I am thinking of buying either 44 Long Colt or 41 Mag or even a 44 Special. Which one is the most versatile when it comes to reloading. Anything from target practice, self defense loads, to field gun to ward off unwelcomed critters!!
41 MAG 45 LONG COLT
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sunday bill
Member
45 LC and 44 Spec are my two favorite handgun calibers. Either caliber is versatile and in the right handgun, either will do anything I require of a sidearm.
Mule88
Member
Either would be good, if your reloading the .41 may be more versatile, but I have a soft spot for the .44 Special.
Dan Cash
Member
I have all three calibers in S&W format. If you are handloading and casting, the .41 would get my nod. It does every thing the designers claimed; a very powerful magnum that is powerful and pleasant to shoot when downloaded. I use a LBT mould that gives a 250 + bullet for the .41.
The .45 Colt and .44 Special are also excellent cartridges but in a S&W, the .41 is a bit more flexible.
The .45 Colt and .44 Special are also excellent cartridges but in a S&W, the .41 is a bit more flexible.
surveyor47
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If you want Magnum Performance, buy a Magnum Gun. S&Ws are not Rugers. S&Ws work fine with any SAAMI compliant load, but if you are considering Magnum type loadings such as are freuently used in Rugers, think again. Your S&W is an older design and not built to the tank like standards of Rugers. For a S&W I would stick with ammo that is very close to factory ammo spec. For the 45 Colt and 44 Special, that means a velocity limit of about 950 fps. For a 41 Magnum, that means a velocity limit of about 1350 fps. Target loads in the 41 Magnum run about 800 to 950 fps. The 41 Magnum tends to be extremely accurate and guns have a long life.
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i reload for them all...for me it's the 41 mag.all the way...
The 41 and 45 are both very easy to load for. If you want magnum results, then I would suggest the 41. It can be loaded much hotter in a Smith than can the 45. However, if loading for a Ruger or Freedom Arms, the 45 will really outshine the 44 magnum.
Snapping Twig
Member
I made that choice over the years.
My armamentarium has several 44 mags and a 45 colt, but no 41's.
You can find 44 and 45 in a backwood ammo shop should you forget yours or run out on a hunt.
All this talk about Ruger/TC only loads is specious IMO. If you can't get the job done with 44 mag, you're in the wrong business. Overloaded Ruger/TC only loads can be a liability if they find their way into the wrong firearm.
The 45 colt has the power to kill a man hiding behind his horse at 100 yards, this being the U.S. Army specification for the round's adoption.
Unless you need a mag, the 45 colt has all the power needed for hunting and SD, plus it's a pleasure to plink and target shoot with.
My armamentarium has several 44 mags and a 45 colt, but no 41's.
You can find 44 and 45 in a backwood ammo shop should you forget yours or run out on a hunt.
All this talk about Ruger/TC only loads is specious IMO. If you can't get the job done with 44 mag, you're in the wrong business. Overloaded Ruger/TC only loads can be a liability if they find their way into the wrong firearm.
The 45 colt has the power to kill a man hiding behind his horse at 100 yards, this being the U.S. Army specification for the round's adoption.
Unless you need a mag, the 45 colt has all the power needed for hunting and SD, plus it's a pleasure to plink and target shoot with.
lafayne
Member
Anything from target practice, self defense loads, to field gun to ward off unwelcomed critters!! ???
I noticed you did not mention hunting or magnum loads. I load for all three and am a big fan of the .41 mag for hunting. For general field carry and just fun, the .44 Special is hard to beat. This may be blasphemy, but I particularly like my new Ruger Blackhawk flat top .44 special. A 4 inch model 625 in .45ACP is also good. I generally only load in .45AR cases for mine.
Ken
I noticed you did not mention hunting or magnum loads. I load for all three and am a big fan of the .41 mag for hunting. For general field carry and just fun, the .44 Special is hard to beat. This may be blasphemy, but I particularly like my new Ruger Blackhawk flat top .44 special. A 4 inch model 625 in .45ACP is also good. I generally only load in .45AR cases for mine.
Ken
Missionary
Member
Good evening
My personal FAVORITE is the 41 Mag. But I cast my own and of course reload so I am not limited to th factory stuff. I load from 160 grain to 265 gas check so I can tackle anything out there I want with a handgun.
I also cast/shoot the 45 Colt and IF I could only have one caliber I would go with the 45Colt. It will handle ANY critter out there. In a modern Revolver it can easily thump out a 300+ grain cast load and flatten any target.
My personal FAVORITE is the 41 Mag. But I cast my own and of course reload so I am not limited to th factory stuff. I load from 160 grain to 265 gas check so I can tackle anything out there I want with a handgun.
I also cast/shoot the 45 Colt and IF I could only have one caliber I would go with the 45Colt. It will handle ANY critter out there. In a modern Revolver it can easily thump out a 300+ grain cast load and flatten any target.
smiffundvessen
Member
Since you did not specifically mention (purposeful) big game hunting, I'd avoid magnums and stick with the standard thumpers: .44 special or .45 colt and similar cartridges.
