357 or 45 colt

lordhedgwich · June 13, 2013, 02:01 PM

I dont know much about revolvers i own a nagant and 2 black powder .44 1851s I have been thinking about getting a Single action army And i was wondering what kind i should get and what caliber i was thinking 357 or 45 colt. Im only looking to spend 400-500

dayman · June 13, 2013, 02:10 PM

Unless you reload or are looking to take down some really big animals, I'd definitely recommend the .357.
You can buy relatively cheap .38spl, and will wind up being able to shoot it a lot more than the .45.

lordhedgwich · June 13, 2013, 02:12 PM

thats what i was thinking The ability to shoot 38spl and 357 mag is very attractive

Gdawgs · June 13, 2013, 02:12 PM

I second dayman. 45 Colt ammo is spendy. 38/357 isn't exactly cheap either, but much less than the 45.

Erno86 · June 13, 2013, 02:13 PM

I like the 45 Colt. You can buy low recoil cowboy action loads for the 45 Colt. Here in Maryland...it is not legal to hunt deer with the 357, but it is legal to hunt deer with the 45 Colt. Make sure your SA can handle stout 45 Colt loads, if you are so inclined.

UncleEd · June 13, 2013, 04:12 PM

For all practical purposes, the .45 Colt is almost strictly a reloader's caliber.
Sure, factories do produce .45 Colt but all are very pricey, even the so-called Cowboy loads.

So, that leaves you with.......

This comes from someone who has used .45 Colt for more than 30 years including years in Cowboy Action Shooting (SASS).

Slamfire · June 13, 2013, 04:57 PM

A single action army in 45 LC is an extremely potent gun in a very compact package.

I am about to tell you to get both, but I think if it were for only one, go for the 357.

This is not an easy decision, tomorrow I might change my mind.

357 Three Screw Ruger

rclark · June 13, 2013, 05:56 PM

If you reload, the .45 Colt is really the way to go.... If you don't reload, then the wittle bitty peanut caliber .357 is the way to go (if you don't have deep pockets that is) . Get a lot more shooting in

. Now, the .45 Colt is my favorite do-all caliber so maybe I see things a bit differently

. I do own both BTW... but the .357s SA revolvers rarely see the light of day.

Poindexter · June 13, 2013, 06:26 PM

I suspect you will end up with both.

.38/.357 probably a 4" bbl would be a good first revolver, small enough to conceal at least part of the year, large enough to not be a flinch maker at the range, good compromise.

Do price local to you ammunition, really a gun is just an ammunition dispenser, you want a gun you can afford to practice with.

DaleA · June 13, 2013, 08:38 PM

Get the .45 Colt.

Unless you are going to get a DA .38/.357 for concealed carry/self defense then get the .357… and the .45 Colt.

If you know you’re never ever going to reload, even in spite of the outrageous prices of ammo and the shortages and even though it is fun and practical to do, then get the .357. (And then go get the Colt .45 too).

Dale (who probably saw too many cowboy movies in his youth.)

mavracer · June 13, 2013, 08:53 PM

Unless you reload 45 Colt is going to be very expensive to feed.

TennJed · June 13, 2013, 10:34 PM

Easy answer. If you reload definitely go with the 45 Colt (reloaders dream cartridge

) if you don't definitely go with the 357 (cheaper, more common, can shoot 38s)

Super Sneaky Steve · June 13, 2013, 10:46 PM

These are my two most favorite carts and the two most versitile.

You have to get one chambered in each, which one you get first doesn't matter.

Maybe first a double action .357 then step it up to a .45 single action.

AL45 · June 14, 2013, 01:03 AM

Get the .45 Colt and start reloading. The last 2 Christmas my family gave me primers. An older gentlemen who is no longer reloading gave me powder and I traded some range brass and a little cash for 500 lead bullets. My next 500 rounds of .45 Colt ammunition is going to cost me $30.00. By contrast, equivalent factory ammunition would cost close to $500.00. Even if I had bought the primers and powder, I would have only been out about 100.00.

Hawg · June 14, 2013, 07:45 AM

If you reload a .45 is much more funner than a .357

Sport45 · June 14, 2013, 08:56 AM

Do they make .45acp cylinders for the SAA? If so, that might get you by until you started reloading and shooting the more classic .45 Colt.

newfrontier45 · June 14, 2013, 11:32 AM

Let's be realistic, factory ammo for anything but .22LR and 9mm is expensive. Too expensive to use in sufficient quantity to become proficient with any chambering. The .357 is overrated. Whichever you choose, I suggest you reload. The .45Colt, while not my favorite, is a very potent chambering, even in a Colt SAA or replica. A 250gr cast bullet at 900-1100fps is much more consistently effective on game than any .357 load and it will do so with a lot less muzzle blast and noise. The guns are also lighter and balance better. My .38Spl SAA is a full 6oz heavier than my .45 version. However, when all is said and done, I'd rather have a .44Spl.

Erno86 · June 14, 2013, 03:17 PM

A 45 Colt makes a bigger hole in target paper than the 357. The bigger diameter of the 45, gives a shooter a better chance of scoring the next highest scoring ring on a bullseye target.

Iron Man · June 14, 2013, 03:25 PM

.45 Colt is my all time favorite round. However, I shoot a lot more .38 special than I do .45 Colt. .45 is more expensive to buy and reload.

