Which is easier to reload 44spl or 45acp?

[LostintheOzone]

I'm new to reloading either of these so would like some input. I have a 44spl L frame coming and plan to reload for it. But I'm also interested in buying an N frame down the road and not sure if I want another 44 or a 45. Does the 45 with the shorter tapered case make it a bit harder to reload? I've read that with the auto case it takes a different crimp. Also there seems to be a wider selection of loads and bullets for the 44. Looking at this from strickly a handloaders perspective which would you prefer to reload and why?

Thanks

Jim

 

[Culina]

I think the 45 ACP is easier to load for since finding brass is a heck of a lot easier and cheaper. The 44mag/spl dies will have a roll crimp on the seating die and the 45ACP dies come with a taper crimp.

Other than that, they are both nice big cases that are easy to get a hold of. The only think I find difficult to load is anything 9mm and smaller.

 

[joes4570]

From a strictly mechanical point of view I think they're about equal as far as reloading, particularly if you are using good equipment like a Dillon.
An autoloader can be more sensitive to overall length for proper functioning but you either set the length right or you don't. By the same token if you don't get the crimp right on a revolver cartridge the bullet can jump forward under recoil so each has their tricks.
From a load development point of view it could be that the .45 is a bit simpler or maybe I just think that because I've loaded so much of it. Its not a fussy cartridge at all in terms of what powders work well.
One other difference is that on the .45 you are usually trying to set up loads that will function an autoloader so there is not a lot of experimenting around to do in terms of trying to get power out of them. Myself I mainly load a 200 grain SWC, the old Hensley and Gibbs #68 design, with Winchester 231 to about 875 fps and call it good. It seems to shoot well in any .45 acp, including revolvers.
With the .44 special my observation is that some revolvers seem a bit more sensitive to bullet weights. For example my 696 and Ruger Blackhawk seem to do better with different bullets. It could also be because I haven't loaded huge amounts of the stuff though as I mentioned earlier.
In the long run of things I don't think either one is any great challenge to load and I wouldn't make my gun purchasing decision on that.
I will say that over the years, as badly as I've wanted them too I've never gotten the kind of accuracy out of .45 acp revolvers that I have been able to get out of revolvers chambered for rimmed revolver cartridges and I've tried a few times. I know some will disagree and it may depend on your definition of accuracy. I don't think its entirely me either because I remember having a conversation about it with Jim Clark a number of years ago and he was of the same opinion. Jim knew a few things about building accurate pistols so I think his opinion is of some value.
Best of luck on it which ever way you go, its all good.

 

[Shooter6br]

A revolver is amost always more "forgiving " with ammo alittle out of 'spec.'

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the .44 Special is physically easier to reload for because the brass is longer and easier to hold than .45 Auto brass. Also like said above, revolver ammo is more forgiving than semi-auto ammo unless you use also that ammo in a revolver. Then it doesn't matter because reloading is reloading. If you practice good reloading habits it's all easy. (unless you have big fingers and you're reloading .25 Auto ammo LOL)

 

[Shamrock]

Seeing that you have a 44spl L frame coming and plan on reloading for it, I would go with the N frame 44spl as well. It is more economical to reload in one caliber. You will have fewer components to purchase and store, and less chance for any sort of a mix-up. Not that it would be all that complicated to reload both calibers. How ever you can never discount the advantage of simplification. Either way be safe and good luck. -- Shamrock--

 

[Beans]

The reloading of the 44 special will allow you a much wider range of power then the loading of a .45 ACP that you load for a Semi Auto.

If you are going to use both rounds in a revolver then I consider them equal is ease of reloading and selection of componets.

 

[Lenny_D]

The 44 Special is a time honored cartridge. The 45 ACP is a time honored cartridge. I don't see any difference in difficulty in loading either cartridge after you get the load you want worked up. As said earlier the 44 Special cases are more expensive than the 45 ACP cases because the ACP is more availible as once fired. Don't forget that if you want an N frame gun you could go with a 44 mag because you can shoot the 44 special out of it so it gives you many more guns to look at. As you probably know already there is no such thing as having too many guns. There is ample photographic proof of that on this forum.

