First Single Action - 44 or 45

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kayak-man

kayak-man

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I'm thinking about getting my first single action. I'm looking at the Ruger Blackhawks because they apear to be the strongest frame. I'd probably get a 5.5" barrel, and this would mostly be a range toy, but could see some use as a trail gun, maybe medium size game hunting if I get the urge (although I'd probably buy a bigger gun for that).

My only concern is if I should get one if 45 Colt or 44 Magnum. My understanding is that the Ruger Blackhawks can handle loads that are a bit hotter than usual. How would the "Ruger Only" 45 colt loads stand up to 44Magnum rounds? Chances are I'll never have to shoot a bear with one, but you never know.

Any thoughts on one versus the other? I'm getting into reloading so ammo prices aren't that relevant.

Thanks,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
I had the same decision to make. I opted for a Stainless 5.5" New Model SBH in .44 Magnum. I love the revolver. Love to shoot it. It is very accurate with cast bullets from MO Cast Bullets. I am shooting the 240 grain Keith Style PB Bullet. I have zero leading with 22.0 grains of IMR 4227. I also shoot 20.5 grains of 2400 with a 240 grain XTP jacketed bullet, and with 270 grain Speers I have shot 15.5 grains 2400 for really good accuracy.
For a fun load I use 7.0 to 7.3 grains of Trail Boss. Mostly I use WIN LP primers, but also use CCI 300 primers. I use exclusively WIN brass.

I would say it is the .44 Mag for me. I can load from Mild to Wild without worry. There are more powder options, and it is just a hoot to shoot. Loads from 800 fps to 1400 fps, and out to 50 yards. I can get 3"-4" groups consistently. I did however put a Hogue Monogrip on the revolver for shooting the hotter loads, but it also helps in all around gun control, and allows for me to get a more easily repeated grip on the gun.

Good luck making a very hard decision. One other factor was the fact that I felt I would get a standard bore size compared to the sometimes oversized bore of a .45 Colt.
 
I recently got a Super Blackhawk in .44Magnum. I'll echo Eb1's enthusiasm. It's a fantastic gun. Although in my case the grips are far too thin up around the top so I can't get a good enough grip on the gun to avoid that darn Dragoon trigger guard from digging into my finger. I'm working on new grips to fix this.

Frankly not all that man folks can easily tolerate the extra recoil that the full power .44Mag loads generate over what a full power .45Colt can provide. So really I think you'll be doing really well with either caliber. Brass for either readily available and once you've got it the brass is good for quite a few reloads if you don't punish the brass and your wrists and hands with too many of those Ruger Only loads.

So go with whichever shows up first. You won't be dissapointed with either caliber.

Eb1, thanks for the reloading recipes. I've got all three of those powders so I'm going to try out what you said. I've already tried some Trailboss but only 5 gns worth. Felt like what I'd expect from a .44Spl. Tried some 4227 and found that it lacked the big fireball aspect that 2400 give in spades. So likely the 2400 will be my main "go to" powder for showy reloads. I also found that the 2400 seems to burn a little softer with a slightly milder or longer recoil push.
 
Thanks for the input! I may very well go with the .44, mainly because I'd like to one day have a lever gun in the same calliber. I assume that if its safe for a ruger SBH, most rifles would be able to handle the load, right?

Just between us gun nuts, I highly doubt I'll stop at just one SAA clone. Theres a part of me that says a standard blackhawk in 45Colt/ACP would be good for carrying on my bike, and perhaps a one of those 357s for my kayak....

Actually, now that I think about it, I think a friend of my dad's is looking to sell his Ruger SBH....

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
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I went with 45 long colt. Got an old style vaquero a few years back followed by a S and W model 25 heritage series or whatever they call it, SAA, uberti/beretta 1873 lever and am waiting on my turnbull/winchester 1892 to arrive. Always shopping for a mountain gun in 45 LC...I see them frequently in 44 mag.

I agree with the above posts...either will do the job and reloading makes them very tolerable (or intolerable - your choice).

Personally I never load/shoot ruger only loads. 800-900 fps 200+ grains have worked for marshals and outlaws and troops for over 100 years - why change?

If I were going to get something in the wee little .429 ;) range then i'd probably look at 44-40. It seems like there are more lever guns in these configurations...anyways it seems like it when i'm looking at them.

