.45 LC vs .357

[Varminterror]

In a snubnosed, carry revolver, I use 357mag, but in a single action revolver, I prefer 45 colt over 357mag, and prefer 44mag over 45 colt. I've had several 357mag single action revolvers, including a pair of highly tuned Rugers for CAS/SASS use, BUT, they just don't keep my attention. One of my favorite projects, however, has been bobbing a New Vaquero Convertible 45 LC/ACP to make an ejectorless Sheriff's Model.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy, thought I would chime in.

Newcomers to Cowboy Action Shooting often want a revolver chambered for 45 Colt, because that is what the old timers shot.

Then they go down the rabbit hole of trying to make the cartridge recoil about the same as a lightly loaded 38 Special. Difficult to do because the cavernous case of 45 Colt does not perform well when loaded with just a few grains of Whiz Bang.

Let's see how well the High Road is doing today at posting a few of my photos.

This pair of 2nd Gen Colts are my Main Match CAS pistols. Both are chambered for 45 Colt (Not 45LC or 45 Long Colt, there is no such thing).

The 7 1/2" barreled one at the top shipped in 1973, the 4 3/4" barreled one at the bottom shipped in 1968. A previous owner tried to 'antique' the short barrelled one, hence there is just about no finish left on it.

Another pair of 2nd Gen Colts, both chambered for 45 Colt. This pair are in immaculate condition. The one at the top shipped in 1973, the one at the bottom shipped in 1963.

Yes, loading 45 Colt with Black Powder tends to be expensive because of how much Black Powder is needed to fill the case. I don't even remember how much BP cost the last time I bought it, but I can tell you I can only get about 200 rounds from a pound of powder. Using my favorite Smokeless Powder, Unique, I can get 933 rounds from a pound of Unique.


Is shooting 45 Colt with Black Powder fun? You tell me. Here is my 4 3/4" Colt at full recoil.

Let's see if the photos come through ,

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

.45 LC is Cheap! get one of these, a hammer! some components!

all set for Cheap .45 Colt Action

View attachment 1158024

Forget that stupid thing, unless you like hammering bullets into the case, and maybe producing one round every five minutes.

Trust me, been there, done that a long time ago.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Forget that stupid thing, unless you like hammering bullets into the case, and maybe producing one round every five minutes.

Trust me, been there, done that a long time ago.

on a Lee Loaders are FUN! gets me outside instead of my stuffy reloading room

 

[SterlingBullet]

Have had many friends and family newbie shooters try the 45LC in a Ruger Vaquero, Taurus Judge, Taurus 450 and Rossi Lever action. All found the recoil to be mild. They all commented on the big boom and big muzzle flash But not negatively. I have only used factory loads. But, if ever get another Taurus 450, or, Ruger ever builds the GP100 in 45LC, I’ll start reloading for the first time.

Hold the .357 and 45LC bullets in one hand. The 45LC somehow feels just right. So does the .44 spl and .44 mag. Then hold some bigger pistol caliber bullets like .454, 500S&W and 45-70; many people say that they’re just too big. Thanks for reading my opinion.

 

[TriTone]

Forget that stupid thing, unless you like hammering bullets into the case, and maybe producing one round every five minutes.

Trust me, been there, done that a long time ago.

Good, cheap fun! Was a great way to start loading and made thousands of accurate, reliable rounds

With a couple loading trays, or even one, doing batch work it really wasn’t THAT much slower than single stage loading with measuring each charge out.

Also, nice to have a kit to bring to the range for load work up in the field. Can fit everything you need into a small lunch bag!

 

[GRIZ22]

Cowboy guns should be in cowboy calibers, IMO, if you're looking for fun shooting experience. Nothing feels like a big .44 or .45 bullet moving around 800-900 fps. Reload to save money.

Okay I understand where you're coming from. However, the SAA was also made in 38 spl and 357.

 

[Onty]

My little brother has a 4.75" 45 and swears by it. He's had it for quite a while now, and taken at least two deer with it that I know of, besides other varmints. He loads a full case of black powder under a 250 gr bullet best I remember; he says it's good for man or beast...

True enough. And here is the reason why US Army choose 45 Colt https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?42268-Could-a-45LC-really-do-that .

 

[Mark_Mark]

View attachment 1163435
Good, cheap fun! Was a great way to start loading and made thousands of accurate, reliable rounds

With a couple loading trays, or even one, doing batch work it really wasn’t THAT much slower than single stage loading with measuring each charge out.

Also, nice to have a kit to bring to the range for load work up in the field. Can fit everything you need into a small lunch bag!

That what I did, was at backyard camp with my brother and hammering away a few rounds. Chat & Cold ice tea… a round every 30 seconds or so, but who’s counting. I personally collect those little kits, especially the vintage ones.

