Without hand loading, .44 mag vs .45 long colt

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I am a new member but have been looking at THR for a long time. This is my first discussion thing-a-mo-bob…
I am new to handguns, well not entirely I shoot my 1911 every now and then but I have a fascination with single action revolvers. I have been looking at Ruger Bisleys, the .44 mag and the .44 colt. Well that’s all I see that they offer… I picked a couple up at the gun shop and I really liked the grip.
Anyway, which chambering (.44mag/.44special vs .45colt) would you suggest would be more versatile for plinking, target shooting, and some handgun hunting?
That would be deer and pesky varmints on occasion, but mostly just a fun gun.
Really appreciate the wisdom of the firearm sages…

This is probably one of those age old questions....

 

[Jim March]

With the 45LC, you have to pick between smaller guns that top out well below the 44Mag in terms of power level, or bigger pieces that match the 44Mag in strength. The latter can eat 45LC+P ammo that in some cases meets or even exceeds 44Mag performance.

The Ruger "Bisley" 45 is built on the large "44mag-class" frame and can eat 45LC+P. The Ruger "New Vaquero" 45LC cannot, neither can any of the various Colt SAA clones out there.

 

[pinkymingeo]

If you're not a handloader the 44mag gives you more options, because you can shoot 44spl and 44 Russian in the same gun.

 

[Colt46]

Depends

The standard .45 Colt loads will do anything you want them to do with a lot less recoil and blast that the .44 will do.
The only fly in the ointment is .45 ammo is more scarce and much more expensive than the magnum. Entirely dependant on that issue should make you lean towards the magnum. Too bad, the .45 colt is a phenomenal cartridge.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I really wasn’t expecting replies so soon. I was thinking the same thing pinkymingeo, I would really like to have that .45, but until I get into hand loading I don’t think its as versatile for me.

thanks again

 

[stellarpod]

No contest. The .44 Mag offers more factory-load options.

As mentioned by pinkymingeo, the .44 Mag will also accept .44 Special and .44 Russian - albeit that the Russians are not that easy to come by. The other significant factor is .44 Mag "Cowboy" loads, a much lighter load available from several different ammo companies. These Cowboy loads will be more tame than the .45LC standard load. Along with these there is a plethora of different .44 Mag factory loads from which to choose.

To my knowledge in .45LC you're only able to shoot the one cartridge and you're at the whim of the ammo manufacturers when it comes to finding full power vs. light loads. Admittedly however, Cowboy loads are quite common in this caliber.

The .44 just gives you many more options.

Frankly, if you really do get into shooting these calibers you should reconsider reloading, as it is 1) a lot of fun, and 2) will save you substantial $$$ over factory ammo.

stellarpod

 

[.38 Special]

Well, the .44 does give a lot of factory options, from powder-puff .44 Specials to full-house Magnum barn-burners.

The basic .45 load, though, will do everything you list except for big-game hunting, and do it with style. And Buffalo Bore offers +P Colt ammo that will be more effective on big game than anything available in the .44 Magnum.

Short version, if the .45 is what you want, there's no reason not to go for it. And then start saving for a handloading and bullet casting set-up: in the hands of a reloader, the Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt is the most versatile tool a handgun hunter can own.

 

[zxcvbob]

I really wasn’t expecting replies so soon. I was thinking the same thing pinkymingeo, I would really like to have that .45, but until I get into hand loading I don’t think its as versatile for me.

I agree with this, however, if you you shoot either the .44 or .45 you *will* get into reloading. You can save 75¢ or more per shot.

The .44 is more practical, the .45 has more history and romance (and in the Ruger Bisley can be loaded to higher power that the .44)

Bob

 

[Hunter0924]

There is some hot loads available for the .45 Colt that approach .44 magnum energy.
Tough question.

 

[trickyasafox]

why not a ruger convertible in 45? 45 acp and 45 colt in the same gun

 

[Wolfeye]

If you're talking about a "heavy" .45 gun like a Ruger or Thomson Contender, I think .45 lc/lc+p and .44 spl/mag are about the same. Buffalo Bore, Cor-bon, and Double Tap all have off-the-shelf (and expensive) .45 lc+p ammo that's similar to .44 magnum. .44 is easier to find, has more options, and is a little cheaper. The difference isn't so bad that I'd rule .45 out, though.

If we're talking about a "standard" .45 like a Smith, then you can really only compare it to .44 spl.

 

[Lazuris]

.44mag with out a doubt. Tons of off the shelf ammo for you to choose from at a much cheaper price than 45lc. Most commercial 45lc is cowboy loaded with some hunting and self defence loads availible. However, the .44 can be found almost everywhere throughout the country with a multitude of factory ammo availible. I know of no one that ever regreted buying a .44.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I think I am going to go with the .44. like everyone keeps telling me, there is much more to choose from out there… eventually I will get into the hand loading, but I don’t see me doing that for a couple of years. Anyway, thanks for all your advice.
Maybe I will get a .44 lever Marlin to go with it later on down the road…

 

[sheephearder]

I personally like the 45 colt but if I could not hand load for it then the 44 mag would be my choice as there are a lot more options available in factory loading. Personally to shoot either you need to hand load and it is not that complicated, a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Bill

 

[Ifishsum]

The nice thing about buying a .44 mag now is that when you do get into hand loading in a few years, you can then buy a .45 colt and you'll have both

I chose the .45 colt but if I didn't hand load, I would have gone the .44 mag route without question.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

yeah, if Ruger dosnt stop production. I am worried about this new management... I have hopes that they will bring back the high cap mag for the mini-14, there are signs of that in the NRA edition mini. but they did discontinue the Old Army black powder line....
Do you think they are going to move away from revolvers??? I really cant see that because they are known for such strong revolvers. There seems to be a trend with the SR9 and the LCP pistols. Or perhaps i am over thinking it...
I know i am getting off topic on my own thread here... sorry about that, it was just a thought going through my head...

 

[batmann]

IMHO---A .44M is better if you don't reload than .45. More factory stuff out there and while the .45 is a classic round, go with the .44M and you will happy.