I'd find the gun I liked first. If the gun was of a suitable cartridge, that's the one.
Heck, a 4" L frame .357 will handle 99% of what you mention.
I'd find the gun I liked first. If the gun was of a suitable cartridge, that's the one.
Heck, a 4" L frame .357 will handle 99% of what you mention.
As far as hunting goes I don't have plans using a revolver, as for some of the suggestions here I do own two 357 magnums (4" 586 no dash I bought way back in 1984 new / 4" 681 I bought several months ago) and I have a 45 acp revolver (625 5").
If I weere being practical I would not need to buy another revolver but I want something different in 41 mag, 44 spl, or 45 colt. In a perfect world I would wait until I could shoot each caliber to see which one I liked the best but I can't remember the last time I ran into anyone who shoots those calibers at the range I go to!
I really appreciate everyone's input, I learn something everytime I log on this site.
I have thought about a Ruger but I enjoy my Smith's so much I am going to stay with S&W when I finally buy another one!
Right now I leaning to the 41 mag, but after I log off I'll probavbly change my mind again!!
Thanks again for the great advice.
If I weere being practical I would not need to buy another revolver but I want something different in 41 mag, 44 spl, or 45 colt. In a perfect world I would wait until I could shoot each caliber to see which one I liked the best but I can't remember the last time I ran into anyone who shoots those calibers at the range I go to!
I really appreciate everyone's input, I learn something everytime I log on this site.
I have thought about a Ruger but I enjoy my Smith's so much I am going to stay with S&W when I finally buy another one!
Right now I leaning to the 41 mag, but after I log off I'll probavbly change my mind again!!
Thanks again for the great advice.
Paul5388
US Veteran
I have a M57 and really think it is an answer to a question no one asks. So, I much prefer a M629 or M625 (in .45 ACP) to any .41 Mag. I normally shoot a 200 gr wadcutter out of .44 Special brass in the M629 for normal critter control.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I just started fooling around seriously with the 45 Colt. I am shooting those "Ruger Only" loads and can't find a real reason to have a 44Mag now!
I am shooting them out of a Ruger and Puma rifle though.
As fas as I'm concerned though, for social work as well as small game hunting, a 45ACP is going to do anything you want to do. Bullets are available to do anything you want, from mild to wild and in a M625, you can get near 45Colt "Ruger Only" type performance out of it.
I mean, a 45 caliber, 240gr LSWC going 1100fps is nothing to sneeze at, friend. Brass is all over the place and they take a standard primer. Almost any powder that will fit in the case will work, too. There are even some 45AR loads out there that use AA#9! What more could anyone need or ask for!
I am shooting them out of a Ruger and Puma rifle though.
As fas as I'm concerned though, for social work as well as small game hunting, a 45ACP is going to do anything you want to do. Bullets are available to do anything you want, from mild to wild and in a M625, you can get near 45Colt "Ruger Only" type performance out of it.
I mean, a 45 caliber, 240gr LSWC going 1100fps is nothing to sneeze at, friend. Brass is all over the place and they take a standard primer. Almost any powder that will fit in the case will work, too. There are even some 45AR loads out there that use AA#9! What more could anyone need or ask for!
hastings
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I agree with Smith Crazy. In a S&W revolver, 45acp is as good, if not better than 45colt. It pains me to say that because I really love 45colt, but within the pressure ranges that S&W revolvers are suitable for, the 45acp or 45ar cartridge holds it's own against the larger powder capacity 45colt. This afternoon I reloaded some 45colt and 45acp rounds using the same 255gr lswc bullet. With 8.8 grains of Unique I was getting around 908 fps out of the 45colt. With 6.8 grains of Unique I was getting 956 fps out of the 45acp. I chrono'ed the loads at 15 ft from the muzzle. Both revolvers have 4" barrels. Both loads were equally accurate at 25 yards, and recoil was very similar, with the 45acp being slightly snappier but both pushing about the same.
Obviously the 45colt has a lot more case capacity, so in a Ruger, BFR, or Contender, the potential of the 45colt is greater than the smaller 45acp. That being said, I don't think you need to push a 250 or 270 grain 45 caliber bullet beyond 900 or 1000 fps in order to put down most game, or threats in the lower 48. Granted, your range may be limited to under 100 yards, but recoil is tame and follow-up shots are faster.
I loaded up some heavier 45colt stuff for the Ruger, today, as well. 200gr lswc's at 1175fps, and 250gr jhp's at 1150fps. Not max loads by any means, but heavier than I would ever try in my S&W's. I'll take the 45acp 255grainer's at 950 over any of the loads. These were shot out of a 22-4 with the 4" tapered barrel. I would think that in a 625 with a full-underlug 5" barrel they would be even more tame.
By the way, out of all the loads mentioned, the 200 grainers at 1175fps had the lightest recoil and grouped the tightest. Seems odd since they were shot out of the Ruger Vaquero with pretty crude fixed sights.
