The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Handgun Hunting 41 mag vs 45 colt for deer. Topic ClosedGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools |
| 41 mag vs 45 colt for deer. | Login/Join |
| One of Us |
Anyone used both that can give me an actual experienced opinion? I've narrowed it down to these two in a revolver. I tried the single shot and have decided on a revolver for myself. | ||
|
| One of Us |
Either are more than enough for deer. There are many who are dedicated proponents of each cartrige. I've used them / own them / both and the Colt will do more work with less fuss than the 41. My personal preference is the Colt with more bullet availability and a decided performance gain IF I want to load it there. A 41 mag with a 215 grain Hardcast flat nose bullet at 600fps will shoot clean thru deer as will a 200 from the Colt at the same speed. Either way it's dead if I do my part and intersect the cardiovascular pluming and not the wastewater plumbing...... | |||
|
| One of Us |
The 45 has a built in edge, its already bigger before it makes contact. If the cylinder throats are correct a 45 is a wonderful game getter. Having said that, I've taken a lot of deer with both & I've never been able to tell the difference, I've also taken 2 elk with the 41 maggie, 5 with the 44 maggie & 4 with the 45 Colt & I've never seen much, if any difference. I've used both a 230 gr Keith & a 250 gr LBT in the 41, mostly 250 gr Keiths in the 44 magnums & both 260 gr Keiths & 325 gr LBT's in the 45, just never seen much actual difference. Its next to impossible to find a Ruger 41 maggie that isn't a great shooter. I've taken lots of game with the 230 gr cast fueled with 17 grs of 2400, not maximum but a wonderful load. In the Ruger 45's my everyday load is 9 grs of Unique, another much used load is 18.5 grs of 2400, both using the 260 gr Keith. If you absolutely have to use one of the heavyweight bullets (325 gr) then switch to H110 & a mag primer & it will knock the fur off of anything out there. Either caliber will work great! Dick | |||
|
One of Us |
from what i've read i'm guessing the .41 Magnum would be a little better at longer ranges. because i read that the .41 Magnum has more energy left past 100 yards than the .44 Magnum does. so i would guess that the .41 magnum has more long range power than the .45 colt and i'm certain that it has a flatter trajectory. i like the .45 Colt very much and i used to have a Ruger Blackhawk with a 7.5'' barrel in .45 colt but i traded it in on another gun, but i still have my reloading dies for the .45 Colt and want to get another one again someday. i loved reloading the .45 colt and it is one of my favorite handgun rounds to reload. but also lately i've really gotten interested in the .41 magnum like it a lot now and am trying to save up as fast as i can for a S&W model 57 Classic .41 magnum with 6'' barrel. kind of off topic but another little tidbit of info about the .41 magnum that makes me want one is that Buford Pusser the sheriff of Walking Tall fame carried a .41 magnum. Buford actually used his .41 magnum to defend himself in a shootout and shot a woman and killed her with it. sorry for getting off subject there sometimes i can't help myself when talking about guns. anyway the .41 magnum is one of my very favorite handgun cartridges and in this situation i think it would be better for longer ranges anyway. | |||
|
Moderator |
Oh Lord, someone mentioned energy......  "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| One of Us |
i have to admit i have an obsession when it comes to the energy of different cartridges and loads. it's one of my main interests in firearms. i'm interested in almost everything about firearms too though.i just can't help it! i reckon there are worse things i could be obsessed with though.  | |||
|
| One of Us |
Either will serve you well 375er. Old sixshot_01 hits the nail on the head again. If nothing bigger than a white-tail is ever going to hunted it's a toss up. If you might ever consider anything bigger the 45colt wins the race imo for the reason sixshot stated,"The 45 has a built in edge, its already bigger before it makes contact." "If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy | |||
|
| Moderator |
It's a meaningless figure that is calculated and not measurable. It does sell ammunition, though.  "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| Moderator |
Yes, making meth in portable "labs" and pigmy porn. As Whitworth pointed out, energy is a meaningless number calculated to sell larger and "better" cartridges to the unsuspecting and unlearned. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Hey, thanks guys. I probably just need to flip a coin. I am fond of the .45 diameter, but the 41 mag. is intriguing. Maybe I will just get one of each with criss-crossed bandoleros and a blaze orange sombrero. LOL! So many hobby opportunities, so little time..... Thanks for your time! | |||
|
| Moderator |
375er -- I really like the .45 Colt. You can load it down to cowboy levels or run it up to near .454 levels. It truly is a do-it-all caliber. "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| One of Us |
I am going to get flamed for this, but with the right cast projectile of ~220-250 grains, there is not a lot you cannot do with a .41. And I am sorry, but .021" difference all the way around is just not very much when it comes to damage. Take a 230-240-grain hard cast .41 projectile, push it to 1300, and watch what it does. I have said this before on this forum: my 10-1/2" Freedom 654 Silhouette has seen 1800 fps+ with a handloaded 411-275 SSK hard cast bullet from NEI. It takes the 1-in 14 twist of the FA to be accurate, but there ain't a darned thing on the NA continent that will walk away from that load. | |||
|
| Moderator |
Nothing to get flamed over. I agree the 41 & 44 are very close in size and ability. The .45 is higher up the food chain. The .475 and .500 higher yet. The 275 grain bullet gives some bullet weight to work for you. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| One of Us |
The 411-275 that I cast runs right at 290-295 grains, depending on my own "garage" alloy. FWIW, the second Accurate Arms reloading manual lists data for that particular projectile, and it was generated from projectiles I sent AA back about 2000, if memory serves. Yes, the 290 does "up the ante" quite a bit. I still believe there is very little you can do with the Colt I can't do with my .41s, as long as you compare apples to apples. The top end of the 41 is normally 240-250 grains even if handloaded, however; the Colt extends above that. Handloads and strong revolvers make the difference, and that is acknowledged. | |||
|
| One of Us |
