Is the 45 Colt revolver the most versatile factory loaded handgun ?
- Thread starter Hammer1
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Well, Zombie Steve, I found the data you referenced interesting if not convincing. In an attempt to not stray from the intent of the OP, I based my assessment on factory loaded ammunition. And in that context, I believe the .44 Magnum/.44 Special to be more versatile than the .45 Colt.
And, yes, when it comes to ballistics, like physics, there's no free lunch. To increase performance you've got to boost pressure. When all other things are equal (barrel length, bullet weight, etc.,), it takes more powder to drive, let's say, a 250 grain bullet from a 45 Colt faster than it takes to move it slower. More powder, again, everything else being equal, means more pressure. More pressure results in the bullet moving faster.
But...I'd be the first to acknowledge that Mr. Linebaugh has far more knowledge than I do on this subject. And, because I like to think that I have a somewhat open mind, I certainly will give more thought to my position on the matter.
Anyhow, I have no partisan interest in the discussion, per se. I own both calibers and would hate to do without either.
Zombie Steve
New member
...if we're comparing one .44 mag load to another .44 mag load, I'd agree. My only point was with more case volume and a slightly bigger bore, the .45 Colt can push a similar weight bullet to the same speeds as a .44 mag at lower pressures. The same could be said of a 180 grain in .357 vs. a 180 grain in .44 mag... it's approaching the upper end of the .357's ability, but with the .44 mag, it's just getting started.
Or the Blackhawk
Therein lies the problem with with pistols chambered in .45 Colt. Two different categories. If you try some of these nuclear loads out of a Colt SAA, you're going to have a very bad day.
After all this talk about hot .45 Colt, I'll swing it back the other way with some single action porn with some light cowboy loads:
Pretty darn versatile...
Some FACTORY .44 Magnum loads (all with 7.5" barrel):
Buffalo Bore: 340 gr.LBT LFN bullet: 1,478 fps muzzle velocity (fpe not stated)
Corbon: 305 gr.FP PEN bullet: 1,300 fps muzzle velocity; 1,145 fpe
Corbon: 300 gr. JSP bullet: 1,300 fps muzzle velocity; 1,126 fpe
And, of course, we still have the .44 Special and all "lesser" .44 Magnum factory loads for unrivaled versatility.
Buffalo Bore: 340 gr.LBT LFN bullet: 1,478 fps muzzle velocity (fpe not stated)
Corbon: 305 gr.FP PEN bullet: 1,300 fps muzzle velocity; 1,145 fpe
Corbon: 300 gr. JSP bullet: 1,300 fps muzzle velocity; 1,126 fpe
And, of course, we still have the .44 Special and all "lesser" .44 Magnum factory loads for unrivaled versatility.
wording?
I'm enjoying this thread, though I don't believe there is any real answer to the question in the OP. "Is the 45 Colt revolver round the most versatile factory loaded handgun round ?"
Seems that you'd have to pick a particular firearm chambered for both in order to really answer the question, otherwise you get off the topic.
The discussion seems to drift between answering the question and discussing related issues, like revolvers in .454 Casull which are versatile guns because they can shoot the Casull cartridge as well as the Colt cartridge....but that fact doesn't make the .45 Colt more versatile. Picking on idea focus there, I know.
Here's another:"But there are no 44 loads for geese or double trap like there is with the 45/410 combo." There are no .45 Colt loads for geese or double trap either. The .410 ain't a .45 Colt.
It has everything to do with versatility of a firearm that can shoot both, like a Contender, and nothing to do with the OP.
Own guns in both calibers and I understand that it is hard to have a discussion about the effectiveness of a cartridge without considering the gun it will be fired in.
Do you think that there are as many "quality" firearms available for the .45 Colt specifically as there are for the .44?
I'm enjoying this thread, though I don't believe there is any real answer to the question in the OP. "Is the 45 Colt revolver round the most versatile factory loaded handgun round ?"
Seems that you'd have to pick a particular firearm chambered for both in order to really answer the question, otherwise you get off the topic.
The discussion seems to drift between answering the question and discussing related issues, like revolvers in .454 Casull which are versatile guns because they can shoot the Casull cartridge as well as the Colt cartridge....but that fact doesn't make the .45 Colt more versatile. Picking on idea focus there, I know.
