44Mag or 45LC

[CraigC]

The .45 colt operates at lower pressure when both cartridges are loaded to equal performance which equates to a less ear spliting muzzleblast.

This gets repeated often enough but I'd love to see someone actually prove it. I have a pair of custom Ruger Bisleys, same barrel length and with comparable loads, there is NO difference in recoil and muzzle blast.

 

[RalphS]

The .45 colt operates at lower pressure when both cartridges are loaded to equal performance which equates to a less ear spliting muzzleblast.

This is typical internet nonsense. People repeat stuff that they read on the internet but usually they have never even shot a 45 Colt.

I have both a 45LC and 44M Redhawk and I can reload them to the exact same velocity with the same bullet weight. Guess what? They recoil the same and I can't tell any difference in "ear splitting muzzleblast".

Another good one is when people say the 45LC has less recoil, except they fail to mention that they are comparing 44Mag factory loads with 45LC cowboy loads, and since they don't have a chronograph, they have no idea that the 45LC loads are running 300 fps or more slower.

 

[CraigC]

This is typical internet nonsense. People repeat stuff that they read on the internet but usually they have never even shot a 45 Colt.

I have both a 45LC and 44M Redhawk and I can reload them to the exact same velocity with the same bullet weight. Guess what? They recoil the same and I can't tell any difference in "ear splitting muzzleblast".

Another good one is when people say the 45LC has less recoil, except they fail to mention that they are comparing 44Mag factory loads with 45LC cowboy loads, and since they don't have a chronograph, they have no idea that the 45LC loads are running 300 fps or more slower.

Thank you!

 

[Professor Gun]

I vote .45 Colt.

 

[Nomad]

I like them both but if you are a reloader I'd go with the 45 Colt. If you're a reloader there is a better selection of factory fodder in 44 mag.

 

[bob40caliber]

Being a reloader....I love the .45 Colt.

 

[56hawk]

Being a reloader I hate the tiny little rim on the 45 Colt case.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

OK, I have to ask. What's the preference with reloading the 45 colt as opposed to the 44mag? I'd think the process would be the same. What gives?

FYI I reload 38/357.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I love the .45 Colt but with stout loads, the recoil and noise isn't any different than .44 mag stuff. And I've shot quiet a bit of both.

 

[420Stainless]

OK, I have to ask. What's the preference with reloading the 45 colt as opposed to the 44mag? I'd think the process would be the same. What gives?

FYI I reload 38/357.

I don't think there is a preference. I believe the implication is that in order to get the magnum version of the .45 Colt you just about must reload because they are not standard off-the-shelf offerings. I think there are a couple of specialty shops that manufacture Ruger Only loads. The .44 Mag has an abundance of factory offerings.

I purchased a Bisley Vaquero years ago with the intent that I might actually try some heavy loads in it, but haven't ever got around to it. I love using loads with cast lead bullets so much I haven't explored other options. That is about to change though. I marked one of my ammo boxes "Ruger Only" and just loaded up 36 rounds with 250 grain XTPs over 296 and should get to shoot them here in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Redhawk1]

Either one will work well. I am stuck on the 45 Colt. But then again I own both.