[Nightcrawler]

I like big bore revolvers. I currently have two Smith N-Frames, both 6" models, one in .45 Colt and one in .41 Magnum. Both are nice revolvers, and offer plenty of power, but...

Until I get myself a handloading setup, I can't afford to shoot the things. You know? I mean, you can't just walk into Wal-Mart and pick up a 50rd box of .41 for an afternoon plinking session. One store around here stocks it, and it's in 20-rd boxes.

.45 Colt is even worse. YOu can find it in 50rd boxes, but it's always this watered down cowboy stuff. Nobody ever has the Remington stuff that has a little more oomph.

I'm going to be ordering ammo for both of these (200 rounds for each) from Georgia Arms. But still...it's inconvenient to HAVE to mail order your ammo.

So what should I get? I'd prefer something strong, double action, that I'm not going to have to sell a kidney to get. I'd prefer a 4" barrel, just because I have two 6" revolvers already (and I'm considering getting both of those rebarreled to 4").

This purchase won't be taking place this month.

Yes, I know I should get a .357 too, but I've already decided on that: GP100 4", unless I find a screaming deal on a 686+ seven shot.

[braindead0]

You do realize, for the cost of a handgun you can get setup for reloading (pretty easily). Could even setup very nicely for progressive loading, depending on how expensive the gun is ;-)

[Nightcrawler]

Yes, but I don't have the space for a reloading setup. I live at home in the summer and in a dorm room during the school year, at least for one more year.

Besides, then I won't have a .44!

[braindead0]

Good point, I saved up for a Dillon 650, and instead bought a Tuarus PT92 ;-)... I've got my rockchucker with piggybackIII anyway.

[444]

Buy handloading equipment. You can get into reloading for those two pistol calibers for a little over $100 and be able to put everything away in your sock drawer. I have a handloading set-up that I take to work. When I don't have anything else I am supposed to be doing, and no one who would object is around, I pull it out and usually size and deprime .223 cases, but I have also done .44 Mags at work. I also use the same tool at home to size and deprime cases in front of the computer or TV.
I agree, you need a .44 Mag, but you need to get into handloading also. There isn't a bad .44 mag out there. I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk, a S&W Model 29 four inch, and a S&W Model 629 three inch. If I could only own one regardless of cost or anything, it would be the SBH hands down. Great handgun and a great cartridge.

[Bacchus]

I agree that you should consider handloading. You'll be able to shoot any of the abovementioned calibers for about the same costs. Then you can buy whatever you want and not have to worry about the cost of ammo.

[444]

The beautiful thing about your situation is that since you love big bore revolvers, handloading logistics are greatly simplified. You can use one powder, and one type of primer for all the cartridges you mention. If it was me, that powder would be Alliant 2400. It would provide close to peak performance in any of the three calibers you mention. Go to the last item on this link, and you can see what I am talking about: http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/browse.cgi?1052871996.1109=rlpress1.html In addition to this $26,98 press, you will need a set of dies. The dies you could buy for this press will later work just fine in any bench mounted press you might buy. You will also need a way to prime your cases. I personally use the Lee Auto Prime when using this hand press, but as you see, you can use a Lee Ram Prime with your hand press; http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/browse.cgi?1052872137.2645=primtool.html In fact, you can simply buy the Lee Hand Press Kit that includes the Ram Prime as shown here: http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/browse.cgi?1052872298.3902=rlpress2.html It looks to me like you could get the whole set-up to load one of those calibers for $70, and it would easily fit inside something smaller than a shoe box. Once you have the press and priming tool, all you need to do is buy the dies for the other calibers.
Handloading can be as complicated and expensive as you want to make it. Many people (including me) have benches full of tools and components. I personally own two Dillon 550b machines, a Lyman T-Mag II turret press, and an RCBS Rockchucker. I have so much loading gear that I have it on two 8' workbenches and have two of the presses mounted on Midway stands seperate from the benches. But don't be fooled into thinking you have to have a setup like this to handload.

Back to guns. The .44 Mag is probably my second faviorite handgun cartridge. In all the guns I ever shot it in, it was very accurate. It also provides plenty of power, although it starts to lose out to the .45 Colt with the heavy bullets. As I menioned previously, If I could only own one, it would be the Ruger SBH. For me, I am not going to be using my .44 Mags for personal defense unless it is against bears. So, I don't feel that I am giving up anything by using a single action. I also use most of my guns at close to their full potential (with a few notable exceptions). In other words, if I am shooting a .44 Mag, I want to be shooting full house .44 mag loads. It has been said for many years that the S&W .44 mags are not up to shooting a steady diet of hot .44 loads. This is more than rumor for me; I had problems with my 4" M29 and sent it for repair to Jack Weigand. When I got it back it was far better than it ever was, but I am getting off track here. The SBH is easily capable of handling pretty much all you can dish out. And, since I am not trying to conceal my .44s, having a 7 1/2" barrel gives me more out of my loads, and also gives me a longer sight radius. Last but not least, the Ruger single actions are usually much cheaper than the S&Ws. Since I prefer the SBH, this is an added bonus and not a sacrifice in favor of price.
I happened to be off today and wasn't doing anything productive, so after reading this thread, I took my SBH out and ran a few rounds through it. I hadn't shot it in awhile, but it was everything I remembered it to be. Shot some pretty nice groups on paper and blew up a few items of junk that someone jerk had dumped in the desert.

