« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: .44 Mag or .45 Colt  (Read 771 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline hylander

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 360
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« on: February 02, 2005, 03:12:19 PM »
Well I need help desiding on a possible new barrel for my Contender.
I have a 14" .223 for Varmint's Now I need a Pig/Deer Barrel.
I Prefer 10" or 12" in a straight wall Cartridge.
I have a SBH .44 Mag., I have heard that the T/C is a much harder kicker in .44 than the SBH.
So I was thinking a .45 Colt or ?, I am open to Suggestion's.
Logged
Failure is not an option
Placer County, Calif.

Offline Jerry J

  • Trade Count: (18)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 127
44
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2005, 04:35:31 PM »
I would go with the 44 and not look back. You've already have a 44 so you've got ammo, if you reload no new dies and brass to purchase. I went the 45 route once with a Ruger Blackhawk, bottom line if you want a magnum buy a magnum. You can also use 44 specials for a lighter load.
Jerry J
Logged

Offline luredaddy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 72
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2005, 01:00:24 AM »
It sounds like the recoil of the 44 Contender is a concern. I originally bought a 10" Contender, 44 Mag, with factory grips and forend.  Recoil was TERRIBLE, and I almost sold the outfit.  I did sell the barrel, bought a Super 14" form Ed, bought a Pachmayr Decelerator grip and forend, and I am now very happy with the 44 Mag.  It really is a joy to shoot. I also shot my first buck with a pistol, this season with it. I hope this helps.
Logged

Offline Hopalong7

  • Trade Count: (20)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1673
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2005, 03:37:33 AM »
hylander, The question of recoil between the two is pretty much a toss-up.  In fact, the Colt may be worse when loaded to the same performance level.  It is just a matter of how either is loaded.  Either one downs loads very well.  Luredaddy makes a good point...go to a 14" barrel and put on the Pachmyer forend and grip and either one behaves like a pussy cat (relatively speaking).  I've often put the Pachmyer forend on 10" barrels just for that reason( Yes they work just fine with only one screw. )  That added weight really makes a differance.  The good news is, you can't go wrong with either one.  For your intended purpose,  If you choose the .45, I'd stay away from the .410/.45 barrel.  The .410 part is okay but I've not had good resuls with the .45 end of it.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :grin:
Logged

Offline Special Ed

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 177
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2005, 04:29:24 AM »
Go with the 44 mag & have it Mag-na-ported. With a 14" barrel they will do a 4 port on it, makes the gun much more plesant to shoot. The Pachmayers also make a big difference.
Logged

Offline Bullseye

  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1879
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2005, 06:45:07 AM »
Go with the 44 Mag.  I have had both.  I know others will disagree, but from my experience:

Hot loaded 45's kick as bad as 44's.
Brass life is much shorter with the 45, especially hot loaded.
I have never had a 45 that as accurate as the 44's (and mine was a straight 45lc chamber).

Now if you are not going to hot load it might make a differnce, but then you are not comparing apples to apples.
Logged

Offline rickyp

  • Trade Count: (19)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3052
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2005, 06:52:05 AM »
I love the 45 colt it is a great round and even better in the closed breached contender. it can be loaded hotter then you can for most revolvers and it will do  everything the 44 mag can.

but IF you already have a 44 mag and setup for it I would just get a 44 mag and enjoy it
Logged

Offline Redhawk1

  • Life time NRA Supporter.
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (78)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10748
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2005, 07:55:27 AM »
If you already have a 44MAG I would stick to the 44MAG, there is nothing to gain with the 45L/C. And if you want a lite load use the 44 special.  :D
Logged
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

Endowment Life Member of the NRA
Life Member NA

Offline Lawful Larry

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 849
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2005, 11:24:12 AM »
Quote from: Bullseye
Go with the 44 Mag.  I have had both.  I know others will disagree, but from my experience:

Hot loaded 45's kick as bad as 44's.
Brass life is much shorter with the 45, especially hot loaded.
I have never had a 45 that as accurate as the 44's (and mine was a straight 45lc chamber).

