Handgun caliber choice

[brimic]

I went to Gander Mountain/Gun World last night to look at a smaller carry piece (I'm currently carrying a full sized 1911), didn't see too much that appealed to me, but got distracted by shiny new Ruger Blackhawks.

Now I don't have any definate need for one, but really want one with a 4 5/8" barrel in either .45 or .357, but can't decide which.
I already have a hunting handgun (SRH in .480), so I wouldn't neccessarily need the .45 and shooting .38s might be a lot more economical at the range, but for some reason I want the .45.
Other than a range toy, I could see using it for carry when hiking in N. WI for defense against predators. (The SRH is a lot bigger than something I would want to carry).
They also had one in .44 spcl and another in .41 both of which appeal to me as well.....

[vaskidmark]

You are thinking of .45LC, as opposed to .45APC, right?

.45apc revolvers are great SD carries but I just can't see them taking on a 4-footed woodland denizen with anything approaching "authority".  Better than sharp words, or even a pointy stick, but otherwise, not so much.

.45lc has a long history of being able to knock down woodland critters up to and including "OMG that's big and it's charging at me".

stay safe.

[brimic]

LC- absolutely.

[Tallpine]

Now I don't have any definate need for one, but really want one with a 4 5/8" barrel in either .45 or .357, but can't decide which.

Both 

[mtnbkr]

44special.  It's built on the smaller frame.  It'll pack easier.

Chris

[lee n. field]

I went to Gander Mountain/Gun World last night to look at a smaller carry piece (I'm currently carrying a full sized 1911), didn't see too much that appealed to me, but got distracted by shiny new Ruger Blackhawks.

Now I don't have any definate need for one, but really want one with a 4 5/8" barrel in either .45 or .357, but can't decide which.

The correct gun nut answer is "yes".

[brimic]

44special.  It's built on the smaller frame.  It'll pack easier.

Tha Vaquero?

[AJ Dual]

I say get something in .460 XVR.

It can also shoot .454 Casull, and .45 Colt.

[Fly320s]

You are thinking of .45LC, as opposed to .45APC, right?

.45apc revolvers are great SD carries but I just can't see them taking on a 4-footed woodland denizen with anything approaching "authority".  Better than sharp words, or even a pointy stick, but otherwise, not so much.

.45lc has a long history of being able to knock down woodland critters up to and including "OMG that's big and it's charging at me".

stay safe.

.45APC? Have another bere. 

[mtnbkr]

Tha Vaquero?

Mid-frame flattop.

Chris

[grislyatoms]

Very, very happy with my CZ platform 10mm.  I was going to get the .45 ACP kit and a couple mage for it (actually, I may do that still) but I'm having a lot of fun with 10mm.

[seeker_two]

For a medium-frame packing gun, it's hard to go wrong with the  .45....both the Colt & the ACP. Get a convertible and use whichever ammo you have the most of....

[Tuco]

I'd shoot it more if it was a .357/.38, but I don't reload.
4-5/8" is a really nice bbl length.
Tough decision.  I be split between .44 spl and .357.

I shot some Vaqueros years ago. 357 and .44 -  I loved them.
At the same time I shot a Blackhawk 45 LC and my wrist still hurts.

[RoadKingLarry]

but I don't reload.

I see your main problem there.

Reloading not only allows you to shoot more (no it WON'T save you any money).
It also allows you to create loads tailored to just about any shooting need a person might imagine.
Of course then you'll need to start casting your own bullets which opens up a whole 'nother world of shooting.
Casting though can get to be an obsession. I recently acquired a pile of 2nd hand reloading and casting stuff. In the pile is a semi-wad cutter mold for .44 Mag/Special. Now I have to get a new gun to shoot that bullet with Probably go with a Ruger single action.
Someone I know suggested that I could just trade that mold for something I already use.
I don't think he's all that tightly wrapped.

[Tallpine]

I shot a Blackhawk 45 LC and my wrist still hurts.

Must have been some insane handloads. 

Standard .45 load in a Blackhawk is a pussy cat.

[Ben]

Standard .45 load in a Blackhawk is a pussy cat.

Same in the Vaquero. The .45LC is great for handloading as well. You can get a wide range out of it.

[lee n. field]

I recently acquired a pile of 2nd hand reloading and casting stuff.

Anything you end up deciding you don't want, run by the collective here.

[MillCreek]

Oh, a shiny stainless Blackhawk in .357 with the 4 5/8 barrel would be almost irresistible to me.  Good thing I have not seen any in ages.

[Tallpine]

Oh, a shiny stainless Blackhawk in .357 with the 4 5/8 barrel would be almost irresistible to me.  Good thing I have not seen any in ages.

Unless you really want/need adjustable sights, the slightly slimmer Vaquero might be a better choice in .357 

I sorta wish that I had gone that route instead of the brawny blue Blackhawk.  I don't care so much for stainless, but it would probably be a lot better for everyday carry.

[HankB]

A lot of people like single action revolvers, and shoot them very well.

I'm not one of them.

Years ago I had a Ruger Super Single Six convertible (.22lr/.22 mag) and had a lot of fun with it, but I find that in any serious caliber (.357 Mag and up) it's much more comfortable to shoot a DA handgun than SA - the SA grip just isn't meant to control recoil, and the relatively high bore line magnifies muzzle flip.

Try and shoot one before you buy - you may love it, or you may end up having the same response I do.

[brimic]

Unless you really want/need adjustable sights, the slightly slimmer Vaquero might be a better choice in .357

The reason why I'd be more interested in a BH in .45LC than the Vaquero is that you can load the .45LC up to its potential in the BH.

[brimic]

Try and shoot one before you buy - you may love it, or you may end up having the same response I do.

My Dad has had a .357 BH for about 40 years or so, I grew up shooting quite a few .38s through it, though I never shot any of his .357 loads.
Your right about the grip though- the DA's tend to push back in a straighter line while the SAs roll in your hand.

[Tallpine]

The reason why I'd be more interested in a BH in .45LC than the Vaquero is that you can load the .45LC up to its potential in the BH.

Yep 

Unless you find one of the "old" Vaqueros.

[RoadKingLarry]

Anything you end up deciding you don't want, run by the collective here.

Only thing I didn't have an immediate use for was the .44 mold and I've already decided on a course of action for that.

[Hawkmoon]

I shot some Vaqueros years ago. 357 and .44 -  I loved them.
At the same time I shot a Blackhawk 45 LC and my wrist still hurts.

There's definitely something wrong there.

Comparing the specs for the same Hornady XTP ammo, in .44 Spl it fires a 180-gr bullet at 1000 fps for 400 ft-lbs of energy. The same ammo in .45 Colt fires a 255-gr bullet at 725 fps for 239 ft-lbs of energy. How could a round with half the muzzle energy hurt your wrist more than ammo with almost twice the energy?