Handgun Hunter Magazine - Forums: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC

You are not logged in. [Log In] Handgun Hunter Magazine » Forums » Discussions » Shooters Bench » 44 Mag vs. 45 LC

Page 1 of 4

Topic Options

Rate This Topic

#101199 - 01/23/12 10:54 PM

44 Mag vs. 45 LC

Al in OK
enthusiast

Registered: 06/03/10
Posts: 287
Loc: Oklahoma

Offline

I know this has probably been a past topic and I hear it argued amongst the brethren handgun enthusiast that I know, But here goes...
Can the 45LC be handloaded to out perform a .44 Mag? I have shot A LOT of 44, but not so many 45LC. Whuddayathunk?

_________________________
Gun Control - A theory; A belief that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them they cannot own a gun.

Top

#101200 - 01/23/12 10:59 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: Al in OK]

Whitworth
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 4430
Loc: Virginia

Offline

It can handily outperform the .429 Magnum at significantly lower pressure levels.

_________________________

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

Top

#101201 - 01/23/12 11:08 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: Whitworth]

s4s4u
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 4378
Loc: Northern MN

Offline

The 45 has 7.7% more case volume, do the math ;-)

I look at it like getting an extra 10-20 grains of bullet weight, relatively.

_________________________
Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.

Top

#101202 - 01/23/12 11:12 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: s4s4u]

Al in OK
enthusiast

Registered: 06/03/10
Posts: 287
Loc: Oklahoma

Offline

Just found the same topic elsewhere. Like the Linebaugh link.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

Never thought much about it until recent, but it makes sense. I'm not really a recoil junkie, so it might be worth trying out.

Top

#101235 - 01/24/12 10:29 AM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: Al in OK]

430RUPE
journeyman

Registered: 12/21/11
Posts: 58

Offline

Now come on, Clint said theat the .44mag is the most powerful handgun in the world and we know Clint would never lie to use, Right? LOL

Top

#101236 - 01/24/12 10:39 AM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: 430RUPE]

Whitworth
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 4430
Loc: Virginia

Offline

Ah, but Clint's commentary predates the rebirth of the .45 Colt to superstar status! LOL!

_________________________

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

Top

#101283 - 01/24/12 03:31 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: Whitworth]

minnesotahunter
addict

Registered: 04/24/09
Posts: 541

Offline

I am a 45lc fan, and have actually switched from a 44mag sbh, to a 45lc sbhh. And I agree that the 45lc +p type rounds do out perform standard 44mag rounds. For example BB has some 45lc +p loads that will get near 1300ft lbs of energy, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this has got to be about max in any standard factory Ruger. In fact these loads can't be shot out of any gun that isn't built at least as strong as a Ruger Large frame revolver.

But....the 44mag +P ammo, that can be shot out of a standard factory large frame Ruger is approaching 1700ft lbs of energy.

So, would it be correct to say that the +p 45lc loads can exeed standard 44mag loads, but are still below the 44mag +p loads?? Or, can a unconverted Ruger 45lc safely push a 340grn slug along at 1500fps?

Don't get mad at me...I'm a 45lc guy myself, but I always wondered about this.

Thanks
MN

Top

#101286 - 01/24/12 03:38 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: minnesotahunter]

Whitworth
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 4430
Loc: Virginia

Offline

The 335 grain .45 loads I chronographed a couple of weeks ago were averaging 1,365 fps -- in the same ball park as the heavy .44 Mag loads we tested, but the .45 Colt loads are running 20% less pressure -- 30,000 psi versus 36,000 psi. Well within the safety range of a 6-shot Ruger in .45 Colt. Forget muzzle energy. Even 1,700 ft-lbs significantly exceeds the calculated levels of my .500 Linebaugh loads, but I'll let you guess which one is more effective on game!

_________________________

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

Top

#101292 - 01/24/12 03:56 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: Whitworth]

minnesotahunter
addict

Registered: 04/24/09
Posts: 541

Offline

Well said. That pretty much sums up why I switched. I believe the 45lc can out perform the 44mag on game, and won't beat you up as bad.

I just meant numbers only....well you get it.

MN

Top

#101298 - 01/24/12 04:14 PM

Re: 44 Mag vs. 45 LC [Re: minnesotahunter]

Whitworth
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 4430
Loc: Virginia

Offline

Originally Posted By: minnesotahunter

Well said. That pretty much sums up why I switched. I believe the 45lc can out perform the 44mag on game, and won't beat you up as bad.

I just meant numbers only....well you get it.

MN

The .45 Colt just flat-out works!

_________________________

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

Top

Page 1 of 4