45 Colt vs 44 mag vs 357 mag

I want to purchase a "cowboy" rifle and pistol for novelty shooting. Winchester 1873 lever action rifle and 1873 colt single action pistol.
I don't have any current plans beyond that. At the very least I'll shoot 100-200 rounds a month out of them at the range, and depending on what all they can be used for, I may use the rifle for hunting or both rifle and pistol for cowboy shooting competitions in the future.

I have no idea which brand, model, or caliber I want, since I have never shot any of them before. But I like the Ruger Vaquero and Winchester brand 1873. (Although the Alaskan 1892 looks neat too). I just want it to be dependable, accurate, and fun to shoot.

The ONLY thing I'm certain of, is I'd like it if both guns are the same caliber, for simplicity sake.

As far as which brand or model of these two, what do y'all consider to be the most trust worthy and fun to shoot version of these two types of guns?

As far as caliber, the most consistent argument I hear is that 357 is cheaper to shoot and you can substitute it with the 38 special. I'm more concerned with what I can do with it than the cost of the ammo, to be honest. So what would make me want to choose one or the other between 357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 Colt?

Are any of those too big or small to use for deer hunting?

What other considerations should I be thinking about?

Also, I've attached a picture of what I'm looking for in the pistol (as far as looks go).

Depending on your bank account, Ruger is great, might look at some of the Italian made revolvers. my choice would be.45 LC but I am more of a traditionalist, and they are just plain fun to shoot.

I hunt (pig, deer & bear) with a Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver chambered in .44 Magnum. The revolver has a Mag-na-Ported barrel. I do not find .44 Mag fun to shoot past five or six rounds.

When compared to .45 Colt both .44 Mag and .357 Mag have a 'sharp' recoil while .45 Colt has a 'push' recoil.

Were I in your shoes, I believe I'd choose .45 Colt. Commercially loaded ammunition can be used for extended shooting without undo body fatigue. For hunting, specialty ammunition (Buffalo Bore, etc.) can be used.

Depending on your bank account, Ruger is great, might look at some of the Italian made revolvers. my choice would be.45 LC but I am more of a traditionalist, and they are just plain fun to shoot.

I guess it depends on the quality difference. I'd rather wait for something great than rush if it wasn't a large price difference.
Do you mean Uberti? Is Uberti better than Colt or Ruger in this style of pistol?

I hunt (pig, deer & bear) with a Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver chambered in .44 Magnum. The revolver has a Mag-na-Ported barrel. I do not find .44 Mag fun to shoot past five or six rounds.

When compared to .45 Colt both .44 Mag and .357 Mag have a 'sharp' recoil while .45 Colt has a 'push' recoil.

Were I in your shoes, I believe I'd choose .45 Colt. Commercially loaded ammunition can be used for extended shooting without undo body fatigue. For hunting, specialty ammunition (Buffalo Bore, etc.) can be used.

Great tip! Is 45 Colt still good for pig, deer, and bear hunting? Or is it weaker compared to 357 or 44 mag?

I own Colts, Ubertis and Rugers. The Ruger is, by far, a stronger firearm.

.45 Colt can be loaded to velocities exceeding .44 Mag. velocities. These loads are safe when used in Ruger products. Not so much in Colts and Ubertis.

I own Colts, Ubertis and Rugers. The Ruger is, by far, a stronger firearm.

.45 Colt can be loaded to velocities exceeding .44 Mag. velocities. These loads are safe when used in Ruger products. Not so much in Colts and Ubertis.

I'm very glad to hear that. I've held the Ruger New Vaquero, and I love how it feels.
I've heard that the original Ruger Vaquero can use the higher loaded .45 Colt, but not the new Vaquero. Is that true?

The 'original' Vaquero (large frame) was built on a Super Blackhawk frame and can handle

any load developed by man. Today's Vaquero (small frame) is built on a Blackhawk frame. It too can handle

and load developed by man. You'll feel the recoil more.

I was under the impression that you planned on hunting with a rifle. If I'm correct, heavy loads should not be a problem.

I have killed deer with a 357 mag revolver. One of my uncles (who was an expert pistol shot) killed an Alaskan Grizzly with one. I've killed hogs with a 357 mag. I've shot thousands of 38 Spl through the several that I have with great pleasure. I have a model 92 Winchester converted to 357 Mag that I have successfully hunted and killed most everything there is to hunt and kill in South Texas.

I have some 45 Colts. I have a Marlin 1894 and a Henry Big Boy in 45 colt. I would have no qualms shooting a deer with any of them (with the proper bullets and under the proper conditions).

I had a Ruger Vaquero in 44 Mag. I gave it to a nephew because I felt like I was getting brain damage every time I shot it. I have a S&W Mod 29 in 44 Mag. If forced to do so I would hunt with it also without any reservations.

For whatever reasons I do not like the 44 mag. My dislike does not have anything to do with performance. It is an excellent round. It's just me and my personal likes and dislikes thing.

If I had to choose, and I'm glad I don't, I would very grudgingly go with the 357 Mag. It can do anything I need it to do and a whole lot less.

Alan

The 'original' Vaquero (large frame) was built on a Super Blackhawk frame and can handle

most

any load developed by man. Today's Vaquero (small frame) is built on a Blackhawk frame. It too can handle

most

and load developed by man. You'll feel the recoil more.

I was under the impression that you planned on hunting with a rifle. If I'm correct, heavy loads should not be a problem.

Sounds like I should be looking for the old Vaquero?
At first I want to own these for novelty shooting only. Hunting will come later if I decide these are better than something else for that type of hunting, but I have no experience at all with these 3 rounds. So the primary purpose of this post is to learn what these 3 rounds are good for in this context, what each can do that the other two can't, and then to help me select which rifle and pistol I will buy.

It sounds like the 44 mag is overkill in every way though.

I have killed deer with a 357 mag revolver. One of my uncles (who was an expert pistol shot) killed an Alaskan Grizzly with one. I've killed hogs with a 357 mag. I've shot thousands of 38 Spl through the several that I have with great pleasure. I have a model 92 Winchester converted to 357 Mag that I have successfully hunted and killed most everything there is to hunt and kill in South Texas.

I have some 45 Colts. I have a Marlin 1894 and a Henry Big Boy in 45 colt. I would have no qualms shooting a deer with any of them (with the proper bullets and under the proper conditions).

I had a Ruger Vaquero in 44 Mag. I gave it to a nephew because I felt like I was getting brain damage every time I shot it. I have a S&W Mod 29 in 44 Mag. If forced to do so I would hunt with it also without any reservations.

For whatever reasons I do not like the 44 mag. My dislike does not have anything to do with performance. It is an excellent round. It's just me and my personal likes and dislikes thing.

If I had to choose, and I'm glad I don't, I would very grudgingly go with the 357 Mag. It can do anything I need it to do and a whole lot less.

Alan

It sounds like the 357 and 45 Colt can do much the same things? So why the 357? Is there anything a 357 can do that the 45 Colt can't? Or are you suggesting the 357 so I can downgrade it to the 38 special?

1. You do not want to hunt with a Vaquero. Its sights are not up to the task.

2. Given the proper loads, proper ranges and proper user; the .357 will do what the .44 Mag can do will do what the .45 Colt will do.

3. What works for me may not work for you. I enjoy hunting with the 'big boomers'. You may not.

4. There is no 'best'. Get yourself to a shooting range where firearms are available for rent. Try different platforms and different calibers. In this case, first hand experience is the best experience.

I started out talking about recoil which will be a main consideration in 'fun shooting'. For this reason I'd go with .45 Colt.

1. You do not want to hunt with a Vaquero. Its sights are not up to the task.

2. Given the proper loads, proper ranges and proper user; the .357 will do what the .44 Mag can do will do what the .45 Colt will do.

3. What works for me may not work for you. I enjoy hunting with the 'big boomers'. You may not.

4. There is no 'best'. Get yourself to a shooting range where firearms are available for rent. Try different platforms and different calibers. In this case, first hand experience is the best experience.

I started out talking about recoil which will be a main consideration in 'fun shooting'. For this reason I'd go with .45 Colt.

Apologies, I should have clarified. I wasn't planning to use the pistol for hunting. I meant the lever action rifle for hunting. And again, I MIGHT use it for hunting, depending on what i can use the caliber for. Most people hunt with rifle ammo like 30-30, 308, 30-06, etc. So what makes this type of ammo better or worse for hunting?

Good point about recoil. I've shot a couple guns that weren't much fun to shoot because of excessive recoil. (A 50 caliber Dessert Eagle, for example).

I'm not really suggesting anything. I'm saying what I would do in my situation under the circumstances for which I use the firearms. I can shoot a 38 Spl all day long. I load wad cutters, 158 Gr cast bullets, and even some round ball. The round ball will kill a rabbit with less damage than a 22 lr. A full throttle 357 mag with JHPs will take a deer at 50 yards easily with a variety of shot placements. I did say that I would grudgingly choose it also. I like my 45 Colts and they are fine for deer and hogs at closer ranges. I don't know that I would shoot any of these rounds at more than 50 or 75 yards, but again, that's just me. I don't like to look for wounded animals so I pass on a lot of shots. (Of course I've passed on the last five or six seasons anyway). Since my boys left home I've found less need for dead deer. I'm kinda like an old buck myself these days. Everything still works but my teeth are going. I've lost three molars outright and have four crowns. Just had one salvaged last week with a new filling (a crown is worth a damn nice gun). So, there are meats that put less wear and tear on old teeth than venison.

Really, only you know what your wants, needs and desires are. If I were to make a suggestion at all it would be to get a set of each and then you can write answers to this type of question after using them. Then you'll see why it is difficult to tell someone else what they should do. AND you'll have lots of neat guns to boot!

Alan

A hunting round is not so much dependent on what it is as much as it is which bullet is used. Which bullet used is not as important as accurate shot placement at appropriate ranges.

Any of these rounds will kill a deer with JHSP bullet. They will kill them with cast lead bullets too. The former will work better.

