I know this has probably been a past topic and I hear it argued amongst the brethren handgun enthusiast that I know, But here goes...
Can the 45LC be handloaded to out perform a .44 Mag? I have shot A LOT of 44, but not so many 45LC. Whuddayathunk?

It can handily outperform the .429 Magnum at significantly lower pressure levels.

The 45 has 7.7% more case volume, do the math ;-)

I look at it like getting an extra 10-20 grains of bullet weight, relatively.

Just found the same topic elsewhere. Like the Linebaugh link.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

Never thought much about it until recent, but it makes sense. I'm not really a recoil junkie, so it might be worth trying out.

Now come on, Clint said theat the .44mag is the most powerful handgun in the world and we know Clint would never lie to use, Right? LOL

Ah, but Clint's commentary predates the rebirth of the .45 Colt to superstar status! LOL!

I am a 45lc fan, and have actually switched from a 44mag sbh, to a 45lc sbhh. And I agree that the 45lc +p type rounds do out perform standard 44mag rounds. For example BB has some 45lc +p loads that will get near 1300ft lbs of energy, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this has got to be about max in any standard factory Ruger. In fact these loads can't be shot out of any gun that isn't built at least as strong as a Ruger Large frame revolver.

But....the 44mag +P ammo, that can be shot out of a standard factory large frame Ruger is approaching 1700ft lbs of energy.

So, would it be correct to say that the +p 45lc loads can exeed standard 44mag loads, but are still below the 44mag +p loads?? Or, can a unconverted Ruger 45lc safely push a 340grn slug along at 1500fps?

Don't get mad at me...I'm a 45lc guy myself, but I always wondered about this.

Thanks
MN

The 335 grain .45 loads I chronographed a couple of weeks ago were averaging 1,365 fps -- in the same ball park as the heavy .44 Mag loads we tested, but the .45 Colt loads are running 20% less pressure -- 30,000 psi versus 36,000 psi. Well within the safety range of a 6-shot Ruger in .45 Colt. Forget muzzle energy. Even 1,700 ft-lbs significantly exceeds the calculated levels of my .500 Linebaugh loads, but I'll let you guess which one is more effective on game!

Well said. That pretty much sums up why I switched. I believe the 45lc can out perform the 44mag on game, and won't beat you up as bad.

I just meant numbers only....well you get it.

MN

The .45 Colt just flat-out works!

How about these numbers.....

I am a busy guy and like things simple. I have a Lyman 55 set to throw 25.1 grains of H110, which it does precisely every time, and will stuff the heaviest slug in front of that charge that will shoot accurately and safely in whatever chambering I am loading at the time. In the .429"er, that would limit me to a 225 grain J-whatever, where in the .452"er I can push a 260 and remain within prescribed limits. That is a significant number when it comes to game.

I like those numbers!

Right. I get it. With your setup, the 45lc kicks the 44s ass, and I'm cool with that. Like I said, I'm a 45lc guy. Don't even own a 44 anymore.

But, unless you can push a 340 to 1500 safely in a 45lc....you have to admit that by "energy" numbers ONLY, the 44 wins out.

I know, it takes way more pressure and everything else. I'm just sayin.

Yes, but energy numbers are meaningless -- so on paper, some "lesser" cartridges look to be more effective, but in the real world.....you get my drift,

I'd like to know what gun and what propellant you are getting that out of. And would like to see the chrony screen after you shoot it, and the gun to make sure all six holes are still there without added ventilation ;-)

+

factory load

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54

I'd like to see it on your chrony screen, not a website's claims. Far be it from a manufacturer to overestimate their wares now.....right ;-)

That is nearly 10% over anything Hodgdon's max data delivers, FWIW.

I would like to see at what pressure.

Start a donation pool and I will arrange that.

Yes and here is why I say so. The heaviest useful load a 44mag can sling is 320grs(just my opinion). I can sling a 350 @ 1200(handload) and a 360@ 1150(Double Tap load). I run a dozer for a living,and mass moves more than power.Take two tractors one weighing 30,00lbs and 145hp and another weighing 38,000lbs but only has 125hp,the heavier tractor will be more effective pushing bigger objects than the one with more hp. The 45colt has more mass(.429 v/s .452)and (350-360gr v/s 320gr).This is all just my opinion and cost you nothing.

cottonstalk, now that is an illustration and a set of numbers that I can relate to, wrap my head around and understand.

I have found that typically, Buffalo Bore's loads exceed the claimed velocities, often by a margin. I don't know what pressures he sees, but I know in some cases, like his 360 grain .454 load, he deliberately loads it to lower levels for reliability's sake, so they don't pull crimp.

.......and it all means nothing basically, when it comes to hunting deer etc. they both work about the same. fancy bullets OR factory ammo....you shoot they die.

Providing you hit ;-)

But yeah, I agree it is all acedemic in the end.

X2!

They must use pixie dust then, or Hodgies has gone soft, 'cause I can't find a 44 load that claims more than 1350 + or - fps with a slug in the 340 range, and I think some of Hodgies chrony numbers are optimistic.

I have a few loads that are over max according to the books, but I wouldn't offer them to another shooter without some kind of disclaimer ;-)

Jeez!!! I don't think I've ever seen this topic discussed before!
Y-a-awwwwnnnn ....

Between naps, tell us how you really feel, Ken! LOL!

Yeah, well Dodge pees on Chevy and Ford.

You forgot one....... ;-)

Well,I stayed out of the topic to see what would be said. Chevy, Ford,Tractors.... What? lol. I get it, tho. I think I may try it out. I'm all about real world knock down. Favorite rifle is a 35 Whelen, but it's been getting dusty since I got into Handguns. I started thinking about this because I know the difference in actual knock down energy between .44 and 45 ACP. Shoot an old fridge with .44 = straight thru, 45ACP =knock it down. If I could just get that 45 to reach out a little farther with the same knock down... Thus this obviously over discussed topic. Or will the 45LC be too fast for that type of knock down? I have a hard time with dragging, so I like them to stay put. Shot placement is key, but not always perfect.