Quick Tip: .44 Magnum vs .45 Long Colt
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- They are two of the most popular revolver cartridges of all time, and today Brownells Gun Tech™ Steve Ostrem does a quick compare-and-contrast of the .44 Magnum and .45 Long Colt. The .45 LC debuted in the 1870s, when the steel used in revolvers was much weaker than modern steel, so it's a low-pressure cartridge. The .44 Magnum was developed in the 1950s specifically for hunting, and stronger modern gun steels meant revolvers could be built to handle its much greater pressures. Full-power commercial .44 Magnum ammunition tends to be easier to find. The .45 Colt you find at the gun store is loaded mildly so folks don't blow up their vintage Colt Single Action Army revolvers! If you're a handloader and have a strong modern revolver, like a Ruger Blackhawk or Redhawk, chambered in .45 Long Colt, you can load up "hot" ammo for it that generates pressures matching - or even exceeding - the .44 Magnum. BOTH cartridges are great for handloading because they have straight-wall cases and can handle a wide variety of powders and bullet weights. Dies, brass, and bullets are readily available for both. If you're not a handloader but want a hunting revolver, .44 Magnum is the better choice, as there's more FULL-power factory ammo available.
I love them both. and I have both. The 45 Colt is a dream to shoot at the range, but can be loaded heavy for medium game.
The 44 mag is great for heavier/bigger game.
Both are great rounds
I’ve been reloading.44 Magnum since I was 18 years old and using a S&W model 29 with an 8 3:8” barrel since then. I’m almost 64 years old now, and still love this caliber and the model 29.
I agree with almost everything except I prefer the model 586/686 as it dampens the recoil a little bit better.
@@michaellinner7772 These models you mentioned are both of a .357 magnum caliber, which are great handguns, but don’t seem to pertain to this particular subject of.45 long colt vs. 44 magnum.
@@scottbaldwin1439 yup, sorry I meant the 629.
@@michaellinner7772 Yes. That’s a fine model also. A lot less worry with rust issues with them. I have friends who own them and they’re a fine firearm. But the .357’s you mentioned are also. S&W revolvers ate all fine firearms in my opinion.
@@scottbaldwin1439 yeah, I got a little confused because I also have the .357 and it shoots and feels just like the .44. I agree about Smith and Wesson. They are by far my favorite revolvers on the planet. Even the cylinder release is perfectly shaped for my thumb and the quality is second to none.
Call it whatever you want. I personally say, " 45 colt." What's stamped on the cartridge? "45 long colt" I'm not going to correct you, because, I'm not a gatekeeper.
A fellow cop was hit in the upper chest w/a .45 Long Colt round and told me it felt like being slammed in the chest w/a telephone pole.
and how would he know what that would feel like ?
@@milboltnutI'm guessing a vest saved him.
I wonder what the 44 magnum would’ve felt like
@@BryonCombsdepending on loads probably close to the same
A heart attack feels like being stabbed.
I think Steve's favorite is the .44mag since the video was 4:29 long and .429 is .44mag bullet diameter.
Really is a 42 caliber
Now there is a thinking man that pays attention 👍
Dang brother that's thinking really deep 😮
Can some one get this man a raise?!
@@johnmills837 43 but whose counting
Both great calibers, reloading makes the 45 colt a powerful round that has always been my favorite.
SAA modern day stopping power, and then some .45 ACP modern day stopping power 2 WW's and to 1957
44 for me. Got a New Model Super Blackhawk for my 17th Birthday is why. At 60 I just got a Henry Big Boy to match it.
The 45 Colt has been with us since 1873.
I like the 45 Colt, just a wonderful round and a ton of history!
Probably the best shooting video ever made. An amazing amount of content in four and a half minutes, no ads, no bs, no needless shooting demos, and no obnoxious music. It extended into the comments with knowledgeable shooters respectfully stating opinions and experience. Thank you all.
I love the fact that 44 mag off the shelf ammo is full powered and any gun chambered for 44 mag is capable of handling full power ammo. No chance of accidentally putting the hot load in the weak gun. If I want gentle, low recoil loads, I just go with some specials. Its also easy to keep my hot and mild loads separate just by looking at case length.
Right thats a good point on case length. I hand load so no need to buy specials but i gotta keep everything labeled real good so no one accidentally smacks themselves in the face from unexpected recoil
Feel the same way and i love my Ruger Redhawk and i have the brass to reload both specials and magnums .
