I like the 45 BH alot and enjoy shooting it, but the price of ammo is making it imposible for me to practice with it as much as I would like ($32+ a box) and it seams like one delay after another for me to start trying to reload. I have been giving some thought to trading it in on a 357 magnum BH or Vaquero. Other than targets, I keep it loaded for a house gun and carry it bow hunting in case I run into a hog and have been carrying it during firearms deer season in hopes I would have an opportunity to take a deer with a hand gun.

For my intended uses, would I be selling myself too short if I made the trade? I realize it is up to me, and I have shot both cartriges, but I do not have alot of experience with either. Thanks for the help.

Start loading soon. A Lee Classic Turret press kit is a great start for pistol ammo. Both are great calibers but the key to pistol shooting is to do a lot of it and the only way most of us can is by loading our own. I only buy factory stuff for my personal defense weapon and that is because I would rather use the factory lawyer than my own. take the plunge....you will not regret it. My brother in law started with a Lee press mounted on a fold up Black and Decker workmate. He stored his powder, bullets and primers in an old footlocker. Nice neat compact package that could be opened up when needed.

Here's the deal. Using lead I've scrounged and one of Lee's melt pots and molds and a powder like Tight group and reloading I can shoot the 38 special, 357 magnum, 41 magnum, 44 magnum and 45 Colt for near the cost of 22 long rifle ammo. mtmrolla is giving you some good advice. I wouldn't expect ammo costs to go down in the future.

I wouldn't even think of trading. With one exception (a particularly crude example of a S&W 586) I've regretted to some degree every gun I've ever let out of my hands.

Solution A: Start reloading now. As noted by others, initial investment can be considerably less than a new firearm if you shop carefully.

Solution B: Keep the .45 and buy a .357 More guns is always good.

Soluction C: Both of the above...

you'll miss the 45 if you part with it.

Keep the .45 and start reloading with an economical single stage press, scale, reloading manual and powder measure. Do it ASAP, and the costs will pay themselves out in a few boxes of ammo.

Some of the best advice I ever read! Keep the .45.
It would be a good idea to slug the bore and throats and invest in getting the throats reamed if needed. That will make the RBH a tack driver with cast boolits.
The old .45 is still one of the best all around cailbers ever made.

Yeah - I gotta go with everyone else - keep the .45 and start reloading. I just put together the stuff that I needed to get going in reloading and now that I have it, I can reload my .45 ACP for about 17¢ a round, and that's with purchased bullets. (200 gr lead SWC - sized and lubed)

I wouldn't even think of trading. With one exception (a particularly crude example of a S&W 586) I've regretted to some degree every gun I've ever let out of my hands.

Solution A: Start reloading now. As noted by others, initial investment can be considerably less than a new firearm if you shop carefully.

Solution B: Keep the .45 and buy a .357 More guns is always good.

Soluction C: Both of the above...
Great minds tend to think alike. Have more guns than I'll ever need but not as many as I want. Start reloading NOW.

I like and own a .357 BH, but it doesn't have the punch or flexibility of a .45. Loaded down the .45 is less obnoxious than a .357, loaded up it is way more effective on larger game.

If your only loading/shooting a couple hundred rounds a year, one of the little Lee economy presses can be had, with dies, and Ram Prime, for less than two boxes of ammo. For the cost of two more boxes you can grab a pound of Unique/Universal etc and a box of 500 cast bullets. Throw in some primers and you're in business.

In any case, the cost difference between the ammo, isn't worth the loss of your .45.

Keep the .45 and start reloading. Go simple at first, purchase quality reloading items and build on them as you go. Get a press and get some dies and a decent balance beam scale. Purchase your bullets(I know a guy who has a website right here that would probably sell you some) to start. Don't go whole hog and get a mold, lead pot, etc.... Let that come later as time, money, and self confidence grow. You may never want to cast your own after purchasing quality commercial cast bullets. Good luck.

I like the 45 BH alot and enjoy shooting it, but the price of ammo is making it imposible for me to practice with it as much as I would like ($32+ a box) ...
Hopefully, you've saved your empties. If so, you can reload them for < $5 per box. Can you get .357 ammo for that?

And, if you get reloading equipment, you can use it for .357, too!

But, if you need a cheap practice caliber, buy a 22!!

:)

I'll do some more thinking about reloading. I do own a single six and shoot it ...ALOT...but it just ain't the same as that big low BOOM of the 45 and watching a pop can go 10 ft in the air and 20 ft away.:D:D:D

Yeah I know what you mean, the .45 Colt is one of my favorite cartridges.:D

Keep both the guns and buy the reloading equipment you need to get started. RCBS sells an ammo crafter kit that has everthing you need minus dies, for not alot of cash and it's a great kit to build on as time and cash permit.

Hoeram :D

Do these things:
1. keep the .45lc
2. Keep the single six
3. use the single six for often because ammo is cheap
4. get the .357mag just because
5. start to reload so you can reload for yourself and friends like me!! HE HE HE!!

I have been giving some thought to trading it in on a 357 magnum BH or Vaquero. For my intended uses, would I be selling myself too short if I made the trade?


Hi '71...

I wouldn't trade it.. Lately, I find myself gravitating to large caliber revolvers (.44 SPL, .45 LC, .455 Webley). The big 'uns are a hoot to shoot and load for!
First off, casting is the logical way to go. I make good money, but can't afford to buy commercial ammo anymore. Haven't bought any in at least ten years.
With the price of 255 grain SWC's at 15 cents each, I flat out refuse to buy commercial hard cast lead. Above and beyond the price, I find that my own slightly softer alloy works MUCH better than anything I can buy anyways! Little to no leading, great accuracy at a reasonable price, and the fun factor goes off the scale.
To quantify things, a primer and 8 grains of Unique runs me about 5.86 cents. Add a 15 cent bullet, and that runs you up to the outrageous figure of 20.86 cents each.
With my own cast bullets, I can pump out a .45 LC from anywhere from 7.73-8.58 cents each depending on my frugality and luck at scrounding lead and wheel weights. Much better!

Go slow at first: Try reloading, then get into casting. You'll have a ball, and save all sorts of money in the long run. It will make shooting affordable again.

Happy Shootin'! -Tom

Yes keep the .45, buy a BH 357 Mag and get a reloading setup, cast your own bullets!! At $32 a box you'll pay for your setup in six boxes of reloads!!!

Yes keep the .45, buy a BH 357 Mag and get a reloading setup, cast your own bullets!! At $32 a box you'll pay for your setup in six boxes of reloads!!!


Ditto! Couldn't agree more!

Like the .357, the .45 Colt is a very versatile cartridge, and both calibers will do all that you ask. Don't trade. Start reloading, even if it means starting with a Lee Loader. I am moving to a dream home in 6 weeks, and I have a complete Lee set-up...still in the box. I won't set up my reloading table until we move, so all that I do is with a simple Lee Loader. CHEAP, accurate, and I just go in stages. During a 30min. sitcom I can prime 200 cases...get my drift? With the dippers, I can charge 50 cases in 15min. or less. I only trust the dippers for light loads, but I am shooting...a lot...and on the cheap.