.45 Colt or .44 Magnum....

[Travis]

Yes, as we know the .45 Colt in Ruger firearms can be made to outperform the .44 Magnum. I own a Marlin Model 1894S .44 Magnum. I'd like to upgrade it to a .45 Caliber such as the "Ruger" .45 Colt or the .454 Casull and ditch the Micro Groove barrel. If I were to leave it in .44 Magnum I'd like to ditch the Micro Groove for a Ballard Cut barrel.

Even though we have a lot of more modern calibers that can smoke the .44 Magnum in today's times, still and all the .44 Magnum is nothing to sneeze at in terms of performance.

Anyone agree or disagree?

[stalkingbear]

I have 3 .44 magnums and hate to admit it but the recoil of a handgun chambered in .454 Casull makes the steel plate "wiggle" in my right wrist, so .44mags are the most I have now. I sold my Casull when I couldn't pick up a pencil after an extended range session and my wrist hurt for days afterward. I also like my .41 mag Ruger Redhawk.

[jeffs]

No 45 LCs for hunting in Kali - only .357 Mags or better in "standard factory loadings" so that's why I have a .44. I sure like that 41 as a hunter too.

[greenbudsmoker4201]

i had a s&w in41mag years ago and still miss it just got a ruger super blackhawk with a 7.5 inch bbl and i think i like it so far so good looks like it might be the best 400 bucks ive spent in a few years

[Travis]

Jeff, Why can't you use .45 Colt in Kali? Seems to me it would be a hot item out yonder for leverguns and vintage arms.

[jeffs]

You sent me to the regs, and I'll be dammed, they changed it. It used to read something to the effect of "... having a minimum muzzle energy of ____ ft-lbs in the standard factory loads..." which at the time only allowed 357, 41 and 44 mags for big game, before the Cassul and others came along. Now it's any centerfire, expanding point, which I guess would mean 25 ACP would be legal so long at it was a 4" barrel.

§353. Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game.

(a) Except for the provisions of subsections 353(b) through (h), Title 14, CCR, big game (as defined by Section 350, Title 14, CCR) may only be taken by rifles using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles; bow and arrow (see Section 354, Title 14, CCR, for archery equipment regulations); or wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or percussion type, including "in-line" muzzleloading rifles using black powder or equivalent black powder substitute, including pellets, with a single projectile loaded from the muzzle and at least .40 caliber in designation. For purposes of Section 353, a "projectile" is defined as any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot or other device which is expelled from a firearm through a barrel by force.

(b) Shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing single slugs may be used for the taking of deer, bear and wild pigs. In areas where the discharge of rifles or shotguns with slugs is prohibited by county ordinance, shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing size 0 or 00 buckshot may be used for the taking of deer only.

(c) Pistols and revolvers using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take deer, bear, and wild pigs.

(d) Pistols and revolvers with minimum barrel lengths of 4 inches, using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take elk and bighorn sheep.

(e) Except as provided in subsection 354(j), crossbows may be used to take deer and wild pigs only during the regular seasons.

(f) Under the provisions of a muzzleloading rifle only tag, hunters may only possess muzzleloading rifles as described in subsection 353(a) equipped with open or "peep" type sights only.

(g) Under the provisions of a muzzleloading rifle/archery tag, hunters may only possess muzzleloading rifles with sights as described in subsection 353(f); archery equipment as described in Section 354; or both. For purposes of this subsection, archery equipment does not include crossbows, except as provided in subsection 354(j).

[roguebowhunter]

if i was to buy a large cal. 45 ..i would buy the 460 smith.. alot more versatile than the reg 454 cassull... i loved my 454 but i had to get rid of ... Don