I'd say every thing except for Buffalo Bore Hard Cast 350gr +P+ in .44 magnum. Even Buffalo bore says only shoot that through Ruger Super Blackhawk, Ruger Super Redhawk, or Taurus Raging bull. Apparently that 350gr lead slug moves out at over 1500 fps.
@@Grooove_e it wont go 1500+ fps out of a revolver! the best you can hope for at that bbl length is around 1300 fps!
@@stevenp8198 good point, on their website they rate it at 1425 fps out of 7.5 inch barrel
The .45 Colt was develpoed to be a combat round and still does an excellent job of that, especially with modern ammo. The .44 mag was developed to be a hunting round and is still useful for that.
I thought the .44 magnum was developed for Dirty Harry.
Detective Callahan used 44 special loads.
😂🤣
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is, do you feel lucky? Well, do you, punk?
@@bobjohnson1633Did he now? I've neither heard anyone else claim that.
If you handload, the .45 Colt is a great choice and my personal favorite between the two.
I chose a ruger blackhawk, because I had 2 1911s...my dad was a hand loader and had a 45 blackhawk 45lc/acp combo. I just couldn't see buying Another caliber to feed. If I could use both. 45 long colt is just fine for everything we have on our continent..provided you have the right pistol for the job. Thank you Mr Ruger.
C'mon, if what you say is true why do you say 45lc???
@LarryGarcia-p3j I use both terms 45 colt and long colt you're a bit late to the party....this is from 2 years ago. Get a life
My dad had a .45 LC and as a kid I thought it packed a wallop. But as I got older, I came to prefer the .44Mag. There’s a lot of cartridges more powerful now, but for me and what I need, the .44 is enough. The availability of ammo is a major factor for me.
Thank you for a great video!
I love target shooting my shirt barrel 500S&W, but I don't find it relevant where the 44 is not.
A .45 with hot modern ammo packs just as much whallop as a .44 mag
@@nickleback3695 …yes siree Jim Bob-I agree whole heartedly
You can easily load a 45 to be as powerful as a 44
I prefer the 44 simply because I got into it first and have the most knowledge and experience with it. Taken quite a few deer with 44 mag too, does a great job. My 45 Colt is a heck of a lot of fun to shoot though. Love and reload them both. Variety is good.
250gr lead cast rnfp with 40gr of 2f black powder killed war horses and men back then with great effect.
I bought my first Ruger Blackhawk in 1968, I chose .41 magnum, in my opinion it is the round that provides the most versatility. I still load and shoot it today. A cross draw holster keeps it concealed and yet very accessible for an EDC.
Interesting bringing this topic up. Forty years ago I was loading for my Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 barrel with 296 ball powder and 250 grain JHP that cronoed hotter than the 44 magnum factory 240 grain loads
Anyone who wants and as long as your firearm can handle it, look at Buffalo Bore +P 45 LC. One amazing round
I highly suggest everyone read up on Linebaughs Research on the high-powered 45 colt. If you’re a handloader, Using a Ruger or Thompson contender, you can very easily surpass the power of the 44 magnum while doing so at lower chamber pressures and with heavier bullets. On the south Texas ranch for several years I carried a 44 Ruger super Blackhawk, which was just fine for all the pigs, including the very large sows, But when it came to the really big boars, i’m talking 375 pounds and upwards, by experience, I knew I was undergunned after a high number of “escapees”. After reading Linebaughs studies I bought a Ruger, Blackhawk, 45 and a set of dies and duplicated his experience and found it to be spot on. I also saw the same phenomenon of hearing a raspy crack and slightly erratic velocities at about 75%-ish of absolute maximum load, the cases would still easily fall out of the cylinder. Unnervingly going beyond Into heavier powder charges, That’s strange cracking sound upon discharge diminished into a very healthy sounding heavy boom, groups tightened up very nicely making it very dependable on a hog up to 100 yards or so. I believe the powder I was using was H110. Obviously, I won’t go into the load I decided on But it will do to a 500 pound boar what a 44 magnum could only dream of. I’m not bashing the 44, I have both.
I love them both across the full spectrum of their potential in appropriate revolvers.Linebaugh isn’t a poet by any means, but his writings are very informed and interesting. I also agree with his assessment that basically says “if you think you need more than 1300 fps, you really need a bigger chunk of lead.”
I would LOVE to see .45 LC come back into popularity among revolver enthusiasts and see a few more aside from charter making a 3" carry model!
Taurus used to make the 450 model. I have an aluminum frame 45lc snubby. It a tracker frame, so its basically a 686 chambered in 45lc.
You could conceal the 4" redhawk if you wanted and it handles magnum level loads
I prefer the 45 colt you can load it to as much as you need for anything you could want, it just doesn’t have the notoriety of 44 mag let it be the secret we enjoy
They are both wonderful! I have the early model Ruger redhawk .45 colt. I can do anything I want with it, up or down the spectrum and I can cast 300 grain bullets from wheel weights which make a formidable impact. One son shoots an 1873 and loads 252 grain semi wadcutters to standard 45 colt power. Another son has a redhawk blued in 44mag and I've loaded heavy hard cast for him but he can also throw factory 44 special rounds in it for still a highly effective result. He also has a Marlin cowboy in 44. And my brother has the same redhawk 44 in stainless. And I can throw any of my 45 colt loads into my Marlin cowboy. So which is the best? They are both good and can do just about anything you need them to do!
I think they are both pretty good, and there is not much the one will do that the other wont. I actually prefer the .45 colt to a degree because its more manageable recoil. When hand loaded the 45 colt stands up to the 44 mag pretty well. I would feel well armed with either one, although i get much quicker, more accurate follow up shots with the 45 colt.
.45 “Long Colt” was actually brought out in 1873, not “1880’s”.
My favorite is the .44 Magnum. I'm not patient enough to handload and I hsve been able to find hot loads easier than hot .45, plus I've found some less punishing practice loads in both magnum and .44 Special for less money than the .45s.
Great video Steve, I’ve read John Linebaughs article about his smith model 25-5. I’ve tried his loads myself in my model 25. They are pretty much ruger loads but my gun handles them fine with no excess pressure signs at all. 260 grain Keith with 26 grains of h-110 does bite your hand however ! I have several model 29s and super blackhawk as well but I’m in love with the 45 colt !
Both are too fun to shoot to point to a favorite.
I love the venerable .45 Colt, a real pleasure to shoot.
I chose both. But my go to hunting handgun is a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .45 Colt. I was able to snag one when they made a run a few years ago. 300 grain bullet on top of a heavy dose of H110 and it does all you would want from a .44 Mag/heavy .45 Colt hunting handgun. Of course my .44 mags are great, but I guess I just love the history of the .45 Colt and who knows what would have happened if Elmer Keith would have had handguns that were capable of higher pressures instead of the SAA in .45 colt and its paper-thin cylinder walls. That is why he loved the .44 Special over the .45 Colt. A little thicker cylinder wall gave him enough strength to really crank up those loads.
I proudly own a Ruger Super Red Hawk 454 Casull with a 9.5 inch barrel and sometimes use a 2.5 X 8 power Leupold scope. Problem is I have difficulty finding 454 ammo. But, Cabela’s had a stack of HSM .45 Colt ammo titled “Bear Load”. This is a .45 Colt + P with a 325 grain grain Lead WFN Gas Check bullet rated 1155 FPS. I think that’ll work on any creature wanting to eat me. LOL
The 45 Colt is my favorite ca'tridge! And yes I'm a hand loader! I absolutely love my Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt!
the blackhawk has a thicker frame
@@gregsmith7828 depends on which black hawk and which Vaquero.
.45 Long Colt is my preference, due to lower recoil, more accurate (possibly due to lower recoil) and my charcoal blued colt 1873 clone with .45acp cylinder and a .22lr conversion too.
The .22lr conversion is a barrel sleeve and cylinder machined down to spec and while I primarily use it with .45lc it's nice to have the .22lr for hours of plinking.
Even my Rough Rider in .22lr/.22mag is extremely fun but the trigger, hammer and weight of the .45 is one of my favorite things.
Now I want to watch the good, the bad and the ugly.
you need to put on the Mexican flag grips first. don't forget your serape...
I have a Ruger Vaquero and a Rossi Model 92, both in .45 Colt. Full power Buffalo Bore rounds are very stout in both guns!
When asked by another shooter which caliber, 44 Mag or 45 Colt, I always ask if they hand load ammo. If they hand load, I recommend 45 Colt over 44 Mag. If they depend on factory ammo only, then I say 44 Mag. I'm a hand loader so my choice is 45 Colt. The 45 Colt is a much more versatile cartridge, and is capable of hitting like a freight train at surprising low chamber pressures! Easy to get a 255 gr RNFP or LSWC to 1000 fps at only 14,000 psi with the right powders, which duplicates the old original 40 grain black powder load from 1873 onward! I've seen small saplings fall when that big flat nosed 255 grain hits them. Tremendous thumping power at such modest pressure!