[Nightcrawler]

Thanks for the reloading tips!

I just might pick up that setup. I've gotten some tips on some pretty potent loads for .45 Colt that're safe in a M25-5. 270 grains at 1050 fps, for instance. That'd be fun to shoot.

Hmm...the complete basic setup looks good. But you have to clamp that do a desk, don't you? I'll have to get another little desk or something in my room.

Grr...I have a 12x12 (abouts) room here, and it's so cluttered as is. Still, I have room against one wall for antoher little desk that I could make my little reload bench.

[444]

If you are looking at the Hand Press, no you don't need to mount it to a table. In fact, I don't believe there is any provision for mounting it to a table.
As the name implies, you just hold it in your hand. With the .44 Mag, it takes both hands to size a case. The leverage provided by a bigger press isn't there, so it does take some effort to resize a .44 mag case, but nothing extreme. I alternate between using both hands, then I put one side of the lever against my thigh, then I put one side against my chest.
I use this press a lot for .223. Like I mentioned, I take this set-up to work, in a gym bag and if the opportunity presents itself, I take it out, sit in a chair and load.

[Standing Wolf]

You need to start loading your own ammunition and get a .44 magnum.

[Frohickey]

I'd stick with the 45Colt. Everything you can do with the 44Mag, you can do with the 45Colt, with less pressure. Meaning, cases would last longer.

Also, you can use the same bullets for 45ACP if you ever get around to doing that. 0.451-0.452 diameter bullets. For me, stocking 0.429 bullets just for the 44Mag, when I also have to stock for the 45ACP isn't worth it.

Besides, with reloading, you get the flexibility. Shoot mild 45Colt loads that even your girlfriend would enjoy, to hot 45Colt loads for big game.

[Gila Jorge]

Yeah, I think you also need a 44mag so you can also shoot 44 Spcls for plinking rounds. Saw a fellow with a 629-4 nib for 495 as I recall. Might be a good alternative, believe it was a 4 inch. I just picked up a Mtn Gun 629-4 and its a honey with Specials. I have a 629 5 inch Classic for punchy 44 mag loads. Also two Vaqueros and Super Blackhawk and a Marlin 1894: all in 44 mag.
Also a 696 in 44 Spcl....yes, I like 44s a bunch.

[Nightcrawler]

Hmm...if I start reloading, I'll have an economical supply of potent .45 Colt ammunition, I won't need a .44 Mag.

I forgot that you can use .45ACP bullets in a .45 Colt. I HAVE a .45ACP, as a matter of fact. I'd be nice to be able to load up some +P power stuff to practice with, since that's what I prefer to carry for defense.

[444]

:what:


Or you could start handloading and buy a .44. Then you would be able to have potent loads for both. :evil:

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Nightcrawler & Other Poster's-

Say ya' want a .44 magnum? Well, let me recommend the
Smith & Wesson 629-5 "Classic" with a 5" tube!:) Mine
is a regular model (not a DX); and I'm here to tell
you, it sure is sweet. Fit and finish are near perfect; DA
and SA trigger pull's are "buttery smooth". Take one for
a test drive; and I will bet that you will be surprised!:uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Stainz]

I really like the .45 Colt round. My first S&W last autumn was a 625 MG in .45 Colt. Unfortunately, my first ever .44 was also a Mountain Gun, purchased last Thanksgiving. That started a trend... NIB 24, 296, & 696 followed. The .44 is also addictive - and fun - in the .44 S&W Special, that is. If you want a 'universal' .44, try the 629MG - it is great with .44 Russians and Specials - and will handle whatever you can in .44 Mag, too. Current hammer-lock 629MG's are ~$519 locally - the 'special' 625MG (.45 Colt with rubber & wood grips) is ~$569, also a great piece & buy. Sadly, .44 S&W Specials are also difficult to find. The best buy seems to be the CCI Blazers 200 gr GDJHP .44 Specials @ ~$12.99/50 at the 'Academy Sports' chain stores.

Given your situation, I would probably get to know the folks at GA Arms for ammo for a bit - get a good reloading press, and I love my Dillon 550B, when you get a stabile address. They have a great 260gr JHP in .45 Colt (~$33/100) that is a little hotter than the cowboy loads - and, they use new Starline brass - save them! I had around 3,000 .45 Colt empties when I bought my first reloader, the aforementioned Dillon, last December. A little math showed it would 'pay for itself' by 2100 rounds. Now, instead of reloading to shoot more, I seem to shoot to reload more.

For now, I would buy ammo.... and buy a .44 - that 629 Mountain Gun is nice...

Stainz