45 Colt versus 44 Magnum

Sometimes the .45 Colt is operating at such low pressures, and has so much case capacity, that either position sensitivity or blow-by becomes a problem.
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Boy - ain't THAT the truth...

Light and mid range loads seem to work more consistently, and over a broader range of powders and bullet weights in the .44 magnum than the .45 Colt.

It makes sense, the higher working pressure of the .44 magnum, even at lower powder charge weights means a more consistent burn. After reloading for both, it seemed easier to find a good load for .44 magnum using the powders I already had on hand.
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My exact experience with the two cartridges. One of the worst jams I've had was with the .45 Colt. Not enough pressure in the cartridge to get all of the slow burning powder ignited so the unburned powder blew out around the cylinder face and wedged the cylinder hard against the frame. That one took me about 4.5 hours to remedy. Learned to NOT believe everything you read in reloading manuals about recommended loads...
 
The problem with cartridges designed for black powder is that some modern shooters look at the cavernous case and say "Oh yeah..."

In a small number of revolvers the 45 Colt can be overloaded to magnum performance levels. Make sure that ammo has no chance to find its way into a S&W Model 25-5 or a Colt SAA.

I see no need to do this. Truth is the fully loaded 44 Magnum is more than beyond my comfort zone on recoil. Can't imagine wanting to take the heavier 45 bullet to similar velocities. If I ever require that much power I'll bring a rifle.
 
My exact experience with the two cartridges. One of the worst jams I've had was with the .45 Colt. Not enough pressure in the cartridge to get all of the slow burning powder ignited so the unburned powder blew out around the cylinder face and wedged the cylinder hard against the frame.
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I've had the same experience with both the 357 and 44 mag when using H110 and W296.

The problem was not low pressure, it was that I tried lighting the large volume of slow burning powder off with a standard primer.

Don't seem to have any trouble with 2400 or 4227 no matter what primer I use, maybe this is some of the reason Elmer Keith was so fond of loading 2400.

Besides the two magnum calibers I already mentioned I also have revolvers in 45 Colt.

I actually prefer the 45 Colt over the others.
I cast some 280 gr WFN bullets, step them puppies out around 1000fps, they are enjoyable to shoot and will take care of anything I need a handgun for.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
 
They are both good calibers. I have a Ruger in each of the calibers and they are both nice to shoot. The 45 Colt will shoot a 255 grain bullet around 850 fps that is accurate and effective. I cast a 240 gas check bullet for the 44 mag that clocks about 1200 fps. Both loads are within SAAMI specs and those Rugers will last a long time shooting those loads. Either one will do anything reasonable that is expected from a normal handgun. Can't go wrong with either one.
 
Super light loads in any large capacity case can lead to explosions. Note the 2.7 gr bullseye problem with .38 specials.

So I've no doubt a .45 lc or even .44 mag can be harmed that way.

As for which.. I've got several .44 mags and thus that's what I use. But if it was the other way around it would be fine with me!

Deaf
 
Idk but I love my 45 colt, I know this is a hangun thread but I have a Rossi 92 and I contacted Rossi a while back and I believe they said all of their actions are rated to 50,000psi from .357 to .454 casull. If I fill a 45 colt case with 15 unique and press a 200 grain cast wadcutter in it...... wow. That's one hell of a bang, and destroys most saplings it hits :) with almost zero recoil, that could attribute to the bullet being .452 diameter also instead of the .454 norm for cast bullets. No signs of overpressure in the gun, you just get ballooned cases, your brass will only last two reloads, not for plinking but probably good for hunting. With a 325 grain bullet I can mock 45-70 factory loads. Can a 44 mag do that? I think this topic is more accurately based on which gun these loads are fired from to determine which is better
 
"One might also ask why 44 Mag was ever developed in the first place, given that 45 Colt could have more than fulfilled the role. I'm not smart in these matters, but I have to think this was way more a matter of marketing and safety (loading super 45 colt loads into old 45 Colt guns)."

Why?

Becuase Elmer Keith was working primarily with S&W revolvers and the .44 Special to develop the heavy loads that eventually were ramped up into the .44 Magnum.
 
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