you'll never ever notice the difference on deer and never likely notice the difference b/w them on elk if ya choose your projectile wisely. then again, some claim to see a diff b/w a 44 and a 45 colt so who knows.  | |||
|
| Moderator |
If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
One of Us |
You have just been justified in buying both; then you can give us an objective opinion as to which is the best. I just wish I had the same problem. Let us know what you decide and why. I personally don't think the whitetails will know the difference. God Bless, Louis | |||
|
| One of Us |
i'll put my body of work with a handgun ms against yours any day of the week then we'll talk about smarts.  | |||
|
| One of Us |
I guess you are assuming he hasn't taken much with a handgun. I might buy not knowing the difference on something as frail as deer. But I can tell a difference between a 41mag and a properly loaded 45colt on black bears and they aren't near the size of an elk. From my experience if you are the shooter it's hard to tell,but if you are watching you notice things a little more,jmo. "If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy | |||
|
| One of Us |
nope, just know what i've shot, ya throw out condescending comments, some might come right back 'atcha. | |||
|
| Moderator |
Well, until you've shot a Cape Buffalo with a slingshot, don't go crowing too much. I know what I've shot, you ever been to Africa? As long as you continue to make posts that I believe to be less than intelligent and add no substance to the thread; I'll continue to make posts that you think are condescending. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| One of Us |
so if ya agree with them they ad, if ya don't then you're stupid, or less than intelligent. so someone asked the difference on these calibers on deer, i gave my opinion based on my experience, it doesn't jive with yours and so you don't just disagree but start with the insults. nice, good moderation. | |||
|
| Moderator |
I pointed out the portion of your post that was snide. Try just posting your experiences and conclusions, leave the comic relief to the experts. Truth of the matter is, regarding deer; one will find little difference in performance between the calibers. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| One of Us |
FWIW, I have read what tradmark posted, and I fail to see the first "snide" word in it. He said something, and you jumped all over it. I fail to see how that is "moderating" in any sense of the word. MS Hitman, you seem to me as if you always have to have the last word. Seldom do you provide anything of substance, just seem to shut down threads. Quick to point out the "error" of others, but seldom if ever do you provide anything concrete to back up what you post. I have a question, and no, I have not been to Africa, But since you allude to having gone there, just what exactly did you shoot with a handgun on the "dark continent"? In short, you strike me as a blowhard, and I tire of that pretty quickly. | |||
|
| Moderator |
You seem to fail to see a lot. Based on my "discussions" with you on previous posts, you strike me as not too terribly smart or someone who just likes to continue to stir the pot with inane posts, maybe some of both. This thread does not appear to be any different and I am tired of this. I would put you on ignore and suggest everyone else do the same, but as moderator, I must continue to deal with your nonsense and misinformation. You really don't need to continue down this path. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| One of Us |
i know hitman from another site and know hes actually killed game with a handgun. how many times did you hunt africa, ms? twice? sounds to me like youre barkin up the wrong tree, bubbuh Bob | |||
|
| Moderator |
To be honest, been once on a two week safari. It was a grand time. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
One of Us |
I wouldn't, you'd lose. _____________________________________________________ A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill | |||
|
| One of Us |
how would you have any idea? | |||
|
| One of Us |
Gentlemen, Return to your corners. Have a cold beer. The match is over.  | |||
|
| One of Us |
Just getting interesting. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Knowledge and experience, try it sometime, Thanks for asking  _____________________________________________________ A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill | |||
|
| One of Us |
plenty here as well, i've shot over 20 animals over 1000 pounds over the years, that doesn't include the buffalo my children have shot with pistols. i've posted more pics, the ones i've taken on a digital camera, than i've ever seen ms post. perhaps he has more than me, i've never seen any of them online. i've posted several, i'd like to see how many he's got of animals over 1000 pounds. it's an easy search of my posts here and on other sites. jwp, this is why, outside of your little circle you're very very unpopular, you assume no one has shot anything and you are the last word on experience. stuff shot with a rifle first doesn't count. a little candor goes along long way, even when someone committs the cardinal sin of actually disagreeing with your excellency. it happens and it'll continue to happen. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Popularity?? I din't know this was prom night _____________________________________________________ A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill | |||
|
| Moderator |
This reminds me of the scene from Jaws where the crew of the Orca was sitting below deck comparing scars. I have been published internationally for nearly the past two decades and the stories that have been published aren't that hard to find. Some even have photos for those who can't read an article or story without them. At one point in time, I had the #9 SCI Handgun Eland. Haven't checked it lately,so I am not aware of it's current ranking. The majority of my big stuff has been wild/feral cattle I had to peel off myself or my horse. I'm not sure why you choose 1,000 pounds as the threshold, unless it is just to continue your asinine behavior. Shooting animals of any size does not indicate "smarts". Your willingness to argue elementary scientific fact is what really gives away your lack of intelligence. You may have considerable book education, but you have proven yourself to be severely lacking in common sense, or what we call walking around sense. You have once again taken taken a thread far from the original subject. I am closing this thread as it is so far from where it started. If you want to continue your nonsense do so in a PM. If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
Topic Closed The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Handgun Hunting 41 mag vs 45 colt for deer.
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia