Which Cowboy Caliber?

[CCreyeder]

I am itching to get a matching caliber set of a lever action rifle and revolver (complete with gun belt and all lol). I went out to the range today with my Henry 22 lever action and it stirred up the desire to get another lever action to keep it and the 30-30 company.

The problem is, I cant decide between 45 long colt or 44 mag. I guess I could get a pair of each

Any thoughts from you cowboy shooters out there? Is one more "authentic" than the other? I think the 45 would be more "old west" but I have also always wanted to get, as Dirty Harry once said "the most powerful handgun in the world" (although no longer true, you know what I mean lol)

[Pawpaw]

The old "cowboy" caliber was .44-40, not .44 magnum.

[speedsix]

....44 Special would be a lot easier to shoot than the .44 Mag...your rifle and handguns would have capability for both as you had need...that's the only reason .44Mag beats .45Colt in my book...being as it was invented around 1907, the .44 Spl might not be allowed at shoots...don't know...

[threoh8]

IIRC from my reading, .45 Colt didn't show up in lever actions in the Old West. Something about rim diameters and reliability. .44-40, 38 WCF, etc. were the typical saddleguns back then. .45 Colt lever actions are a relatively modern development.

I think a lot of the Cowboy Action shooters prefer lighter calibers, such as .38 Special, for low recoil and cheaper shooting.

[CCreyeder]

yea, I've heard that the caliber of choice for alot of modern cowboy shooting is 357/38 special, but I dont think I would be happy with that. Besides, I already have plans for my 357 purchase lol

Since posting, I have been doing some research. As to the revolver, The Ruger "New Vaquero" looks pretty dang interesting. It comes in 44 special and 45 colt. Since it says 44 SPECIAL, I am assuming that it wouldnt be safe for the Magnum?

For lever action, I have been happy with my Henry 22 and would prob go with one of their "big boys" It comes in 357, 44 and 45...

Dang.... what to do? lol

[CCreyeder]

Dog gone it... I rechecked... the Vaquero comes in 357 and 45 colt..... the blackhawks are the ones that come in 44 special.

[Munk]

I just picked up a Henry .44 and that thing is a blast to shoot. It is scary accurate. It does begin to "wear" on you after about 30 rounds but that was really all I could afford to shoot through it anyway. You will not be disappointed.

[texasmusic]

Someone delete this thread before I get any ideas!

[CCreyeder]

Someone delete this thread before I get any ideas!

Man, you have NO idea! lol.. I never considered cowboy action shooting, I just wanted a matching caliber set... HOWEVER, the last 24 hrs I have spent, oh... 18 of them? reading, looking at videos, looking at pistols, rifles, shotguns... lol.. I am thinking about going to a CAS match this saturday to talk with some folks.. I am afraid I opened up an entire new obsession for me lol

[seeker_two]

Dog gone it... I rechecked... the Vaquero comes in 357 and 45 colt..... the blackhawks are the ones that come in 44 special.

Don't give up yet....Ruger did a run of .44SPL Vaqs for the distributors....

http://www.ruger.com/products/vaqueroDE/models.html

[gigag04]

45lc

[Jumping Frog]

I prefer the .45 LC.

As far as the .44 magnum and the old Dirty Harry quote ("the most powerful handgun..."), if you have a modern firearm, the .45 LC can be loaded to produce higher velocities and higher energy than a .44 magnum while having pressures substantially lower than the .44 magnum. It is a superior cartridge.

Don't get me wrong, I love my .44 magnum as well. But there is an awful lot to like about the .45 LC.

[CCreyeder]

I do want to get both a 45lc and a 44mag, those calibers have been on my "wish list" for a long time. I think for the "cowboy" pair of rifle/revolver I want to stay with the same caliber and since there wasnt a 45lc rifle in those days, I am either going to go for authenticity and get a colt saa clone and a winchester 1873 clone in 44-40 and pay higher cost in ammo, or get em in 357/38sp and sacrifice authenticity for lower ammo cost and easier availablity. I dont see myself going all crazy and practicing with 100s and 100s of rounds to become a top shot, I just want to do it recreationally and have fun, so the higher ammo cost might not be too bad..... PLUS, I stll need my 45lc and 44 lol... man, I have opened up a BIG ol can of worms lol My wife is going to kill me

[Mike1951]

One word of caution regarding .45 Colt Vaqueros. The new models are not as robust as the original Vaquero.

Loads built for the earlier Vaqueros/Blackhawk/Redhawk should not be fired in the New Model Vaqueros.

[mgood]

. . . or get em in 357/38sp and sacrifice authenticity for lower ammo cost and easier availablity.

I've heard it said that a .357 Mag makes a better rifle cartridge than it does a handgun cartridge. I wouldn't mind having a lever gun in .357, a short, quick, carbine. A revolver or two in that caliber is already on my wishlist.