Ok, do I need 44 mag & 45 Colt?

[dieselrealtor]

I know, I know, both. But really other than the cool cowboy factor of the 45 Colt, is there anything it does better than the 44 mag?

I have a Ruger Blackhawk convertible that has been NIB for several years as well as a Judge I have fired on occasion, nothing else in 45 LC. I thought I wanted a lever in 45 Colt but now I am not so sure.

I have a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag, would like to get a revolver or 3 to go along with it.


What say ye INGO?

 

[Mgderf]

I would never try to talk someone out of a .44mag lever gun.
On the other hand...
I have a Rossi M92 chambered for
454 Casull that I run incredibly hot .45Colts through.
I've got 300gr hollow points leaving the muzzle at near .44mag speeds.
Those hit like a freight train.
Edit to add, do not run really hot .45Colts through that Judge.
I would avoid the Buffalo Bore class rounds.
Save those for the Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[dieselrealtor]

I kind of forget about the 454, that could be a game changer if I could find one reasonable.

 

[bwframe]

I'm sure you already know what your neighbor has for sale? Prolly the reason you started this thread???

WTS: - Henry Big Boy Model X - 45 Colt

SPF Henry Big Boy Model X in 45 Colt. Bought a few months ago, shot around 50 rounds through the rifle. Comes with rail adapter. I shoot my other Henry 45 Colts much more, so I'm selling this to finance an 1860. This is a great suppressed rifle. If you want to buy it with a Ti-Rant 45...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[dieselrealtor]

I'm sure you already know what your neighbor has for sale? Prolly the reason you started this thread???

WTS: - Henry Big Boy Model X - 45 Colt

SPF Henry Big Boy Model X in 45 Colt. Bought a few months ago, shot around 50 rounds through the rifle. Comes with rail adapter. I shoot my other Henry 45 Colts much more, so I'm selling this to finance an 1860. This is a great suppressed rifle. If you want to buy it with a Ti-Rant 45...

www.indianagunowners.com

LOL, I saw that (it is nice) but not what I was looking for. I had wanted a Marlin, to go along with my 1894's in .357 & .44 mag.

I have been giving more thought to the overlap on the 44 mag vs 45 Colt. Thinking of eliminating the 45 Colt from my lineup to free up funds for others.

 

[Mgderf]

I kind of forget about the 454, that could be a game changer if I could find one reasonable.

Yeah, that whole "reasonable" part may be a bit of an issue in today's market.
No, mine's not for sale.

 

[dieselrealtor]

I haven't seen a 454 for sale in some time, last time I did it was priced well above what was willing to pay.

I believe most of the modern 45 lever guns will handle the high pressure "Ruger only loads" from some reading I have done. I think this puts it into the 44 mag category for energy.

 

[Squid556]

44 mag all the way!

The colt could make more sense for certain competitions. If you reload, the bullet selection and price is better for colt. Commercial ammo costs nearly the same for some reason. But Mag tends to be more available.

Other than that, I don't see any reasons why you'd want the colt over the mag.

 

[Expat]

If you reload then the 45 colt is a great round and yes you can run it about the same as the mag. Sometimes it is hard to find anything but cowboy loads in the stores.

 

[Magyars]

I bought a 45 Colt lever action almost 40 years ago....
The Colt round is easy to reload can fire bullets from lite to heavy and do it at 80% of the pressures of the mag.
I've dropped boar, deer, turkey and occasional small game with the round. I know a few songs that mention Colt 45, so there's that too!
But if I were to do it again, I'd go with the 44 mag.

 

[planedriver]

Since it sounds like you are interested in getting a set or marlin crank guns and matching cowboy revolvers. Maybe you should consider adding a marlin 45lc.

My thoughts would turn to your judge as the gun to liquidate providing some funds toward the marlin.
The judge doesn’t match your
Western themed collection.

The judge isn’t much of a 45 and a
poor excuse for a 410.

Your ruger convertible, when loaded with 45 acp would be the least expensive practice shooting of all your options.

If you have to spray shot everywhere. Buy shot loads and use them in any lever gun or revolver.

At that point you can begin matching lever to revolvers as they become available. In short, “one of each please.”

 

[KellyinAvon]

Does the question involve buying more guns? The answer is always YES!!

 

[kalashnikovfan]

I haven't seen a 454 for sale in some time, last time I did it was priced well above what was willing to pay.

I believe most of the modern 45 lever guns will handle the high pressure "Ruger only loads" from some reading I have done. I think this puts it into the 44 mag category for energy.

If you are looking into 454s I'd give a look at the BFR they run about a grand the bisley runs a little more. Ruger Blackhawk 454s are way overpriced in my opinion. I love my 45-70 and 460 BFR so I am a little biased.

 

[DadSmith]

I know, I know, both. But really other than the cool cowboy factor of the 45 Colt, is there anything it does better than the 44 mag?

I have a Ruger Blackhawk convertible that has been NIB for several years as well as a Judge I have fired on occasion, nothing else in 45 LC. I thought I wanted a lever in 45 Colt but now I am not so sure.

I have a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag, would like to get a revolver or 3 to go along with it.


What say ye INGO?

Yes both!
Now go forth and acquisition said firearms.

Edit: @dieselrealtor
That ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt can be loaded to 44mag velocity.

 

[dieselrealtor]

Would there be some advantages to suppressed 45C running heavy subsonics?

 

[Leo]

I only ever shot one .45 Colt, it was a Ruger single action. Having a couple of flavors of .44 mag, and they will also shoot .44 SPL, made it hard to keep both calibers. The fact that I can get a lever gun in .44 helped me go that way.

Nothing wrong with having both if you are wanting both.

The .454 Casull is a cannon.

 

[Amishman44]

I would never try to talk someone out of a .44mag lever gun.
On the other hand...
I have a Rossi M92 chambered for
454 Casull that I run incredibly hot .45Colts through.
I've got 300gr hollow points leaving the muzzle at near .44mag speeds.
Those hit like a freight train.
Edit to add, do not run really hot .45Colts through that Judge.
I would avoid the Buffalo Bore class rounds.
Save those for the Ruger Blackhawk.

A Rossi 92 in .454 Casull...I've looked at those, but the rumor is 'not worth the cost.'
Question - does it hold up and/or not break down, when firing .454 Casull loads, as so many have told me in the past?
I've been hesitant to 'pull-the-trigger' on getting one as a result of the amount of negative feedback that I've heard about them!

 

[Hoosier8]

I try not to get too many Ammo sizes but have some 44 mag lever guns and revolvers. What I like to do sometimes is shoot 44 Special out of them. More characteristic of old cartridges and not as brutal.

 

[Fixer]

If were looking for a lever cannon like a 454, there is always this. It's a bit pricey but would be fun.

Model 89 - 500 S&W - Big Horn Armory

Honoring the long tradition of great American sporting rifles, the new Model 89 .500 S&W Magnum provides hunters with pride in ownership, and a powerful advantage afield.

www.bighornarmory.com

 

[Mgderf]

If were looking for a lever cannon like a 454, there is always this. It's a bit pricey but would be fun.

Model 89 - 500 S&W - Big Horn Armory

Honoring the long tradition of great American sporting rifles, the new Model 89 .500 S&W Magnum provides hunters with pride in ownership, and a powerful advantage afield.

www.bighornarmory.com

View attachment 265600

Boy you weren't just whistling Dixie when you said pricey.