[keegan1696]

Hey everyone.

Looking at buying a Beretta Stampede, or some version of the Colt 1873 Peacemaker.

Want something to enjoy shooting, but never had any experience with the .45 LC. What is the recoil like? Compared to .38 Special...? Seems like those are my options, 45 LC or .357, which I can of course load with .38 Special. Not into the blast of a .357.

What would you do? And is one caliber much more expensive than the other?

Thanks!
TM

 

[dave]

Shooting .45 LC is a hoot. I enjoy shooting that caliber, especially from a shooting buddy's S&W Mountain Gun.

For practicality and keeping down costs, the .38 is much cheaper.

I don't actually own any .45 LC firearms, while I do have five in .38 special. I like to plink and informally target shoot with it, use it for Cowboy Action shootin' (Marlin and Cimarron SA) and it is what I carry for CCW (S&W). You should find the components are less expensive too, if you reload.

--d.

 

[boats]

If you plan to reload there is hardy any difference in components cost 38 vs 45. Reloading is about the only viable option for the 45 lc due to cost and the anemic factory ammo, And if you re-load you can shoot powder puff target loads in the 45 that won;t kick much more than 38s

Boats

 

[keegan1696]

Boats,
Not doing the reloading thing right now. Used to, but space/kids/time...blah blah blah. Anyway, I'm just thinking that the .38 Special will work better for me based on price, and I know the recoil is manageable.

I am correct that one can shoot .38 special in a .357? I remember it that way, but it's been a long time since I owned a .357

Thanks

 

[dave]

Mr. Keegan,

yes, you can shoot .38 special just fine in .357.
If you shoot at steel plates, the .45LC makes a very satisfying "gong" sound, while the .38 makes more of a "ping." You'll have fun with both, but if you have to shell out for bulk ammo instead of reloading components, the .38 would be less expensive. Check out those Ruger Vaqueros as well as the Berettas.

 

[boats]

I don't know how much 38 specials are these days. I checked 45 ACP the other day and a 100 box at Walmart is 30 bucks. I load them for 10 dollars. 20 dollars a hundred savings. I bet you can get a lee outfiit for 100 bucks total. Used tools 100 bucks for sure

9 MM's I buy at 20 dollars a hundred and load for 10 so the spread is less. It all depends on how much you shoot. Often times when shooting IDPA will just buy the 9's Never buy 45ACP always load, and get exactly the ammo I want.

Boats

 

[twoguns]

Howdy Mr. Keegan1696,

Well sir, since you are not currently reloading, I can not really argue with your logic. If you were forced to purchase all your ammo, yes sir, I reckon you would find the .38 spc loads (which can be fired in a .357mag, just not the reverse) to be cheaper to purchase.

But I have to be honest with you sir. I own 4 SAA clones, all are chambered for .45C, and they are simply a blast to shoot. There is nothing wrong with a mild load fired from a .45C in my view. Rounds at that level or lighter (many shooters actually used the .45Schofield load in the 45C, think .38spc v .357mag), filled up a lot of Boot Hills in the old days.

I know the .38 spc might be cheaper, but personally I would never consider getting a SAA to shoot .38spc loads in - after having fired a lot of target level loads downrange through 45C revolvers. I also like the feel of the history I have when shooting that caliber as well. But that is just my personal preference in a SAA revolver. But after shooting my first SAA clone, I was hooked.

Maybe the solution is for you to take up reloading again, if only on a small scale. Save the brass of the purchased ammo and when shooting if someone does not save their brass, ask if they would mind if you clean it up for them. You would be amazed at how quickly the brass could start to pile up with the right luck.

If you are interested, just yell or start a new post in reloading. I am sure several or our reloading members can suggesst space limited setups for you sir. Think back on how much fun and pleasure it gave you to shoot a nice tight group, and know you reloaded those rounds on target. Besides, all things being equal, reloading will give you far more bang for the same dollar, once you get past the initial outlay, which certainly does not have to be excessive.

Since you have reloaded in the past, you already know how many loads you can expect to get from either 45C or 38spc brass when loaded at target velocities.

I can not argue with your financial logic, but every other part of me wants to tell you - hey sir grab the 45Colt and never look back.

Good luck and let us know what you end up buying and give us a range report.

twoguns