What is the Rifle Equivalent of the .45 ACP Round?

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D-Man

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What would people say is the rifle round equivalent of the .45 ACP in a handgun? Something that has good power, but is relatively easy to shoot?

I'm going to be looking at getting a rifle at some point, and along with a simple .22 would like something a little more substantial. With handguns, I keep to 9MM (lower recoil, cheap) and .45 ACP (heavier recoil though fun to shoot), and wondered if there was a similar comparison in the rifle world.

I was thinking maybe it would be a .308? Would a FAL or M1A give me the satisying 'thump' like shooting a .45 does? Could you come up with a handgun - rifle ammo chart that tries to equate the cartridges....say maybe like this:

9MM = .223
.40 = 7.62 x 39
.45 = .308

I know it's a crazy and most likely subjective question, but it may give some interesting replies here.......oh, and yes we do have a local range where I'll try some of these out, but I won't be able to make it out there for a few weeks, and was checking to see if I can get some 'food for thought'.
 
Your question made me think in terms of longevity, commonality of use, and other similar factors. My conclusion was that a .45ACP and a .30-30 WCF were probably kinda paired. I think they'd compliment each other nicely anyway.
 
45acp = 45-70 govt about the same just a bigger scale. They are both ancient,slow, heavy, and drop like a brick after coming out the muzzle.
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And, it does have a very satisfying "thump" to boot.
You might want to look at something like a 30-30, .30 M1, 32/20, if you want a bigger bore. A 25, or 6.5 of some style if caliber doesn`t matter. The 45acp isn`t a real heavy recoiler even as a handgun round. The weigth of the firearm will make noticable difference in recoil too. A heavy 308/30-06 may feel like a fly wgt 257 Rbts if there is enough difference between them.
JMO
 
.30-06 is about the same age, has the same provenance and has been just as ubiquitous. It's got stopping power, that's for sure.
 
As a hard-hitting universally loved large-caliber cartridge in firearms that are sometimes denigrated by people favoring higher capacity and smaller projectiles, I would have to say the 7.62x51 NATO.
 
My bro recently bought a rifle in .41 mag. I have a .44 mag lever action which will also shoot the .44 special. There is the .454 casul which will also shoot the .45LC.

My .44 mag is a nifty little rifle with virtually no recoil. I have not yet field tested it for accuracy but off-hand it is OK for deer hunting out to 100 yards. I imagine that I probably will do better.
 
I would think that the rifle eqivelant to the .45acp pistol would be a .45 cal muzzle loading black powder rifle.:evil:

(if compairing exterior ballistics)
 
As for the recoil thing, that would be comparative. I don't think either the .45 nor the .308 produce much recoil, be it in polymer framed handguns and a lightweight bolt action carbine, or a M1911 Gov Model and an M1A. I favor both because they are at the upper limits of being effective while maintaining control.

If you find the .45 to recoil just enough to be fun, then you might also find the .308 to provide that satisfying thump you are looking for as well.

And yes, I find that us "old schoolers," both young and old, that prefer the .45 over the 9mm also as a general rule frown on the poodle shooter in favor of the .308, or in my grandpa's case, the .30-06.
 
I think you are on the right track with the .308 or the military analog, 7.62X51. Both the .45 and the 7.62X51 are the most recent generation before the change to the current 9mm/5.56X45 and both are currently seeing a resurgence in interest and use, particularly by the Special Forces types. The classic '06 is a good choice as well but there are far more military-type rifles currently in production and available in 7.62X51 than 30.06.
 
The difference between a 9mm and a .45 is very little actually. Both are fairly weak when compared to rifle rounds, little difference in effectiveness.
 
I would say the rifle caliber equivalent of the .45 acp - big without being a "magnum", slow and yet very effective - is gonna be a tie between .45-70 and .444 marlin, with "standard" loads. Second place is a tie between .338 Federal and .35 Whelen. These all kill "bigger than they oughrta", according to many reports. Honorable mention to .308 Win.
 
Ubiquitous is the word I think you're looking for with this, not ballistics.

That would be .30-06 without question.
 
.45 ACP and .30'06 grew up side by side and fought side by side in the same conflicts. So historically they're linked. Ballistically the .45 ACP is similar to a light .45 Colt, which is historically linked to the .45-70. But I'm not sure where that gets you.
 
Are there any semi-auto rifles in .30-06 being made these days? The Garand was made in this earlier on, right? And believe I can get a lever action chambered in it too. But are there any good 'modern' designs to look into?
 
Are there any semi-auto rifles in .30-06 being made these days?
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Mmm, gun porn:

I've had one of these on backorder for a long time now. Sooner or later they will catch up.....mine wont' have the BOSS
Not necessarily a modern design but they are modern production rifles.
Browning BAR Safari

031001m.jpg
 
.30-06 without a doubt for me. The 06 in the 1903 Springfield and 1917 Enfield and the .45 ACP in the 1911 served in Mexico, WWI, the Banana Republic campaigns and on into the desperate early years of WWII. Then the 45 ACP soldiered on with the 06 in the Garand to victory in WWII, through Korea and even into the early stages of Vietnam.
 
45acp = 45-70 govt about the same just a bigger scale. They are both ancient,slow, heavy, and drop like a brick after coming out the muzzle.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a 9mm fan with a little power envy.:neener:
 
.30-06 Springfield & .45 ACP

(OK, an M-1 and a 1911/a1. If you are of the purer fire, an .03 Springfield or 1917 Enfield)

If you are a fair-to-middling master of those pairings--we'll just assume you can find your way around an m-9 and an m-4--or most any other 'combo'.

.30-06 & .45 ACP are like coffee and cigarettes on the table in front of you at the diner--the smokes are un-filtered Lucky Strikes and no one needs to ask if you are drinking 'de-caf' or need cream.
 
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