Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 45-08

I heard a rumor about a modified .45ACP called the 45-08. It was developed in PR. George Canada for the hunting guides. The cartridge is made from .308 cases. You cut the case down to .898 in and ream out the inside diameter of the case to .452 down to the webbing. This is to accommodate the .45acp bullet and add volume to the case.

Loaded with 10.5 gr of Longshot powder one can get 1,350 fps using 200 gr hardcast LSWC.

The guides use Para LDA's but any 1911 chambered in .45acp will do. I guess one needs to install a 20 - 22 lb recoil spring and you are good to go. The story goes that a round will go end to end on a Black Bear.

One note of caution I found was: DO NOT TRY loading a regular .45acp case with this load as the case will not take the pressures generated.

Anyone done this? Sounds interesting to say the least....

That's been done a few times. But .308 cases will crack after just one or two loads. Therefore, some have created beefed up .45 ACP cases such as the .45 Super, .451 Detonics, .460 Rowland etc. Some have also used .45 Winchester Magnum cases for beefed up loads in .45 Auto.

For pure horsepower, the .460 Rowland beats them all.

I live in Prince George and have tried this load but only at the range because we can't use our handguns anywhere else up here in Canada .The only drawbacks I can see to the .45-08 is the expenes of the case they cost $1.00ea and most of the guns I have seen them used in tend to mangele them to the point that they cannot be reloaded.The other drawback is that the guy that makes these cases does not recommend that they be used in guns with alloy frames.Other than that I found that they are accurate and the recoil is very managable with a heavier sping.If you want more info check out this site www.armco-guns.com or call Gunnar Christensen at 250-962-9713 I'm sure that he will be happy to awnser your questions and talk your ear of in the process.

boondock

If I am not mistaken the 45 Win Mag was started by cutting down a 308 case

Mike

I agree with Kevin: look at the 460 Rowland. Several years ago I picked up a drop in kit for $300.00 from Clark Custom Guns and 500 rounds of Starline brass. The kit didn't "drop-in" as suggested but they fit it in my gun (Kimber Stainless Classic) for free. That set up beats the velocity you suggest by over 100 fps, and brass is much easier and cheaper. I would guess there is more reloading info and folks using the Rowland set up, too. It makes a powerful side are in a familar package. I do like mine. Here's a link about the Rowland. http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm

They all started that way. Even the .45 Auto started life out as a .30-06 case.

I did not know that about the 45 Auto , though I did know they use the same shellholder

Mike

Darn it, thought this was about a 45/70 necked down to .308.