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New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? #101055 01/22/2012 11:24 PM
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tracker77 Offline OP
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So Im in a deal with my local gun shop and I can get a new big bore. I have loved the bisley grip since I lucked into a buddy with a FA 454 that needed money. I cant afford to replace that gun but I can lay hands on a new Ruger Bisley. Which one should I buy? I have a SBH stainless already that is a great gun but I have never liked the dragoon trigger guard or the way the plow handle grip forces me to reset my firing grip with every shot. I was looking for a bisley when I got this gun but settled on the SBH because of the deal I got. I can load either 44 or 45 colt. My intended uses are hogs, bears, dear and if I ever draw a tag from the state elk. So what would you guys get and why?


Do not take your greatness to the graveyard!!
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101056 01/22/2012 11:32 PM
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s4s4u Offline
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45 Just because?


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101057 01/22/2012 11:33 PM
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I am a fan of .45 Colt over .44 mag. See John Linebaugh's writings.

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm


Hank

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: RioHondoHank] #101060 01/22/2012 11:53 PM
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45 then later you can send it to Rod to become another 454.

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: rlb] #101061 01/23/2012 12:05 AM
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Whitworth Offline
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.45 Colt, of course!


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101062 01/23/2012 12:20 AM
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I'm a big 45 Colt fan.

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101064 01/23/2012 12:33 AM
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I have to ditto the 45


If it were supposed to be easy, they'd have sent my little sister to do it.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: wyote] #101066 01/23/2012 12:35 AM
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I researched this quite a bit and went with the 44 because of ammo availability...if you reload it is not an issue...

Good choice to have to make!


The God who gave us such a beautiful land, wonderful game, and the sport of hunting is worth knowing.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: wyote] #101067 01/23/2012 12:36 AM
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Another vote for the 45. It's bigger and you know what they say " Size matters".
;\)


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KRal] #101072 01/23/2012 12:46 AM
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44mag!!! no difference when it comes to which will kill what. the ruger bisley hunter model would give you a bisley grip, round trigger guard, and a great way to mount your scope.


Kentucky….no place like home.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KYODE] #101073 01/23/2012 1:28 AM
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 Originally Posted By: KYODE
44mag!!! no difference when it comes to which will kill what. the ruger bisley hunter model would give you a bisley grip, round trigger guard, and a great way to mount your scope.


You mean like this? Hard to find but also available in .45 Colt.
\:\/




Hank

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KYODE] #101074 01/23/2012 1:31 AM
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I have several of each and shoot them all equally well. If I were faced with any of the game you mentioned, I'd choose either one and feel just fine with it.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Dan B.] #101075 01/23/2012 1:57 AM
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Either caliber will do what you want done. Choose the one that appeals most to you.

44s have become quite commonplace while 45 Colts (heavy loaded) still provide some differentiation. More "snob appeal" with the 45, but the 44 still does a good job & IMHO with a wider selection of projectiles.


It's more important where you hit 'em, than what you hit 'em with.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: wtroper] #101081 01/23/2012 3:06 AM
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s4s4u Offline
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 Quote:
More "snob appeal" with the 45




Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: s4s4u] #101085 01/23/2012 4:21 AM
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.429 vs .451= .022 difference... As wtroper say`s above "Either caliber will get the job done", so I`ll repeat what was most often the answer to this question in the gun mags. "If you reload choose the 45, if not then choose the 44".... Personally, I would take the 45 Colt....


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"I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: s4s4u] #101086 01/23/2012 4:22 AM
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If you go with the .45, and later purchase another gun in .454, you can shoot the .45's in it also. Good for light practice, or hunting smaller critters. Just my .02 cents worth


You cant shoot a big one, if you shoot a little one first.......
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: jamesfromjersey] #101090 01/23/2012 4:40 AM
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s4s4u Offline
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 Quote:
.429 vs .451= .022 difference...


There is no replacement for displacement ;-)


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: jamesfromjersey] #101095 01/23/2012 6:57 AM
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 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
.429 vs .451= .022 difference.......


Also keep in mind that while the above is only about a 5% difference, what counts in performance is area rather than diameter, which calculates to about 10%.

This means that besides providing a larger wound channel that you can obtain the same velocity with less pressure and less recoil.


Hank

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KYODE] #101097 01/23/2012 11:37 AM
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500WE Offline
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The .44 Mag... 'cause I like it, and the chambers won't be oversized.

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: jamesfromjersey] #101098 01/23/2012 11:59 AM
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Whitworth Offline
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 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
.429 vs .451= .022 difference... As wtroper say`s above "Either caliber will get the job done", so I`ll repeat what was most often the answer to this question in the gun mags. "If you reload choose the 45, if not then choose the 44".... Personally, I would take the 45 Colt....


