.45 Long Colt versus .44 Magnum

[netxhomesteader]

Hey All,

I'm not too strong on my ballistics knowledge. :1zhelp: I'm looking at the Henry Rifles and I'm trying to compare the "knock down power" and the "distance/accuracy" and of course the damage these two rounds would make. What is your opinion on these two rounds? The gun will be for plinking and possibly hunting.

 

[Bullseye Shooter]

If you're talking hunting, the .44 Magnum is the way to to; higher velocities and more knock-down power.

 

[kingofwylietx]

The .44 mag has more knock down power. Here is a link you can use to pull up the velocity & power of different .45LC's & .44mags.
Ballistics Directory

 

[MadMo44Mag]

IMO this is a preference thing.
They both share similar ballistics and bullet coefficients.
The 45lc can be loaded out to lower 44mag velocities in pistols.
In a rifle and the use of a slow burning powder and a heavy roll crimp either one would make a good choice.

 

[cuate]

Loading .45LC to almost .44Mag velocities works in Ruger Red Hawks and modern rifles but there caution must be used to never be used in older .45LC pistols as Colts and the Italian clones....They will likely go boom and ruin your day, hand or even your life ! Please use caution if you upload.45LCs.....

 

[MadMo44Mag]

Loading .45LC to almost .44Mag velocities works in Ruger Red Hawks and modern rifles but there caution must be used to never be used in older .45LC pistols as Colts and the Italian clones....They will likely go boom and ruin your day, hand or even your life ! Please use caution if you upload.45LCs.....

Thanks cuate!!!
I should have noted that.

 

[fm2]

Loading .45LC to almost .44Mag velocities works in Ruger Red Hawks and modern rifles but there caution must be used to never be used in older .45LC pistols as Colts and the Italian clones....They will likely go boom and ruin your day, hand or even your life ! Please use caution if you upload.45LCs.....

The hot 45 Colt rounds are also fine for some of the Ruger Blackhawks as well as contenders. Not the current small frame Rugers, but the previous model, New Model, IIRC.

The 45 Colt can push the same weight bullet as the 44 mag, but at lower pressure. There are also heavier bullets (280-400 grains) available for the 45 Colt. Those are generally a reloading proposition.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I have both calibers in Lever action rifles & Revolvers,and they both will knock down just about anything with a well placed shot. The 44 Mag does have faster velocity,but I mainly use them for 100yrd and closer shots,so velocity really doesn't matter when your shooting a 250-325 grain slug at a hog or a deer. They're still going to be dead with either one!

 

[robocop10mm]

If you hand load you MAY be able to up load the .45 to surpass the .44 mag energies. I do not know about he strength of the Henry action though. I would be inclined to stay pretty close to book loads. The .44 will have an advantage. On a plus note, many leverguns in .44 can also use specials for lower cost, lower recoil practice.

 

[Texas42]

If you handload. .454 . . .

Maybe : )

 

[Texas1911]

To reiterate, .44 Magnum has significantly more power in commercial loadings, but a standard factory .45 Colt out of a long barrel will have plenty of power for taking out game within 100 - 150 yards.

If you hand load, you can probably push that out further with a hotter load.

You'll be fine with either one for hunting. You might also look into .45-70 if you want to hunt bigger game.

The good thing about either of these cartridges is that they have alot of inertia due to the heavy slugs. They will do well against bone and strong animals.

 

[netxhomesteader]

Great information! Many thanks for the various responses. Though I haven't gotten into the self-loading side yet, it's only a matter of time.

 

[Texas1911]

Great information! Many thanks for the various responses. Though I haven't gotten into the self-loading side yet, it's only a matter of time.

If you buy the gun, with either caliber I would make an honest effort to save up from your ammo fund and buy a reloader. You'll shoot more in the long run, for less.

 

[crossfire]

Linebaugh's Custom Sixguns - The .45 Colt - Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Legend
Although John Linebaugh obviously prefers the .45 Colt to the .44 Mag, it's still a good comparison of the two. Just my opinion so take it for what it's worth, but a downloaded .454 Casull is a wiser move than pushing the .45 Colt to its limits.

 

[Texas42]

If you buy the gun, with either caliber I would make an honest effort to save up from your ammo fund and buy a reloader. You'll shoot more in the long run, for less.

+1

You save a lot more on the big, magnum stuff than I do on my dinky 9mm rounds.