44 better
@@stoner63reflex65 Not If you hand load your own ammo and have a strong handgun to handle it. Remember, the 454 Casull was developed by using 45 Colt brass. And the 44 Magnum is way below the 454 Casull in power.
@@63DW89A i have a 500 magnum so both are small to me lol
There is one big error in the comments made by the Brownells representative. You don't get greater sectional density from the .45 Colt, you get significantly less. For example, a 300 grain .45 bullet has the approximate sectional density of a only a 270 grain .44 bullet (271 grains to be exact). In order to get the sectional density of a 300 grain .44 caliber bullet in a .45 you will have to get a 330 grain.45 bullet. If you want to get the deepest penetration on the biggest big game, go with heavy bullets in .44 caliber, or just go up to the .475 Linebaugh and be done with it. There is a lot more I could say, but I'll end with this. If you have bullets of equivalent design in each caliber that have the same sectional density, the velocity of the .44 bullet, with both cartridges loaded to top end loads (the .45 Colt loaded to no hotter than 30,000 psi and not trying to make it into a Casull), and using hard cast bullets, the .44 will exceed the velocity of the .45 by at least 100 ft. per second, will have the same incapacitation effect, and will even penetrate slightly deeper (with expanding bullets it will penetrate less). There was a wonderfully produced book on large bore revolvers in the book stores about 10 years ago that had an article on how the .44 caliber 310 grain Oregon Trails True Shot bullet penetrated less than an equivalent bullet in .45 caliber. The authors failed to recognize that the reason for this is because the .44 True Shot bullet has a significantly bigger meplat (the sectional area of the flat on the end of the bullet) than any .45 caliber bullet on the market resulting in significantly greater drag while penetrating and therefore less penetration. It had nothing to do with caliber, otherwise, there are ghosts in physics.
THANK YOU, Steve and Brownells for this excellent video; I have long wanted to learn your opinion(s) regarding this very issue, Steve.
Furthermore, you solicited our opinions, so here’s mine. I routinely have handy (and occasionally, during the Winter, carry) a Smith 625-9 Mountain Gun, chambered in .45 Colt and loaded with 250 grain Gold Dots. Why? Because, even from a four inch barrel, this fine revolver/cartridge combination provides truly excellent decisive potency. I won’t engage in insoluble debates regarding any - completely marginal - terminal ballistic differences between the foregoing “system” and others. It’s sufficient, however., to indicate that I am VERY confident this .45 Colt, stoked with these Gold Dots, will be entirely adequate (if I place rounds with reasonable accuracy).
But there is an additional - and an important - reason (which was not mentioned in the video) that I prefer the 625-9 to .44 magnum Redhawks and 29’s/629’s, for MY needs (I’m not hunting Kodiak Bears, I’m providing lawful defensive protection). I’m pushing 76, I have been shooting for 60+ years, and I know my ability to attain accurate subsequent shots is increasingly recoil limited, Therefore, the more modest .45 Colt recoil is decidedly preferable - for me and for my requirements - than would be a .44 magnum’s. Of course, the .44 Special is another entirely reasonable way to resolve this issue, but I’ve found that .44 Special ammunition is even more difficult to find and more expensive.
Okay, one vote for the .45 Colt, for the reasons delineated above.
Gee willickers Roy! What do all those Big words mean?
Are you a Sesquipedalian ?
Best Wishes! M.H.
For the strong firearms which are available in exact same material and configuration in both 44Mag and 45 Colt; such as Marlin 1894, I use the hotter 45 Colt rounds as the power needs because that is what I already have. Same with my 45 Colt Ruger older version Vaqueros. Great utility.
I bought a Ruger 45 convertible about 40 years ago. It still pounds out the heavy stuff like a champ. Lots of fun!
I have several guns in both calibers. I like them both. Never was one for super hot loads especially in 45’s. The cases wear out fast for one thing. When I shot cowboy action I preferred 44 mags loaded to light specials. The cases last forever and if I accidentally loaded a double load, I just had a 44 mag and the gun didn’t blow up. Never did that btw but it was good and cheap insurance.
Love my 45lc .... Got a couple.
Load with 200g lead bullets, same as I use in my 45 ACP reloads
Good day to you. This is Ted from Texas. I really enjoyed shooting 45 Long Colt. I own several guns in that caliber. I own a Ruger Vaquero, a Colt double action revolver and the cream of my crop is a first-generation Colt Single Action Army made in 1882. It's still a shooter. I even have some defensive loads. Thank you for the video have a good day
I’ve just purchased an old model Ruger Vaquero in stainless steel. This firearm is chambered in .45 Long Colt, as is my Henry Big Boy. I couldn’t be happier. My Ruger is second hand and I’m extremely pleased to mention that the previous owner had taken every step to perfect this fine sidearm.
