I do love the .45 Colt! But, this cartridge is really at its best if you reload. You can load anything from light (185gr) .45acp bullets up to some monster 300+gr hunting loads. I believe it is the most versatile big bore out there. Truth is you don't need those magnum level loads for ordinary hunting at reasonable ranges. I played with them for a while and decided against them. The only hot load I still use is a 300 gr flat point at 1000fps. This is really more of a +P load than a magnum. But, it is nice to know that all that power is avalible if you should ever want it.
The Ruger is a great gun as it will handle the hot loads without any problems. I prefer the Bisley version as the grip shape seems to handle recoil better.
Here's a little trick I use for checking chamber throats. Drop a cast lead bullet through the chamber. I should just hang up in the throat. If it falls through easily, pass on that gun as it will be inacurrate.
Buy the .45. If you don't reload, start! You won't regret it.
[This message has been edited by Grayfox (edited January 07, 2000).]