.357 vs .45colt

H

HALLAUSTIN

New member
Ive been wondering about the capabilities and limitations of both calibers from a 6.5 inch barrel. Is one overwelmingly better than the other? In the categories of taking game and making holes in paper, is there a clear cut winner?
 
Both will make holes in paper, equally well. Depending on the gun, both are equally accurate. The .357 has the advantage of using .38 Specials which often can be found as "remanufactured" ammunition at bargain prices. The same is true of the .45 Colt, but slightly higher in price.

Depending on game, and your ability, the .357 Magnum with full house loads is fine for longer shots at varmints such as groundhog and crows, say 75 to 100 yards. With handloads or custom ammunition, in a sturdy revolver, the .45 Colt can dang nigh equal the .44 Magnum. On larger game, it opens up a bigger wound channel for faster bleed-out. And, with monsterous heavy bullets, deep penetration in heavier animals.

My personal pick is the .45 Colt second to the .44 Magnum.

Bob Wright
 
I personally love the versatility of the .357 - You already know that .38 SPL is the best training round and the .357 for 'serious' stuff. But I love the 45 Colt too - In my 94 Winchester trapper it is dynamite.:)
 
If you load your own it's a toss up as to what you will do with it the most. THe .357 can use 38 Spl loads for plinking and target work and then jump to the fire breathers for anything extra.

The 45 Colt depending on which brand or model can as mentioned run right up there with 44 mag energies using the heavier bullets. This said it is a hoot to shoot with the powder puff cowboy loads. When it goes off and hits either paper or game it starts out at 45 cal and doesn't shrink, where as the .357 has to expand to get that size.

As for reaching out, don't dis the old Colt as with a 250 - 270gr bullet it can easily reach out and knock a deer or hog on it's ear, just as far as the .357 and do so with more authority.

The main differences will be if you load or not. If not then you will find plenty of decent factory fodder for both the 38 and 357 loads where most of what is on the shelves now for the Colt is cowboy loads.
 
The .45 Colt in most Rugers and other strong actions, can go north of 1,400 ft lbs in a hand gun and the .357 will get to around 800 ft lbs. You also have to factor in a 9mm (.357) bullet versus an 11.5 mm bullet (.452). Put them in a strong lever action rifle, like an 1892, and both will shine even brighter. You really can't compare them but should own both just because they are both awesome.
 
I prefer the 45 Colt and 44 Special over the 357 Mag because of muzzle blast. The sound level of the 357 is twice that of the 45 Colt. If youre only punching paper and/or always wear hearing protection when hunting its less of a concern. - - The 45LC will take most game in the Lower 48 with no problem; it doesnt take magnum level loads to do it either. If a bullet will pass clear through a game animal, why move it any faster ? 'Trajectory' isnt really a factor in the relatively short ranges used for humane handgun hunting.

P.S. - - as others have mentioned, it all depends on the circumstances of the shooter/hunter - - mainly if they handload (or have deep pockets). It also depends on the kind of game youre talking about - - whitetails or elk ?
 
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It really depends on what you want. The 357 is quite a bit cheaper to shoot and has a wide variety of readily available factory ammo from 38 wadcutters at powderpuff levels to 180 grain Buffalo Bore loads. The 45 Colt is more expensive and a variety of ammo is not as readily available but it is out there. From cowboy loads to loads that, in the proper gun, would make a 44 jealous. The 45 Colt is a great cartridge if you handload and easily a better big game round than the 357 but the 357 is cheaper to shoot.
 
The 357 is quite a bit cheaper to shoot...
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+1. The only exception is if you handload AND cast your own bullets AND have a very cheap source of lead.

Off-the-shelf bullets are significantly more expensive in .45 caliber because they're larger and use more raw materials, so it will cost more to handload .45 Colt if you purchase your bullets, although the difference is less than the typical retail price spread between .45 Colt vs. .38Spl factory ammo. Also, the .45 uses large pistol primers, which are usually a smidgeon more expensive than the small pistol primers used for .38/.357.

Casting your own bullets will save more money, but most bullet casters seem to agree that the sources of dirt-cheap or free lead are drying up, forcing many of them to buy lead from commercial sources at higher prices.
 
The .357 will be much flatter shooting compared to the standard .45 Colt.

When the .357 first came out people were taking big game with it. Now that there are more powerful weapons people think that somehow made the old .357 mag more wimpy but really it will kill anything under the sun.

I have two .45 Colts and three .357 magnums. I love them all!
 
If you reload, the 45 is fully 80% of the 44 Magnum. A hard cast 275gr LFN at 1050 is a pleasure to shoot under 10gr of Unique. I still have a .357, but it stays on the desk in front of me.
 
If you are thinking of .45 Colt for deer or larger sized game it would be advisable to get a single action with a stout enough frame to handle the extra hot loads. Some of the clones would be badly damaged firing the Ruger/TC Encore .45 Colt+p ammo.

The .357 Mag on the other hand will handle full power .357 Mag in any .357 Mag chambered gun.

If it were me I hand load so I would more than likely get a .454 Cassul and shoot .45 Colt load for punching paper, and banging steels, and the .454 Loads for deer sized critters.

Oh My preference lies in between those two. I shoot a .41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk. I hand load, and cast my own lead. My only real expense has been for brass, powder, and primers. Loaded with factory Winchester Silver Tip JHP it will drop big fat hogs without fail privided I put it in the right place.
 
How about weight and balance?
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It really depends on the gun. There are many platforms for the .357 Mag, your options are more limited for the Colt especially if you want a heavy frame.

With a GP100 you can fire full power rounds all day and it handles great. As you already know the Colt can be loaded up to magnum levels but you will feel it! Not something enjoyable for very long.

Every man needs one of both.
 
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The 357 is quite a bit cheaper to shoot...

+1. The only exception is if you handload AND cast your own bullets AND have a very cheap source of lead.
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No exception there. The 45 Colt clearly takes a penny worth more powder than the 357. :p:D

454 for deer sized critters? You must have some big Deer around there!
 
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