Author Topic: Feedback on 41 Mag Vs. 45 LC (Read 2780 times)

SingleFan · « **on:** March 10, 2003, 06:09:20 AM »

Looking for some feedback that will help me evaluate the benefits of carrying a 45LC vs. 41 mag in the field. Primary hunting weapon is Contender in 7-30 waters, but I'd like to carry a gun for woods bumming and in some limited circumstances, whitetail hunting (like 35 yards and under).

Considering two pieces...SW 625 Light Hunter 5" ported with integral scope base (not too important since I'll mainly use it open sights) and an FA M97.

Do you find your 45LC's to be accurate guns in comparison to the 41 or even the 44?

One of the things I like about the 45 is the availability of factory ammo. Which ones have you shot that you like...both cowboy action and hunting?

Recoil comparison...45, 41 & 44? I currently have a 629 Hunter Plus 7-1/2" and consider about the max for my proficiency (translated wussy in the recoil department) I'm shooting 30 Gr H110 pushin' a 180 XTP and I wouldn't want more than that.

How do you feel about the 625 handling 45LC Hunting loads?

southern utah · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2003, 06:50:41 AM »

45lc is an old reliable round and becoming more popular as the number of cowboy shooters increases. Most factory ammo is loaded to the older firearms limits. New models like the Rugers will handle more potent rounds and are available. The 41 was developed for law enforcement but turned out to be to much for most LEOs. The 41 has become a popular hunting cartridge or for those that just want something a little different. There is a good following of the 41 and seems to be more all the time.There are not that many 41 loads but how many do you need. The 41 has almost the same bullet weight as the 44 mag going up to 220 grs. +.
It is some where between a 357 and the 44 , I think closer to the 44. Both come in revolvers and levers, Marlin intoducing a new on this year in the 41. I have no 45LCs but do have my share of the 41s.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2003, 09:47:58 AM »

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 and I love it. But then, I also love the .22 Hornet. Both are guns (and cartridges) that take a lot of learning and experimenting to get the max out of them.

In the case of the Ruger, a Belt Mountain base pin is a necessity -- with hunting loads, the cylinder pin will simply back out under recoil.

In some cases, the chamber throats need to be opened up -- the chamber throat should be a thousandth or so larger than the bore.

For older .45s, you'll probably find the bore is somewhere around .454 diameter. For newer ones (built in the last 30 years or so), it will be .451/452. This means you have to get the correct mold for cast bullets, and if your gun is an older one, you have a handloading-only proposition, if you're interested in getting good accuracy. Factory loads with the correct size bullet will be hard to find.

The .45 Colt is really four different cartridges, and ought to be regarded that way.

For older six-guns, about 14-16,000 psi is the safety limit for chamber pressure.

For a little newer guns (like the Colt New Service and the various S&Ws), you can safely go to 23,000 psi.

For the Ruger Blackhawk, the T/C and a few other strongly made guns, you can go to about 32,000 psi.

And, of course with 5-shot revolvers like the Freedom Arms, you can load the .45 Colt to about .454 Casul levels.

At 23,000 psi, you can get 1,100-1,200 fps with a 250-grain bullet. That's fine for deer.

At 32,000 psi you can get around 1,300 fps with a 300 grain bullet (and generate so much recoil that very few people WANT to shoot your gun more than a few times at a session.)

Bullseye · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2003, 01:12:19 PM »

My vote would be for the 41. I have had both and using the ones I had the 41 would outshoot the 45 any day. I must add that I was only using the hotter loads for the 45 and never tried any factory loads. What I found out as one other poster stated is that the 45 is very temperamental. I actual sold it, but still have the 41.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2003, 04:22:23 AM »

SingleFan: I think you would be better served and happier with the 41 magnum. I like the 45 Long Colt cartridge but comparing it to the 41 magnum or the 44 magnum is not an accurate comparison. Both the 41 and 44 were developed as magnum cartridges, the 45 Colt was not. If you reload you can find medium velocity loads for the 41 that recoil on the 38 Special side. Although too much for most LEOs back in the 60s and 70s, the milder police loads were easy and accurate to shoot.

Go 41, you'll have more fun. Mikey.

SingleFan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2003, 07:09:19 AM »

Thanks Everyone. Originally I was set on the 41 but got lured by some energy data on the CorBon site.

I'm going to set my heart on a 41 and not look back.

globemountain · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2003, 08:50:15 AM »

I have a Ruger RH in .45 Colt. It is very accurate, about an inch and a half at 50 and I have shot it out to 100yds. with results that pleased me. I load 240gr. xtp's with a generous dose of h4227 and it has really performed on deer. For my 2 cents I'd pick the .45 Colt hands down (only if you handload).

Woodchuk · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2003, 10:39:18 AM »

I was lucky enough to be able to shoot both a Colt in .45LC and a Ruger BH in .41 Mag just a few hours ago...

I was shooting light factory loads from each, and for me, recoil was negligible for both, but the .41 was a bit sharper. However, I did notice a significance difference in muzzle blast, with the .41's being much greater.

