Author Topic: .45 LC or .44 Magnum? (Read 2808 times)

kevthebassman · « **on:** April 15, 2008, 02:33:20 PM »

I'm thinking of getting into the handgun hunting game for white tail and maybe the occasional hog. I don't think there's much of a difference in price or performance between the two rounds, but I've never shot either one.

I know it's pretty vague, but I'm just starting to look into the big bore handguns. I don't know much about what the different manufacturers offer, but whatever I buy is going to have about a 4 inch bbl and isn't going to wear a scope. I don't mind single action but don't have my heart set on it either.

Racer X · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:41:52 PM »

If you don't handload, definitely get a 44. Also, 44s usually inherently more accurate and other than a trigger job, don't require much tinkering and tuning to get them to shoot. If you load, either will do. I have two 45 Colts (both Ruger Blackhawks). Whatever you do, do not get a Taures and if you get a 45, get a Ruger; they have the steel to take the heavy loads.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:58:08 PM »

I don't roll my own yet, and probably not in the near future. It's on my list of things to do.

What's the matter with the Taurus wheel guns?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2008, 03:25:38 PM »

if you dont handload theres only one choise. the 44. 45 ammo that is stout enough for hunting is much more expensive then 44 and hard to find.

kennisondan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2008, 03:03:39 PM »

customer service on the taurus is weak.. the quality is reportedly hit or miss. the folks I met with them were just fine with them.. no problems, but the consensus on this site is against it by a large margin.
I think the ruger products are the best deal dollar for dollar .
it is so easy to buy a ruger product in 44 and get down to it... that it is hard to suggest anything else...
you may budget in a trigger job... untill you shoot with and without you may not know what you are missing but it is worth it with most off the shelf guns of any manufacture.
the ruger is simply the strongest built, longest lasting, best customer service sixgun on the market... period...
if money is no object there are others and upgrade that quickly approach the point of diminishing returns... but I did not detect that from your post... what yuou would get in the more expensive brands wohld take some time to appreciate.... if at all...
same with customs..
good advice above.. hard to beat..
welcom and enjoy the choosing and the experience.
it is all good..
BTW .... you can get single or double action it is not a big deal... most here will ascribe to the single action but they are both really great.. had both.. because it was not a self defense gun and I seldom shot rapid fire (never ) I went with 44 mag ruger single action and loved it ...
dk

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2008, 06:04:10 PM »

The Ruger Super Blackhawk, Redhawk or the S&W 629 would all be very good choices in the 44 magnum. I would go with at least a 5 inch barrel for hunting. One nice thing about the 44 Magnum is it is easy to find good 240 grain hunting loads at just about any sporting goods store. Now if you were going to go with the 45 Colt I really like the blued Ruger Blackhawk. The 45 Colt is very light for a big bore revolver. If you were to order on line the Double Tap 255 grain Keith hardcast would be a fine load for deer and hogs.

corbanzo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2008, 07:16:25 PM »

You guys are so quick to bash Taurus... Come up to AK. I'll shoot your .45 into the ground with my RB.

Gun bashing all aside.

If you don't reload, the .44 is definitely the economical, and load compromise choice.

There are many .45 rounds out there... but not many of them are designed for thumping. If you don't mind spending the money for good custom ammo, then there is nothing wrong at all with the .45, just make sure that you have the right gun which is designed to take modern hard hitting loads.

The same can be said about the .44 mag. Like the smith and wesson guns, the model 29/629 just can't be loaded up to the same levels that the rugers, fa's, tauruses, etc can be. Or if you don't load... the difference is between hot .44mag ammo, which plenty is available now a days.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2008, 12:22:16 AM »

kevthebassman: either the 44 magnum or the 45 colt will take whitetail or hog cleanly out to whatever distance you can accurately hit with open sights.

I favor the double action revolver and the Smith and Wesson in particular. I feel the hammer fall on the Ruger single action is heavy enough to crush your thumb if you get it in the way, wile the single action hammer drop on the S&W is much easier to keep your sights on target. I doubt most folk use the double action capability of the S&W when taking a game shot but I feel the grip and feel of the S&W is better than that of the Ruger

I'll just betcha that if you walk into a sporting goods store you will find a nice used S&W M29 with a 4" bbl, just exactly whatcha need, and at a good price, too.

