d2
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 8
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Post by d2 on Apr 3, 2019 21:04:35 GMT -5
Hello all Is there any real difference between the two rounds on large game? Talking about elk, bison sized animals. Would think one would have to step up to a 480 Ruger to see any real difference. Have done quite a bit of this stuff with rifles only. Looking for a backup handgun that can turn into a primary if I’m able to get close enough. Thanks
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Post by leftysixgun on Apr 3, 2019 21:59:29 GMT -5
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Post by leftysixgun on Apr 3, 2019 22:00:11 GMT -5
Oh yeah, welcome to the forum D2
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d2
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 8
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Post by d2 on Apr 3, 2019 22:45:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome. Yep, 360 grain bullets should do the trick
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Post by bcelliott on Apr 3, 2019 22:50:01 GMT -5
Welcome, D2. It's worth noting that the diameter difference between the .44 mag and .45 Colt: (0.452 - 0.429) = 0.023" is exactly the same diameter difference between the .480 Ruger and .45 Colt: (0.475 - 0.452) = 0.023".
Personally, I've chosen the .45 Colt as my all-around handgun cartridge, and step down to the .41 Mag if the .45 is not needed, and up to the .500 JRH if I really need a hammer.
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Apr 4, 2019 2:49:46 GMT -5
Not sure how demonstrable the difference between the 2 carts is. The 45 is wider and if using heavy bullets in both. Generally a bit heavier bullet can be fired in the 45. But push come to shove, the largest decicing factor will be which gun you shoot better. Only good hits count. I assume you are thinking you will be shooting bullets of 300 gr or heavier in these. I don't have a 44 mag at the moment and am not on a hurry to get one. I shoot the 45 Colt and 480 Ruger. I've had quite a few 44 mags . Like the round. But I like the 45 better. And the 480 is a round I really like as well.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,092
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Post by edk on Apr 4, 2019 6:04:23 GMT -5
Note bcelliott's post...
And there are those that make comments in one thread to the effect of: "I see no practical difference between the two (44/45)" and then on another thread: "when I really want to hammer something I reach for the 480!". All of this with handgun bullets of similar construction, sectional density and traveling at similar velocities.
Clearly within the context of handgun hunting with a revolver, the steps between .357 and .500 (357mag, 41mag, 44mag, 45Colt+P 480Ruger, 500JRH/Linebaugh) are fairly fine when considering the "standard" magnum cartridges (i.e. not outliers like SAAMI pressure 44 special or 500 S&W magnum). Relative differences in effectiveness between any two adjacent cartridges on the list are probably not even observable under field conditions.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Apr 4, 2019 6:17:29 GMT -5
sound advice so far... I find it interesting that people think that 44 & 45 are so close... but that difference becomes more obvious when you look at the actual diameter differences, and that the 44 is actually a .429... personally I like wide flat nose bullets... so if you had a 44 WFN, verses a 45 round nose, I'd choose the 44... another thing on big game animals is sectional density... it's easier to find better sectional densities in "commonly available" bullets or ammo, in 44... but if you can find something matching, in 45... it's "more gooder"... I just started loading for a 500 JRH, & had it, & my 480 Ruger Super Blackhawk out the same day... there is quite a difference between those two... in fact after shooting 40 rounds of 500 JRH, the medium loads of 480 Ruger felt like cowboy loads of 45 Colt
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Post by whitworth on Apr 4, 2019 6:42:25 GMT -5
Note bcelliott's post... And there are those that make comments in one thread to the effect of: "I see no practical difference between the two (44/45)" and then on another thread: "when I really want to hammer something I reach for the 480!". All of this with handgun bullets of similar construction, sectional density and traveling at similar velocities. Clearly within the context of handgun hunting with a revolver, the steps between .357 and .500 (357mag, 41mag, 44mag, 45Colt+P 480Ruger, 500JRH/Linebaugh) are fairly fine when considering the "standard" magnum cartridges (i.e. not outliers like SAAMI pressure 44 special or 500 S&W magnum). Relative differences in effectiveness between any two adjacent cartridges on the list are probably not even observable under field conditions. I have found that there are some differences. In the case of some of the adjacent cartridges the differences are minimal as you pointed out. But it also depends on what you are hunting. Whitetail aren’t hard to kill with pretty much anything. When game gets big, bigger is noticeably better. I’m oversimplifying, but just don’t have the time to get too deep into this right now. On the topic of .44 Mag vs. .45 Colt +P, I conducted a test a couple of years ago and had the .45 Colt loaded with a 335 grain bullet to 36,000 psi (the SAAMI maximum for the .44 Mag). With a similarly weighted bullet out of the .44 Mag, the .45 Colt put a good 200 fps increase over the .44. The problem with comparing the .44 Mag and the .45 Colt is that they are never really put on the same footing in that max pressure .44s are usually compared to the .45 at Ruger-only levels which brings the .45 Colt into the 30-32,000 psi range -- not a real apples to apples comparison. That was the reason for my test. If your bullet can take it, velocity is your friend.
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Post by bushog on Apr 4, 2019 8:36:52 GMT -5
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Post by lazytcross on Apr 4, 2019 8:58:54 GMT -5
I am really wanting to comment here about how the 45 is better. But the only two buffalo I have shot have been with a 44. We need 450ak to comment here. He has been around more buffalo shooting than anyone I know save one guy.
Well constructed, heavy for caliber, meat cutting meplat and shoulders. And not to fast for your alloy,(broad statement). Heads up for the onside shoulder. It’s not very likely that any handgun caliber will drop any Buff with a shot behind the shoulder. The hammer will more than likely need to be cocked again!
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Post by whitworth on Apr 4, 2019 9:30:41 GMT -5
I am really wanting to comment here about how the 45 is better. But the only two buffalo I have shot have been with a 44. We need 450ak to comment here. He has been around more buffalo shooting than anyone I know save one guy. Well constructed, heavy for caliber, meat cutting meplat and shoulders. And not to fast for your alloy,(broad statement). Heads up for the onside shoulder. It’s not very likely that any handgun caliber will drop any Buff with a shot behind the shoulder. The hammer will more than likely need to be cocked again! I have found that bison aren't all that hard to kill and constructed rather narrowly compared to other bovine species I have killed and seen killed. I have seen them dropped with one shot, but that is usually not the case with water buffalo (or Cape buffalo for that matter). Only drawing the distinction because I think the requirements are different. That's why the annual Bovine Bash is so valuable in exploring the limits of bullets and calibers.
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d2
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 8
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Post by d2 on Apr 4, 2019 10:18:21 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. Think I’ll go 45 Colt. Decisions,decisions ...
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Post by bcelliott on Apr 4, 2019 10:43:20 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. Think I’ll go 45 Colt. Decisions,decisions ... Good choice, but now come the biggest decisions... Single action vs double action? Redhawk vs Super Redhawk vs Blackhawk vs BFR vs FA vs custom? Plow handle vs Bisley grip frame? You say you might need it as backup. If you might have to pull it fast and defend yourself quickly from a predator, the Redhawk wins from the choices above. If not, these days, the single action options are amazing!
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Post by whitworth on Apr 4, 2019 10:43:53 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. Think I’ll go 45 Colt. Decisions,decisions ... The .480 is also a fantastic option. I’ve killed some really big game with the .480 and it’s no slouch. It also won’t beat the shooter up too much.
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