Vaquero: .44 or .45 colt

M

mrat

New member
I am thinking of buying a new stainless 4 5/8 inch Vaquero but I can't decide between the .44 mag or the .45 colt. What are the positives and negatives between the two in the Vaquero? I thought the .45 would be a fun caliber to have but I don't handload.

P.S. I already have a DA .44 mag revolver.
 
I'm a .45 fan, but would recommend you go with the .44 since you don't handload because of ammo price, variety and availability. Heck, even if you did handload, .45 brass and bullets are more money than the .44 flavors are. Also because you already have another one, you can feed them the same diet.

If, however, you have a hankerin' for a different caliber, by all means get the .45 for variety's sake. It's a heckuva fun round with lots of history and data should you want to experiment with handloading.

DCR
 
You don't handload? and you already own a 44 magnum revolver?

Then the choice is obvious get the 44. 45long colt ammo is expensive and if you don't load it you won't get to shoot it much. Whereas the 44 is less so and you can often find the ammo on sale as well (ok not too often but way more than the 45 long colt)
The only way you should get a 45 is IF you can find one with a 45 acp convertable cylinder allowing you to shoot cheap ball 45 acp ammo in your new gun. Otherwise stick with the 44 theres not much it won't do as well as the 45 long colt. And in the lower 48 its about the most versitile. The 45 comes into its own when you handload for it. Everything from cowboy loads to buffalo stompers. JMHO:)
 
The 45 "Long Colt" does come into its own..........

when you handload. However, there is a variety of commercial ammo for it ranging from tactical ammo to heavy duty hunting loads. As has been stated the cost is somewhat higher. FYI I have included the Cor Bon website and you can peruse that to see what's available. http://corbon.com/ Good shooting:)
 
mrat my old friend, good to see you find your way to the promised land of S/A revolvers. ;)
As already mentioned, the big difference between the .44Mag and the .45LC is all in the loading,,as in handloading. I own offerings in both calibers and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. If I did have to choose, I believe I'd go with the .44Mag. The reason is pretty simple. The .44Mag is just my favorite all around, do everything be everything caliber. Since i do handload, the basic difference to me is all in the brass. .44Mag brass is a more *modern* design, and will feed through more platforms than the .45LC. The larger rim of the .44Mag case will function through a revolver, lever action rifle and semi auto carbine or pistol. You do understand that the next step or bug to bite is a lever gun right ?;) The bigger rim also allows more purchase for the reloading die to grab and lessens the chance of a torn-rim-stuck-in-the-die case.( a very small probability I admit, but still a factor when pushing the .45LC to it's extreme limits). Loading data for the .44Mag covers a wider range of velocity and bullet weights also. W/.45LC, it's basicly 250-255 gr.
Bottom line is that both are so close, in the strong action of a Ruger, it's a win/win situation.
I guess it boils down to are you the variety type,,in which case since you already have a .44, the .45LC would be a better fit,,,or are you the stay with what I know and like type,,in which case the .44Mag would be a better fit. I'm a little of both and a little of neither myself. (being a bit of a purist myself)-->My goal is to one day buy a .45 Colt, with Colt being the operative word,,as in Colt Single Action Army,,or Model P<--the real deal. That means I'd prefer to leave Mr. Murphy out of the loop and lessen the chance that a Ruger only hot .45LC load ends up in it. That usually draws me to the .44Mag,,,then I catch sight of that big 'ole hole in the end of the .45LC (why is it the .45 just LOOKS so much bigger?!?)and the indecision sets in all over again. ;)*sigh* {{big wants/little paycheck}} :D. Whichever way you go old friend,,
1.) Let us know how it shoots.
2.) Give some serious though to reloading. Reloading is the only way to really turn these cannons into plinkers.
 
One thing to consider, is that Ruger has been making thier 45 Colts with too small of cylinder throats, and alot of newer 45 owners have been reaming them for optimum accuracy. (Im one of `em) Ruger seems to have the 44s perfected.
 
You do understand that the next step or bug to bite is a lever gun right ?

Well that is already taken care of. I have a Winchester lever gun in .44 mag. But of course if I get a Vaquero in .45 colt I can rationalize to my wife how I need a lever gun in .45 colt.;)

Well there was lots of good help here guys and it sounds like I should get a .44 mag. But I do like a variety in calibers and I like the idea of the calibre that tamed the west. I have some time to think about this since I am short about a $150 for this purchase. I have decided to get the stainless model with the "pearl" grips. Now my other problem is I am thinking maybe I should get a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk so I can get adjustable sights.:eek:
 
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