.45 acp or .44 special

How does .44 Special and .45 Colt compare as far as stopping power?
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First off, get the idea of "stopping power" out of your mind. It is a myth.

Second, .44Spl, .45acp, and .45LC are all effective cartridges. Which is "better" or "best" is a matter of opinion, not of fact. (I have owned revolvers chambered in all three.) Whichever one you like is the "best". Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
 
Spare moonclip in jacket pocket. While seated in vehicle, moonclip become slightly bent after receiving ever so slight pressure from body to seat/armrest/whatever. Next time I use moonclip, it goes in fine, but the slight bend keeps the cylinder from turning. What's not to like about moonclips
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Moonclips need to be protected. The should be carried in something, such as a speed loader holder. I built a loop of kydex that slides off as part of the loading sequence. This little gadget works well, even when bumping into tables and such during the day.

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First off, when discussing cartridge potentials, FORGET COWBOY AMMO!

"Cowboy ammo" is the shorthand form of "Cowboy Action Shooting ammo", and is light loads specialy made for playing games. It was never used by the cowboys of the old west, only the modern game playing cowboy action shooters, and anyone else foolish to buy it thinking it is regular ammo. It is in the same class as "Bullseye Target" ammo. Light loads made for minimal recoil, excellent for playing a specific game, but not service class ammo.

With the right barrel length, you can get a 200gr .44 Spl to 1,000fps.
With the right barrel length, you can get a 200gr .45 ACP to 1,000fps
With the right barrel length, you can get a 250gr .45 Colt to 1,000fps

To me, 25% more bullet weight at the same speed is the clear winner.
 
I seem to recall 250gr bullets in the .44 Special being loaded to 1000+fps in S&W 6 shot revolvers. Nothing new. Elmer Keith was doing it back in the 1930's. Revolver steel is better now, as are high efficiency powders, so such loading shoud even be safer now. The .45 Colt has nothing on the .44 Special, except a little more girth. The same wieght bullet at the same velocity in the .44 Special should just give deeper pentration. http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=4
 
I like both......I've got several 45 acp Semi's and one revolver in 45 ACP. and one revolver in 44 Spl. and I carry a 38 Spl. or a Judge .410/ 45 colt most of the time so go figure ???


Placement ...and a quick follow up shot....and the largest caliber you can accomplish this task is your best option....

a SIG with a 40 S&W 165gr. super dooper HP is a good choice...;)
 
but until they catch on there is limited choices.
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Well.... I am doing my part, I now have 4 ... 3 Ruger Flattop Single Actions and the CA Bulldog.... Enough choices for me! Still could pick up a Colt SA or USFA SA.... Seems like there are 'choices'!

Its just more fun to mess around with than the ACP.
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I agree. Been reloading .45 ACP for my convertibles for fun, but you know? Nothing like loading for .44Spec or .45 Colt. I'll probably not load much .45 ACP anymore.... No real reason too.
 
I know this is not exactly the topic, but hear me out (and please deter from using my post count to stereotype me as a "Newb" as I am not)

If you are looking for stopping power, buy a 44 magnum. Taurus trackers are in a decent price range. This way, when you want to go cheap, you can shoot 44 special (which is what you were asking about) and you'll have 44 magnum should you want to keep a load at home that you feel will put someone down and not have to worry about hitting them again.

On the other hand, the 45 acp is nice because follow up shots are easier, as well as a larger capacity. A lot of people look too far into ballistics and pick a gun not due the application which it will be used for, but rather what numbers are higher. Which is a big mistake. I'd rather have my fiance own a glock with a 15 round mag of 9mm (due to the fact she can't hit the broad side of a barn) rather than give her 5 shots of 454 casull.

The 45 ACP and 44 special are very close and if you reload, you'll have that 230gr .45 running at just about the same as that 44 special.

So pick, do you want the power or the capacity?
 
WheelGunRealGun It all depends what format you are looking at ...when you are comparing a 44 Spl. I'm thinking you are maybe implying that both cartridges will be used in a revolver....
between a 45acp and a 44 Spl. in a self defense style revolver..with a 2 to 3 in barrel ..theres no real difference ...they both would have a very similar effect on a attacker..

45 acp ammo is less expensive 44 Spl. is chambered in smaller size guns most of the time ,and in less expensive gun also .... both are great....
I own both .... I lean toward 44 Spl. in a revolver....

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Above is a very customized Brazilian Contract S&W in 45 acp... $800.00+ ????
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This is a Charter 44 Spl, $300.00
 
Ammo is cheaper and is little more readily available in .45 ACP for practice. The secret to having a deadly handgun is being able to hit your mark with it which practices facilitates.
 
Buffalo Bore says their loads are not over pressure.

Heavy .44 Special Ammo - 255 gr.S.W.C.(Keith-type)G.C.(1,000fps/M.E.566 ft.lbs.)
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. This is well over a .45 acp round.


Bringing .45 Colt into the picture
Heavy 45 Colt +P Ammo - 325 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N. (1,325 fps/M.E. 1,267 ft. lbs.)
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and it is no contest.

I can never understand why those that favor .45acp think it is more powerful than any of the other service rounds.
 
The 44 Special in a Ruger or large frame Smiths can be loaded to higher pressures....for self defense purposes higher velocity is not as important as it is for hunting purposes,,high pressure light handgun = increased recoil = difficult follow up shots ..

44 Special at moderate velocities ,and lower pressure, insures quicker followup shots..
The people that think you shoot a bad guy in self defense and the bad guy admittedly stops and falls over..... has watched to much TV..

Quick follow up shots and training for quick follow up shots are imperative ..

Create as many wound channels (or as large) as possible to stop the threat of harm & or death to you and your loved ones..
 
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A 45 Colt when properly and modernly loaded ans used in a Ruger or a modern S&W is a different beast ..should be compared to a 44 Mag. great for hunting Hawgs and bears..due to heft of the gun and recoil not a great choice for SD ..except from four legged predators
 
I know of more than a dozen stopping power formulas which can help you rate different loads. I don't want to discus formulas but my best source of formulas was a ballistic package. All the formulas were used to produce a game weight equivilent for the resulting number so which formula you chose made no difference an elephant gun was still an elephant gun.

According to Taylors Knockdown formula.

S & W = 13.48 and Colt = 13.92.

My Chosen formula gives a game weight. Half the game weight if it has teeth, claws and a bad attitude.

S & W = 302lbs and Colt = 267lbs

mik
 
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