Legacy Sports Intl. / Puma M92 .480 Ruger

[Rowlock]

Extra bonus update...

Took a handful of spent cartridges to the smith today, along with the rifle. It seems the imprints in the case and primer are a function of the way the lower claw of the extraction mechanism beds into the bolt face next to the firing pin when the action closes. They are exactly identical across all the fired rounds, and he didn't think that there was anything to be concerned about, but he did say I was right to bring them in and check.

So thanks again O_P for the heads-up. Well spotted, sir.

With my mind at ease, I took another box of ammo back to the range in back of the shop and sent it heading toward some paper. Except this time I shot standing on my own two feet, instead of sitting at a bench...

What a difference! The recoil when standing is enormously more tolerable. I feel like I could shoot it all day that way, whereas on the bench it was getting sore after ten or fifteen rounds.

Although I was consciously trying to let the trigger surprise me and avoid flinching, honestly, standing up it just wasn't a problem. This range is only 25 yards, but my groups were down to 1.5 or 2 inches dead center on the bull - much more like what I am normally capable of with iron sights from standing. Now I just need to work on getting the same discipline sitting down. Hopefully being a bit more confident that I can shoot it comfortably will help when I'm next at a bench.

I am all the more pleased with this thing.

Next step - water jugs. Some of the chaps from work have a trip to an outdoor rod and gun club around here happening the weekend after next, so I'll give the place a call and see what I can arrange.

[Absintheur]

Originally Posted by STW

Always thought the '92 was one of the stronger designs in the levers and alot of the gun mags are always having articles about somekinda Alaskan giant killer made on a Marlin.

They have built up some Marlins but the one known for taking dangerous game is Alaska was built up on a Winchester (or more recently Browning copy) Model 71. The 450 Alaskan was designed by Harold Johnson who lived in Cooper's Landing, Alaska and was made for folks who wanted a lever gun that would handle the big bears easily. The Model 71 was chambered for the 348 Winchester cartridge (only firearm chambered in that caliberwas the 71) and that case is the parent of the 450. Simply neck upo the brass to 458 and fire form and reload. The loads btw are near 458 Win Mag equivalents. I load a 500 grain FN lead to 2150 in mine for example. Johnson also created the 500 Alaskan which used 50 BGM bullets cut down to 600 grain and seated backwards using the flat base as the point.

The action itself is very similar to the action of a 92 with the twin locking lugs running vertically lock the bolt in place...it is a very strong action. This is not a gun for the recoil shy however, it does kick. Mine is very accurate, shooting moa at 100 yards.

My Browning 71 in 450 Alaskan...

[mna]

Originally Posted by Absintheur

They have built up some Marlins but the one known for taking dangerous game is Alaska was built up on a Winchester (or more recently Browning copy) Model 71. The 450 Alaskan was designed by Harold Johnson who lived in Cooper's Landing, Alaska and was made for folks who wanted a lever gun that would handle the big bears easily. The Model 71 was chambered for the 348 Winchester cartridge (only firearm chambered in that caliberwas the 71) and that case is the parent of the 450. Simply neck upo the brass to 458 and fire form and reload. The loads btw are near 458 Win Mag equivalents. I load a 500 grain FN lead to 2150 in mine for example. Johnson also created the 500 Alaskan which used 50 BGM bullets cut down to 600 grain and seated backwards using the flat base as the point.

The action itself is very similar to the action of a 92 with the twin locking lugs running vertically lock the bolt in place...it is a very strong action. This is not a gun for the recoil shy however, it does kick. Mine is very accurate, shooting moa at 100 yards.

Hm. Funny. Given that the .348 Winchester is (CIP) rated for 3200 bar and the .458 Win Mag for 4300 bar... how near equivalents are they?

[Absintheur]

Originally Posted by mna

Hm. Funny. Given that the .348 Winchester is (CIP) rated for 3200 bar and the .458 Win Mag for 4300 bar... how near equivalents are they?

I am much more conversant with cup than bar but I would imagine that a 500 grain lead at 2150fps is pretty close to a 500 grain solid at 2200fps.