Is this generally the rule, that for comparable loads in each revolver, the .41 will have more muzzle blast than the .45?

globemountain · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2003, 01:57:35 AM »

It depends on the powder you use but my .45LC seems to have less muzzle blast than my .44 Mag using the same powder. The reduced recoil and Muzzle blast in higher pressure loads is what attracted me to the .45LC. I load mine to about 1250-1300fps with a 240XTP and it is a pleasure to shoot all day. Plus it is very effective on whitetail deer. I shoot this load out to 85yds. with what I consider to be good accuracy (2"-2.5"). But everyone has their preferences and what I like may not be what you like. Whether you choose a .41 Mag., .45LC, .44 Mag., .454 Casull, or a bazooka, if you can hit it in the right place...you'll kill it.

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2003, 02:49:38 AM »

Don't own either, but if I were in the market it would be the .45LC hands down! The LC is a superior hunting round due to the larger heavier bullets available for it. From the loading data I've seen it can duplicate and even exceed the .44 mag in performance in a Ruger or Contender! The .41 is rather limited in the variety of bullets available. I do own a .44 mag and feel no need to own the .45LC. What ever you have is usually the best for you. Either one will do the intended job. I have a friend who has a Ruger in .45LC and I have to say it is more comfortable to shoot with comprable loads than my .44 Mdl 29.
Stay Save,
Savage

SingleFan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2003, 09:30:09 AM »

After definitively settling on the 41, and hearing good advice from both sides of the fence...

I went out and bought the 45LC! I really liked the gun itself which was more of a factor than caliber; being sure either would work well on deer with the proper load.

Here's the screamer...this SW 625-7 Lou Horton Performance Center gun with a 6" tube is fantastic. Needs an action job. Haven't had time to work up some loads - just ordered the dies and some Nos Part 260 Gr. and Speer GD's same weight along with brass etc. Taking suggestions on loads at this point. One note. the Speers I shot are .451 and the Corbon's .452...can that make a difference?

Went to the range with a box of CorBon defense loads and CCI Blazers...both 200 Gr JHP.

25 yards, hand held rest. 3 round groups

Corbon - consistently the largest 1.9" to 3-1/8"

CCI/Blazers Worst - 1.8" Best - .755"

This gun has an integral rib for scope mount so I'm gonna get me some millett angle loc rings and stick a 2XLeupold on it just to see what it's capable of. THIS BABY IS TERRIFICLY ACCURATE.

globemountain · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2003, 09:52:50 AM »

My favorite accuracy/hunting load is 240gr. XTP over 24.6gr. H4227 and a WLP. It shoot 1.5" at 50yds. and about 2" to 2.5" at 85 yds. And that load just feels good going off! Put a whooping on deer too.......

1badmagnum · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2003, 12:52:22 AM »

the 41 magnum is cheaper to shoot,softer recoil,and just as accurate as a 45 long colt.
the 41 comes in snubby as a great ccw firearm,although so does the 45,but it has to hurt to shoot a 45 snubby lol.
just picked up a raging bull in 45 long colt with bright stainless finish.anyone have any idea how hot I can load with these wheelguns?

Colby Bruce · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2003, 08:16:30 AM »

dragthewaters · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2003, 03:04:13 AM »

well i have shot a .41 and the recoil didnt seem to bad, bad as for ammo, i dont know what the 45 runs, but it was 35dollars for 50 rounds for the 41

1badmagnum · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2003, 03:43:02 AM »

I use mostly handloaded ammo and the 45 long colt bullets with crimping grove are as expensive as my 50 ae bullets,so I usually use 45 acp fmj for plinking,which are very cheap $60 per thousand.

Tom C. · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2003, 08:49:29 AM »

Don't have a .41, do have a couple of .44s and a bunch of .45 Colts. Don't think there is any difference in inherent accuracy, but there can certainly be a difference in accuracy between any two revolvers. I have several Smiths, one is a 25-2 in .45 ACP. I don't hot rod it. It is a great revolver with any reasonable .45 ACP load. I do hotrod the .45 Colt, not to .44 mag levels, but above factory levels. Mine are very accurate, but I have opened and polished the cylinder throats and cleaned up the forcing cones, and installed spring kits and done trigger jobs. In .45 Colt, the Rugers, Blackhawks and esp. Redhawks, should be more durable than the Smith. In .41, the Smith should be plenty durable enough.
Bottom line: not enough difference to worry about, but enough to start arguments about.

globemountain · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2003, 08:55:50 AM »

..."not enough difference to worry about, but enough to start arguments about"

Ain't that the truth!! I've never heard it stated better!

SingleFan · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2003, 02:12:38 PM »

When I picked up my 625-7 Performance Ctr. gun I bought a box of CCI/Blasers (50 rounds) for $19.

Plinkin load, not a hunting load....shot .75" at 25 yards.

For handloading, not more expensive than .44

It is a whole lot of fun. I bought the piece because I really liked the gun but it turns out I'm gettin' pretty fond of the 45 as a caliber.

Savage · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2003, 03:36:04 PM »

SF,
All of the subject calibers are good choices. I think the variety of bullets available and the slightly larger case capacity of the .45LC make it the best choice all around! To get the most out of it, like the other calibers you really have to reload.
Stay Safe,
Savage