Trying to decide on a single action revolver.

[Nulik]

I've got a .44 mangun double action right now that I'm going to start reloading for in the near future. I'm planing on picking up a single action and a pistol caliber rifle fairly soon as well the only trouble I'm having is deciding on the caliber. Should I stick with .44 just to make things simpler or should I branch out into .45 colt?

From what I've gathered in my reading the two rounds have similiar performace, is that right?

 

[Pistol Toter]

FRom the Remington web site:
Ballistics Charts

Cartridge Information
Index Number Cartridge Type Weight (grs.) Bullet Style Primer No. Barrel Length
R44MG5 Remington® Express™ 180 Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point 2 1/2 4"
L44MG7 UMC® 180 Jacketed Soft Point 2 1/2 4"
R44MG2 Remington® Express™ 240 Soft Point 2 1/2 4"
R44MG3 Remington® Express™ 240 Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point 2 1/2 4"
RH44MGA Core-Lokt® Hunting 275 JHP Core-Lokt® 2 1/2 6 1/2"
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 50 100
Remington® Express™ 180 1610 1365 1175
UMC® 180 1610 1365 1175
Remington® Express™ 240 1180 1081 1010
Remington® Express™ 240 1180 1081 1010
Core-Lokt® Hunting 275 1235 1142 1070
Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 50 100
Remington® Express™ 180 1036 745 551
UMC® 180 1036 745 551
Remington® Express™ 240 741 623 543
Remington® Express™ 240 741 623 543
Core-Lokt® Hunting 275 931 797 699
Mid-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type Bullet 50 100
Remington® Express™ 180 0.5" 2.3"
UMC® 180 0.5" 2.3"
Remington® Express™ 240 0.9" 3.7"
Remington® Express™ 240 0.9" 3.7"
Core-Lokt® Hunting 275 0.8" 3.3"

Ballistics Charts

Cartridge Information
Index Number Cartridge Type Weight (grs.) Bullet Style Primer No. Barrel Length
R45C1 Remington® Express™ 225 Semi-Wadcutter 2 1/2 5"
R45C Remington® Express™ 250 Lead Round Nose 2 1/2 5"
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 50 100
Remington® Express™ 225 960 890 832
Remington® Express™ 250 860 820 780
Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 50 100
Remington® Express™ 225 460 395 346
Remington® Express™ 250 410 375 340
Mid-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type Bullet 50 100
Remington® Express™ 225 1.3" 5.5"
Remington® Express™ 250 1.6" 6.6

 

[iluvG.R.I.T.S]

I dont reload so I dont shoot my 44 much.I liked the single actions though so here are 2 I choose. A .22 bisley and a .32 mag.

 

[P95Carry]

If reloading is in the frame I'd stick with it (44 cal) - plus you can easily download to 44 spl levels if wanted.

A Ruger Super Blackhawk would fill the SA niche nicely and then find a lever gun like a Marlin 94 in this cal. You'll have a choice of different platforms and - be able to maximize your load choices and results.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'd go with the Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum if you are planning to start loading. It is easier to learn on one cartridge than trying to do two or three at a time (just my opinion though). The .44 is very forgiving to load for in my experience, and probably a safer place to start for a new loader than trying to hot-rod the .45 Colt. Accuracy is usually pretty good too.

 

[bakert]

I like the .45 Colt Blackhawk for most of my shooting but in my opinion it's strictly a reloading proposition because there are few decent factory loads and they are sometimes a bit hard to find. I think it's more pleasant gun to shoot with loads in the 850 to 950 FPS range and that's power enough for most things. The .44 mag Super Blackhawk is probably more versatile for the average shooter and there are more factory load types available for it. It can also be loaded down to .44 special type loads for plinking or target work. Either one is a good choice especially if you reload.

 

[pete f]

Seeing as you have a modern double action in 44mag. I offer two suggestions. One is to get a new model blackhawk in .44 mag. NOT the SBH but the new standard sized. I would then get a supply of Nickel cases and reload them as .44 specials. The single actions are a lot of fun to shoot, very nice to carry in the woods and usually surprisingly accurate. And as said you can then look for a 44 mag carbine to carry.

The other option would be the .38/.357 or 45 colt. I would suggest the .38/357 as with it you can drop the loads all the way down to ultra soft plinkers for introducing new shooters as well as step it up to stout .357 loads as a companion self defense gun or hunting gun. Just my two cents.

If you are starting reloading and just geting started, a "C" press will be the most likely starting place, I would suggest either raising up to a Turret press for a few bucks more or if you are going to s tay with pistol cartridges to begin with, the Dillon squaredeal B. Fast, easy and a lot more fun way to crank out ammo, and it costs about 40 bucks to swap from one caliber to another.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I'd say more info is needed. Do you want to be able to hunt with the rifle, or are you interested in Cowboy shooting, or both? The .45 Colt does not have the energy of the .44 magnum, after all, if it did, Mr. Keith would not have had to create the .44 mag eh? Many states require you use a "magnum" cartridge for hunting. If you do choose the .44 mag remember that you can also use .44 Special and .44 Russian ammo in the revolvers and rifle as well. AND..., if you're setting up to handload the .44 mag already, you will be able to load .44 special too, (perhaps also the Russian) and at a very reasonable price per round.

The .44 Russian was the first of the three, and was a well known, accurate, target and defense round. The .44 special came about as an alternative, as I believe the .44 Russian was patented, and the rights to making a handgun for that round were owned by a single company. The .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special as a hunting cartridge for handguns.

There is also the .44 Desert Eagle and the Ruger .44 magnum semi-auto rifle, lots of .44 lever action rifles, as well as the single shot T/C Encore, which makes the .44 magnum a really well rounded choice in firearm availability.

After all that, I have a pair of Ruger Vaqueros in .45 Colt, as I like the nostalgia of the old round. That's just me. I can't hunt with my .45 Colt rifle, unless I handload a really HOT cartridge. BUT as I live in the PRM, the places that I hunt don't let you use anything but a shotgun or BP rifle anyway.

I hope this helps

LD

 

[Majic]

From what I've gathered in my reading the two rounds have similiar performace, is that right?

The .45 Colt can be loaded to equal and even surpass the performance of the .44 magnum. What you should realize is that not all .45 Colt handguns are strong enough to handle these hot loads. Be sure to get a model that has the strength for the hot loads if you plan to load the cartridge that hot.

 

[huntershooter]

As a future novice reloader, stick with the .44. Much simpler with one cal.

 

[gwalchmai]

I'm debating the same issue. I was given a .44MAG SA revolver, so getting setup to reload it was a no-brainer. However, I really like the .45 Colt round and am tempted to get into that as well.

From what I read, .44MAG and .45 Colt are essentially a wash for all but the most hair-raising loads. And unless you're very well heeled they're both a reloading proposition if you want to shoot much. So from a purely pragmatic view it makes more sense to get a .44MAG.

However, a set of Lee dies is only about $30, and if I wanted a pragmatic hobby I'd collect old soft drink bottles. And .45 Colt is cool.

 

[Jim March]

The 44Mag and heavy-loaded 45LC+P in a 44Mag-class gun can do the same jobs. With the right loads the 45 has advantages in doing the job at lower peak pressures and slightly heavier slugs...but the difference is marginal enough that just factoring in ammo compatibility between rifle and wheelgun may tip the balance to the 44.

 

[MCgunner]

Keep it simple and stick with the .44. Though I really, really like my blackhawk in .45 Colt, there is no advantage, just sort of another way to go for the same niche and as others have said, it's a reloader's cartridge. To get superior ballistics to the .44 mag from the .45 colt, you have to move to a gun that can take the pressures, a Freedom Arms. Then, you can shoot .454, so why bother with .45 except for light loads?

Keep is simple, one set of dies. I should know, I've got a reloading room FULL of 'em. :banghead: I've tried not to duplicate calibers, though. Each has its purpose. Me getting a .44 would be a duplication of a niche. I think you're in the same boat if you already have a .44 you really like.