Since you do not yet reload the 44 magnum is the choice, due to availability of ammo and the cost of that ammo. You can also practice with 44 Spl loads through the 44 mag.

If I was going to do this all over again I would shop around for a nice used blue steel 4" S&W Model 29 - lots of guys dumped their blue steel guns in favor of stainless - don't know why (you still have to clean them just as much as blue steel) and blue steel guns are readily available. HTH and good luck. Mikey.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2008, 03:23:44 PM »

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll take it to heart. Right now it looks like I'll be getting a new (to me) truck before I spring for a wheel gun. Plenty of time left before deer season to buy one and practice, practice, practice.

Quote from: Ak.Hiker on April 16, 2008, 06:04:10 PM

I would go with at least a 5 inch barrel for hunting.

I've handled revolvers with the long barrels, and I didn't much like the feel. I'm looking for more of a sidearm to carry while I have a rifle in hand. It will see use for 25 yard and less shots.

obxmike · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2008, 10:40:25 AM »

I have two Ruger 44's I keep in rotation as back-ups/short range game getters. My favorite is a bisley vaquero with a 5.5" barrel, the other is a standard vaquero with 7.5" barrel. I like the fixed sights for durability, and at the 20-40 yard range I can hit all day long with it. Like most folks, I find the bisley frame handles recoil better than the standard frame.
I don't re-load either, so the .44 won out over the .45 I used to have. Suitable hunting rounds in the .45 were getting over $35 for #20 rounds, so it limited practice opportunities. 44's are available everywhere, and the standard 240 gr fodder is more than adequate for deer/hogs/black bear at a lesser cost. Plus, you can shoot .44 specials for plinking/small game hunting.
An action job is worth the $$!

teddy12b · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2008, 10:52:13 AM »

+1 for buying the 44mag.

Not trying to start gun bashing, but I've owned two taurus revolvers and had problems with them. I never heard of anyone having troubles with a raging bull model though. Just read all the other posts about how happy guys are wth their rugers, S&W's and taurus revolvers. It'll help you make up your mind about what to get.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2008, 06:27:04 PM »

The only Taurus I own is a 4 inch Model 44 in 44 Magnum. It has been a pretty good gun. I pack it in the woods for bear protection at times. I do not shoot the heavy weight loads in the Taurus. It gets fed the 240 and 250's. For the heavy weight 300 to 320's I much prefer my 4 5/8 inch Ruger Super Blackhawk. A properly placed 240 to 250 grain 44 Magnum with a stout bullet is still one heck of a good field gun.

teddy12b · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2008, 06:34:31 PM »

It's pretty hard to argue with a 44 mag that gets placed in the right spot. I've never taken any game with a 44 mag, but I have shot a lot of different types of targets with it and it's incredible how much a 44 will penetrate and the force it has knocking around big heavy blocks of wood.

If you look in the reloading books, a 45LC is better than a 44mag if you use a ruger and load the ammo hot. Personally I think it just makes life simpler to get the gun that was already intended to be shooting hot ammo.

In all fairness both of my taurus revolvers were model 608's. The 8 shoto 357 mags models. The first one was a 4" and I traded it against an 8". Both had their issues and I was only running cheap factory ammo then.

nilescoyote · « **Reply #13 on:** April 21, 2008, 10:01:58 PM »

Ive hunting with both calibers, both in t/c encores/contenders and ruger single actions.... I hand load most all of my ammo and even then I can not tell a true difference between them as far a killing power. Every deer Ive put down has dropped with in 7-10 yards from where it was struck by the bullet (I aim for the heart and lungs). Like every one else has stated, if you are not handloading the 44 mag is the better choice. As your ammo choice and availability for hunting class ammo is much better.

hoggunner · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2008, 04:15:38 AM »

go with the 44 mag if you don't reload. I have one of those bad Taurus raging bulls in 44 mag and love it. my friends all have the ruger redhawks, after shooting both I love the ported barrel of the raging bull over the nonported rugers. I reload and shoot some very stout loads out of the Taurus with out a hiccup. I can only handle about 12 to 18 rounds with the rugers becuase of the recoil and the last time at the range with the Taurus i went thru over 100 rounds and the recoil was never on my mind. LOVE MY TAURUS RAGING BULL AND WILL NEVER PART WITH HER. I have a bushnell holo site on her back and can hit a paper plate at 100 yrs with all six shots. most fun I have ever had with a gun .
hoggunner.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2008, 04:39:31 AM »

