Colt guns. However, for fans of thick rims - like the Russians - the AR shines. Brass supplies are problematic in times of shortage. Best to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC I have always regretted, in the abstract of course, that neither Smith and Wesson nor Colt ever produced in quantity the 1917 in .45 Colt. I can just imagine Crocodile Dundee saying, "No! THIS is a Revolver!"
Glad it wasn't shipped by UPS.
colby762 - Got here OK by FedEx for sure...Steve