Here's another:"But there are no 44 loads for geese or double trap like there is with the 45/410 combo." There are no .45 Colt loads for geese or double trap either. The .410 ain't a .45 Colt.
It has everything to do with versatility of a firearm that can shoot both, like a Contender, and nothing to do with the OP.
Own guns in both calibers and I understand that it is hard to have a discussion about the effectiveness of a cartridge without considering the gun it will be fired in.
Do you think that there are as many "quality" firearms available for the .45 Colt specifically as there are for the .44?
and you can duplicate any 44 special with 45 colt and drop below with 45 Schofield and 44 Russian. making a 45 Colt in a Ruger BH strength gun easily the rival of a 44 Mag's versatility.
to answer the OP.
NO the 45 colt is not the most versatile because the 44Mag easily equals it and a 454 Casull with its ability to shoot anything a 45 Colt can and more easily surpasses it.
I'd like to add anyone hunting Geese with a "judge" would be a fool.
their patters are horrific at short ranges.
No, factory 45 colt pretty much duplicates 44 Special (Maybe a little more but mostly due to 45 Colt usually list 7.5" and 44 Spec is usually 4")
here are a couple examples
from Magtech
.44 Special LFN 200 722 232
.44 Special LFN 240 761 310
.45 Colt® LFN 200 705 220
.45 Colt® LFN 250 761 323
from Federal
.44 S & W Special 200 Semi wadcutter HP 900 360
.45 Colt 225 Semi wadcutter HP 830 345
chrisp0410
New member
B.N.Real's last paragraph from a previous post:
+1 for this caliber, even though I don't think it is absolute tops for versatility. I own and love mine. My cousin has taken a couple deer with it and I used to pack it into the woods when logging with my folks in Maine years ago. Starline still makes brass and my cousin and I load for it. We have also shot .44 magnums that feel like .44 SPLs out of an S&W. I shot a .44 SPL cowboy load out of it once and the kick was so little, I though the powder was bad and I only got a primer strike!
My current choice would be the .460 S&W as firearms chambered in it may also shoot any of the .460 rounds, the .454 Casul rounds and the .45 Colt rounds.
Chrisp0410
+1 for this caliber, even though I don't think it is absolute tops for versatility. I own and love mine. My cousin has taken a couple deer with it and I used to pack it into the woods when logging with my folks in Maine years ago. Starline still makes brass and my cousin and I load for it. We have also shot .44 magnums that feel like .44 SPLs out of an S&W. I shot a .44 SPL cowboy load out of it once and the kick was so little, I though the powder was bad and I only got a primer strike!
My current choice would be the .460 S&W as firearms chambered in it may also shoot any of the .460 rounds, the .454 Casul rounds and the .45 Colt rounds.
Chrisp0410
Zombie Steve
New member
Definitely not.
In answering the op's question it should be obvious that the answer is yes.
With all due respect to the .357 and .44, and all that they can do, the .45 is just better.
In factory loaded form.
Buffalo Bore is considered factory ammunition by the ATF, as well as Cor-Bon, so yes, in factory form the .45 is more versitile.
The loads from B.B. will out perform anything in the .44. Yes, I know all about the +P+ 340 gr. .44, but all things taken into consideration it still doesn't equal a .45 with a 350-360 gr. hardcast bullet. The good old .45 was/is a terrific round, then and now.
As far as these heavy loads not being suitable in all .45's, the 340 gr. .44's are only suited to certain .44's as well so that's a wash.
With all due respect to the .357 and .44, and all that they can do, the .45 is just better.
In factory loaded form.
Buffalo Bore is considered factory ammunition by the ATF, as well as Cor-Bon, so yes, in factory form the .45 is more versitile.
The loads from B.B. will out perform anything in the .44. Yes, I know all about the +P+ 340 gr. .44, but all things taken into consideration it still doesn't equal a .45 with a 350-360 gr. hardcast bullet. The good old .45 was/is a terrific round, then and now.
As far as these heavy loads not being suitable in all .45's, the 340 gr. .44's are only suited to certain .44's as well so that's a wash.
Just pointing out there's a difference between "unsuitable" and "unsafe". Quite a few revolvers chambered for .45 Colt are patently unsafe with some of the heavier .45 Colt loads and said limitations are addressed by most loading manuals. Aside from insufficient cylinder length, I'd still like to learn which .44 Magnum revolvers are identified by reloading manuals as being unsafe when using any factory .44 Magnum load.
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