It is said that Elmer Keith, who was intimately involved in the development of the .44 Magnum, became interested in it because he blew up a Colt Peacemaker with souped-up .45 Colt loads.
Dick Casull picked up where Keith left off with the 45, hence the 454.
I'M LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT WHAT THE .45 COLT IS CAPABLE OF, AND IT'S REALLY NICE TO THINK WHAT IT WILL DO OUT OF 22"BARREL. I WISH I COULD FIND A SUPER-STRONG AR UPPER FOR MAX PRESSURE LOADS OF .45 COLT...
I'd be happy with either.
standard pressure 45lc will do most everything a hot 44mag!! I don't why people think they need a punishing super fast round when a heavy slow one will do the job!
Personal favorite is the 45 colt. If looking for a great option for either hunting or personal protection, Underwood Ammo Sales has some nice selection.
My friend just sold his father's S&W Mountain Gun 4" N frame in .45LC. This older stainless model was produced in the brief era when Big Blue had custom speed loader style cylinder releases, re-enforced crane/frame designs, re-engineered firing pins(stronger) BUT no stupid lawyer locks(internal locking systems). The 4" N frame was robust and could shoot .45acp with moon rings or .45LC. I wanted to but it, then have Gemini Customs do a Hybra Port barrel, Cerakote Elite coating in Blackout or Midnight then re-configure the cylinder to use .45acp loads. Add a slick wood Hogue grip too ✔. I'd retain the DA-SA trigger system.
Long live the 45COLT! It’s such a great round, regardless of the fact that it’s “weaker” than .44mag. As a “bad guy repellent” cartridge, it works fabulously! For it was called out of retirement 1873-1892) with the U.S. Army during the 1899-1902 Philippine-American (Moro) war. Then it was still used in places up until WW1 by some troops, even though the 1911 became the standard army pistol. It knocked down drug intoxicated Moro tribesman, when the .38 Long Colt failed to get the job done. It makes a great camp defense hip holstered gun, when chambered in a Colt SAA “peacemaker” revolver.
Theres hot 45 colt that reaches 1200 ft lbs that ain't weak that's stout for that caliber
My gunsmith took a look at the Buffalo Bore 45 loads I was shooting in my Ruger Super Blackhawk and said he could drill the pistol for 454 Casull if I wanted to shoot that power level. I stayed with the 45 Colt -- don't need to lead up oversize chambers! I backed off a bit on my 45 loads, and use 44 Mag for bear hunting. I got a 475 L/480 Ruger to use if I ever get back to Africa. Better to move up to a design for a bigger cartridge than to beat your revolver apart.
I went .45, but the easy button in this dilemma is .44.
300+ gr bullets will sap the .44 of powder capacity, so the .45 pulls ahead there. And the .45 can make you feel better about being a reloader. That's pretty much the sum of its advantages.
.44 Magnum has a standardized pressure ceiling, and for the most part you shouldn't need to worry about ammo compatibility. .45 Colt guns exist in several strength classes; if you own an SAA (or clone) and a 5-shot custom, you damn well better keep the ammo segregated. You even need to be cautious if you have a standard Blackhawk and the slightly smaller Vaquero (both Rugers).
The same concerns extend to long guns, as well. A .44 Mag will have been proofed at Magnum pressures; there's no such assurance with a .45. And if you take a given platform and chamber it in .45 you will have less steel remaining around the chamber.
The .45 can perform well, but you better be mindful of where the mines are buried.
I like them both I own a 44 Blackhawk and a 45 lc Henry big bore
My "barbecue gun" is a 4" S&W M25-5, 4" , nickel, with stag grips. Beautiful revolver and a pleasure to shoot.
WARNING: The old M25-5s were designed for the older, low power 45LC loads. Don't shoot hot reloads in them.
Besides, it's not necessary in defensive shooting. That 45 caliber bullet may not be moving very fast, but it's almost a half inch in diameter and it's heavy. Shoot a 250 grain lead SWC into the threat and you're going to cut a big wound channel and do serious damage to any bone that gets in the way. Much lower recoil and muzzle blast and flash means faster recovery.
I started loading because I love my super Blackhawk hunter, after picking up several rifles chambered in 44 magnum I’m pretty set in that direction.
