45LC vs 357mag

[Lucky Derby]

I like both and own more than one of each. I voted for the .45 Colt. The reason is in order to achieve the power the .357 is famous for it has heavy recoil and muzzle blast. The . 45 does it without so much drama. It is just so much more pleasent to shoot and still have serious power. It can even be loaded to have incredible power in the right firearms. I will admit that it is nice to be able to walk into walmart and buy inexpensive (relitively) ammo. And shoot some light .38's now and then, or even regularly. I just wish someone would offer the .45 in a K/L frame size 5 shot DA revolver with a 3" barrel. The closest thing I know of is the S&W 696 .44 Special ( I have one).

 

[fireside44]

I just wish someone would offer the .45 in a K/L frame size 5 shot DA revolver with a 3" barrel. The closest thing I know of is the S&W 696 .44 Special ( I have one).

Interarms Rossi model 720. K-frame size with J-frame sized grip. 44 special.

 

[Dr.Rob]

For a long time 45 Colt brass and bullets weren't up to being 'pushed' the way they could be in a Ruger frame. Many 45 Colts (think SAA clones) aren't built to take the kind of higher pressure loads that are available (think Buffalo Bore).

If you pick the right PLATFORM, then 45 Colt can be on par with 44 Magnum.

357's can (not all do) have smaller cylinders and make for a smaller overall revolver. And while some really punishing 357's are out there (some of the 180gr stuff is awe inspiring) again I wouldn't shoot it in an SAA or clone.

I picked .357 because everything I'd want a 45 Colt for, I already have a 44 Magnum for.

 

[Bula]

There is no 'better' cartridge. If you're on the fence as to which one you'll get next, my bet is that you'll eventually own both. Both are very versatile if you reload.

 

[coosbaycreep]

I voted .357 because it's cheaper to shoot, and more practical for plinking/SD.

Unless you have a ruger or something similar, you can't load .45 to it's full potential, so it offers nothing that a .44 won't do if you're looking for power.

It costs more than .44 too.

 

[Tallinar]

Forty-five sounds cooler off the tongue than three fifty-seven. That alone makes .45 Colt better.

 

[Publius1688]

Didn't vote---because I think they are both excellent cartidges for their proper applications, any many others have pointed out.

 

[dashootist]

45LC because I can load black powder as well as smokeless. A cartridge filled up with BP just feels right in a revolver.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a Python, a GP100 (4"), a GP100 (3") and a Marlin 1894CSS all in .357 Magnum. However, I have two Blackhawks, two USFA Rodeos, one Redhawk, one Super Redhawk and one Marlin 1894CB in .45 Colt. After I pick up an SP101 I'm done with the .357 Magnum but I want a lot more .45 Colts so my vote is for the .45 Colt. In truth, I like .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt ... there is no loser here!!

 

[robctwo]

I have a few of each, and hand load for both. K frame light 38s are more fun to shoot 500 of. N frame .45 Colt medium loads is more pleasant to shoot than K frame .357 medium charges, and slightly more pleasant than N frame .357. .45 Colt Ruger full loads is more pleasant than .357 full load Ruger to me.

I'm shooting more .38 and light .45, but have more confidence in full power .45 for deling with trouble in normal pistol ranges (that's out to 50 yards to me).

 

[Gryffydd]

I don't think I could possibly pick from between these two as they're my two favorite handgun rounds. I reload both, and both are just so versatile.

The .45 Colt has the advantage in that it has a much better top end capable of taking larger game. The .357 has the advantage in the variety of revolvers chambered in it, and doing a lot with less powder and lead.

It's certainly not a matter of the .45 Colt being big and slow and the .357 being slow and fast as the .45 Colt can do big AND fast. However, it can't quite push a 250gr bullet as fast as the .357 can push a 125gr, but it's not all that far off.

Edit: I just checked out the results so far. Pretty much tied! That sounds about right for these two.

 

[MCgunner]

Damn, I wrote a long post for the .357 over the .45ACP. Then, I notice you said COLT. My bad. I voted .357 against .45ACP, but against the .45 Colt, I am quite undecided. Both make great outdoor calibers, but the .357 has the edge in self defense, more carriable sized guns available, great street record, so I think my vote still stands.

 

[CraigC]

I like the big bores and will always choose one over the .357. The .45Colt can cover the .357's spectrum and much more.

While it is common perception that the Colt SAA is a weak design that must be held to SAAMI-spec pressures, this is not really the case. SAAMI pressure standards are held in deference to the very old guns chambering the cartridge. Post-war Colt's, replicas, S&W's and the mid-frame New Vaquero can all be loaded to 20-21,000psi. Dave Scovill designed the RCBS 270SAA bullet specifically for the SAA and he likes to drive them to 1100fps with 2400. Yes, in Colt's.

And while some really punishing 357's are out there (some of the 180gr stuff is awe inspiring) again I wouldn't shoot it in an SAA or clone.

This is no issue whatsoever. Except for the very early Colt SAA's, which were not properly heat treated, the SAA is one of the strongest .357's available while still being of appropriate size for the cartridge. Its cylinder is larger in diameter than any mid-frame double action like the venerable 686 or GP-100. Nope, there is no reason to worry about hurting a .357 SAA or replica.