Hey Kev, go to this site and check out this new .45 LC Redhawk. It is primarily for a woods care gun:

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?type=Revolver&subtype=Double+Action&bct=Yes&SearchIn=All&family=Model&variation=Variation&caliber=.45+Colt&finish=Satin+Stainless&blength=4%22&work=Yes&imagefield.x=21&imagefield.y=7

I just looked it over yesterday at the Bass Pro Shop and was impressed.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2008, 05:18:32 AM »

I have both a 44mag. and a 45 colt in Redhawk revolvers , identical except cal. I shoot the 45 the most , both shoot good . But bigger is better IMHO . As far as deer hunting both can be loaded to a power level exceeding what you need to deer hunt . The 44 has way more factory loads aval. to the hunter than the 45 .
At this point it would be easy to say if you roll your own go 45 , if not go 44 . But if you travel and getting separated from your ammo might happen then you may wish to be able to buy off the shelf and keep hunting then the 44 might be better .
My advice is to follow my path and have both !
and do consider the Redhawk , BBL. length your choice but shorter carries better and longer balances better for me .

kevthebassman · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2008, 05:11:12 PM »

Just thought I'd update: Today I found a stainless Ruger Blackhawk with a 6 inch bbl in .44 Mag. The trigger and action has had some work done and the trigger and hammer are jewled. It's also got some nice rubber grips. Walked out the door with it for $420.

Took it out and put some rounds down the tube before it got dark. Just some tin cans... it shoots great and I can't wait to get it on paper at the range. Thanks for the tips guys!

Sweetwater · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2008, 06:53:59 PM »

Sounds like you've got some fun coming your way. Congrats on finding what you wanted. It should serve you well.

Regards,
Sweetwater

six_gunz · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2008, 10:01:06 PM »

Quote from: Racer X on April 15, 2008, 02:41:52 PM

If you don't handload, definitely get a 44. Also, 44s usually inherently more accurate and other than a trigger job, don't require much tinkering and tuning to get them to shoot. If you load, either will do. I have two 45 Colts (both Ruger Blackhawks). Whatever you do, do not get a Taures and if you get a 45, get a Ruger; they have the steel to take the heavy loads.

Buy a S&W and you won't need to get a trigger job. Their triggers are Awesome right out of the box. IMO

Kevthebassman, did you say 4" ?
S&W model 29

Sweetwater · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2008, 03:41:54 AM »

I've handled very few revolvers that couldn't benefit from an acton/trigger job, and a S&W wasn't one of them.
Maybe I was spoiled rotten as a child, who knows. My S&W models 19, 15, and 13 all saw much improvement when their actions and triggers were slicked up a touch. My 19 had tool marks all over the inside where things are supposed to be super smooth. They were when I got done with them.
Handled a Colt Python out of the Colt Custom Shop once - that one absolutely needed nothing - but then again it came from the shop with an actioin/trigger job.
A Ruger single action can never be a S&W souble action, but it will likely still be shooting when the S&W is showing gray hair.
The Ruger is never a bad choice.

Regards,
Sweetwater

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2008, 04:03:39 AM »

I have only paid to have 2 trigger jobs both on Rugers both were nice . Either bettered what S&W puts out today ( i have some ) and for sure a Ruger will still be up and running when S&W is hurting if you want full power loads all the time.
But S&W never claimed to handle max. loads for the Ruger . You don't buy a mini pick up to pull low boy trl's or F-350's with gas engines to get gas mileage . Choose the tool you need and want or buy both !

John R. · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2008, 05:44:13 AM »

I have quite a few S&W's and they ALL benefited from trigger jobs.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2008, 07:08:15 AM »

exactly !