June 13, 2013, 02:01 PM	#1
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	357 or 45 colt I dont know much about revolvers i own a nagant and 2 black powder .44 1851s I have been thinking about getting a Single action army And i was wondering what kind i should get and what caliber i was thinking 357 or 45 colt. Im only looking to spend 400-500

June 13, 2013, 02:13 PM	#5
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,779	I like the 45 Colt. You can buy low recoil cowboy action loads for the 45 Colt. Here in Maryland...it is not legal to hunt deer with the 357, but it is legal to hunt deer with the 45 Colt. Make sure your SA can handle stout 45 Colt loads, if you are so inclined. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

June 13, 2013, 04:57 PM	#7
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	A single action army in 45 LC is an extremely potent gun in a very compact package. I am about to tell you to get both, but I think if it were for only one, go for the 357. This is not an easy decision, tomorrow I might change my mind. 357 Three Screw Ruger __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

June 13, 2013, 05:56 PM	#8
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,650	If you reload, the .45 Colt is really the way to go.... If you don't reload, then the wittle bitty peanut caliber .357 is the way to go (if you don't have deep pockets that is) . Get a lot more shooting in . Now, the .45 Colt is my favorite do-all caliber so maybe I see things a bit differently . I do own both BTW... but the .357s SA revolvers rarely see the light of day. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

June 13, 2013, 10:34 PM	#12
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	357 or 45 colt Easy answer. If you reload definitely go with the 45 Colt (reloaders dream cartridge ) if you don't definitely go with the 357 (cheaper, more common, can shoot 38s)

June 13, 2013, 02:10 PM	#2
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	Unless you reload or are looking to take down some really big animals, I'd definitely recommend the .357. You can buy relatively cheap .38spl, and will wind up being able to shoot it a lot more than the .45.

June 13, 2013, 02:12 PM	#3
lordhedgwich Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 180	thats what i was thinking The ability to shoot 38spl and 357 mag is very attractive

June 13, 2013, 02:12 PM	#4
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 657	I second dayman. 45 Colt ammo is spendy. 38/357 isn't exactly cheap either, but much less than the 45.

June 13, 2013, 04:12 PM	#6
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	For all practical purposes, the .45 Colt is almost strictly a reloader's caliber. Sure, factories do produce .45 Colt but all are very pricey, even the so-called Cowboy loads. So, that leaves you with....... This comes from someone who has used .45 Colt for more than 30 years including years in Cowboy Action Shooting (SASS).

June 13, 2013, 06:26 PM	#9
Poindexter Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2009 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 154	I suspect you will end up with both. .38/.357 probably a 4" bbl would be a good first revolver, small enough to conceal at least part of the year, large enough to not be a flinch maker at the range, good compromise. Do price local to you ammunition, really a gun is just an ammunition dispenser, you want a gun you can afford to practice with.

June 13, 2013, 08:38 PM	#10
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,384	Get the .45 Colt. Unless you are going to get a DA .38/.357 for concealed carry/self defense then get the .357… and the .45 Colt. If you know you’re never ever going to reload, even in spite of the outrageous prices of ammo and the shortages and even though it is fun and practical to do, then get the .357. (And then go get the Colt .45 too). Dale (who probably saw too many cowboy movies in his youth.)

June 13, 2013, 08:53 PM	#11
mavracer Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: midwest Posts: 4,209	Unless you reload 45 Colt is going to be very expensive to feed.

June 13, 2013, 10:46 PM	#13
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,332	These are my two most favorite carts and the two most versitile. You have to get one chambered in each, which one you get first doesn't matter. Maybe first a double action .357 then step it up to a .45 single action.

June 14, 2013, 01:03 AM	#14
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 778	Get the .45 Colt and start reloading. The last 2 Christmas my family gave me primers. An older gentlemen who is no longer reloading gave me powder and I traded some range brass and a little cash for 500 lead bullets. My next 500 rounds of .45 Colt ammunition is going to cost me $30.00. By contrast, equivalent factory ammunition would cost close to $500.00. Even if I had bought the primers and powder, I would have only been out about 100.00.

June 14, 2013, 07:45 AM	#15
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,382	If you reload a .45 is much more funner than a .357

June 14, 2013, 08:56 AM	#16
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Do they make .45acp cylinders for the SAA? If so, that might get you by until you started reloading and shooting the more classic .45 Colt. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

June 14, 2013, 11:32 AM	#17
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	Let's be realistic, factory ammo for anything but .22LR and 9mm is expensive. Too expensive to use in sufficient quantity to become proficient with any chambering. The .357 is overrated. Whichever you choose, I suggest you reload. The .45Colt, while not my favorite, is a very potent chambering, even in a Colt SAA or replica. A 250gr cast bullet at 900-1100fps is much more consistently effective on game than any .357 load and it will do so with a lot less muzzle blast and noise. The guns are also lighter and balance better. My .38Spl SAA is a full 6oz heavier than my .45 version. However, when all is said and done, I'd rather have a .44Spl.

June 14, 2013, 03:17 PM	#18
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,779	A 45 Colt makes a bigger hole in target paper than the 357. The bigger diameter of the 45, gives a shooter a better chance of scoring the next highest scoring ring on a bullseye target. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

June 14, 2013, 03:25 PM	#19
Iron Man Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 346	.45 Colt is my all time favorite round. However, I shoot a lot more .38 special than I do .45 Colt. .45 is more expensive to buy and reload.