 

[setxn]

I lean toward 44SPL just for the ease of brass retrieval.

 

[Rule3]

As mentioned, a revolver load is a tad easier than a semi auto. Not much,as neither is really hard.

With the revolver (44) it fits the cylinder or it doesn't. With semi auto there could be feeding issues, headspace in the barrel magazine fit, does it cycle the gun etc?

44 Spl/Mag is about a easy as you can get, Plus factory ammo is Soooo expensive!

 

[venomballistics]

44 special ...
in 45 auto, or any of your autos for that matter, the seat and crimp step is touchy, often needing to be separated into seat and crimp steps.
Ive yet to see a revolver demand such measures.

 

[OFT II]

The OP mentioned that he may get another N frame in either 44 or 45. He didn't say anything about autos. I don't find much difference in loading 44s or 45s for a revolver. Other than the difference in cost for casings they seem to be about the same.

 

[TAROMAN]

Two of my favorite rounds. Both easy to load. or the 44, I use a 3-die setup, as opposed to a 4-die taper crimp setup for the 45 (automatic).
All things being equal, the 44 would be a bit "easier" (if that's the right word) as there's one less pull of the handle on them.
I also load 45ACP for my 625. These get roll crimped with a 3-die setup.

 

[Fishslayer]

If I was going to add either caliber to my setup it would be .44 Special, no question.

.45ACP is available everywhere & (relatively) cheap.

.44 Special not so much. Plus you have a lot more potential relaoding the revolver round.

 

[venomballistics]

The OP mentioned that he may get another N frame in either 44 or 45. He didn't say anything about autos. I don't find much difference in loading 44s or 45s for a revolver. Other than the difference in cost for casings they seem to be about the same.

and the OP may find himself back at his LGS drooling over 1911 or other 45 auto in the future ... yeah the N frame would level out the choice for now ... but come time to feed an auto the nuance comes into play.

he already has a 44 spec so its really more of a question of adding 45 to the arsenal or not. I can make equal arguments for either the 29/629 or the 25/625. I'd leave the final decision up to a coin toss.

 

[KarmannGhia]

Apart from getting the brass in the first place (45 brass is more common). I find the 44 easier for me to load. What's not to love about a big, fat revolver cartridge. (but then, I load more 38 special that all my other calibers combined).

 

[buck460XVR]

Both cartridges are fairly easy to reload. If I was looking to buy another revolver, I personally would buy another .44 as it is easier and more economical in the long run to load for one caliber than 2.



......................and then a .44 carbine.

 

[rfd]

i load for both .45acp and .38spl and they're both easy to load, no issues at all for either. just pick a caliber you like and tool up for it.

 

[noylj]

Without even reading the responses, just the questions, there is no cartridge as easy to reload as the .45ACP, nor any other cartridge as forgiving, or able to quickly show the benefits of handloading.
Just to start with, the cartridge is very short and squatty, so it takes a real effort for the handloader NOT to look into each case to verify the powder charge height.
The first cartridge any one should reload is the .45.
The .44 Special is an old black powder cartridge with a much larger capacity than can be used by smokeless powders, so it is much longer than it needs to be and is harder to inspect the powder charge.
Neither is difficult, but the .45 is definitely user-friendly.

 

[rdhem2]

.44 Spl vs. .45 ACP Equal Fun

I shoot 'em both. I love 'em both. Probably the .45 a little more because it also comes in the 1911 platform, and others, we all love so damn much besides the revolvers. Sometimes there are just too many choices in this world of ours.

Back to the real question. Having to make a decision I would choose the .45 over the .44 for the simple reasons economy and variety. The .45 brass alone is far more is far more available and less costly. From the variety side of the question, even though both calibers have been around for roughly the same amount of time, the .45 ACP has proven vastly more popular making bullet choice much wider for example including reloading data.