I see no need for the 44 magnum...it's been filled by the 45 long colt in my collection. But, if I had a 44 magnum, then the opposite would be true too. So just look for the platforms that you desire your caliber in and pick the most available. Reloading costs and terminal performance should be pretty similar.
 
There is a weight difference if that matters to you. The 45 Colt in the standard blue has an alloy grip frame and I think ejector rod housing. With the short barrel its quite a bit lighter than the all steel 44 Magnums. For a constant carry trail gun I would get the 45 Colt.

On the other hand I really like the 44 Magnum. With the Super Blackhawk grip frame it really cuts down the recoil for me. With either caliber I would send it off to Magnaport if I was going to shoot a lot of heavy loads. Makes the recoil very manageable. Well worth the cost.

Just my .02.
 
Your choice of Ruger is an excellent one, and as far as the caliber question, it depends. As far as buying ammo off of the shelf at the big box stores, you'll have a wider choice of hot ammo for the .44, seeing most .45 Colt ammo will be in the 950 to 1100 fps range, but if you reload or purchase from internet sites such as Buffalo Bore, you'll find .45 Colt +P in the 1300 to 1400 fps range. They make a wonderful hunting round that is a 325 grain SWC at 1400 fps, good for most hunting scenarios.

LD45
 
Ruger: GREAT choice. IF YOU RELOAD, your caliber choice is mainly the Chevy/Ford deal. I've had both and love both. The .44 probably has more variety of factory fodder available.

If you've already narrowed it down that far, you won't make a mistake in either case. Both are tons of fun and very good hunting rounds.
 
well ya see

If your not a reloader the 44 will have a large range in bullet weights but will be of the full power variety unless "cowboy" loads are available, i've never checked.
While the 45 will offer the mild cowboy loads and standard full power loads
Either will serve, for fun shooting at the range, personally I would go with the 45. (but i RE-LOAD)
If you reload, power level as well as bullet weight is all up to you, the 45 will match the 44 in boom, but milder loads save both money and fun for extended
range time, lever guns are available in 45.(see Paco Kelley's article on the light 45-70, a lever rifle in 45 colt with 320 grn bullets) bunnies to bears you'll have it covered.
good luck
robert
 
I've got the same gun on my "next gun" list and I'm going with the .44 mag. Seems like they are both very good caliber choices, especially for pack trail gun. But the 44 mag has more ammo choices, and some say casings are stronger on the 44? Important if you reload. I don't think you'll regret going with either, as they are similar in performance.
 
44 Magnum

It is only a 43 caliber, so the cylinder walls can be thicker. There's no risk this way, if you're going to shoot heavier loads.

On the other hand, if this is a range toy, you probably will not really want to shoot heavier loads anyhow, and a 45 Colt can generate the same energy as a 44 Magnum with less pressure. Just lower velocities.

I prefer 44 Magnum, but just because it is what I have, probably.
 
kayak-man ...I'm thinking about getting my first single action. I'm looking at the Ruger Blackhawks because they apear to be the strongest frame. I'd probably get a 5.5" barrel, and this would mostly be a range toy, but could see some use as a trail gun, maybe medium size game hunting if I get the urge (although I'd probably buy a bigger gun for that)...
Click to expand...

Good choice on barrel length, I've used Model P clones in the three standard lengths and have come to prefer the 5 1/2" barrels for general purposes. For a trail gun (range toy) it would be the most practical combination of portability and pointability.

kayak-man ...My only concern is if I should get one if 45 Colt or 44 Magnum. My understanding is that the Ruger Blackhawks can handle loads that are a bit hotter than usual. How would the "Ruger Only" 45 colt loads stand up to 44Magnum rounds? Chances are I'll never have to shoot a bear with one, but you never know...
Click to expand...

