45 Colt vs 357/38

W

Walsh

New member
Location
Petawawa Ontario
I am new to the website but not new to guns. I do have a few questions regarding 357/38 vs 45 Colt. I know muzzle energy is larger with 357 but 45 is a larger projectile and in theory should cause more tissue damage with regards to hunting. Though, I don’t know if you are able to hunt with “pistol calibre” rounds. Nor would it be ethical to do so. I’ve seen videos of people deer hunting with 45 LC south of the border but they live in the land of freedom. I digress.

Which is an easier round to obtain? Which round is generally preferred and why?

Thanks,
Walsh
 
Its a crap shoot these days regarding supply. I have a .357 Rossi lever rifle, and with my stiff handloads of H110 and a 158gr XTP, I have no problems shutting the lights out on a problem camp bear or similarly weighted animal like deer and such within 75-100 yards ish. 45 Colt, if chambered in the right strong rifle, is plenty capable of taking small-madium game. It can be handloaded to near 44mag levels if the rifles action is strong enough. (Many aren't)
My 357 shoots 158 gr bullets up to 1800f/s and 125gr at 2000+. Thats enough for close up game if the bullet is proper. Lots of factory ammo is mild because they have to assume their ammo is going to be used in a weak gun somewhere and blow it up. (Especially 45 colt as there are tons of handguns and toggle action old guns that cant take high pressure rounds. They were designed in black powder days.
357mag has always been "magnum" and most all guns are designed with a higher pressure range in mind.
Also keep in mind, a rifle with a longer barrel can generate significantly higher velocities than a revolver with the same ammo. I chronographed my handloads through a Ruger GP100 and my Rossi. The same load produced 420 f/s more in the rifle. (From my memory) So that changes it from a self defense round to viable close range hunting round. But practice is king.
 
Thank you most kindly for taking the time to share that with me. It’s very much appreciated.

Im looking at getting a mares leg chambered in either as a secondary while out upland hunting. More than once I have had a run in with a bear and once with a wolf. 2 3/4” 7.5 shot won’t do much but anger it, so I am looking for a more “permanent” problem solver. Without having to tote a full size rifle as well as the shotgun of course. I’ll do some research into how Henry’s respond to higher powder hand loads.

Cheers,
 
357 magnum can easily take deer within 100y.

45 colt will kill deer no problem, but I'd stay within 50 or 75 yards and look for chest cavity shot placement.

I don't believe there are any restrictions to hunting deer with either round in most of Canada.
 
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