.357Mag vs .45LC in single action revolver

[Wolfman Zack]

I have been considering a center fire single action for general use, mainly due to appreciation of the classic looks, and also because I have shot them exceptionally well whenever I have had the opportunity to shoot one, used to be able to shoot nickel size groups with my Bearcat pretty easily.
The real question is which caliber to choose, I have never owned a .45LC or a .357mag., but I have carried and shot .45acp, and I already have .38spc in my stable for my old S&W model 10, and a S&W 642 Airweight, so those would be caliber compatible with a .357….
This wouldn’t be a concealed carry gun per-se, as I have that covered, more of a around the homestead, hunting, and for dangerous animals in the event that a long gun isn’t available.
I’m located in the American South, so black bears, wild hogs, and semi-mythical big cats would be the extent of dangerous animals, snakes are actually more dangerous in some respects.
So, with those criteria, which would chambering would you recommend?

 

[troy fairweather]

Loaded up the 45 lc is much more powerful over the 357, 357 will be cheaper but not to much if reloading.
So I pick 45lc.

 

[ontarget]

I have both in SAA Clones, and a 357 Blackhawk.
If you are not a reloader, I would recommend the 357 simply based on availability of factory ammo. I personally prefer the. 45 Colt but I load my own so it's not an issue to find ammo.
As you mentioned you have the option to use 38 Spl too, in a 357.

 

[dannyd]

If you can find a Ruger Blackhawk with the 45 Long Colt/ 45 ACP. That would fill the bill. Store purchased 45 LC is expensive to say the least and choices are small. All mine are 357 magnum's just easier to load for and I have rifles to match.

 

[RealGun]

The 45 Colt will typically be larger and heavier than a .357. I am not a fan of Ruger having chamber diameters significantly larger than bore diameter. Approach that carefully, taking nothing for granted. The .357 would be fine if 38 Special would serve most circumstances. The .357 is terribly loud and that would be something to consider if not anticipating wearing ear protection. What I like better is my Ruger 44 Special New Model Blackhawk Flat Top. It covers all the bases except maybe for larger critters.

 

[Riomouse911]

It really depends on the surrounding issues; are you reloading or factory ammo, size and portability, what is intended to hunt, overall cost of gun and accessories you are willing to bear, etc.

A convertible .45 Blackhawk will give you more ammo options, and the caliber can be “magnumized” if you desire with handloads or Buffalo Bore ammo. It will be a bit mote expensive to buy up front and will be larger to pack. A Colt clone is limited to lower pressure loads

The .357 can also shoot some heavy loads and is just enough for what you stated it may be used for. It will be less expensive and easier to feed factory ammo and is on a smaller frame so it is a bit easier to tote. Plus it can share the .38 loads your others use for easy practice.

I think the .357 Blackhawk would better suit your needs, and this is from a guy with a .45 Colt, .44 Spl., .41 Mag., .32 H&R and .22 rimfire single actions (No .357 SA in the quiver).

Let us know what you choose when you do make the decision.

Stay safe.

 

[dh1633pm]

For me no question. 45 Colt. Already have four rifles chambered for it. Load it hot or load it soft. Always load for what a firearm can handle. Do t get me wrong, I also shoot 357. Can’t go wrong with either.

 

[IlikeSA]

A good 45 Colt Blackhawk will do everything a 357 Blackhawk will do, and then some. I always thought 357 was enough until I encountered a moose, and then it seemed drastically under-powered. The 45 Colt will also be slightly lighter weight, due to the cylinder holes and bore. Ammo will be more expensive for a 45 Colt. I've got Blackhawks in both, and rarely play with the 357/9mm convertible one.

Being from the South, I believe 357 is enough for anything you may encounter there. A 45 Colt is just more versatile in the long run.

 

[Tallinar]

Big question. Do you reload?

If you do, then the .45 Colt world is open to you without breaking the bank.

If you don’t, I’d just stick with .357 magnum, and the simplicity of .357 = wild, .38 special = mild, and call it a day.

 

[Pat Riot]

Big question. Do you reload?

If you do, then the .45 Colt world is open to you without breaking the bank.

If you don’t, I’d just stick with .357 magnum, and the simplicity of .357 = wild, .38 special = mild, and call it a day.

Pretty much covers what I was going to say.

 

[J-Bar]

I reload and cast my own bullets. I used .45 Colt, and .38 Special/.357 magnum in cowboy action competition.

I can make 2 .38 Specials with the same amount of lead and powder that it takes to make one .45 Colt. The maximum .45 Colt loads were fun to shoot. Full house .357 magnums are brutally loud and snappy.

To conserve costs and materials, I now reload only .38 Specials. If I wanted to toss big bullets I would go back to the .45 Colt.

What a wonderful choice to have!!

 

[stanley_white]

If you reload, 45 Colt.

If you do not reload, 357 Magnum.

-Stan

 

[Wolfman Zack]

To answer the questions above, I am looking at the smaller framed guns, like the Ruger new Vaquero or original SAA style guns, the larger framed guns are not what I’m after.
I don’t currently reload, but have considered getting into it, if nothing else than for cheap .38 target loads.
What is the performance of something like the flat nosed lead ‘cowboy’ .45 loads? I would assume they are comparable to a .45acp military hardball load?

