All around self defense gun

[elitesack]

You can load a high pressure capable .45 LC revolver up and far past 1400 ft pounds of energy, even with factory ammo........................ duh.

In reply to your quote of "so I was looking for a gun that will take a hot load with a 300 grainer loaded out to 1000fps which produces 666.1 ft-lbs at the muzzle."

 

[The Dixie Diarist]

That load was one I saw in a web article. (Sorry I can't seem to find it now...) In the same article the author discussed a 300 grain cast lead pumped up to 1,700 fps that he fired at an Arizona jack rabbit. He said that he could find no parts readily identifiable as rabbit and that the blood and fur was splattered over a 6 to 7 foot radius. That's what got me thinking about high pressure .45LC.

As others in this thread and others have noted, anything you can do with a .44 Mag you can do with a .45LC and I already have things in that chambering and the reloading supplies for it. Now I just need something that can take the high end pressures -- say up to 40- 45,000 psi or so. I know the Puma built on a Winny '92 frame and the Rugers can take it, but I was not sure about some other things I have looked at. I was curious about the Judge, but that question has been answered, to be sure.

I will probably go for the Blackhawk due to price, but a Redhawk would be better in bear country.

No, I am not looking for a hunting round, per se. I don't mind if I can hunt with it, but defense in the two and four legged varieties is what I have primarily in mind.

Again, thanks for all the responses.

 

[Eb1]

You need a .454 Casul. Admit it..

 

[S&Wfan]

I recommend that if you buy one of those things for your wife that you make a deal with her. If she HATES it like I think she will, that she gets to buy you a nice frilly pink shirt and matching pants that you've got to wear next time you go to the range!

Guns are a very personal thing, and I think more women would love shooting handguns if their men didn't try to do all the decision making for 'em.

Check out "The Cornered Cat" website . . . written (excellently) by a lady shooting enthusiast for women AND those guys who try to help them pick a gun. VERY interesting and informative . . . and highly recommended as mandatory reading for all male and female shooters!

 

[Brian Williams]

I had one of the original Trackers in 45 Colt before Taurus discontinued them and went with the abomination of the Judge. The manual stated that it should only be shot with standard pressure 250 gr loads. So that means 250gr bullet at 950 fps.
If you want to shoot a small compact 5 shot revolver get one of those original Trackers.

Have you ever heard of a HD/SD trainer recommend a 410 shotgun for self defense.

 

[oldfool]

all around do everything is hard to come by
but I think OP has his act together w/ Blackhawk/Redhawk

but if it's gotta' be a DA
whole lot more selection available in 44 mag
what 44 mag can do, 45LC can do
but what 45LC can do, 44 mag can do too
no shortage of 'em to pick from, either
and you can lighten up some with 44 special loads if you ever find a reason to, as well
(no shortage of 44 mag lever actions available, either)

 

[ccsniper]

against bears? I would say that shooting a bear with .410 buckshot is a good way to commit suicide, kind of a unique way of killing yourself.

 

[snooperman]

For " all around self defense gun" for you AND your ...

wife, look at the medium weight 357 magnums, such as S&W 65 with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. Also Colt , Taurus and Dan Wesson would be fine. You can shoot 100gr -200gr bullets in it and your wife could practice with cheap 38 specials. And, for bear, load it up with Corbon 180gr or 200gr hunting rounds. If I wanted only one handgun the 357 magnum would be it in a medium frame. It is far more versatile than a 45 long Colt or any other caliber.

 

[MachIVshooter]

would I be better off loading a really hot LC with a 300gr SWC - say in the ball park of 1500-1700fps - in such a gun?

You won't get that safely (if at all) with .45 Colt from a revolver. Those are .454 Casull velocities. Top loads in my 7.5" SRH .454 (31.0 grains H-110) push 300 grainers at 1,580 FPS for 1,663 ft/lbs. Those loads required an extra-heavy crimp to keep the bullets in the cases during firing.

 

[Oceans]

Howabout the lightweight Smith&Wesson in .44 Magnum. Its lighter, and its recoil wont bother you if you have to use it in a self defense situation. Now it will thump you at the range if you practice long strings with full house loads, but you can shoot down loaded Magnums or .44 specials in them for practice, with a cylinder or two at the end of the session with the hot stuff.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Now it will thump you at the range if you practice long strings with full house loads

It'll more than thump you. Those 329's hurt with full power ammo.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

CORBON makes a 45LC Plus P 335gr Hard Cast lead bullet that will reportably do:

Velocity: 1050fps
Energy: 820ftlbs

I think this would be suitable for bear.
I don't think this would be suitable with the Taurus Judge.

http://www.dakotaammo.net/CORBON-Hu...gr-CORBON-Hunter-HC/HT45C335HC-20/300/Product

 

[MachIVshooter]

CORBON makes a 45LC Plus P 335gr Hard Cast lead bullet that will reportably do:

Velocity: 1050fps
Energy: 820ftlbs

I think this would be suitable for bear.
I don't think this would be suitable with the Taurus Judge.

I wouldn't chance it. That'd be pushing it even for the new Vaquero. Old vaq, BH, SBH, RH, SRH, S&W 25, FA 83, Magnum BFR, probably a few other semi-customs I can't think of.

 

[wlewisiii]

Real world answer is:

.38 special S&W Model 64. Dirt cheap at lots of outlets.

Put 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC +P in the chambers.

There is nothing on this planet that will die any faster from .45LC than from that. I love reading Elmer Keith but the answer remains the same.

Nothing.

William

 

[FoMoGo]

Something with good muscle bulk, heavy bone structure... the .38 will be quite a bit less effective.


Jim

 

[NMGonzo]

Teach her to shoot single action and your budget will be cut in half immediately.

 

[336A]

Real world answer is:

.38 special S&W Model 64. Dirt cheap at lots of outlets.

Put 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC +P in the chambers.

There is nothing on this planet that will die any faster from .45LC than from that. I love reading Elmer Keith but the answer remains the same.

Nothing.

William

I have to agree with wlewisiii on this one. Get a good K frame .38 SPL and load it with appropritae ammuntion. The K frame will more than likely fit your wifes hands better, be controlable for her to shoot, and won't be to heavy to tote around for long periods of time. Since you reload look into the various +P loads using a cast 158gr SWC bullet. Or better yet look into using a cast 180gr -200gr bullet. In todays world bigger and faster will always be better to the majority. However the good ol' .38 SPL is better than what most folks will allow. No it isn't super fast or ubber powerful but is is accurate and controlable. A good cast 158gr - 200gr bullet to the pump house will settle any SW Black Bear, or mountain lions hash in fairly short order. Yes a suped up .45 Colt or .44 mag would be better but how accurate, and how fast on follow up shots would your wife be with such equipment.

It is a big mistake to sell the .38 SPL short as they really do have a lot to offer. Read how the lowly .38 SPL worked for the OP in the thread below in it's entirety. Please keep in mind that the OP sarted the thread the way he did only to get folks to read over the thread.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17623&hilit=38+special+better+than+357+and+44

 

[Paladin7]

Do yourself a favor and check out the "box of truth" link earlier in this thread...that ought to be an eye opener...

Forget the Judge for anything more than a fun gun...

Get yourself a serious pistol for your needs... S&W or Ruger