.44 mag or .45 LC

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LT.Diver

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So, spring is finally here in Massachusetts which means that the bears are back out of hibernation. I've had several bears of the last few years destroying our bird feeders and tearing up our chicken coop.
Last night one came up on my deck and did a little damage while it was checking out some empty bird feeders. We decided to stop feeding the birds in the hopes that the bears would leave, but so far it hasn't worked.
At first we didn't care. It was fun watching them hang around the yard and scratch up the seeds which had fallen from the feeders and we took a buch of pics and videos to add to our critter file. Then they started stealing the feeders or just destroying them.
So, we rigged up a clothes line high up on a tree and connected to my second floor deck. they can't reach them up there but pretty much every night they still show up looking for food and getting into the trash.
I have a 16 year old mutt that needs to go out every couple of hours. I used to just open the door and let her go on her own, but with the bears around and my dog's failing eye sight I escort her out now.
I don't want to lug a rifle or shot gun around along with a flashlight and the leash, so I've been bringing my .357.
But now I want to step up the power a bit, so I decided on a .44 magnum. I know there are more powerful cartridges out there now a days but the guns are not in my budget, so a single action .44 is my choice. However, as I began shopping I ran into a bunch of revolvers chambered in .45 lc, mostly Vaqueros. Most were a bit cheaper that the .44's I was looking at.
So, to make a long story a bit longer, would any of you handgun hunters out there feel that a .45 LC handloaded with a fairly stiff load would do an adequate job?
When bear season rolls around I'll take out my 30-06 and do some actual hunting, but in the mean time I just want something on my hip with a bit more bite than my.357.
 
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.45 Lc for bear

Here's one sniffing my trail cam.
 

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.45 LC for bear

This pic was taken from my deck. That would be about a 35 yard shot.
 

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I would carry the 44 magnum for the best protection you have at your disposal. But shooting them isn't a good idea from my perspective.

First off you need to call animal control, and have them caught and relocated. These bears are losing their natural respect for humans and need to be moved. Killing them shouldn't be the option if they can be trapped. We do it out here in Idaho, Montana and Wyaoming regularly. It's humane and the bears will thrive in their new locals. I'm not a tree hugger, and I carry a .41 magnum when I'm out in the wilds here. Self defense is one thing, protecting our natural resources is another. Do what's right and get them trapped and moved out of your area as quickly as you can.
 
Relocating isn't an option out here. I live in a small town in the sticks. The animal control officer doesn't handle wildlife. She only chases people for dog licenses and rabies tags. I was in law enforcement for twenty years and I called a buddy who is and environmental cop. In rural towns, they won't do squat. If there's one in the city they usually try to tranquilize and relocate, although the last couple of times the cops just shot them.
Out here they just tell you to move your trash barrels away from your house and don't feed birds.
Check, did both. But I also raise chickens, so there is plenty of tempting smells in the yard. I'm a hunter and I usually get two deer a year for meat, God willing, and I'd prefer not to shoot the bears because I'm not a fan of the flavor. But if they are going to ruin my property, kill my chickens or attack me or my dog, then they are going to get shot.
Odds are it won't happen anyway. I've had numerous chances but chose to scare them off instead. But if they persist I want to be sure my weapon choice is safe and humane.
I'll most likely wind up picking up the Blackhawk in .44, but I won't turn down the right deal on the .45 now either.
Thanks for the replies.
 
If you have a 357mag and want something with more power the 44mag is it. the 45 is a step backwards with about half the power of a 357mag. Just because its a bigger caliber doesn't mean it is more powerful.
 
There is a process wildlife officers use to put the fear of humans back in the bears. I can't recall the term, but I met a couple of them when I was hiking out in the NW who were patrolling for problem bears that had been in the area. They had 12-gauge shotguns with the loads that basically launch an M-80 firecracker as well as loads that shoot bean bag rounds. There are also rubber slugs or buckshot as well as blanks which you could use as an option.

I think it would be a better strategy to get them to go away now rather than having to live in defensive mode. Either caliber would work fine though. Probably .357 would even be adequate with the right round. They are just black bears.
 
I always laugh when people automatically choose the .357 magnum or .44 magnum over the .45 Colt.

The .45 Colt can easily outperform both of these other cartridges, and at lower pressures, as well.

But if you truly want to make a comparison, you need to realize that the fact that these are all different calibers automatically means "apples and oranges" for many different characteristics. Even having the same mass and velocity, with identical muzzle energy, doesn't equate to identical terminal ballistics. This is because the cross-sectional area of the bullets are different.

http://www.ballistics101.com/44_magnum.php

http://www.ballistics101.com/45_colt.php

http://www.handloads.com/articles/?id=1



Which cartridge will work best for this job thus isn't the right question. The correct question is "which gun will I be using for this job" because it is the gun which determines the maximum possible performance characteristics of the cartridge. If it were just the cartridge, then I'd always say ".45 Colt". But not every handgun chambered in .45 Colt can handle heavier loadings.

The right handgun chambered in .45 Colt not only puts the .45 Colt in the same playing field as the .44 Magnum, it can exceed the .44 Magnum performance simply due to the laws of physics.

;)
 
When I was pondering a "bear defense" weapon for myself I was considering the same 2 choices you have there. I ended up with a blackhawk in 45 colt.