 

[CraigC]

The .357 never did much for me. Most of those I own are destined to become something else. I've got two Old Model Ruger .357's off to become .44Specials. The .357 is more bark than bite. Much prefer a moderately loaded big bore with a big, fat, flat nosed cast bullet. In my stable there's 19 .45 sixguns and 27 .44's. Which includes .44Colt, .44Russian, .44Spl, .44-40, .44Mag and .445. There's only 8 .357's, two of which have already been sent off, another is in danger and a 4th is definitely going to get converted. I don't find the difference in components enough to justify going whole hog on the mid-bore. 200gr bullets plink just fine in the .44's and .45's. Anything in the 240-360gr range is just that much more effective.

Here's three in my favorite cartridges, .44Spl, .45Colt and .38-40.

Cimarron and Uberti .45's.

Two .45's and a .44.

I do like some .38Spl's and .38Colt's.

But .45's are more fun.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

I’m a cowboy action shooter and handloader. I have single action revolvers in .38/.357, .45 Colt and .44 Special. All are fun to shoot. You mentioned black powder; any revolver can digest black powder ammo but you pretty much have to load your own. I am aware of one source for black powder factory ammo and it is very dear.

The .38 Special is the most popular cartridge in CAS because it’s the cheapest to feed and the easiest to shoot quickly. The price gap for ammo narrows if you load your own but there is still a difference.

It’s hard to beat a .357 revolver for versatility but if you like the bigger cartridge, great.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Get one or more of each.

I have center-fire revolvers in 357 magnum, 10mm, 41 magnum, 44-40, 44 special, 45 Colt, 44 magnum, and 454 Casull.

Some of my 45 Colts:

 

[Thomasss]

My best shooting buddy uses a .45. He kindly remembers his pistol while during Desert Storm. He is a very good shot. However, I shoot a .357 mag. for a variety of good reasons too. I have a 6 inch Nichel 586. I can shoot either full loads of .38 Special with a dozen or more different bullets and charges. Noise is a little better with a ,357 mag, but not much. I chose a .357 mag simply because I tire quickly holding my wrists straight even with .45 target loads. I also find my sights easier to use with a lighter caliber shooting either S/A or D/A. Ammo is way cheaper too, especially if one reloads.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

A list of cartridges the First Generation Single Action Army produced from 1873 until 1940, was chambered for, including the date each chambering was introduced and the total number of revolvers chambered for each cartridge.

22 Rimfire 1863 200
32 Rimfire 1889 1
32 Colt 1887 420
32 S&W 1887 97
32-44 S&W 1889 42
32-20 Winchester 1884 43,264
38 Colt 1886 3,006
38 S&W 1889 63
38 Colt Special 1930 89
38 S&W Special 1930 27
38-44 1891 66
357 Magnum 1935 528
380 Eley 1890 4
38-40 Winchester 1884 50,520
41 Colt 1885 19,676
44 Colt ? 2
44 Smooth Bore 1890 16
44 Rimfire 1875 1,813
44 German ? 59
44 Russian 1889 357
44 S%W 1890 227
44 S&W Special 1913 507
44-40 Winchester 1878 71,391
45 Colt 1873 158,885
45 Smooth Bore ? 6
45 ACP 1924 44
450 Boxer ? 818
450 Eley 1890 2786
455 Eley ? 1,563
476 Eley 1876 163

Second Generation Colts (1956 - 1975) were chambered for 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 Colt.

Third Generation Colts (1976 - today ) I believe they are/were only available chambered for 45 Colt.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Lordy DJ, there are a few I've never even heard of. Interesting list.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Howdy Again

A list of cartridges the First Generation Single Action Army produced from 1873 until 1940, was chambered for, including the date each chambering was introduced and the total number of revolvers chambered for each cartridge.

22 Rimfire 1863 200
32 Rimfire 1889 1
32 Colt 1887 420
32 S&W 1887 97
32-44 S&W 1889 42
32-20 Winchester 1884 43,264
38 Colt 1886 3,006
38 S&W 1889 63
38 Colt Special 1930 89
38 S&W Special 1930 27
38-44 1891 66
357 Magnum 1935 528
380 Eley 1890 4
38-40 Winchester 1884 50,520
41 Colt 1885 19,676
44 Colt ? 2
44 Smooth Bore 1890 16
44 Rimfire 1875 1,813
44 German ? 59
44 Russian 1889 357
44 S%W 1890 227
44 S&W Special 1913 507
44-40 Winchester 1878 71,391
45 Colt 1873 158,885
45 Smooth Bore ? 6
45 ACP 1924 44
450 Boxer ? 818
450 Eley 1890 2786
455 Eley ? 1,563
476 Eley 1876 163

Second Generation Colts (1956 - 1975) were chambered for 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 Colt.

Third Generation Colts (1976 - today ) I believe they are/were only available chambered for 45 Colt.

my shop has 2 of the 450 Boxer for sale… $2600 and $3500