I lust for the bigger bore size and hole made by the .45. But when my rational mind takes over, I opt for the .44, which is what I own. Nearly 5,000 handloads through it, just under half of those full power, and no complaints. Really accurate, too.
I hand load my 45 colt ruger new vaquero 5.5 and I love it more than any pistol I have. It’s dialed in exactly where I like it. Stout, loud, and accurate
Have both and love both some of the most satisfying shooting and just plain fun to use and hand load, enjoy!!!
The problem with the 45 Colt is same as 45-70. Both were chambered in guns far too weak for modern cartridges. As a result, factory ammo must be loaded to match the lowest denominator. In same revolver as 44 Mag, a 45 round loaded to similar pressure would be safe and a true bad a$$ power wise.
Just publishing load data for such a round would be bad, as some dolt would load 'em up and fire them in a old Colt revolver and blow his face off. Ammo is loaded for things like the old Colt conversions and everything else, just like 45-70 is loaded at trapdoor Springfield pressure levels.
I’ve always loved the 44 Magnum but with ammo scarcity I would suggest it 460, before 60 Smith & Wesson ammunition is a bit ridiculous but you can use 454 cas sue and 45 long coal you can pretty much fire power levels from week 45 ACP all the way up to all my goodness is it sprained or broken. So that would be my choice. Unfortunately they could probably sell 44 magnum‘s for $350 apiece, they’ve been making them for 50 years but they don’t so why not spend an extra $25 get a 460 and have probably the most versatility you can get in a revolver.
My dad, who was a gunsmith by hobby, rechambered an 1892 Winchester from .44-40 to .44 magnum. It's an original, manufactured in October of 1891. It required a shortening of the lever throw, but it is a great deer gun. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 magnum as well. There is also a "sister" rifle. An 1892 manufactured in February 1892. It was .32-20 but because the cartridges were hard to find, he rechambered it for .357 magnum. I have taken down a whitetail at 100yds with it.
Put me in the 44 mag camp. I load cast bullets for deer, grits for carpenter bees and many in between. Great video, Steve.
Of course, if you're going to spend the money on a Ruger for high-powered .45 Colt, you might as well get one chambered in .454 Casull and expand your options even further.
I have always loved the 44. Some think the recoil is a bit much but I have been a recoil junkie forever.
Got both in Rugers. Fun guns!
Like 'em both. I've always loved single-action pistols, they just feel at home in my hand. I haven't had the chance to try the big rifle caliber single-five shooters, but maybe one day.
The reason I prefer the .45 Colt is that I can load it to suit my purpose. Heavy bullet with a normal load will do wonders for self defense without the muzzle rise associated with the .44 Mag. Load them up for hunting. Don't get me wrong. Much respect for the .44. Just not my personal choice.
I've been using 45 Colt in a Ruger old model since the early 70s. That's what got me into bullet casting and Hand loading.
Any wisdom about hot loads in the Ruger Old Model: Powder, amount of powder, shoot-ability, and accuracy of loads? JWC
@@jayclark2077 I used mostly unique and 2400. Most common bullet was a Lee cast SWC. It was very shootable, mustang (wood finger groove) grips took the sting out of those dinky small factory grips. I never saw a strength difference between the old model and new model. Action type was all I could see.
@@merlemorrison482 : Thanks. I have worked up and down from 18 grains of 2400 but in my .45 with a birds head grip and a 3 1/2' barrel that was a bit stiff. So I am wroking down to 17.3 or .4 grains of the same powder seeking 1000 fps instead of 1058 fps. I am also seeking a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt and in a 7 1/2' barrel. That should reduce the recoil a bit. JWC
The 45LC in a S&W 25-5 is a great shooter at the range. Wife and daughters enjoy shooting it while a 44 mag, probably not so much.
I like my 44 mag , in Ruger Alaskan, at the range you can simmer down with 44 Special, and a big load will take out a juvenile Dogman.
Looking to get a 45LC Single action pistol and a Winchester Lever gun in the same. Haven't taken the plunge into loading yet so ammo is already an issue but really looking to add some western guns into the collection.
I love my .44 Magnum - my 6" 629-3. I don't have a .45 Colt - if I did, I bet I would love that one as well.