A better solution than either cartridge is the .44Spl. In mid-frame guns like the Colt SAA, replicas or mid-frame Blackhawks (factory and custom), it can be loaded to higher pressures than the old .45 due to its thicker cylinder walls. The 1200fps Keith load is no problem but we tend to prefer the 950fps Skeeter load for everyday use. It is a much more efficient cartridge than the .45Colt at these power levels with a greater margin of safety. However, the .44Spl must be handloaded to see it's true potential.

In large frame Rugers everything changes and the .45 can be loaded equal to the .44Mag, up to 32,000CUP. The Winchester and Marlin 94's can be loaded a little hotter than this level.

In custom five shot Rugers, it can be loaded to 50-55,000psi which renders the .454 unnecessary. The late model Winchester 1892's and replicas are close to this strength range (up to 45,000psi). They are the strongest of the pistol cartridge leverguns.

 

[mjyeagle]

45 colt packs way more wallop especialy reloading for them with a model 94 or blackhawk but the 357 is great round too i have both and prefer 45 colt

 

[Wolf Lies Down]

Oldnoob,

I like both rounds. However, for me, the .357 Magnum is still the king of self defense. I prefer it over the .44 Magnum, even. The .357 Magnum has such a high, one-shot-stop capability that if you hit someone with it, well..........they're gonna stop.....and drop. Couple that with the ammo that's available out there, such as Federal HydraShok and others, and I feel very comfortable with the .357. Add those to factors to the knowledge that, for the most part, gunfights last less than 3 seconds and that consist of very few rounds being fired, the five rounds you will have in your revolver should be enough.

If you are "heading" somewhere with the question you are asking, please be more specific. What I mean is this: Since you are only asking about the comparison of the two cartridges, the above is my answer. If you want to use what is said here as support for a specific arguement such as, "The guys on the forum recommended the .xxxxx cartridge over the .xxxxx as the best for concealed carry!", then understand THAT is NOT what I'm saying, for a whole laundry-list of reasons.

Also, with those two cartridges, we're talking revolvers only. If I were going to carry a semi-auto, I have more decisions to make and a lot more in the way of options and factors to consider.

Ain't it all wonderful?!!!!!

 

[Armored farmer]

I own seven .357's including a carbine and 2 .45colts...
I gave up on deer hunting with the .357 because of deafening muzzle blast and poor performance on whitetails. Thinking back, I probably took 8-9 deer with the .357 and never had a "clean" kill...
The .45colt has performed much better for me, and your drawers don't hit the ground, and your ears bleed every time you pull the trigger.

 

[MCgunner]

Our deer are smaller, but I've had two clean kills with a revolver and the .357. I've had numerous clean kills on hogs, none over 200 lbs. I stopped a charging hog with a 4" Rossi 971 firing a 165 grain SWC. He was shot too far back with a 7 mag and wounded. Shot placement is everything. That .357 kept me out of the hospital, though, though I did have to sit down and control my breathing after that one. Helluva adrenaline rush.

 

[orionengnr]

I currently own .357s in K and N frames, and have owned .357s in J and L frames. To me, the .357 shines in the K frame. I carry my 4" M66 on occasion, my 5 1/2" M27 not at all.

IMHO, the .41 Mag and .45LC in N frame are not really that much larger...once you get to a ~40 oz revolver, a few onces more or less is not a big deal. If I am going to carry an N-frame, it will be a 4" in .41 Mag or .45LC.

Tell the truth, I carry an N-frame probably three times as much as the K-frame. I am only 5'9" and 150 lbs, so all of these revolvers are winter carry guns for me.

 

[EnsignJimmy]

I used to own some three guns in .357 Magnum . . . a rifle and two revolvers. I've pared that down to a single revolver, and that's a Ruger SP-101 snubby. Traded the rifle and revolver in for a new Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt.

Every other revolver I own is in .45 Colt . . . three pre-1898 Colt 1878 double-actions, three Colt New Services, a Uberti clone of a Colt SAA, a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk, and a Ruger Redhawk. I also own two rifles in the caliber: The Marlin from above, and a H&R Buffalo Classic.

Heavy bullets at moderate velocities let me reach out and touch things from very far away. I'm minute of pie-plate at 200 yards with a revolver (from a rest and/or a suitably braced position, anyway.) For putting big holes in big things, it's no contest. And I like putting big holes in things.

 

[420Stainless]

They are both fantastic. I have a slight preference for big bores, so I voted .45 Colt, but I'd sure miss the .357 Mag. if I had to lose it.

 

[BCCL]

A year ago I would have said .357, but since then I have started shooting 45 Colt and it has become my favorite of the two.

 

[FTSESQ]

I voted 357 because Colt didn't make a Python in 45LC...

 

[GRIZ22]

I voted 357. You have a much wider variety of factory ammo and power levels. It's also easier to find. 45 LC needs reloading to perform to it's utmost.

 

[Bluehawk]

My vote is .45 Colt...it's easier to see the holes!

 

[md7]

wow, i knew the .45 LC was a good cartridge, but i am surprised to see this many folks like it so much. not that this is a bad thing.

wonder why we don't see more models available in 45 LC ? i think a GP100 or something like a SW 686 or 620 in this caliber would be kind of cool. would it have to be a five shot cylinder in a frame that size to make it work?