I'm looking at purchasing a lever action...old west style preferably...mostly for range fun but possible hunting as well...opinions on pistol calibre, specifically 44 Mag vs 45 Colt...side note; looking at a Six shooter as well and would like matching for ease...tks in advance!
Calibre opinions
- Thread starter Samuraikev
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
From a performance point of view the .45 Colt might have an edge, but it's small rim might make it less reliable in a lever action since there is so little for the extractor to grab. I'd choose the .44.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
45 Colt is only for handloaders if you ever want to hunt with it. You can load some very hot loads for it but at the end of the day the 44 is way more available.
I would go 44 mag, simply due to availability of hunting ammo and as another poster stated,the slightly larger rim. I have 2 model 92's in 44. I will hopefully be adding one in 45 before too long, but it will be only for play (unfortunately, that's all the 44's have been to date).
45 LC is capable of taking deer at close range, but yeah, the 44 is much better for hunting.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
I was loading the Colt with 340grGC to close to 1600fps. Plenty for deer, moose and bear within 75yrds but that's not a load you will find in stores.
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hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
45 colt for me. Can hand load it pretty warm in a gun made to handle modern pressures.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
I like the .44...Russian, Special, Magnum, (444)Marlin.
If you run a 44 Mag you can plink with 44Special.
If you run a 44 Mag you can plink with 44Special.
saltednutz
Regular
- Location
- God's Country ᐋᕘᑕ
zzz
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fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
The concern over rim width hasn't been much of a concern since the old foil or "soft brass" became a thing of the past. Modern brass is harder and has a sharper edge that is easier for an extractor to grab...been around a few hundred modern .45 LC rifles and cant remember even one having extraction problems.
Of more concern to me would be the "make & model" choice of the OP if he doesn't know the limitations to the "toggle action" guns that a .45 LC is sometimes chambered in. If he isn't already ,he should be made aware that the 'toggle actions" are a somewhat less "robust" design and what most (see the above post's) would consider "hunting round pressure loads" may do considerable damage. A levergun .45 LC that is to be used for hunting should be a Marlin or 92/94 Winchester frame I think.
Of more concern to me would be the "make & model" choice of the OP if he doesn't know the limitations to the "toggle action" guns that a .45 LC is sometimes chambered in. If he isn't already ,he should be made aware that the 'toggle actions" are a somewhat less "robust" design and what most (see the above post's) would consider "hunting round pressure loads" may do considerable damage. A levergun .45 LC that is to be used for hunting should be a Marlin or 92/94 Winchester frame I think.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I must be your polar opposite...I tend toward the 45s...455 Webley, 45 Colt, 45-70.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Then I'm the adopted red-haired step child... I tend towards 32 S&W Long, 32-20, 32 ACP, 30 Carbine, 30 Luger, and 7.5mm Swiss, Swedish and Nagant pistol calibres.
saltednutz
Regular
- Location
- God's Country ᐋᕘᑕ
zzz
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