Isn't the 45 Colt brass the limiting factor in how hot you can load your ammunition? I thought that the 44 magnum brass was stronger. I load my 629 with Lyman #429421 22bhn at 1200 fps from a 4 inch barrel. That seems like plenty to me. If not I know where I can find a rifle. whelennut
The 45 cylinders are often oversized. That lets the brass expand more and has to be worked over more during reloading. According to John Linebaugh, that's why Elmer Keith didn't like the 45.
Elmer's .45's were SAA's. If he had .45 Ruger Bisley's, etc. he may have had a different opinion.
Regarding the 1989 significance, I would also like to know the answer to that one.
DF
If Keith had not experimented with the .44Spl, which led to the .44mag, which led to the large frame Ruger single action, there never wouldn've been a .45 strong enough for "Ruger only" loads.
Great point and very true...
DF
You could say the same thing if Elmer had started with the 45 Colt. Tighten the cylinder bore and strengthng the frame and there might never have been a 44 mag. Both required modifications to existing firearms.
Both are good at their job and I see little advantage of one over the other.
