CrazySanMan
2013'er
I'd like to more or less standardize on one caliber for most of my shooting - from plinking to self defense to small game to deer. I'm trying to decide between 44 mag and 45 Colt. I think 357 mag is an outlier but still in consideration. Which caliber can be loaded with the most versatility?
I have shot all three calibers before. I currently own nothing in 44 mag and I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 Casull that also shoots 45 Colt. I have a 3" SP101 in 357 mag. Whichever I choose, I'll purchase several revolvers and lever guns for and I'll hand load most, if not all, of the rounds I shoot.
I'm leaning towards 45LC but I feel like if I do I'm limited to newer Ruger revolvers and I'm not sure how a lever gun, like a Henry, would do with hot 45LC loads.
From what I understand the 44 mag has a flatter trajectory than 45 Colt which makes it better for hunting. The 44 mag also has the advantage that if I wanted to or had to I could get a short barrel for CCW, though the 357 would be the obvious choice there.
Can 44mag be loaded tame enough for small game like rabbits and grouse? Can 357 be pushed high enough to be a good deer caliber? If you could only have 357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC and planned to hand load everything, which would you choose?
I have shot all three calibers before. I currently own nothing in 44 mag and I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 Casull that also shoots 45 Colt. I have a 3" SP101 in 357 mag. Whichever I choose, I'll purchase several revolvers and lever guns for and I'll hand load most, if not all, of the rounds I shoot.
I'm leaning towards 45LC but I feel like if I do I'm limited to newer Ruger revolvers and I'm not sure how a lever gun, like a Henry, would do with hot 45LC loads.
From what I understand the 44 mag has a flatter trajectory than 45 Colt which makes it better for hunting. The 44 mag also has the advantage that if I wanted to or had to I could get a short barrel for CCW, though the 357 would be the obvious choice there.
Can 44mag be loaded tame enough for small game like rabbits and grouse? Can 357 be pushed high enough to be a good deer caliber? If you could only have 357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC and planned to hand load everything, which would you choose?