45 Colt or 44 Magnum for my next?

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I'd say 44 mag between the two. You have a larger variety of factory ammo available. Factory ammo for 45 LC is more limited. It can be handloaded to 44 mag energies
 
Yeah, I'd say that depends on what type of gun and it's intended uses. Lots of factors in a choice like that.
 
shoot both

which company are you looking at, and platform? and shoot both, im sure shooting both will offer enough experience for you to make your mind up.
 
I have to agree with all of the above posts. More information would help us make a more informed recommendation. (although my last purchase was a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt)
 
I think GRIZ22 said it best. Hard to beat a 44 Magnum for all around versatility as compared to the 45 Colt, especially when considering factory ammunition and the option of using 44 Specials.
 
I have the same issue. I do not hunt, I mainly target shoot (plink) I just want a large caliber revolver that I am fairly proficient with, Just in case :D
 
.44 mag. Then you have the factory option of full power Magnum loads, mid- range loads, and shorter and lighter .44 Special and .44 Russian loads.
 
.44 Magnum is my advice. Or better, .44 magnum is a certainty, a safety. Now, which gun? Depends on the kind of gun you want: if you want a double action revolver, my suggestion is Ruger Red or Super Red Hawk (maybe Super Red is better for hunting); if you want a single action, Ruger Super Blackhawk or Old (not New) Model Vaquero (if you succeed in finiding one), the first more suitable for hunting, the second for fun.
I've an Old Model that is, in my opinion, the best .44 Magnum I've shot, really very strong, accurate, powerful and funny!
 
Assuming you are considering a modern desgned .45 Colt, I would go with the .45 over the .44 mag. It will do anything a .44 mag will do with less pressure, recoil, and muzzle blast. If you buy a Ruger or some such, you can hot rod it to energy levels beyond the .44 mag.

On the other hand, if you wish to shoot the low velocity cowboy load stuff, you can do that. I like that caliber, and I have a Colt SAA 3rd gen, and three S&W mod 25's. They are all fun to shoot. I would like to have one of the new Ruger 4" Redhawks.

Because of the Cowboy style shooting, the 45 Colt is becoming once again, a popular round. There are plenty of good brass and factory loadings available.
 
Colt Single Action Army

I have a Colt 3rd Generation SAA in .45LC/.45 ACP that is by far my personal favorite. The Colt Custom Shop fitted the ACP cylinder to it, and it has made shooting a lot more affordable. Guess it depends on what you are wanting. I also have a custom built Colt Bisley in 44 Special that is a classic. Both are super accurate and do just about everything I want in a handgun. Never shot the .44 Magnum - so I can't comment there.
 
I love both, so dont ask me? I would go with the 44 mag but the 45cold is a great round! Im not much help am i?:d
 
Depending on the gun being used the .44 magnum offers nothing over the .45 Colt. High powered .45 loads may not be found locally but are easily obtained over the internet or by phone. If we know the choice in guns considered and the intended usage then a decent recommendation can be made.
 
I own both .45 Colt and .44 Magnum revolvers.
The question needs to be expanded to include what style of revolver you wish to use.

While it is true that a .45 Colt can be loaded to pressure levels and velocities similar to the .44 Magnum, what folks aren't saying is that these loads are only safe in heavily built single action revolvers.
These heavy loads are not safe or feasible for use in most double action revolvers on the market, the Ruger Redhawk being an exception.

The cylinder walls in most double action revolvers are simply too thin to safely accomodate heavy .45 Colt loads and this also applies to Colt single action revolvers, and all replica single action revolvers regardless of the manufacturer or style the revolver is emulating.

I also recommend you consider the .44 Maqgnum over the .45 Colt
The cartridge is far more versatile, especially for one who reloads their own cartridges.
 
again his info is limited on how he is going to use this revolver but my take on it.
right now I am down to one big bore handgun.it has a purpose as I hunt and we do have mountain lions here.the 45 colt in a ruger (bisley) is my choice.I am a avid bullet caster and reloader so it is close to perfect.it also came with a extra cylinder for 45 acp.
factory 45 colt loads are out there mostly 255 gr lfn at 900 fps no slouch and then the down loaded cowboy loads.
if you don't reload go with the 44 mag/44 special if you do reload I would say the 45 colt has the edge in the field.
pete

ruger45002.gif
 
I recently made the same choice. I went with the 4 inch Ruger Redhawk in
.44. I have own a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 colt. I made my choice based on variety of factory ammunition available. You really can't go wrong with either caliber. It amounts to need and personal preference. I must confess though that .44 caliber is the most versatile caliber on the market.
Dave
 
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