Which caliber for ranch hand

[ThusEver2Tyrants]

So me and my woman decided to go halvsies on a ranch hand. She wants it and I want it. Before anyone comes out and says it isnt practical let me just say that im not interested in opinions on its practicality only on the caliber.

I have a sp101 in 357 and a judge so its between the 45 colt and the .357. I know 357 and 38s are cheaper which is why I lean to it, but my woman loves the 45..

My question is what are yalls experience with the gun In the aforementioned calibers and are they known to have problems with one or the other chamberings.

Thanks!!!!!!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Intended use?

 

[BemidjiDweller]

but my woman loves the 45..

There's the answer to your question

Seriously, I would go with .38/.357. Only because it's cheaper factory ammo. I'm not sure how expensive 45Colt is to load, so I can't say which is cheaper there.

 

[Dnaltrop]

If you reload, .45 colt.

I'm 90% sure the missus tricked me into buying a 1911 for her this last week, .45 of any stripe seems to have that effect.

 

[2zulu1]

The only ranch hands I know work on ranches and ride horses. I like my 686P in a shoulder rig when on the tractor or saddle, 158JHPs or 170gr Keith bullet. 357/44mag and 45 Colt are popular calibers here for those who spend a lot of time in the wild.

 

[bigfatdave]

Make the Mrs happy - priority #1

I will point out that if the intended use is as a toy, Henry makes a similar gun in .22lr as well as centerfire versions. That's what I have, because such a gun is purely a toy for me, and I have more fun with it shooting CCI .22 CB shorts than anything else.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I bought the 38/357 because I load 38/357.



The gun is so much fun I was stacking up a lot of 38 brass.
I thought, I wish there is a 22.
So shortly I bought the 22.



A few days ago the LGS got a 45 Colt in trade.
If I was into 45 LC I would buy that gun to.


So, IMO, for fun you can't go wrong with any caliber.
The big calibers are cool but can be right costly, even if you reload.

but my woman loves the 45..

Women like the Mares Leg, or maybe it's just Steve McQueen they like.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with one in .357 as I have lots of brass and components to reload that caliber; not so much so with the .45LC. Go with whatever caliber best suits your needs.

Or whichever one your wife likes best.

 

[Coyote3855]

Everyone should buy and shoot whatever floats their boat. But I find optics on a .22 Ranch Hand a very strange combination. Just sayin'.

 

[ThusEver2Tyrants]

Coltpythonelite,

Its intended use will be just a cool range toy and possibly a truck gun (I work the nightshift at a all mobile locksmith company) but pretty much just for fun. My woman loves mcqueen, john wayne, and lever actions in general.

 

[BlindJustice]

How much does the Ranch Hand go for?

I have a Marlin 1894 Carbine 20" octagonal Bbl in .45 Colt

I also have a S&W Model 60 .357 Mag 3" Bbl. and
.45 Colt runs a lot more than .38 Spcl/.357 Mag. last
.45 Colt I priced - $42 / 50 rds of Fed American Eagle
and some better stuff at $49 per 50.

R-

 

[Greg528iT]

45 Colt. just cause.

 

[DPris]

The .44 Mag is not pleasant to shoot in one.
.357 Mag, especially if you already reload, is a decent choice.
Mine is a .45 Colt. With standard velocity loads it's not intolerable & I do reload for the caliber.
Denis

 

[BSA1]

Josh Randell's was a 45...

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

What nobody has is time enough to be truly skilled with every type of gun, along with all the other things life throws at you. When you spend time with one type, it can't be spend on the types that really matter. Which is your ccw pistol and your shtf/fighting rifle.

niho, you may wish to consider the concept that not everyone is shooting to become a master of every type of firearm and that they just might enjoy the variety.

Please don't derail this thread any further. If you don't see the utility in this time of firearm, feel free to move on. No one is forcing you to contribute to this discussion.

 

[DPris]

Actually, Randall's was a .44-40.
Denis

 

[MedWheeler]

Niho, did you miss the following in the OP's query?

Before anyone comes out and says it isnt practical let me just say that im not interested in opinions on its practicality only on the caliber.

 

[khegglie]

Shooting full bore .44 magnums out of the ranch hand is an experience fo sho! Don't hold it near your face.

 

[bluetopper]

44 Magnum......so very versatile.

 

[BYJO4]

Since this is purely a fun gun, I would get the 38/357 as it will cost less to shoot.

 

[BSA1]

Actually, Randall's was a .44-40

I disagree. The rounds he was carry on his cartridge belt were 45 extra extra long. They were rare special made cartridges for only a few Old West bounty hunters knew about. <];-)

 

[bigfatdave]

wow. can't see any reason for such a gun? I'd either want a rifle (folding stock if it need to be short) or a pistol (if you want real "handiness" and speed into action. This thing has nothing like the accuracy of a real rifle, so why put up with the weight and bulk? I just can't see it.

for fun

See, guys, it's not just about money. What nobody has is time enough to be truly skilled with every type of gun, along with all the other things life throws at you. When you spend time with one type, it can't be spend on the types that really matter. Which is your ccw pistol and your shtf/fighting rifle.

Shouldn't you be spending time working on your warrior skills, rather than complaining about how others spend their time on the range?
Not every gun needs to have a dedicated serious role. Some are for fun.
... although when the zombies come, I intend to slap the action of my .22lr mare's leg onto the stock from a Henry rifle - just as soon as the FBATFE gets out of the firearms business.

 

[BCRider]

If you don't already reload your own and you are adamant about not reloading then stick with the .357 model At least .357Mag is cheaper than .45Colt.

If you don't mind getting into reloading at least on a smaller scale then by all means go for the .45Colt version.

Reloads for .38 or .357 will cost you around 12 to 14 cents each. Or about $6 to $6.50 per 50rnds. The bigger and heaver bullets for .45Colt will push the price up to around 18 to 20 cents a round or $9 to $10 per 50.

The initial outlay for the loading equipment and brass seems a trifle steep. But at the prices noted above for the actual consumable primer, powder and bullet you can see that it won't take long to pay off the loading gear and brass and realize some serious cost savings. ESPECIALLY when you look around at the price of ANY sort of .45Colt ammo.

It's weird but you can literally load .357Mag up for only a penny more than .38Spl since all the stuff is the same other than you use a little more powder.

You'll likely find that the Ranch Hand in .357 is best used with the Magnum size brass even if you load down to Special power. I shoot the same action for cowboy action. And with the .38Spl brass there's a tendency to stand the round up poking at the clouds instead of chambering. Using Magnum length brass really cuts this down a LOT.

Regardless of which caliber you get there's some great info to be found by doing a google for "rossi trigger job". One of the first hits will be a great article detailing how to slick up the Win '92 style action that the Ranch Hand uses. It really does make a BIG difference. My own Rossi was OK even out of the box. But slicking it up has made it into a life long keeper even if I were to leave CAS events for some reason.

 

[David E]

There are times for serious guns, but there are times for fun guns, too!

It's refreshing to ponder "what fun gun do I want" instead of "what new gun should I buy to defend myself with?"

I vote .38/.357 on the ranch hand. Cheaper ammo means more shooting which means more fun!

 

[Texan Scott]

Tell your wife that if you get the .38/.357 model, the money you save can go toward a SBR tax stamp and full stock... just sayin'...