I'd have to go with the 45 colt, I've always been a fan of the old school calibers and history of em. But to be honest it's a great cartridge, no it's not the latest and greatest but its actually a very well designed cartridge. I've always liked the mild recoil and slower calibers in most cases. Not nearly as loud but can definitely still get the job done. Just need to know what you're workin with and what you're trying to achieve. For years I carried a snub nose 38 special in town or in the woods, not gonna take elk with it but it works great on plenty of other critters. The 45 colt has become my favorite woods cartridge over the years wether it be in one of my single actions or my 20 inch lever gun. It's just a great little round.
Have had my Super Blackhawk since '83, 10.5 inch barrel. Just love it. Hard on whitetails though.
When I was a rookie cop 35 years ago a barricaded murder suspect shot at me with SW model 25-5. For two hours. Those bullets sound like a ski boat going over your head.
45 colt for me. Its a versatile cartridge: Load it hot or not.
I love my S&W model 29’s and my two Colt SAA .45 Colts!
.45 Colt was introduced to the US Army in 1872, and was accepted in 1873 (1873 Colt Single Action Army), not the 1880's. It was later referred to as the .45 Long Colt to distinguish from the .45 Schofield, which was a shorter cartridge that would fire in a .45 Colt chambered gun.
Jim Taylor had a short article on this. Likely the LC designation came about to distinguish between the original Colt and the government cartridge which was short like the S&W but with the Colt rim.
Even full SAMMI 45 LC loads are pretty good thumpers.
All three (3) of those that Still shoot the .45 Schofield snicker at the great unwashed believing that the .45 Colt absolutely must be referred to as Long in order to protect an obsolete cartridge.
Silly as referring to the .44 RM as .44 Standard Magnum.
.45 Colt period.
Now, let's git back to shootin' !
☆
@@fjb4932 Say 45 Colt to a bottom feeder guy and they will think ACP. 😇
My dad gave me a Super Blackhawk and a Redhawk .44 when I was 15. Those things used to waltz my narrow gauge rear end around the Arkansas river bottoms. I bought a Vaquero in .45 Colt the first year they came out and haven’t fired a .44 since. That thing shoots to the sights at 50 yards and I would charge hell with it. Even put ivory grips on it. I don’t love or hate one over the other. Lord knows I have piles of both calibers, but that Vaquero always makes its way to the gate before the other pups! I’m rolling .44s now so it’s still a horse race.
44 Mag Ruger 7.5 SRH stainless and Henry Big Boy in silver 44 Mag 👍🏼🇺🇸
love my Ruger in .45 Colt . use to load it hot but these days I'm more inclined to shoot heavy bullits at slower velocities . easy on the hand and fun
I have a Ruger Blackhawk in 45, also with the 45 ACP cylinder, which is very convenient. I've also had the .44 magnum, which yes if you don't handload that's the Way to go, shooting a 44 magnum all day it's not exactly fun, but 44 specials fix that, and plenty good for deer hunting even though a much lighter load. Specialty companies make heavy 45 colt loads if you really feel you need that. The 44 magnum is actually a 43 caliber, While the 45 is a full size 45 caliber, so those of you who is the value in bullet diameter, that is another advantage. In the Rugers, both are extremely accurate, capable of shooting better than you can hold. As far as hunting calibers, no animal is going to know any difference.
I lucked into a lb of H110 yesterday, so I took my Model 29 to the range today and showed it some love! A 180 grain Hornady XTP bullet and about 30 grains of H110 makes a pretty impressive fireball!
Try Hornady 240 grain XTP with either H110 or Winchester 294 with 18.5 grains of powder, and you will be amazed with the accuracy at 25 yrds. Both powders say not to under load less than 24grains but that is BS. I've been doing it for 22 years and shot over 10,000 rounds and Never a problem. I got kicked off a forum for saying this, but it's TRUE!!
I have 629 in 44 modern, I like 45 lc too because is old💜💙❤
Thank you
Living in Alaska and having a home their I carry a S&W model Model N frame in the 45 LC purchased in 1989 - being the second time it was made by S&W: along with the improved metallurgy I’ve been able to build 454 Casual casing cut to the LC length with Mag primers and the modern powders available to push 340 gr hard lead flat nose to 1100 fps without causing any stress on the gun . I also have a S&W 629 in 44 mag - alone with that I have the Marlin in 45-70 in stainless steel- these are my guns for Alaska
Love my 44 SBH and Rossi R92. Hunt with 240 JHP usually, but love shooting my 300 grain cast in them both. I like having all the available store ammo available, as well as custom hand loads.
Some of the best shooting rounds are the lower charges, deeper seated bullets. That's why I love my 44's.
I have my Dad's Super Blackhawk and a Rossi 92 in .44. Great pair!
