44 Magnum or 45 Long Colt in Lever Gun?

[chauncey]

I am not really a Lever Gun or Revolver shooter.

I have a few 44 Magnum double-action revolvers.

I am getting ready to buy a Ruger 45acp/45LC convertible Blackhawk. Mainly for plinking, but maybe someday SASS.

I want to get a Lever Gun in 44 Magnum OR 45 Long Colt. Most likely a new-production Marlin.

I have started to reload in the last year, but only in 45acp and 10mm. That is part of the reason I am getting a convertible Blackhawk. It is my understanding that the Blackhawk I am buying is not suitable for "Ruger Only" loads, so this isn't a consideration, at least for the Blackhawk, but if the rifle is capable of "Ruger Only" loads, that might be a consideration.


Intended uses:

1. Plinking for me, and my pre-teen daughter. Her previous centerfire rifle experience is an AR

2. Deer Hunting

3. Possible future SASS use

Please limit your responses to discussion of Lever Guns in these 2 calibers.
Thank you in advance for your input!

[Gunsnwater]

Better selection of loads on 44. Lots of overpriced 45 lead cowboy action. 45 ones have leverevolution, or however it is spelled. 44 is better for deer in general.

[DonBiase]

Better selection of loads on 44. Lots of overpriced 45 lead cowboy action. 45 ones have leverevolution, or however it is spelled. 44 is better for deer in general.

+1

[bluetrane2028]

I've read a few times that .357/.38 is best for SASS, because it helps keep ammo cost down at matches.

Of the two you are deciding between, .44 gets my vote.

[gghbi]

If I recall correctly, the Ruger only appellation does not apply to rifles because of their stronger construction. It is intended to protect you from over pressurizing the cylinder in a revolver which is much thinner.

[Hokkmike]

Odd coincidence - but I just saw a lever action in LC today at one of my LGS!

[brian]

44mag is a decent carbine round...you can really turn them up.
i like the henrys, they're buttery smooth and just work.

[Pilot321]

If you reload, .45 Colt, if not .44 Mag. I like the .45 Colt for both the SAA and carbine.

[bamboomaster]

If you reload, .45 Colt, if not .44 Mag. I like the .45 Colt for both the SAA and carbine.

We've got a couple of "JM" Marlin's in each caliber and enjoy them both with plinker and "Hammer of Thor" reloads.

One other lever-action you can sometimes find at auction in .44 Mag is a Browning made by Miroku (Japan). Superb quality...

[TonyF]

A 45 Colt out of a lever action rifle can do just about anything a .44 magnum can do (exterior and terminal ballistics). If you go with 45 Colt you might want to select a ruger HG in the larger frame so you can shoot the heavier "ruger" loads as you see fit.

Remington really mangled the Marlin name when they closed the north haven facility and moved production to Illion, NY. Don't know what the current status of Marlin (Remington) quality is these days.

You mentioned a new purchase. If you decide to expand into the used market, be advised that Winchester chambered the Model 1894 in pistol calibers but that some specimens have exhibited issues due to the fact that the internals of the 1894 were designed around the longer .30-30 and .25-35 cartridges, etc. and the pistol calibers are much shorter in OAL.

The Marlin 1894's are pistol caliber specific as are the Winchester and Rossi Model 1892's.