Yup, and almost the same difference between the various .45s and the .475 yet no one denies that the .475 is a bigger and more effective hammer. I'll take the .45 over the .429 Magnum, thank you very much!! LOL!


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101102 01/23/2012 12:47 PM
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45 Colt, because it is higher on the food chain than the 429 mag

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: jwp475] #101166 01/23/2012 11:33 PM
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Ok guys.....I love my 44 and have been a big fan of Mr. Keith's opinions for a long time. I have to say that EVERYTHING I have hit with a 250gr Keith @ 1100 fps has gone down no problem. That said I went to the Linebaugh link and read Mr. Linebaugh's write up on the 45 colt. I shot a whole summer of heavy 45s when I had the FA and I will say that everything I read on the link was true. I got less recoil and more controlability out of the 45 colt heavy loads at the same velocities as my 44 mag. Less BLAST too. Seeing as how I already have a 44 and can load for either .....I am going to order the 45 Colt. Thanks for all the input and the Linebaugh link. Ill let everyone know when the Bisley gets here and what I think of it. (Im gonna love it!!!)


Do not take your greatness to the graveyard!!
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101176 01/23/2012 11:53 PM
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.45, bigger wound channel.

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101188 01/24/2012 2:13 AM
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Whitworth Offline
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 Originally Posted By: tracker77
Ok guys.....I love my 44 and have been a big fan of Mr. Keith's opinions for a long time. I have to say that EVERYTHING I have hit with a 250gr Keith @ 1100 fps has gone down no problem. That said I went to the Linebaugh link and read Mr. Linebaugh's write up on the 45 colt. I shot a whole summer of heavy 45s when I had the FA and I will say that everything I read on the link was true. I got less recoil and more controlability out of the 45 colt heavy loads at the same velocities as my 44 mag. Less BLAST too. Seeing as how I already have a 44 and can load for either .....I am going to order the 45 Colt. Thanks for all the input and the Linebaugh link. Ill let everyone know when the Bisley gets here and what I think of it. (Im gonna love it!!!)


Great news!! Keep us posted!


Max Prasac

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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101191 01/24/2012 2:51 AM
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Glad you found the answer you were looking for. I too found that Linebaugh link very interesting and informative. Keep us posted.


If it were supposed to be easy, they'd have sent my little sister to do it.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: briarhopper] #101215 01/24/2012 7:43 AM
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There's somethin about a FortyFive.....

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Snyd] #101218 01/24/2012 11:46 AM
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Whitworth Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Snyd
There's somethin about a FortyFive.....


Yes indeed!


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101223 01/24/2012 12:57 PM
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If you have larger hands, you may need to rotate your grip (rotate in a horizontal plain) in order to keep your knuckle away from the back of the Ruger Bisley trigger guard on heavy loads. I find the FA grip frame ideal for my hand, and I thought that the Ruger Bisley was close enough to be a good fit. After getting my knuckles busted a few times with heavy 44Mag loads, I called John Linebaugh (since he made the gun for me recently) and he told me about the rotate trick. Anyway, it did work, but then my trigger finger was in somewhat of a poor position to allow me to squeeze straight back. However, when I shot lighter loads that didn't bust the knuckle, I maintained good finger geometry and fired it very accurately (4.75" barrel). After getting out a ruler, I found that the FA does offer a few millimeters more space for the knuckle, and shooting heavy-recoiling cartridges from it is no problem. But if you're going to use the Ruger Bisley for heavy recoil and you have large hands, you'll need to make some adjustments to the way you grip the gun. So you have to ask yourself, do you want to fit the gun to you or adjust yourself to fit the gun. I think at a certain price point, fellas ought to be giving more consideration to buying what fits their hand more naturally to facilitate recoil and accurate shooting. Few revolvers are more beautiful than a blued Ruger Bisley, but for me, I think I'd rather own just one good FA than three Rugers. Since I custom load, I can make the few revolvers I do have to just about anything I want. I don't think it's necessary to load for both the 44Mag and 45Colt in this day and age. One thing the Linebaugh writings don't address so much is that if the 44Mag and 45Colt are firing the same weight bullet at the same velocity, sure the Colt will have less pressure, but the 44 also has more sectional density, which means (theoretically) better ballistic coefficient and sectional density (penetration). The BC tends not to be much of a factor at short distances, but depending on the shot placement, so shooters might appreciate a little more sectional density to aid in the penetration on their shot. If it were me buying the Ruger Bisley again, I'd get the 45Colt since it can be downloaded and shot comfortably with those with smaller hands, my wife, or a youngster starting out. If the Bisley fits already and you don't handload, the 44Mag will have better cartridge selection, but since you do handload and don't mind loading for both the 44 and 45, and assuming it fits you well, already, then go for the 45Colt and find a good cast bullet that fits it. (Sorrr for such a long post, guys!)

