45 or 44

[wgr]

does the 45colt have anything over the 44mag for deer size game? i will be reloading . i have a 44 now but will be trading it soon leaning to the 45colt but have never had one thinks for any input

[nilescoyote]

I hunt whitetail with both, using 200 and 240 grain bullets in the 44 and 250 grain bullets in the 45, all Horned ftps. With the deer I have taken, I cant say Ive seen a difference between either of them. All deer have gone down with ten to fifteen yards from where they were hit with a center chest cavity hit.

The ranges have been from 18 yards to 63 yards. I really like the XTP bullets as they always expand and retain 95%+ of there weight, even when hitting bone. Most of the bullets where recovered just under the skin on the opposite side of impact, but I have had two that were a pass through.

I would be hard pressed to choose between them. You cant go wrong with either.

[panman]

As been stated they both are outstanding rounds.
Before the 44,the heavey WT.was the 45lc.The 45 took ALL the game in Africa that includes the big 5.Chousing the bullet,and load that is suited for the game you hunt is   most important,as is proper bullet placement.pan.

[Redhawk1]

Seeing how you are reloading, the 45 Colt will do anything the 44 Mag will do and more. Bigger bullets, heavier bullets.

There is nothing wrong with a 44 Mag, but my personal preference is 45 Colt and I do not own any 44 Mags any longer. 

[Catfish]

They are so close that you can load the same bullet weight to the same velocities if you want. In the same gun the recoil will be the same and the deer will never know wihch cal the bullet was that hit, or  missed him.

[COR]

As a reloader the difference is going to be bullet weight.   If you put 260gr in the .44 or a 300gr in the .45, they aren't the heaviest they'll go but a good balance point imho.... I like the hardcast but the XTP sure does well for Pa deer.  Both will cleanly take any NA game short of big bears...maybe flip a coin or just do it the American way and buy both...you're going to anyway, why put it off?

[warrior1]

if it was me and i did not want to tick off the 44 or the 45 guys , i'd go 41 mag.dan
 

[Castaway]

I'm surprised there's been this many responses without the usual qualifier that all 45's aren't created equal.  A Ruger in 45 Colt can be easily loaded to equal and surpass a 44, although the difference is slight.  Colt's or Colt clones can't and it's dangerous to do so.

[blhof]

Castaway said it best, it's not the bullet but the gun that makes the difference. I own and love the 45 colt, but if you're going to fly somewhere to hunt with it; be sure you can get bullets where you go or send them ahead.  44 mags are most everywhere, but 45's aren't.  Many rural  or small town ammo stores don't carry the 45.

[Catfish]

warrior 1,
All of the guy that can`t take the recoil feel like you .      Nothing wrong with a .41 though, very good on deer. 

[S.B.]

Castaway said it best, it's not the bullet but the gun that makes the difference. I own and love the 45 colt, but if you're going to fly somewhere to hunt with it; be sure you can get bullets where you go or send them ahead.  44 mags are most everywhere, but 45's aren't.  Many rural  or small town ammo stores don't carry the 45.

Your opinion but, mine is bullet placement is king and absolute! No matter what gun it comes out of.

[Redhawk1]

I'm surprised there's been this many responses without the usual qualifier that all 45's aren't created equal.  A Ruger in 45 Colt can be easily loaded to equal and surpass a 44, although the difference is slight.  Colt's or Colt clones can't and it's dangerous to do so.

Most guys that hunt with handguns know which 45 Colt guns will take the heavier loads. And most of the handguns like the Colts, and new Ruger Cowboy action type guns are not set up for hunting. The best handgun's for hunting utilize adjustable sights, or they have a scope mounting system of some sort.

Sure there are a few guys that try to put heavy loads in guns that they should not, but they are usually not a seasoned handgun shooter or hunter, the majority of us know the difference. But I am sure there are some that know better but try it anyway's, not a very smart thing in my opinion.

[Cottonwood]

Depending what your needs are.... either will get the job done as equal wt bullets are available in both calibers for deer size game.  I made a choice for the .44 mag simply because I had the reloading dies and plenty of brass on hand, but both are equally as good for what you want to do.

[TommyD]

I went with the .45 and was never sorry, but you have to be a handloader to take full advantage. In both my FA 83 and my Ruger SRH in .454 I "download" to the 45 colt because I like the softer recoil. Both guns seem more accurate at 50 to 75 yards using 300 grain (or 320) bullets. It may be that the longer bearing surface engages the rifling better, but I haven't had much luck with the lighter 255 grain bullets. The most accurate bullet I have shot from my guns is the LBT 320 grain long flat nose gas check bullet.

I have had success with the 300 grain Hornady XTP loaded to 1150 fps. Nice big holes on either side to let air in and let blood out. You can load the 250 XTPs to much higher velocities with H110 while staying withing Hodgdon's loading tables. But it is overkill on whitetail.

Make sure you gun is a Ruger Blackhawk or stronger revolver. Not a Colt or one of their clones. The colts are fine pieces of ordnance, but not built to take the pressure of the Ruger, Freedom Arms, or Contenders.

Tom

[Gene R]

I thinkn its a matter of preference. I had a S&W 44 mag before I started reloading, I shot it maybe a dozen times or so and sold it, I personally would never have either ever again. Too loud and too much recoil for me.
Since then I have bought several Ruger 45 LC's and started reloading and love them, and they will do everything that the 44 Mag will do. But even so , I hardly ever shoot full house Ruger only loads through the 45 lc, but mostly try to stay under 1100 fps.

That being said my son loves the 44 mag, but asked for a Ruger BH 45 for his birthday Aug 10th. I'm considering a FA 44 special to add to the collection.
My 2 cents

Gene

[yooper77]

I love them both equally, but I choose the 45 Colt over the 44 Mag, since I reload for the 454 Casull also.

I can shoot a heavier bullet with less pressure with the same results, same selling hype with the 480 Ruger shooting less pressure then the 454 Casull, but with similar results.

yooper77

[corbanzo]

Deer sized game won't know the difference.  If you are hunting something like moose, then the larger bullets of the .45 might give you some advantage... but not enough to count really.

The only reason I load the .45 are my plinkers for the .454. 

The .44mag and the .45 colt are PLENTY for deer. 

I think you should just get the .454... you know, just because, and then use those .45 loads on deer.