[Jack19]

I can shoot full house .357 very well, but I get less excited about .41 and .44 magnum level felt recoil out of a revolver.

Where would you place the .45 Colt, in standard loadings, in the grand scheme of felt recoil?

[RyeDaddy]

Cowboy loadings feel more like a 45 acp to me, very mild. and the average off the shelf load is right around a 357. However, as you would imagine, in the over 1300 FPS type loadings, the recoil is extreme, more than 44 magnum.

[GRIZ22]

If you handle 357s fine std 45 colt would be no problem. You can crank up the 45 colt load to meet your comfort level.

[roscoe]

Wide range of loads available. Just like the .44 magnum, which can fire .44 specials to 300+ grain stompers.

[Baba Louie]

If I recall correctly, the .45 acp ws designed to march the .45 Colt in performance. 230 gr @ 850 fps or some such. One was black powder, the newer model smokeless (and a lot smaller as a result).

So historically, it should about equal a .45 acp in a revolver format, somewhat more stout than a .45 in an auto (where the mechanics of the action should decrease felt recoil somewhat).

As others have said, you can goose it up quite a bit above that speed or bullet weight if the platform can accomodate the increase in power.

[.38 Special]

Honestly, I feel like standard .45 loads recoil a bit less than .357 loads, although that could have to do with the relatively mild report of the .45 compared to the sharp crack of the .357.

Regardless, I certainly agree with the folks who say if you can handle the .357, you can handle the .45 with standard loads.

[Outlaws]

Well I own both a Ruger 50th Blackhawk in 357 and a Ruger New Vaquero in 45, both with a 4 5/8" barrel. (the same firearm for all intended purposes)

At standard loadings there isn't a big difference. I couldn't even tell you which has more recoil off the top of my head without taking them out and doing it side by side (which is a good idea now that I think about it).

Now if you get a 45 that can handle "Ruger Only" loadings, then you will be pushing that of the 454 Casull...which from what I gather is greater than the 44 mag.

As others have said, the 45 was designed for black powder, so modern smokeless doesn't fill up the case very far to obtain the same results...which is why the ACP is no mch shorter.

[Wedge]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk Conv. .45Colt/.45ACP and in standard pressure loadings from the same platform I would say that the two have roughly the same amount of felt recoil.

[gbran]

I have a Ruger SuperRedhawk in .454 Casull, which can also shoot 45LC's. I rarely shoot the 45LC and have only lit off cowboy loads. All I can say is that the cowboy action loads are very very mild.

[1911Tuner]

In its original loadings...250-grain bullet with 40 grains of black powder...the .45 Colt was pretty impressive at some 900 fps. When they got away from the old balloon head cases, the charge was necessarily dropped to 32 grains, and the velocities fell off to around 800-825 or so with the same bullet. Still not too shabby, but a bit short of its potential. Recoil in the 1873 Colt SAA was probably pretty sharp with the 250/900 loading, and probably not a lot milder when it went to 250/800 fps.

Today, you can duplicate or exceed the original loading safely in most modern revolvers, but not in the reissued Colts. Try something of similar weight to get the feel for it, or the slightly heavier but infinitely stronger Ruger Vaquero. I think you'll find that the old cartridge is far from obsolete. Top velocties can be had with Alliant 2400 and Unique...but beware of pushing the envelope to get "Just another 50 fps." The brass isn't as thick and strong as it should be, and will split if the pressures get too far out of the window. Federal .45 Colt brass is reported to be a bit stouter than the others. I've gotten 1050 fps from a 4-3/4-inch barrel with 255-grain cast bullets and 2400...with only the occasional split Winchester case. Loading "down" to 950-1,000 seems to be about the limit. Even though the Vaquero will handle .44 Magnum pressures, the brass is the limiting factor.

[Cocked & Locked]

I load some fairly stout Ruger Only "pig popping" loads in .45 Colt using 2400 powder. For those I use (like lots of folks) only "Starline" Brass...beware of the older balloon head cases and/or old brittle brass in the high horsepower loads.

disregard the .44 mag in the middle
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL523/3082611/6661332/159711530.jpg

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL523/3082611/6675271/89975389.jpg

[1911Tuner]

Ralph...There's data that's available for bumping the .45' to unheard-of levels using lightly compressed charges of Olin 296 and Hodgdon's H-110 powders.
Can't remember the exact charges right offhand, but they're exceeding 2400's top loads by nearly 200 fps with lower pressures. Might be worth investigation.

[Cocked & Locked]

That might be interesting to pursue Johnny! But you know how it is...so little time and too many calibers. I can't seem to get specialized. :scrutiny:

off topic Tuner, but I picked up one of those pretty factory nickled Springer 1911 A-1 .38 Supers the other day

[highlander 5]

45 colt and the 45 acp are about equal in recoil think big 38 spl.
now as to heavy loads I push a 320gr LBT WFN that I cast at 1300 fps from my Ruger Bisley and find recoil lower than a 44 mag. If your interested you can fire 45 Schofield in you 45 colt even milder recoil.

[mec]

The cowboy loads are notably milder than the factory equivalent smokeless loads rated at 870 or so fps. I shoot handloads with 250-260 grain bullets at as close to 870 as I can get them. While the revolver does roll upward a bit, felt recoil is mild in my USFA. It is even milder in the heavier rugers.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=48281&stc=1&d=1164209136

[Cocked & Locked]

mec...very nice, I'm envious (read "jealous") :(