Obviously the 45colt has a lot more case capacity, so in a Ruger, BFR, or Contender, the potential of the 45colt is greater than the smaller 45acp. That being said, I don't think you need to push a 250 or 270 grain 45 caliber bullet beyond 900 or 1000 fps in order to put down most game, or threats in the lower 48. Granted, your range may be limited to under 100 yards, but recoil is tame and follow-up shots are faster.
I loaded up some heavier 45colt stuff for the Ruger, today, as well. 200gr lswc's at 1175fps, and 250gr jhp's at 1150fps. Not max loads by any means, but heavier than I would ever try in my S&W's. I'll take the 45acp 255grainer's at 950 over any of the loads. These were shot out of a 22-4 with the 4" tapered barrel. I would think that in a 625 with a full-underlug 5" barrel they would be even more tame.
By the way, out of all the loads mentioned, the 200 grainers at 1175fps had the lightest recoil and grouped the tightest. Seems odd since they were shot out of the Ruger Vaquero with pretty crude fixed sights.
Dale53
Member
When you ask which caliber, .44 Special,.45Colt, or .41 Magnum you might as well ask which is best blonde, brunette, or redhead.
Any of the three in the right platform will do the job in spades.
I don't have a .41 magnum but do have some experience with the .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. I have several fine examples in each and have shot them extensively. Any one of the three will handily and humanely take a large whitetail deer, black bear, and hog. The game will NOT know the difference. This all presupposes the correct load. I cast my own bullets and reload and can and do tailor each load to the task at hand.
The S&W Model 624 is an extremely handy revolver in a great caliber (.44 Special).
The S&W Model 629 has set the standard for .44 magnums for years.
The S&W Mountain gun or the heavier Model 25 and 625 that has been chambered in .45 Colt are excellent revolvers in their own right.
One other consideration is the 625-6 Model of 1989 or a 625-8 JM Special (both in .45 ACP) are another perfectly practical consideration. This revolver can handle soft target loads (200 gr SWC at 750 fps) to heavy field loads (250 gr Keith at 900 fps) with excellent results. A 250 Keith at 900 fps is a much more effective load than the original .45 Colt (due simply to it's better bullet design). Of course, in the right platform, the .45 Colt can eclipse the heavy loaded .45 ACP but the question is, how much do you need? I have shot clear through a deer end for end at 75 yards (large whitetail buck) with a .44 Special load.
Get whichever spins your propeller. Any should satisfy most anyone who doesn't let personal bias interfere with his judgment.
Dale53
Any of the three in the right platform will do the job in spades.
I don't have a .41 magnum but do have some experience with the .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. I have several fine examples in each and have shot them extensively. Any one of the three will handily and humanely take a large whitetail deer, black bear, and hog. The game will NOT know the difference. This all presupposes the correct load. I cast my own bullets and reload and can and do tailor each load to the task at hand.
The S&W Model 624 is an extremely handy revolver in a great caliber (.44 Special).
The S&W Model 629 has set the standard for .44 magnums for years.
The S&W Mountain gun or the heavier Model 25 and 625 that has been chambered in .45 Colt are excellent revolvers in their own right.
One other consideration is the 625-6 Model of 1989 or a 625-8 JM Special (both in .45 ACP) are another perfectly practical consideration. This revolver can handle soft target loads (200 gr SWC at 750 fps) to heavy field loads (250 gr Keith at 900 fps) with excellent results. A 250 Keith at 900 fps is a much more effective load than the original .45 Colt (due simply to it's better bullet design). Of course, in the right platform, the .45 Colt can eclipse the heavy loaded .45 ACP but the question is, how much do you need? I have shot clear through a deer end for end at 75 yards (large whitetail buck) with a .44 Special load.
Get whichever spins your propeller. Any should satisfy most anyone who doesn't let personal bias interfere with his judgment.
Dale53
Model 15-4ever
Member
I have both calibres, plus .44 special and magnums. As has been stated, pick a gun you like, at the right price. If it is in one of those calibres, you're fine.
m657
Member
It's amazing how close the Power Factor on any hunk of lead in the 230-250 grain range moving downrange around 900-1000 fps is, independent of the caliber involved. It's one of the blond/brunette/redhead choices IMHO.
After being a revolver guy for over 30 years, I finally stumbled across my first 41 mag about 3 years ago.
Don't know how/why I had missed out on it.
41 Mag is a real treat in any load I've shot.
They all are a pleasure and have great benefits especially if you load your own.
The 41 mag is far more pleasant to me to use than 357 mag.
"so many guns.....so little time"............
After being a revolver guy for over 30 years, I finally stumbled across my first 41 mag about 3 years ago.
Don't know how/why I had missed out on it.
41 Mag is a real treat in any load I've shot.
They all are a pleasure and have great benefits especially if you load your own.
The 41 mag is far more pleasant to me to use than 357 mag.
"so many guns.....so little time"............
Beaver
Member
I have faced this dilema several times in my adult (?) life, and I've always come to the decision that you have to buy one of each. Works everytime. I have a nice custom 45 LC on a 29 frame, two 624's, and am always looking for a 41 Mag. Just missed one last year at my favorite gunshop, only problem was no money. I think any good reloader can do justice with all of these cal's. Buy one of each.
