.44 special or .45 colt

[Red Feather Roy]

Hody all,

Got a question, which would you prefer and why, .44 specail or .45 colt?  Keep in mind I'm looking for a matching rifle as well that could be used for hunting.

Roy

[Shotgun Franklin]

I like the .45 in a handgun. In a hunting rifle, using handloads, there ain't a nickel's difference in'm.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

I like the .45 in a handgun. In a hunting rifle, using handloads, there ain't a nickel's difference in'm.

   + ONE MORE, The 45 long colt does it for me too, and has been for over fifty years now, nuff said.


              tEN wOLVES 


                     

[Twitchy]

My stepson has been itchin to try my RNV in 45 colt that I got about a month ago.  In a weak moment I let him go out and try it in the backyard.  $75.00 worth of ammo later (dealer cost) ::)he came back grinning from ear to ear. I think I have another convert.  He volunteered to buy "his own box" next time I order! Pretty much as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.

[runawayshawn]

you could get a 44 mag. Shoot 44 special for cas or target shooting and have a great backpacking gun with super hot 44 mag rounds.

[AlaskaJack]

I shoot em both in my blackhawks (which range from early flattop to 3 screw .45 to new model .45 and Lipsey .44 special and use only .45 Colt in the rifle.  Have a blast doing it too.

[StrawHat]

Hody all,

Got a question, which would you prefer and why, .44 specail or .45 colt?  Keep in mind I'm looking for a matching rifle as well that could be used for hunting.

Roy...

I use Colt clones, none of the heavy Rugers, so... the differance between the two is minimal.  Both are capale of lauching a
+/- 250 grain bullet at about 1000 fps with handloads.  I have come to prefer the 45 long Colt but only because they are slightly lighter than the 44 version.  I also think they handle nicer but that is perhaps only a perception and not verifiable in fact. 

[Christopher Carson]

Hody all,

Got a question, which would you prefer and why, .44 specail or .45 colt?  Keep in mind I'm looking for a matching rifle as well that could be used for hunting.

Roy

Hunting what?  At what distances?

Depending, the rifle answer could be not just about a question of cartridge, but also sights.  For example, consider whether you want to mount a scope or not...   And then for some game, at some distances, with some liimitations for handloads vs. rifle strength, the .44 Mag, .44 Special, .44 WCF, and .45 Colt are relatively interchangeable...

-Chris

[Gandalfdjh]

.45 Colt - that is the only way. 

[Trailrider]

I would have to agree that a .44 Magnum is the way to go (unless you choose a .44-40  .)  Seriously, the .44 Magnum provides the versatility that will serve in CAS matches (with suitably reduced loads, or using a .44 Special/.44 Russian brass, though I stick with the mangle-em cases), but can be heated up for hunting.  The main difficulty with .44 Magnum NOW is that Ruger stopped making the OM Vaquero in that caliber, and it isn't available in the New Model.  They still make the Blackhawk/Super in .44 Mag.

The .45 LC isn't a bad choice for hunting, but you simply can't load it up unless using a stronger gun than the Colt's SAA or clones.  In addition, in rifles, the .45 LC can present some feed problems, and with BP, you get a lot of blowby.  But it is available in both the NM Vaquero, and a number of rifles.

Just MHO.

Merry Christmas!

[Mustang Gregg]

+1
Just what Trailrider said...

MG

[Dalion]

I've been running a pair of Vaqueros and a Marlin 94 in 44 Mag. for the last couple of years in CAS without a single problem, with regular upkeep of course.  I run 44 Special ammo for CAS shooting and 44 mag. for hunting hogs and deer.  I really like shooting 44 Special it is very accurate and not finicky at all about loads.

[General Burleson]

Guess I will be the contrarian in the group. I chose .44 Special - Have a 1866 Yellow Boy and two Rodeo II's in that caliber. I raced Oldsmobiles instead of Chevys, Pontiacs or Fords. Don't like to have the same thing as everyone else, like to try to beat them with something they don't prefer. The .44 special is an exteremly accurate round, I use 180 grain bullets with light Trail Boss loads. It has a tiny bit less recoil and expense that .45's. In addition, .44 caliber ammunition predates .45 so in my mind, its the best.

[Christopher Carson]

Hody all,

Got a question, which would you prefer and why, .44 specail or .45 colt?  Keep in mind I'm looking for a matching rifle as well that could be used for hunting.

Roy

Depends on what you'll be hunting.  Scrawny Appalachian whitetail (for example), take your pick, get close, good bullet placement.  Larger corn-fed deer, big hogs, or slightly longer ranges, you probably gotta load up (which suggests heavy .45s or .44 Mag thumpers instead).

If you also care at all about authenticity, neither round was chambered in rifles until very recently.

-Chris

[Shotgun Franklin]

Honestly, if they're loaded about this same you'd likely never know the difference when pulling the trigger.

[Fox Creek Kid]

"I don't always shoot Rugers, but when I do I shoot .44 Special."

[Old Doc]

If you use factory ammo, .44 spl is even more outrageously priced than .45 LC.

[Mustang Gregg]

Fox Creek Kid:

Nice ad, Pard! 
FUNNY!!

Mustang Gregg
(Who also shoots them .44's)

[COLT_45_SAA]

One more for the 45 in my Montado.....

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

              45 LOOOOOOOONG Colt  all the way