I went through a very serious bout of magnumitis and survived it. (Some never recover from it.) At one time, I had a Ruger 44 magnum and loaded it with top of the book loads. I hunted with it for years and always got my deer. I also hunting with a companion who used a revolver ( Colt Model P clone) chambered for the 45 long Colt. His load used a 260 grain lead bullet over a full charge of blackpowder, obviously inferior to my load of pure 44 MAGNUM testosterone manliness. However, his deer all dies from one shot and showed evidence of complete penetration, ie entrance and exit wounds, from any angle. Not so with my 44. I was using jacketed bullets and the modern smokeless powders and he was using loads that were new in the late 19th century. I have since switched to Model Ps and black powder and never looked back. I still hunt deer and still put them in the freezer. Would I hunt bear with the same load? Yes, but I am currently trying the 280 grain Keith SWC (from RCBS 45-270) and black powder to see if I can get a better 'bear" load.

If you like the Ruger, get one in 45!
 
Either will serve you well. I have 3 Blackhawks myself 1 in 44 mag that I had a Bisley grip frame fitted and MagNaPorted and 2 in 45 Colt one Bisley and a 7 1/2 ' SS i had a Bisley grip frame,hammer and trigger added. Some models of the Blackhawk line do come with an aluminum grip frame and ejector housing both can be had in steel from Ruger.
 
I went .44M in both my DA (Smiths) and SA (Rugers) because ammo is a whole lot easier to find. 45 Colt is a great round, but I think the .44M offers more and since you can also shoot Specials as well. Go to your local gun store and see what they have in 45 Colt and you will see what I mean.
 
Thanks for the input!

I'd probably be happy with either, and I think I need to do some more research into the 45 colt cartridge. It sounds like either 44 or 45 will give me some pretty good performance; enough to handle the ocasional hyperaggrassive critter. Normally, I'd just go with the 44 magnum, because it does sound more versatile, and like it can pack a bit more power than the 45, but the 45 is a bit cheaper.

I suppose I could compromise and go with the 41Magnum. While it sounds like the best of both worlds, I think that I might get a little more power from the 44Mag, and if I ever got a levergun in the same calliber as the SA, it would be easier to find one in 44 or 45 than it would be to find one in 41.

EB1 - would you mind expanding on the overbored/standard board info. I hate to say it, but those are fairly new terms for me, and while I have a vague understanding of what I think it means, I wouldn't mind understanding it in context.

STRAWHAT - do you think the reason that his rounds were going all the way through were because of the bullet or the powder load? Short of a couple hundreths of an inch, it seems like it shouldn't be too hard to load a .44 to give you the exact same results, but I'm no expert.


Any recomendations on where to find holsters for such guns? I assume that even if they make one, carrying an SAA clone in a Blackhawk SERPA would be sacrilage :D

I'm not looking for top quality, thousand dollar holsters, just some leather to haul the gun in. With this kind of gun, I think I'd prefer something a little more traditional than not.

Pics would be welcome :)

Sorry about the spelling, just got back from an 8 hour paddle and my brain isn't fully working yet.

Thanks,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
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Also, and I know this is kind of a heated subject for some, what are ya'lls thoughts on the transfer bar on the New BlackHawks?
 
I like both, just about 50/50. If I was going to go 45colt, I'd get 4 5/8th" barrel. This is the best balance with the alloy grip frame. If I get 44Mag, I don't think you can improve, on the 7 1/2" SuperBlackhawk. 5 1/2" might be OK, but I havent shot one yet.

You really should give the 41Mag a look, I have had 2, both with the , I think 6 1/2" barrels they shoot fine. And are probably the best Blackhawks. I'm giving the new 4 5/8" 41Mag a hard stare right now myself.
 
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The more I look at the 41 magnum, the more atractive it is. I imagine it would fullfill all my needs unless I decided to hunt moose with it. Perhaps I should just stop lying to myself and consede that I'm not going to buy just one. :evil:

How does the performance from the 41Mag stack up agaisnt the 45colt?
 
A few common misconceptions here, and some truths. Either are more than adequate for medium game and properly loaded adequate for hunting bear. You don't "need" a bigger or more powerful cartridge to hunt with. The discussion of lead vs jacketed bullets applies equally to both calibers. If off the shelf commercial ammo is a major consideration you will have more and cheaper choices with the 44. If you handload or buy premium ammo such as Buffalo Bore for a Ruger the 45 Colt will do anything the 44 will both in bullet weight and velocity and do it at lower pressure. This does not apply to mid frame New Vaqueros which are not available in 44 Magnum and cannot be loaded as heavily in 45 Colt as the large frame guns. Modern 45 brass is no weaker or inferior to 44 brass. If you are after nostalgia the 45 wins. The 45 also has "special" options in the Schofield and also a shorter case cartridge used by Cowboy game folks. Modern 45 bores are the same as 45 ACP and are no less consistent than 44 bores are. Throat dimensions can vary with both and are much more of a concern with lead than they are with jacketed bullets as that is a prime factor in leading or lack thereof. Ruger 45s often come with 'tight' throats but they are easily and inexpensively reamed to proper dimensions for shooting lead. Many are good right out of the box. If you are shooting jacketed you'll likely not even notice. Oversize throats are pretty uncommon and I am sure Ruger would correct it free if that was an issue. Companion lever guns are available in both calibers. The 45 is available in convertible models with Colt and ACP cylinders so in some ways the 45 is arguably more versatile. Grip frames are interchangeable and there are a few choices there both between lighter 'alloy' frames, all steel and even brass. Also there are variations in the classic plowhandle gripframes and Hunter, Bisley, Birdshead, and custom shapes/ sizes are available dependent only on your pocketbook. Custom grips are available in a myriad of materials and style. All steel revolvers will balance differently than those with alloy or brass parts regardless of barrel length and balance is a highly personal choice. Barrel length by itself will change the balance and affect sight radius as well as packability and ease of holstering and unholstering. Again highly personal. Affordable holsters are available in pretty much every type, style and material.

I carry mine in a leather crossdraw holster and chose a 45 convertible Blackhawk with an alloy gripframe and ERH and a 5.5" barrel and custom smooth American Holly grips which look a lot like ivory and are a bit fuller than the stock grips. I have a few 1911s and load 45 ACP anyway and that is a very economical way to plink with the Blackhawk. You'll never see 'rubber' or finger groove type grips on my single actions as that defeats the way single actions were designed to work under recoil. To each their own.
 
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kayak-man ...STRAWHAT - do you think the reason that his rounds were going all the way through were because of the bullet or the powder load? Short of a couple hundreths of an inch, it seems like it shouldn't be too hard to load a .44 to give you the exact same results, but I'm no expert...
Click to expand...

He was getting complete penetration because the load was just about the perfect compliment of materials. A decent velocity and a good cast bullet. His load with the 260 grain cast semi wadcutter was getting about 950 fps. My load was a hot load with lots more fps and a jacketed hollowpoint. Yes, the 44 magnum could be loaded to equal his efforts and maybe even do so at the velocity I was getting but his load was a whole lot less punishing to shoot. As I got older, I thinned out all of my Magnum cartridges. I have none anymore and game still drops and holes still appear in targets. I also get a good of enjoyment when I shoot and my body is not sore after a day in the field. Is my way for everyone? Maybe not but it works for me.

Don't get involved in caliber wars, "...is this better than that...", decide what you want to accomplish and find the cartridge that will do that. For me, I have settled on cartridges that were new in the last part of the 19th century and first part of the 20th century. Your era may be different.
 
any thing i hunt with a revolver with die with a 240-250 cast bullet at 1100-1200fps out of a .45 colt or .44 mag. i own both and have killed deer with them and both are thru and thru shooters with short blood trails with dead deer at the end. so it comes down to what you like or if you reload. eastbank.
 
45 lc/45 acp

45 LC with a 45 ACP Cylinder

I have a third generation Colt SAA in 45 LC that I sent back to the Custom Shop and had fitted with an 45 ACP cylinder. Best money ever spent. I still have the 45 LC capability with the option of shooting the cheaper 45 ACP.

Colt, Ruger, and I believe Uberti offer this option.
 
I am on my 4th ruger chambered in 45 colt. It is the bisley with the 7 1/2 inch barrel. I have been loading for the 45 for probably 15 years now and it is plenty of gun and can as mentioned earlier be loaded hot or tame. I used to have a 44 mag in the bisley also but now have the ruger blackhawk in 44 special. I use the 45 for hunting and the 44 for a carry around in the woods gun. It is smaller and handier with the 4 5/8 inch barrel. I like the mag and the special but opted for the 44 special over the magnum because of the weight and also the easy shooting accuracy of the special. I wish I could tell you what would be best but with today's choices in bullets, brass etc and the fact that you said you will be reloading I really don't think you can go wrong with either.
 
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