Also depends on your hunting situation. Down here, if I'm going to kill a doe or a yearling I'll probably opt for one of the three sisters (222 Rem, 223, 222 Rem Mag.) With a 55 gr sp at the base of their skull I can have some venison hanging for sure. A heart shot with a cast 158 gr fp will kill them just as dead, but you'd best have some tracking skills. Those shots can be had at 50 - 100 yards. With a rest, it's not even a challenge. If your after an old buck who didn't get to be an old buck by standing around in the road, you'd be better served with something more powerful. The power is not necessarily needed to kill the deer, but rather to give the same results over a wide set of circumstances. You might have 2 seconds to shoot at anywhere from 25 - 350 yards at a deer that has already seen you and is deciding to skeedaddle.

This is where the larger, heavier 45 colt bullet is going to shine from the rifles you're talking about. The 45 Colt is NOT a 350 yard gun, but it might be up to the task if called upon to perform at 100 yards.

Alan

They're selling Pietta firearm on this side made in Italy and at a nice price. Practically don't know anything about them though but the store selling it is backing them up good, I doubt they would do that if they had tons of returns

I have owned a plethora of handguns and rifles several of which were chambered for .357 magnum, 45 Colt, and 44 magnum. I actually like them all and I used to load my 45 Colts for my Ruger Blackhawk convertible to 44 magnum energies. So, I'd say that, if you pick 45 Colt get a strong handgun like the Vaquero or one of the Blackhawks. However, for a rifle don't pick the Winchester 73. That's not a very strong action. Pick something like a Winchester 92 or 92 clone. These are very strong actions and will take pressures up to 454 Casull which are higher than .357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 Colt.

And, the 92 is a sweetheart!

Alan

Really, only you know what your wants, needs and desires are. If I were to make a suggestion at all it would be to get a set of each and then you can write answers to this type of question after using them. Then you'll see why it is difficult to tell someone else what they should do. AND you'll have lots of neat guns to boot!

I'm trying to find a place that I can shoot the lever action rifles and single action pistols I'm looking for, but so far the only ranges I've found that rent guns only have more modern/popular guns like Glock, Beretta, etc. Any idea where I could look to try and shoot some of these?

A hunting round is not so much dependent on what it is as much as it is which bullet is used. Which bullet used is not as important as accurate shot placement at appropriate ranges.

Any of these rounds will kill a deer with JHSP bullet. They will kill them with cast lead bullets too. The former will work better.

Also depends on your hunting situation. Down here, if I'm going to kill a doe or a yearling I'll probably opt for one of the three sisters (222 Rem, 223, 222 Rem Mag.) With a 55 gr sp at the base of their skull I can have some venison hanging for sure. A heart shot with a cast 158 gr fp will kill them just as dead, but you'd best have some tracking skills. Those shots can be had at 50 - 100 yards. With a rest, it's not even a challenge. If your after an old buck who didn't get to be an old buck by standing around in the road, you'd be better served with something more powerful. The power is not necessarily needed to kill the deer, but rather to give the same results over a wide set of circumstances. You might have 2 seconds to shoot at anywhere from 25 - 350 yards at a deer that has already seen you and is deciding to skeedaddle.

This is where the larger, heavier 45 colt bullet is going to shine from the rifles you're talking about. The 45 Colt is NOT a 350 yard gun, but it might be up to the task if called upon to perform at 100 yards.

Alan

Good point. And if I hunt with a lever action 1873 or 1892, it might be hard to sneak up on a deer.

I have owned a plethora of handguns and rifles several of which were chambered for .357 magnum, 45 Colt, and 44 magnum. I actually like them all and I used to load my 45 Colts for my Ruger Blackhawk convertible to 44 magnum energies. So, I'd say that, if you pick 45 Colt get a strong handgun like the Vaquero or one of the Blackhawks. However, for a rifle don't pick the Winchester 73. That's not a very strong action. Pick something like a Winchester 92 or 92 clone. These are very strong actions and will take pressures up to 454 Casull which are higher than .357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 Colt.

And, the 92 is a sweetheart!
Alan

I've been looking at the Ruger Vaquero as one of my options for the revolver. I'm also looking at the Uberti El Patron or Cattleman pistol.

I've heard several people mention that the 1873 action was "smoother" but the 1892 action was "stronger." What does that mean exactly?

If I get an 1873 rifle, I'm thinking of Winchester or Uberti. If I get an 1892 Rifle, I'm thinking between Winchester or Chiappa 1892 Alaskan. I've never fired any of them, so I'll have to see if there's a place that rents them.
I have shot an 1895 Winchester Carbine chambered in 30-06. That thing was definitely a cannon.

In 1962 I bought a Ruger Blackhawk .357 with the 7 1/2" barrel (The old 3 screw Flattop model) when they first came out. Paid $78 for it. It was the most enjoyable pistol I've ever shot. Didn't like the small original grips so I put oversized rubber grips on and that make it really comfortable and easy to handle. I put some very heavy loads through it and it handled them all well. There's just something about a single action revolver that makes it fun.

The grip reminds me of the ones on Magnum research revolvers