Now if you are not going to hot load it might make a differnce, but then you are not comparing apples to apples.


These statements do not seemed to match everything I have read and experienced.  The idea that the .45 Colt brass life is much shorter is an old wives tale.  The idea that the .44 Mag is more accurate is very questionable.  I have both calibers in many different guns and they are all fine shooters.  I can load both to max levels and get the same results.  I choose not to maximize my loads to save wear and tear on my guns.  

I understand that there are many opinions on this subject, but to make a broad statement like this not fair to both calibers.
Logged
Just another voice in the crowd!!!

 

Offline Bullseye

  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1879
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2005, 04:23:34 PM »
Well Lawful Larry, as you say there are different opinions.  I do not think that you can honestly say that I am making a broad statement and not being fair.  I gave my opinion based on my experience after shooting both rounds for a few years.  You can give your opinion if you like, I can give mine.  But accuracy testing of both roounds with scoped Contenders, testing many different loads and splitting of a bunch of brass after 2 loadings validates my opinion in my mind and I just stated my opinion.
Logged

Offline Lone Star

  • Reformed Gunwriter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2005, 04:48:34 PM »
.45LC case life certainly CAN be shorter than .44 Mag case life, and there are legitimate reasons for that.  First, SAAMI .45LC chamber dimensions are very generous, based as they are on the old BP dimensions from the late nineteenth century.  Modern cases are minimum diameter to handle the small (.451 - .454") bullets of today.  Combine these facts with high pressure loads and the extra working of the .45LC brass can result in shorter case life, regardless of what some with limited experience believe.  If all you have is a FA revolver with minimum chambers, this won't happen.  A sloppy Ruger cylinder and lots of hot loads with older WW cases can and will result in more case loss than is usual with the properly-dimensioned .44 Mag.

I have usually had to work harder to get my .45LCs to shoot than I have with the .44 Mags I've owned.  Again, there are reasons for that, based on sloppy chambering dimensions.  This issue is well known among those with a lot of .45LC experience.  The .44 Mag has the right dimensions and always has, it is a modern cartridge.  The .45LC is almost the oldest handgun cartridge, chamber dimensions were less well undestood in the 1870s, and they had different needs (like dealing with massive BP fouling and very soft cases).  I have gotten outstanding accuracy out of most of my .45LCs, but it is easier to get there with a .44 Mag.

FWIW I am a huge fan of the .45LC and have been for over 30 years.  I curerntly have six .45LC firearms and have had numerous others in the past.   Load soft .45LC cases to near .44 Mag pressures in enough sloppy chambers and you can see short case life.  Not opinion - fact.
Logged

Offline sgtt

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2005, 07:40:04 PM »
As the original query was about contender barrels, I don't think it matters a hoot!  My mind apparently works different than Jerry 3 as I would welcome the opportunity to keep the mfgs of reloading dies, molds etc. in business.  I think I would opt for the 45.
Logged
"Freedom, for some, is problematic.  It does not grant emancipation from responsibility."

Offline Lawful Larry

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 849
  • Gender: Male
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2005, 06:27:55 AM »
[quote="Lone Star
 Load soft .45LC cases to near .44 Mag pressures in enough sloppy chambers and you can see short case life.  Not opinion - fact.[/quote]

All do respect sir,
Unless you have either emperical data or a published work on your research that has been verified, I'd stay with the opinion factor.   :wink:
Logged
Just another voice in the crowd!!!

 

Offline MnMike

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 493
.44 Mag or .45 Colt
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2005, 04:21:07 PM »
Minority opinion

Consider .45 Win Mag

Interesting round. Accurate. Load down for practice. Load up for some nice numbers. If you can find one for a good price I think you would be happy.

mike
Logged
Mike Ellestad
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »