.357 Magnum vs .45 Colt

I like the .357, but I don't reload and I don't have occasion to go places where I need a big bore. The .357 has the option to shoot anything from powder puff .38s to heavy hardcast loads, so I wouldn't worry about overpenetration. Choose the load that suits the task at hand.

If I did need a big bore, it might be a Ruger, but it probably wouldn't be a Redhawk - the Super Redhawk has a much better grip and trigger. Ruger doesn't make one configured to my taste though - look up the Bowen GP44 for what I'd want in a Super Redhawk.

Having spent most of my life in the north woods I've seen quite a few black bears, never had a harrowing experience with one but I can
guarantee the first time you have an encounter with a 500+ lb. boar you will want that .45 Colt.
Mines a Smith pre-lock 625 mountain gun loaded with a Cast performance 265gr WFLN gas check bullet over a heavy charge of Unique for 950/1000fps. Don't shoot a lot of those out of the Smith but it's what I carry in the woods. Redhawk would be capable of a much heavier charge.
To my way of thinking my load generates enough power without excessive recoil or muzzle flash for faster follow up shots.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I added something earlier and I wanted to add one more thing, as Brutus' post reminded me. You also mention up north hunting or being in the woods or something along those lines.

I once went trout fishing with a friend in the Rocky Mountains (I live in Colorado, not a big drive). I remember seeing a sign warning of moose in the vicinity. If you have never been around large ungulates, they are BIG. As in your head is level with its back. I remember rotating the cylinder to my Buffalo bore hardcasts and thinking...will this be enough? The 357 will feel underpowered, as it is for those large animals. It's not just bears, it's other animals too, as moose can get aggressive. Get the 45 and don't look back.

...and then there's the leather to carry it in.

If you are in Grizzly country, be aware these are big animals!

Random thought/question? For hairy critter defense in a full size Ruger (Super) Redhawk is 6 rounds of hot 45 Colt better than 8-rounds of hot 357 Magnum?

mcb said:

Random thought/question? For hairy critter defense in a full size Ruger (Super) Redhawk is 6 rounds of hot 45 Colt better than 8-rounds of hot 357 Magnum?

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Speaking obviously just for myself, at a minimum I would want something along the lines of a .45 caliber 325 grain hard cast FP at 1000 fps or better. I'll probably win the lottery before I have to face off with a raging carnivore but if I did have that unpleasant experience, I would want the biggest thump and deepest penetration I could comfortably carry all day.

I have a 4" GP100 in .357. And a 5.5" Redhawk in .44 mag from which I run 300gr pills at 1200-1250fps. The Redhawk is not for everyone. The grip options are few, and not the greatest where heavy recoil is concerned. And the SA trigger is never going to be amazing, due to the design.

Unless you know the Redhawk is something you can comfortably shoot, I'd look at other options. Based on my experience with the GP100 platform, if I were to buy again, I'd get a Super Redhawk.

FWIW, I have swapped my camping and hunting carry from my 627 to a 4.5 Inch Redhawk in 45 Colt. I switched because I had a bear wander through camp like a boss during breakfast and I had second thoughts if my 180gn hardcasts could get it done fast enough. Enter the 45 Colt with a tier 1 ruger only load that happens to be damn accurate and I rest easier now.

mcb said:

Random thought/question? For hairy critter defense in a full size Ruger (Super) Redhawk is 6 rounds of hot 45 Colt better than 8-rounds of hot 357 Magnum?

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At the speed these encounters typically happens, I doubt you'd get all six rounds off unless your names Miculeck.

gotboostvr said:

At the speed these encounters typically happens, I doubt you'd get all six rounds off unless your names Miculeck.

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Another advantage to the big .45 single action: you can fan the hammer and get six slugs in the air in a couple of seconds! Maybe even hit something! Possibly, something near where you're aiming!

I read allot accounts of people firing a warning shot or two and then still firing several into the bear to kill it when the warning shot(s) does not work. I would rather have eight in those situations.

But then again I just carry a 38 special in the woods.

No way in hell would it be a single action.

mcb said:

Random thought/question? For hairy critter defense in a full size Ruger (Super) Redhawk is 6 rounds of hot 45 Colt better than 8-rounds of hot 357 Magnum?

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Most definitely.

mcb said:

No way in hell would it be a single action.

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It would for me. In my experience, the single action is better for rattling off heavy recoiling rounds in a hurry than a DA revolver.

mcb said:

I read allot accounts of people firing a warning shot or two and then still firing several into the bear to kill it when the warning shot(s) does not work. I would rather have eight in those situations.

But then again I just carry a 38 special in the woods.

No way in hell would it be a single action.

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Single actions have a better grip angle for recoil.

And really.....at the horsepower levels we are talking you ain't firing fast anyway

MaxP said:

It would for me. In my experience, the single action is better for rattling off heavy recoiling rounds in a hurry than a DA revolver.

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I agree! Same heavy loads from both my Redhawk and SBH Bisley. The SBH is easier to control and get back on target for the next shot. Seems counterintuitive, but that's how it is.

