Cimarron/Pedersoli Lightning Carbine

[Abominable Bill]

I got myself a Christmas present of a Cimarron/Pedersoli Lightning Carbine
It's in .45LC with a 20" octagon barrel. The weather permitted me to try it out today.
I took a 100 rounds of my APP cowboy loads down back to run through it.
During the first 60 rounds I was trying to gauge performance of the action as I was wondering if my loads were going to create any gummy residue in the action. Figured if I got through 60 ok, then I could get through a match.
Well, it digested all 60 without a hitch and I added the other 40 for good measure. After a 100 rounds there was no decrease in the performance of the action. She'd cycle them as fast as I could cycle the action.
Empties were ejected in a consistent pattern just out in front of me.
It made it easy to find them as leaves and grass lay under foot at my practice area.
Accuracy was very good; but I need to change the buckhorn/black blade sight over to a tang peep/brass bead to help my eyes.
Clean up was a snap, as all the action screws needed to be removed for cleaning, came out without any work or worry of marring them.
Fit and finish of all parts is impeccable.
I'm liking it a lot. Very happy I decided to get one.

[wildman1]

Nice AB. I saw one of those last summer and it seemed ta run OK. I'm thinkin the gent that had it had a couple issues at first but it was more of a learnin thing. WM

[Abominable Bill]

Hey Wildman,
Hope you are well.
I had a load of fun shooting it. I had multiple targets set up and practiced shooting in different sweep patterns.
Making the transition between targets seemed easier with the pump action for me than cycling the lever on my 1873
It's going to ba a long winters wait for the first shoot... ugh

[Advertising]

[Mule Ear Mortensen]

AB,

Lovely carbine! Sounds like you have a fine CAS rifle in that Ped. Lightning!

Enjoy!

[Gabriel Law]

Pls. tell me about your load.  I'm experiencing gas blow-back with my Trail Boss and 200 grain bullet load.

[Abominable Bill]

I use 3F American Pioneer Powder. Load by volume. My CAS load uses grits for filler. I use a heavy crimp as well.
Gabriel, I'll PM you the details.

[Lumpy Grits]

Pls. tell me about your load.  I'm experiencing gas blow-back with my Trail Boss and 200 grain bullet load.

Go to a 225-230 gn bullet and up your charge 0.3-0.4gn.
FIRM crimp.....
LG

[Gabriel Law]

Thanks for that Lumpy.  I've been using 250 grain slugs, but ran out, and so i tried the 200 grain.  But the Lightning is new, and I've got some experimenting to do.  I'll try your suggestion.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I have one of these but from Taylor's & Co. in .357 magnum and it runs like a champ.  I like the Lightning platform and it seems to cycle about as fast as a lever action or even faster.