Now, I should probably have prefaced that with: in my neck of the woods we have black bears, usually small black bear at that. They typically pose no threat, though there was a dog attacked in the area recently. In this area we don't need anything in the 454 or above class like is recommended for parts of the country further north. I felt the old 45 was the better choice for me, offering heavier bullets and making a bigger hole in the process. It'll do everything the 44 mag will do, comparing similar bullet weights.


In reality for you either would be a good choice, go with whichever one you are personally drawn to.
 
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45 LC was originally a black powder cartridge. I would be afraid that someone might try it in an older pistol. Suggestion, pipe in music. My father piped in a radio station in his sweet corn to keep out racoons. Just a safer idea.
 
if you get a vaquero- get the older heavier frame size in 45 colt- they handle the ruger 45 colt loads whereas the new smaller frame is not as stout!

From what I read and hear good bear spray is a good tool to have on top of the gun... I would rig a remote fire spray and see if i could spray a few by the deck or garbage cans and see if that does not keep them away first... unless you really just want to kill them- maybe the pepper balls out of a paintball gun from the second story of the house might work to scare them off too...

I do know its a pain in the but that folks that do not have a wildlife issue do not understand and cause a lot of grief for those that do and take it into their own hands... be careful!
 
While the 44 Magnum is a good round, I would suggest the 45 long Colt as a better round for what you are considering. Easier to handle and decent ballistics. Personally, I would be comfortable with the replica "Colts" but if a Vaquero is available, that would work also. As for "Ruger Only" loads, I don't see them as necessary but others do. More recoil and more noise, similar results. Your choice.
 
"....45 LC handloaded with a fairly stiff load would do an adequate job?"
Click to expand...
Key word is handloaded. The other key word needs to also be either Blackhawk or Old Vaquero.

Then it's a true tossup between the two: 44-Mag/Stiff-45 Colt.
(...with my heart belong to the slightly larger hole theory.) ;)
 
I know that you're asking about a handgun load but maybe if you got some of the 12 gauge shotgun load that is loaded with rubber bullets you'll scare them away without killing one. If you can catch them in your yard and hit them with a rubber slug after awhile they would get the message and not come around any more.
 
.44 vs .45

Do you handload? Handloaded, the .45 Colt is a terrific round for heavy bodied game. If I chose the .45 Colt I would get a Ruger BlackHawk because the frame can take any reasonably heavy load you can stuff in it. Now, either cartridge will work well for your task. I'm a handloader and would prefer the .45 Colt, but if I relied on factory only loads I would chose the .44 Magnum because there is a better selection of heavier loads for the .44M.
 
First contact your sherriff. If he gives you the OK

12 ga.

First round bean bag load. Hard hitting and non lethal.

Second thru fifth, solid slugs. Hard hitting and fatal.
 
HEavy loads sold as '+P' for .45 Colt most
ammo manufacturer's will have a warning to
only fire in Ruger Blackhawk -or- TC Contender.

The vaquro doesn't have the robust top strap frame
and it's a model for Cowboy Action shooting with it's
fixed sights. With the Blackhawk the W&E adj. rear
sight can be adjusted for the load.

I have a shooting buddy who bought the Ruger Blackhawk
5 1/2" Bbl. in .45 Colt I have a Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt and
mentioned to him I was thinking about a Rger BH to pair up
with it. Then he goes out and gets the BH from Buds @ $459

When he took it on Range for the first time I brought along my
Marlin. With the standard 255 FN loads at 800 FPS the 1894
didn't have very much recoil at all. I think I could sell it to my
shooting buddy withhout much of a sales pitch
I had my N-frame along a 625 5" .45 ACP & brought
along some heavy loaded .45 Auto Rim. 225 gr. Barnes @ 940 FPS
It's about 5 oz heavier empty than the 40 oz Ruger BH
and shooting both back to back i llike the S&W although
SB got the Ruger wood w/SR medallion grips for $35 &
they are a bit fuller in size which improved things.


Underwood offers .45 Colt +P
250 gr. Hornady XTP @ 1,400 FPS
300 gr. Hornady XTP @ 1,300 FPS
both have > 1,000 ft lbs of K.E.

I otter get a box of the above and see how
much recoil is in the cards.

or just pony up the $dosh for a Model 29 4" like
Elmer carried

Randall
 
A 4" 29 would be perfect, but man have those good old S&W revolvers gone up in price! I own several S&W revolvers, some old pinned and recessed guns as well as some newer airweights. You just can't beat the triggers on Smiths.
I've never been a big Ruger fan. I know of their reputation for ruggedness, and they certainly are rugged, but I've always found their triggers a bit rough compared to Smith.
But the Rugers are definately more affordable.
On the other hand I just retired and I owe myself a gift so maybe a model 29 is in order.
I love bullet casting and handloading, so I should pick up an Elmer Keith type semi wadcutter mold and make up some bear medicine.
That does it, I've made up my mind. A model 29 it is.
 
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Key word is handloaded. The other key word needs to also be either Blackhawk or Old Vaquero.

Then it's a true tossup between the two: 44-Mag/Stiff-45 Colt.
Click to expand...

Ditto this statement !!!
 
Good idea,L.T. I have a Model-29 with a Gilmor reddot and BSquare rings and mount. No doubt the .45LC is a fine choice but around here, .44 Mag ammo is much more available. Either will serve you well.
 
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