.45 Colt or .44 Mag

Today, 12:47 AM #20
BIG P
Senior Member

Join Date: July 8, 2010
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 1,231
454 Guy myself,but would rather have a 44 mag than a sharp stick.
Maybe they wont find a pile of you on the trail,Bears will be Bears.

HATE that thought.
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+1 BIG P, .44 mag is right up there with the .454 when you put the Buffalo Bore +P+ 340 gr ammo which overlaps many of the .454 loads. Yes, much better than a sharp stick.:D
 
Yes, much better than a sharp stick.

That, and Garrett 330 HC +P in 44mag. I was surprised that the BB 340 +P+ had no flash, but the kick took off my pinky finger. Not really, it grew back on!
 
Well if it's standard pressure loads, the .45LC won't do it for bear. If you use the high pressure loads being produced nowadays for stout revolvers, the .45LC can be loaded up to act just like a thicker .44 Magnum though.

Between your guns, the .45LC sounds like it has a more practical barrel length for carry, and would take less time to get out of the holster than the .44Mag, both good things. My choice would be to try that Blackhawk Convertible with the stoutest hardcast or soft point loads that it and you can safely and effectively handle (or trade your 10-inch .44Mag for a double action .44Mag with roughly a 5-inch barrel).
 
If you handload then either will do. It's a personal choice. Mine in .45 Colt . Otherwise the .44Mag is the choice ...
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Well said.

Let me add just one other thing:
The barrel length and weight is a huge factor when considering a hiking buddy. 16 mile day-hikes in the Cabinet Wilderness will make you feel every inch. I chose the shortest 44 Redhawk at the time, but if they had a 4" or an Alaskan in the mid 90's, I would have jumped all over it. As I get older I find myself looking for something lighter to relieve the stress on some old injuries. My 4" Security Six gets picked more often these days. I know the 357 is not a 44, but the weight is getting to be more of an issue as I get older.

If your 45 is shorter than your 10" 44 (depending on the hike) I would grab the 45.
 
Thanks for all the input. I can reload for all my handguns, but Sportsman's Warehouse has some hard cast "Bear Loads" (I think they are Buffalo Bore, or maybe Double Tap, I can't remember which right now) specifically for both .44Mag and .45 Colt and I can always go buy a box of them. I will most likely carry the .45 Colt even though it is single action. I am lusting after a double action .45 Colt at a LGS though.

Thanks again for all the input.
 
I would take a Ruger Redhawk or blackhawk with a 5 0r 7/12 tube

I would either use my Ruger level Handload or some other +P ammo

Snake
 
If you're lusting after a DA .45 Colt, then you have your answer. As many posters have indicated, either cartridge will suit your needs. However, at the present, only the DA .45 Colt will satisfy your desire.

Personally, I like both and carry both. It just depends on what mood I'm in when I head out as to which one gets the nod that day.

Go get that gun! :D
 
Today, 12:54 PM #30
Super Sneaky Steve
Senior Member

Join Date: August 9, 2011
Posts: 274
Real men carry the Colt.

From my short 3.75" barrel I got 864fps and 414ft/lbs using a 250gr bullet and 10.4gr of HS-6.
__________________
Ron Paul 2012!
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I carry a .44 magnum Ruger SRH and I eat quiche too. So much for what "real men" do.:D:eek:
 
My youngest daughter still lives with me and does all the cooking. I've discovered you can eat quiche and tofu if you put bacon bits and lots of extra cheese on them. She does the cooking, I do the eating, and I don't complain. She does steak and hamburgers, also. She is a better cook than that woman I used to be married to. My daughter's meatloaf is the best I've ever eaten. By the way, I've got 4 .45 colt revolvers, and I like 'em as much as my daughters cooking.
 
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