Got three .44mag. First a five shot Taurus tracker, a 10" Ruger super blackhawk, and a 7.5" Ruger super redhawk. Tend to carry the Taurus most often for concealability. My dad had a Smith 29 back in the day along with my favorite actor lol. The reason I tote it the most is the fact that I shouldn't need more then one round to negotiate any situation. In fact from past experiences, cocking the hammer back generally deescalates matters immediately. Not to mention its great for any dangerous game.
I don't feel under or outgunned with the .45 Colt. I've had to go crawling through the alder bushes a few times and was perfectly comfortable with the thermonuclear loads from Buffalo Bore, Double Tap and Alaska Back Packer. I also handload, but I haven't settled on anything specific yet. I bought an RCBS .45-270 SAA bullet mould which will be the basis of my all-around utility load.
I purchased my 44 tracker as a second and final means of woods protection behind my bear spray just the other day... thank you for this.
They're both excellent in the always fun lever guns too!
I have many pistols in both ,but the .45LC in my polymer Judge is a handful, still a useful cartridge , great defense load.
Replace the grip on that poly judge, pachmyer grip! Then it's a lot better. I shoot those Remington 410;slugs out of my judge it's a head turner at the range.
OH NO...he said LONG COLT. Brake out the wet noodle for his beating.😆
That was the Army Ordinance designation in the early 1880s.
Is it not normally called .45 Long Colt?
@@Crusader634No, it is .45 Colt. At some point in time the Army was using two different .45 caliber pistols. I think the other was a .45 Schofield (some historian will correct this if I’m wrong). The other cartridge was shorter than the Colt and if not specified, supply personnel would often send the wrong cartridges. Units, issued the .45 Colt, started specifying long Colt, to be sure no mistakes were made.
You are correct sir.
I have an Uberti Cattleman Peacemaker in 45 Colt mainly for nostalgia. I love old school. I hand load but since I am not sure about the Uberti's strength so the highest I go is full Pyrodex loads. I also cast my bullets and when I got a 255 grain mold the recoil was surprising.
I have both. Load mild loads for both for target practice but hot loads are .45 Colt 300gr hard cast at 1300 fps & .44 240 gr @ 1400 fps.
The 45 Colt in my Ruger Blackhawk is a fine big game ctg !
I like to load it with 250 grain Keith style SWC !
My .44 mag I like to use the 255 Keith style SWC bullet!
I also load a 310 grain hard cast WFN bullet ! Both are fine cartridges and very accurate!
I enjoy shooting both cartridges , hunting I carry either one !
I love both for two very different reasons.
The 44 magnum properly loaded to potential equals anything the hot loaded 45 Long Colt can do and actually slightly surpass it.
The larger bore diameter of the 45 allows more velocity at lower pressures with the same weight bullet. The Ruger Blackhawk and a coupe other are the only guns that will tolerate those pressures. You are wrong.
@@scottinohio701 Hunting Revolvers by Max Prasac proves you wrong respectfully. Two tests prove that penetration is slightly greater in one test and much greater in another by an independent lab test. A 330 grain Copeland load 44 magnum loading penetrated most out of both 44 magnum versus 45 Colt tests. I highly recommend Hunting Revolvers by Max Prasac.
@@jeffreylocke8808 No one mentioned penetration,the op and myself said it had more energy!!!!!!!!
@@scottinohio701 but penetration makes deeper holes and if it punches through then ropes of blood out of each side as Elmer Keith said.
@@jeffreylocke8808 I guess that means a 357 is the best LOL
VERY good video! Concise, informative, well spoken! You told exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for posting!
I like .45 Colt in an S&W M25-5 (4"). I also use it my Winchester Trapper carbine (.45 Colt variant). It makes a good combination, but I have never needed more than 1 shot on a deer. I use stiff handloads when hunting. I also have a Uberti Cattleman I sometimes plink with. I own some .44 Specials, but never saw the need to get a .44 magnum.
I don't own a 45 Colt anymore but I do own 44 Magnums. I have a S&W model 69 Combat Magnum 4.25", S&W model 69 Combat Magnum 2.75" (X2), S&W model 629 5", S&W model 329PD, and a Henry Big Boy steel frame 20". Yep I like the 44 magnum and I also shoot 44 Special as well.
I love the .45 Colt pistol/rifle combo!
Yep.
And during the lockdown you couldn't find 44 to save your life.
The colt 45. is my favorite caliber!
Easy to shoot...
Hard hiting!
I've taken several game animals with my Ruger Vaquero in 45 colt!