MaxP said:

It would for me. In my experience, the single action is better for rattling off heavy recoiling rounds in a hurry than a DA revolver.

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After 14 years of double action only revolver shooting hammer spurs are at best a vestigial feature of my revolvers.

Howdy

I am not a hunter, so I have nothing at all to say on that subject.

I have been shooting single action revolvers chambered for 45 Colt for over 40 years. My first one was this Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45ACP convertible that I bought in 1975.






The same year I bought my first 357 Magnum, this S&W Model 19-3.






Since that time I have managed to acquire 8 S&W 357 Magnums and 11 45 Colt single action revolvers made by Ruger and Colt.

The Smiths are all double action, all either the medium size K frame like my Model 19, or the large N frame; a few Model 28s and a Model 27.

Almost all 45s I own are single action. I only own one double action 45 Colt revolver, this Colt New Service from 1906. No, I would not dream of putting any high powered stuff through it.






I can tell you that personally I do not care for the muzzle blast of the 357 Magnum cartridge. In fact, I seldom shoot my 357s with 357 Mag ammunition, I shoot them almost exclusively with 38 Specials. There is no need for magnum power when bouncing a soup can around at the 50 foot berm. These days I mostly load 45 Colt with Black Powder, but way back I was loading it with Unique and 250 grain bullets.

You mention you will start reloading, whichever caliber you settle on. I can tell you that you will spend more money loading 45 Colt, because the bullets are larger and weigh more than the typical 357 Magnum bullet. It so happens 45 Colt was the first cartridge I learned to load. Every thing is nice and big, so the brass and bullets are easier to handle than a 357 diameter bullet. Not a whole lot easier, but they are a bit easier to handle. But no matter how you load your 45s, it will cost you more to shoot them, either with store-bought factory ammo or your own reloads, simply because more lead is involved. You can buy Cowboy Action 45s, for low recoil but they tend to be expensive. You can always shoot relatively inexpensive 38 Specials out of any 357 Magnum revolver. I will tell you that many years ago I started loading 38 Specials, not too long after 45 Colt. I will also tell you that I have never, ever loaded a 357 Magnum round. I don't shoot them that much, if I want to, I can always buy some at the store. But I save a lot of money loading my own 38s. And I save a lot of money loading my 45s too. None of that Ruger Only stuff, I have no need for that. Simply standard 14,000 psi Saami standard stuff.

desmobob said:

Another advantage to the big .45 single action: you can fan the hammer and get six slugs in the air in a couple of seconds! Maybe even hit something! Possibly, something near where you're aiming!

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Have you ever actually tried fanning a single action revolver? It is the stuff of movies only. Don't confuse that with what you see on Cowboy Action videos where shooters can empty a single action revolver quicker than most shooters can empty a semi-auto. They are thumbing the hammer with the left hand (for righty shooters) while actually holding the gun at eye level and aiming, holding the gun and pulling the trigger with the right hand. Very effective for rapid fire single action shooting with mild recoiling ammo. Mostly lightly loaded 38s. I can tell you I would not dream of fanning my Black Powder 45s. True fanning is done from the hip, there is no aiming involved at all. The trigger is held back while the off hand slams the hammer back and releases it repeatedly. A good way to tear the flesh of your palm if the gun has not been specially adapted for fanning.

Even though I do not hunt, I would not feel unarmed with a single action revolver in the woods. I am quite good at cocking the hammer rapidly and shooting as soon as the hammer is cocked. Lots and lots of practice.

"Purpose would be social functions, woods gun, and a nightstand gun."

IMHO a large DA revolver in 45colt would be just fine for a woods gun or nightstand gun. If really hot 45colt rounds are required, it would pretty much have to be a Redhawk or Super Redhawk.

I'm not sure what the OP means by "social functions". If it has anything to do with CC, a Redhawk would be difficult. (Cue the many responses by people who CC large revolvers all day long every day.)

Does Charter Arms have a Bulldog-type revolver in 45colt? Moar gunz = Gude

mcb said:

After 14 years of double action only revolver shooting hammer spurs are at best a vestigial feature of my revolvers.

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In most cases the DA may be faster, but when you step into the realm of the .454 Casull on up, it’s a whole different animal.

MaxP said:

In most cases the DA may be faster, but when you step into the realm of the .454 Casull on up, it’s a whole different animal.

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If my moderately hot 44 mag from my M29 can't get it done then I am bear chow. But he's getting at least six of them before I go down. If the first six can slow him down a touch I can reload the M29 while running and dodging, that's a bit harder to do with the old single action.

Are we doing pictures?

An Uberti El Patron. 45colt woods gun.

My deer hunting revolver, .45colt Blackhawk, doing some spring tillage, and sitting on a pretty mediocre target.

Driftwood Johnson said:

Have you ever actually tried fanning a single action revolver? It is the stuff of movies only. Don't confuse that with what you see on Cowboy Action videos where shooters can empty a single action revolver quicker than most shooters can empty a semi-auto.

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My post was intended as humor...