.41 vs .45 LC for WT deer

[SingleFan]

Geez, what a war on words.  I can provide some first hand experience for you on the S&W 45 LC and its capabilities.  I've hunted with that gun for a few years.  The Performance Center 45LC 629-5 is a strong gun.  When I first bought the piece, I called SW tech support to inquire as to what level the gun  could be loaded.  The answer in a nutshell was "hot, but not super hot".  I balanced that advice with an article by Linebaugh and decided to shoot rounds in the 1200fps range. I haven't tested it loaded real hot, but I've been shooting beartooth bullets 280gr WFNGC at 1250 fps for several years...and here's what I can tell you about that aspect of your question:  1.  It's the kiss of death on whitetail out to easily 75 yards.  The last one I shot was at about that distance and she fell like a stone.  2.  I have both a .41 and a .45 - either will perform well on whitetail, so it's your choice.  Both have limited factory offerings, but adequate - Winchester makes a hunting load for the 45 and the 41 (the latter is a Supreme 240 gr platinum tip, I believe the 45 loading is a 250 grainer.

The 45LC SW Performance Center gun I have outshot my FA 454.  It's a one hole gun.  Doesn't mean your will be, but I have (4) PC guns now and all have shot very well.

[SingleFan]

Self correction - of course my  45LC is not a 629-5, but a 627-5; early morning, not enough coffee yet.

[Lloyd Smale]

one more correction its a 625 not a 627 Tell ya what boys i know John L. personaly and know for a fact that nothing he says or writes is bs. If he said it it came from many thousands of rounds of testing. Strenght wise a 25 will take quite a heavy load and wont fall apart in your hands. There not made of glass. They can be abused as can any gun. Ive shot loose a 629 using heavy loaded 300s but then ive shot loose a 45 ruger vaquero using VERY heavy loads. Any gun is a mechcanical thing and can be broke or abused beyond its limits. What was stated in other posts is the correct train of thought. Heavy 45 loads are not needed for 95 percent of what your hunting. A 255 at 1000 fps will cleanly take game the size of elk. Deer are no match for it. Like was also said neither of these rounds are ideal for a person that doesnt handload. Availabilty and selection are poor for both. If yo insist on not handloading and want a good hunting gun the only real choice is a 44 mag. Bottom line and this may raise a few hackles is that if you dont reload and arent rich buy a rifle cause your not going to get good enough to hunt with any of them at my campl.

[meathead]

I want to say thank you to everyone that has responded to my questions. The feedback has been very informative and has led me to the decision that I need to stick with the .44 mag.

I do not have time to reload, but I do make time to shoot and hunt. I am a pretty good shot with my handguns, both on the range and in the woods. My primary deer-hunting weapon is my .308, BLR with a 2.5x8 leupold scope. I nearly always carry an iron sighted, revolver with me for those close in shots and those where the prey is to your far right, (tuff shot for a right-handed rifle shooter in a tree stand). This has paid off in allowing me to take numerous nannys and a few hogs with my handgun.

This year I want to carry only a scoped handgun to the tree or box stand. By doing this I know that I will probably see the Big Daddy of the woods about 150 yards or more away. Oh well, I go for the hunting and fellowship. If I shoot something it is just a bonus.

Would it be blasphemy to drill and tap my Ruger Accusport Bisley .44 mag to accept a weaver base?

Again thanks for the great replies,
Meathead

[dakotashooter2]

One thing I do know is that the .41 is up to the task of taking whitetails. In my case even a hot loaded 45 wouldn't  have made them any "deader". While hunting loads in either caliber can be hard to find they can be had.  On the side of the .45 if you want to do a bunch of plinking there are all kinds of loads available. On the other hand .41 loads for plinking are not  what I would call readily available. I think in either case you may want to look into reloading. Right now I can load jacketed .41s for about $7/50 and home cast for a lot less. A similar factory load will be 15-$20/20. For 1000 rounds which is about what I shoot a year I spend $140 or less instead of $750 for factory loads.  I can buy a lot of loading equipment for $610 and maybe another gun.

[Old Griz]

Would it be blasphemy to drill and tap my Ruger Accusport Bisley .44 mag to accept a weaver base?

Not at all. E.A. Brown did an excellent job for me on my Bisley. He uses over-sized screws for more surface contact, and will also mount your scope if you send it to him.

www.eabco.com/cssmts.htm

[buffalohunter]

But the .41 of course, thats definately a no brainer.

[kiddekop]

I have 4 5/8 in barreled Blackhawks in 41mag and 45lc/45acp with Hogue Rubber grips which fit my hands. Ammo; http://www.grizzlycartridge.com  ;http://www.corbon.com  and my handloads.My 41 mag using 265gr cast performance bullets loaded by corbon is a handful(no longer loaded but the bullets are available from http://www.castperformance.com). I prefer the 45 long colt fires a heavy bullet with knock down power and less pressure makes it much more comfortable to shoot check this info out http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_Bisley45.htm   For something that will take deer out I have a scoped 15" Encore 30-06 barrel with a http://www.probed2000.com muzzle brake and a scoped Encore 15" 454 casull barrel the 454 has a useless TC muzzle Tamer but I can shoot 45lc handloads that are in the 454 casull range and they're comfortable firing.

[RJM]

As to drilling and tapping your Bisley...why not just put the Weaver Clamp on base syetem on it... I have one on a 6.5" Blackhawk .41 Magnum and it has held zero with a 4 power Leupold scope on it for several years. They come in both blue and silver and are very light weight...  You may have to remove the ejector rod housing to slip the yoke on but that is a no big deal..

As to the .41 vs. .45 Colt debate...since all you are doing is hunting with the gun I would have gone .41 Magnum as all the loads out there are sutible for deer/hogs/bear...

Bob

[mousegun]

I want to say thank you to everyone that has responded to my questions. The feedback has been very informative and has led me to the decision that I need to stick with the .44 mag.

I do not have time to reload, but I do make time to shoot and hunt. I am a pretty good shot with my handguns, both on the range and in the woods. My primary deer-hunting weapon is my .308, BLR with a 2.5x8 leupold scope. I nearly always carry an iron sighted, revolver with me for those close in shots and those where the prey is to your far right, (tuff shot for a right-handed rifle shooter in a tree stand). This has paid off in allowing me to take numerous nannys and a few hogs with my handgun.

Good choice to stick with the 44Mag:

1. You already have one.
2. Ammo is plentiful and diverse.
3. You already have one.
4. You have experience with the caliber.
5. 44Mag will take anything in the contiguous 48 if you do your part.
6. You already have one.
7. Trajectories can be flatter than with th 45LC, and meplats can be larger than with the 41Mag.
8. Really strong loadings are available from Buffalo Bore and Garrett (if you really need to take an elephant).
9. Dirty Harry used one.
10. Did I mention you already have one?

[jro45]

My 45 LC is the Blackhawk with 7 1/2" barrel and it the New Model stamped right on the barrel. I have it sighted in at 100 yds with 240 gr bullets going 1450 FPS. Now I don't think the older S&W guns can handel this much pressure. Unless it a recent model. If I were you I would contact S&W about their model 45 LC before I'd purchase it.

[crawfish]

Maybe this will calm some of you down
S/W 657 PC
Leupold
Granddaughter#1 holding

[Old Griz]

Maybe this will calm some of you down

Didn't calm ME down. Kinda got me worked up again bout a new .41!