 

[Tallinar]

What is the performance of something like the flat nosed lead ‘cowboy’ .45 loads? I would assume they are comparable to a .45acp military hardball load?

Not sure exactly what loads you’re referring to, but if it’s something like a factory 250gr cowboy load, then yes, it will be in the neighborhood of .45 ACP hardball (230gr FMJ@850 fps). The .45 Colt loads would be a slightly heavier bullet at slightly slower velocities.

However, there are also factory 200gr loads, which are a different story. Remember that cowboy action incentivizes low recoiling loads for fastest shooting possible. And it isn’t cheap unless you’re rolling your own.

For reference, the adopted military .45 Colt black powder load I believe was a 255gr bullet at 850-900 fps.

My carry loads in my New Vaquero are 250gr XTP pushed only to about 750-800 fps.

.45 Colt is a pleasure to reload for. Very forgiving compared to some types of reloading, and very rewarding.

 

[Pat Riot]

To answer the questions above, I am looking at the smaller framed guns, like the Ruger new Vaquero or original SAA style guns, the larger framed guns are not what I’m after.
I don’t currently reload, but have considered getting into it, if nothing else than for cheap .38 target loads.
What is the performance of something like the flat nosed lead ‘cowboy’ .45 loads? I would assume they are comparable to a .45acp military hardball load?

I have a .45 Colt New Vaquero. Something you might find interesting is if you send your .45 into Ruger they will fit a .45 ACP cylinder to your .45 Colt revolver.
Ironically .45 ACP 230 grain hardball at 830 fps hits point of aim from my Vaquero and it groups very nicely. The cost for my cylinder was $130, but my gun was already at the factory for repairs. My cylinder would occasionally skip a chamber when cocking the hammer. It was repaired and has worked perfectly since. I believe the standard fee is around $150 for a new cylinder.

 

[Rexster]

.45 Colt would be more brutal, on the budget, if buying factory ammo. .357 Magnum should be enough, for the generally expected “American South” threats.

I have .45 Colt SAA reproductions, made by USFA and Standard Manufacturing, for pure pleasure of owning such beautiful things. I have a dual-cylinder, .45 Colt/.45 ACP Ruger Stainless Bisley, and, just recently acquired, a dual-cylinder Ruger Flat Top Blackhawk, 9mm/.357 Magnum. From the purely practical standpoint, either Ruger could do it all, here in SE Texas, with the 9mm/.357 Flat Top being the cheapest to feed.

 

[Seedy Character]

Can't go wrong with either.

.45 factory ammo is more expensive and difficult to find, at the moment.

.357 will allow you to shoot .38.
I would start with the .357 and expand as you learn to reload.


I love the .45 Colt. It gets as much use as the .44 Mag, .41 Mag, .357 Mag and .30 Carbine.

I like SA Rugers.

 

[plainsdrifter]

Well if you can find a 45 LC Vaquero or Blackhawk right now consider yourself lucky. The .357's are avaliable everywhere. That should tell you something.

 

[Pat Riot]

Well if you can find a 45 LC Vaquero or Blackhawk right now consider yourself lucky. The .357's are avaliable everywhere. That should tell you something.

Where is “everywhere”? I haven’t seen a new Blackhawk in 2 1/2 years, regardless of chambering.

 

[TTv2]

Since you're not interested in the Blackhawk and don't reload, go .357. If you went Blackhawk you could get the convertible .45 ACP in .45 Colt or the convertible 9mm in .357.

I can tell you that without adjustable sights you may end up having to buy a certain brand of ammo that shoots to POA and it may not be one that's affordable or easily available.

 

[derek45]

If you reload - reload

If you don't reload - reload

 

[Tallball]

I have a Blackhawk in 357. I bought a 9mm cylinder on Ebay that happened to fit it.

I have a Blackhawk "convertible" in 45acp/45colt.

They are both fine. They will both handle 2-legged and 4-legged critters that I might encounter here in Texas.

A 357 is probably more "practical". 38 range ammo is available again. 357 is plenty powerful enough. A 9mm cylinder lets you shoot an even more common caliber if need be.

I like my 45 and shoot it fairly often. 45colt is expensive and not easy to come by these days. 45acp is common. I shoot 45acp through it most of the time.

If the OP wants the smaller Vaquero size, my Italian SAA clone (357) has given me zero problems and was half the cost of a Ruger. And this is coming from a Ruger fan who owns five of their SA revolvers.

Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum

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Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible

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Cimarron Model P in 357 magnum

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[Reeferman]

Your dilemma is easily resolved. Buy both.

 

[CraigC]

I'm always going to default to the big bore. Never been a .357 fan. A moderately loaded .41, .44 or .45 will do more with less muzzle blast and recoil.

 

[Barbaroja]

I would choose 45colt in this situation. It will be more versatile and lighter weight than a 357 in the same gun. Since you are looking at smaller frames guns check out the ruger flattop Blackhawk, it’s built on the original 357 size Blackhawk frame, closer in size to a SAA.
I have one in 44spl I love and nearly got a 45 colt last week. I much prefer the heavy slower moving Bullets to light and fast like a 357, so much less blast.

As for ammo there is no cheap revolver ammo anymore.Use this as the push you need to get reloading. Even just loading 38spl the equipment will pay for itself very quickly, more so with 45colt