Graybeard · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2008, 07:56:15 AM »

I've never owned or seen a Ruger that did NOT need an action job. The ONLY S&W I've ever owned I felt the need of an action job on was a 686 once that actually got so light it was dangerous and had to be reworked to make it a tad heavier not lighter or smoother. Perhaps my finger is not as sensitive as some but of the over 300 S&W guns I've owned none have needed improvement in the action.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2008, 08:14:36 AM »

GB i don't doubt your word but would like to say that the trigger of our guns is a personal matter , ie. what i like may not suit you or yours may not suit me . I have only had two Rugers done and both turned out lighter than i like . So i just dry fire and shoot a gun some ( sometimes alot ) and wear the action in . It works for me but maybe not for others . Rifles are another story !
S&W do have nice triggers but can benefit sometimes from a little attention for some .
Guess i have shot Glocks long enough that most any other trigger feels good !

Graybeard · « **Reply #26 on:** May 09, 2008, 09:24:18 AM »

Oh I agree completely triggers are a very personal matter for sure. I have a cousin who thinks of himself as a master gunsmith. He DEFINITELY is NOT. He works the action on every gun he owns even shotguns and for the most part every one he owns is really DANGEROUS and I refuse to shoot his guns as a result. He also owns a bunch of S&W and is in fact a collector of them or at least once was. All of them he shoots he reworks to the point they tend to go off from a jolt rather than a pull of the trigger. He thinks that's good but I don't.

I tend to not like guns with pulls below two pounds as my finger just doesn't seem able to control them properly. I once owned an Anchutz with an 8 oz trigger and at least half the shots ever fired from it went off before I had any plans to fire it. No more such for me thanks. I prefer a pull of about 3 pounds on any of my centerfire or rimfire guns but am much less concerned on shotguns for wingshooting which is the only use I make of shotguns.

S.B. · « **Reply #27 on:** May 09, 2008, 04:16:37 PM »

Quote from: corbanzo on April 16, 2008, 07:16:25 PM

You guys are so quick to bash Taurus... Come up to AK. I'll shoot your .45 into the ground with my RB.

Gun bashing all aside.

If you don't reload, the .44 is definitely the economical, and load compromise choice.

There are many .45 rounds out there... but not many of them are designed for thumping. If you don't mind spending the money for good custom ammo, then there is nothing wrong at all with the .45, just make sure that you have the right gun which is designed to take modern hard hitting loads.

The same can be said about the .44 mag. Like the smith and wesson guns, the model 29/629 just can't be loaded up to the same levels that the rugers, fa's, tauruses, etc can be. Or if you don't load... the difference is between hot .44mag ammo, which plenty is available now a days.

No, you come down to Illinois and we'll show you how to shoot those S&Ws and Rugers? Gas is close to $4 a gallon now! And word is it's going higher.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #28 on:** May 11, 2008, 01:21:19 AM »

5 years ago i would have agreed with greaybeard but the new smiths arent what the old ones were and most need some work, especially when it comes to there da pulls. Most of the ones ive bought and shot recently had heavy gritty da pulls. Most still retain a decent but not perfect sa pull though. Still not near as bad as the typical ruger that comes out of the factory that you pretty much have to hook a train up to to pull the trigger back. I cant see why they can make all these fancy new triggers that reallly work for bolt guns but still insist on pulling 10lb triggers on a hunting sixgun. the last bearcat i bought had a 9 lb trigger with a mile of creap. How do they expect a child let alone a body building man to shoot a gun like that accurately

vanbuzen9 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2008, 04:25:25 AM »

I have owned both rugers and smiths, and with out a doubt, the smiths are a much nicer gun. They have better triggers, and are pretty much better all around. But this can be expected, as they cost more than a ruger. I am with graybeard on this one, and although I have only owned around 4 smiths, they all had great triggers. But don't get me wrong, all the rugers I have ever owned have been good guns. (mostly convertable-type) Now, all things aside, the only revolvers I own right now are colts, one annaconda, one python. Shoot one of these, and you will not want anything else. Again, you get what you pay for, and you can't touch a decent condition python or annaconda for less than a grand.

Sorry for my rant above. The caliber selection is easy. Because you don't reload, get a 44 mag. unless you like spending 30 to 40 bucks on 20 of the suped-up +P 45 loads, which gives you about the same performance as a standard 44 hunting load.