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: seasterl] #101224 01/24/2012 1:51 PM
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Actually, I recently pitted the .44 Mag against the .45 Colt in a penetration contest using factory loads from Grizzly Cartridge -- the 300 grain WFN against their 300 .45 Colt LFN load. The .45 handily out penetrated the .44 despite the "advantage" of a greater sectional desity. Plus, the .45 has a decided edge in the pressure department and develops 20% less than that .44 Mag load. While this is not conclusive, it seems to happen more often than not.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: seasterl] #101225 01/24/2012 1:56 PM
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I have large hands and I grip Bisleys with only two fingers and my pinky finger under the grip. This moves my knuckle away from the trigger guard and I find I don't tend to over grip the gun an shoot better.


Hank

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: RioHondoHank] #101232 01/24/2012 3:02 PM
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s4s4u Offline
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I hold the Bisley with all 3 fingers on the handle and have never had a problem with the trigger guard, and I shoot near max to max loads. I don't know why some do, nor can I explain what I may do differently, but it works for me.


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: s4s4u] #101242 01/24/2012 4:31 PM
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KRal Offline
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 Originally Posted By: s4s4u
I hold the Bisley with all 3 fingers on the handle and have never had a problem with the trigger guard, and I shoot near max to max loads. I don't know why some do, nor can I explain what I may do differently, but it works for me.


Ditto for me.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KYODE] #101255 01/24/2012 7:08 PM
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44 mag. Garrett Hammerhead bullets. You can take anything in the northern hemisphere, and many things in the southern, if not all.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: TattooBlade] #101257 01/24/2012 7:19 PM
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 Originally Posted By: TattooBlade
44 mag. Garrett Hammerhead bullets. You can take anything in the northern hemisphere, and many things in the southern, if not all.


You know, I think he is no longer in business. I tried to get ahold of him last year and was unsuccessful. I may be wrong, and hope I am, but I was never able to connect with him.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101269 01/24/2012 7:35 PM
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 Originally Posted By: Whitworth
 Originally Posted By: TattooBlade
44 mag. Garrett Hammerhead bullets. You can take anything in the northern hemisphere, and many things in the southern, if not all.


You know, I think he is no longer in business. I tried to get ahold of him last year and was unsuccessful. I may be wrong, and hope I am, but I was never able to connect with him.


I just ordered a box last week and got them yesterday. He's still there and going strong. Google Garrett ammo; you'll find them.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: TattooBlade] #101271 01/24/2012 7:36 PM
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I have. I sent him a number of emails and he failed to reply.

Glad to hear is is still in business.


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Gun Digest TV's Modern Shooter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGo-KMpXPpA&t=7s

Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: Whitworth] #101272 01/24/2012 7:39 PM
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Hmm. Not sure what's up with the email. I orderd directly through his site and got a confirmation email right away, and then another when they shipped. Haven't tried to call though.


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Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: TattooBlade] #101320 01/24/2012 11:07 PM
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45colt!! I used a 44mag for over 10 years with few complaints,then I picked up a 45colt. For the handloader this is a great cartridge. I now have a few 45colts and before the year is out I will no longer own a .429magnum. Either will serve you well, but there is just something about that cartridge(45colt) that just speaks to my soul.


"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: KYODE] #101631 01/27/2012 11:39 PM
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UPDATE!! It has come to mine and my local guns shop's attention that Ruger makes an overwhelming majoraty of the Bisley Blackhawks in 44 mag. After a three day search David (the owner/operator of my local gun shop) has come back with only one distributer that even has a Bisley in stock. Actually they had 5 and every one of them is a 44. That distributer was of course
Davidson's. No other distributer could even say when they were going to get any Bisleys but the general theme from them all was that when they get them they usually get them in 44 and dont see many 45 colts. Added to that is that they all have a pretty long back order list for the 45 colt Bisley so even if they did get one they would ship them out to dealers that are already on the list. First come first serve. Thats fair to all. So as much as I had my heart set on a 45 Bisley it looks like availability and an undeterminable waiting list have made the decision for me. The Bisey 44 will be here monday! (Im gonna love it!)


Do not take your greatness to the graveyard!!
Re: New gun time....44 mag or 45 colt??? [Re: tracker77] #101636 01/28/2012 12:21 AM
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Tracker,

I sent a (new) Bisley 45 Colt to Rod for conversion to a 475. Thus, he will have a new bbl & cylinder. Might want to talk to him. Bet he might make you a deal.


It's more important where you hit 'em, than what you hit 'em with.
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