I would prefer the .454 to the .44. More versatile in my opinion. YOu can load it up or down -- down to .44 levels (even though that's not fair as the .454 still has the distinct advantage of diameter), or up to levels the .44 cannot attain. I like .45s more than .429s, but that's just me -- and I do own both.

Neither, get a 480. They are on sale right now at CDNN for $479. If you roll your own it isn't that costly.

Second choice is partially on your list, the 45LC. I don't know how well it shoots in the 454 cylinder, but it has plenty of power, and size, to kill big critters.

On the same token you don't have to push the .454 hard to get the job done either, and all things being "equal," the .454 is simply starting out with more even at subdued velocities. I am not a fan of hyper-loaded .454s, for me -- for that much recoil you can have a .475.

The 44 is a very good choice.

Like TC Man stated buy all three!!!! Hee Hee Hee (that's an evil laugh)

Jimbo,

The 44 will do everything most everybody wants to do in the CONUS (lower 48). It does it efficiently, and at a reasonable cost, with ammo just about everywhere. Sometimes "bigger" is not always better! Loads from mild to ferocious are commonly available. Just my 2 cents.

Doc

SRH in .44. Stoke it with 320 gr boolits for hunting and 240 gr XTP's for targets, both super accurate.
The .454 can be a reloading nightmare and .45 brass is not accurate in the .454 chamber. No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief.
I have funny thoughts that cause friction. One is there is not much worth a thing for hunting between the .22 and .44. The other is the same feelings between the .44 and .475.
If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all.

If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all.

IMO, comments like this should be banned from the site. A guy's wife my read that, for cryin' out loud!

Oh, and the question is not, "Which one should I get?" rather it's "Which one should I get FIRST."

Get the smallest first, then you can say "Well, honey, as my skills have grown I need and can use more range and power."

These things require forethought, planning, and TEAMWORK. Let's all try to remember that we want to promote handgun hunting and craft our posts accordingly.

Rick

What nightmares are you refering to?
Just curious, as before I bought mine, my research found little if any negatives. And the one I have, don't seem fickle at all. It has acceptable accuracy with all the loads I have fed it. From 255's to double round balls to to 400 grs. from light to heavy charges.
I agree that the .45 Colt's short case don't shoot the best, but then there is no need to when you reload. Shoot the Casull case and load it down if you want Colt performance if thats want you need at that time.
I also agree the .44 mag will do as well on deer, and the 320 gr. will do fine on most bigger critters. For me though, I prefer the extra sectional density and displacement of the .45's 395 or 400 gr. on larger critters, specially if they are the ones that might bite.

Dave

...No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. ...

Biggest problem we found with the .454 is the SR primer.
Next is a lot of factory loads will pull bullets and lock the gun. This drives us nuts because no other caliber will do that with the same factory loads.
My hand loads do not pull but it can get dangerous working loads with 296 and H110 because of failed ignition so you need to load full bore loads all the time. Going to a faster powder from 2400 down, just gives you a .45 Colt.
Going to cut down .460 brass with a LP mag primer solved all the load problems. It also increased accuracy 100%.
I hate .454 brass by itself, not the caliber. I hate factory loads other then Freedom loads. Never tried Hornady so I can't comment.
If you don't know what you are doing when loading, it IS a problem.