44spl. and 45 colt

Marshall 357 · #1 10-10-2009, 08:22 AM

Is a 45 colt more powerful than a 44 spl.? Which one has more recoil? Never shot either one and would like to know.Thanks

Grayfox · #2 10-10-2009, 10:44 AM

Ah! Two of my favorite cartridges.

The .45 Colt is the more powerful of the two but not by a whole lot.

.45 Colt: 250gr lead bullet @ 800-850fps
.44 Special: 240gr lead Bullet @ 750-800fps

The .45 Colt has a little more recoil, but both are quite managable. Both are absolutely wonderful rounds. I think I have to give the .44 Special a slight edge in the accuracy. And both can be hand loaded to near magnum velocites if you want. Personally, I much prefer them at standard velocity loadings.
Give 'em a try. I'm sure you'll like them.

Marshall 357 · #3 10-10-2009, 11:26 AM

Thanks for the reply Grayfox

m657 · #4 10-10-2009, 11:44 AM

2 of my very favorite calibers. I second the 'standard loading' as they are by far the most accurate and pleasant 'shoot all day' rounds.

66TAS · #5 10-10-2009, 11:51 AM

Well, the 45 Colt can be handloaded to near or equivelant 44 mag levels in a suitably strong revolver(Ruger, Freedom Arms). The 44 special can be stepped up as well. Both have similar recoil when loaded accordingly. I find 44 special easier to load and shoot well though.

I like a standard load in a Colt single action, and a stepped up load to deer hunt in my Freedom Arms mdl97. Both have their place and both are fun to shoot. I have moved away from the 45 Colt because I dont seem to be able to load it well....why I'm not sure.

feralmerril · #6 10-10-2009, 05:11 PM

I have a bunch of both. It depends on what gun in each you are shooting. I dont have a mountain gun in .45 colt. It would be real interesting to try loading and experimenting both a 24-3 4" and the MG.
I do have a pair of 24-3 and a 25-5 both in 4"s. I find them similar to shoot, but would rather pack the 24-3 due to the thinner barrel, and I keep smooth small faux ivory on the 24 and larger faux ivory on the 25.
Its not like I have shot thousands of rounds in each to compare, but what I have so far, I favor the 24.
I also have one of both in colt single actions. Again, I prefer the .44 special in them. They both can be loaded to similar power levels, and I trust the throats in the 44 more than the .45. The 45 was sent back for a new clyinder to colt, they did give me a new one numbered to the gun for free. I hope to take it out and compare them again in a few days.

Ron H. · #7 10-10-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall 357

Is a 45 colt more powerful than a 44 spl.? Which one has more recoil? Never shot either one and would like to know.Thanks

Sir, the .45 is the more powerful and has the greater recoil, but not by much, and neither is unmanageable. Think "big .38 special."

I have both, and IMHO which to choose has more to do with gun preference than cartridge.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

Vulcan Bob · #8 10-10-2009, 08:03 PM

The Colt .45 was the most powerful production handgun around until the .357 Magnum came around. The .44 Special properly handloaded is not all that far behind, both are great cartridges!

AKAOV1MAN · #9 10-11-2009, 04:10 AM

I prefer the .45 Colt because I use Buffalo Bore ammo, the hot ones. I don't shoot them in my N frames however. I use either my Ruger 4" Redhawk or Bisley Blackhawk, either of which will take a much heavier load safely than an N fame. My usual load is a 300 Gr moving out at 1200 FPS, it definitely get ones attention.