Buffalo Bore 357 vs. 45 Colt: Which Round Reigns Supreme for Your Cowboy Action Rig?
The sun hangs low over the high desert, casting long, jagged shadows across the dusty street of a ghost town that hasn't seen a stagecoach in a century. You feel the familiar weight of a leather belt cinched around your waist. Your hand brushes the smooth walnut grip of your six-shooter. In this world, time slows down. The smell of gun oil and burnt black powder isn't just a scent, it’s a bridge to the rugged days of the American frontier.
When you’re stepping up to the line in a Cowboy Action Shooting match, or just out on the ranch ringing steel targets, you aren't just shooting; you’re storytelling. But every good story needs the right hardware and, more importantly, the right fuel.
Today, we’re settling one of the oldest debates in the bunkhouse: Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum vs. .45 Colt. Which of these titans deserves a permanent spot in your lever-gun and your holsters? Whether you’re a seasoned SASS competitor or a collector who appreciates the finer points of ballistic history, choosing the right caliber is about more than just numbers on a box. It’s about the soul of your rig.
The Heart of the Matter: Why Buffalo Bore?
Before we dive into the calibers, let’s talk about the brand. If you’ve spent any time looking for cowboy action ammo, you know that Buffalo Bore stands in a league of its own. They don’t just make "off-the-shelf" rounds; they make ammunition with a purpose.
Buffalo Bore is famous for their "Heavy" loads that squeeze every ounce of potential out of a cartridge. For the cowboy shooter, this means reliability, consistency, and a thump you can feel in your boots. When you chamber a Buffalo Bore round in your Uberti or Taylor’s & Co replica, you aren't just firing a projectile, you’re unleashing a piece of engineered history.
The .45 Colt: The Legend of the Peacemaker
There is no sound quite like the "thud" of a .45 Colt hitting a steel plate. It’s deep, resonant, and undeniably Western. Developed in 1872, the .45 Colt (often called the .45 Long Colt) was the primary cartridge for the iconic Colt Single Action Army. To many, it is the only choice for a cowboy rig.
Why the .45 Colt Wins Hearts:
- Authenticity: If you want to feel like Wyatt Earp or a Texas Ranger, this is your round. It’s the "Big Iron" people sing about.
- The "Big and Slow" Philosophy: The .45 Colt moves a heavy piece of lead at relatively low velocities. This results in a "push" recoil rather than a "snap," which many shooters find more comfortable during long strings of fire.
- Modern Power: While standard cowboy loads are light, Buffalo Bore’s heavy .45 Colt loads can transform your lever-action rifle into a legitimate brush gun capable of taking down large game.
The Trade-offs: The .45 Colt is a big, chunky cartridge. It’s more expensive to shoot than the .357, and if you’re looking for a flat trajectory at longer ranges, you’ll have to do some math. It drops like a rainbow after 100 yards. But in the world of cowboy shooting, where targets are usually close and speed is king, that "thump" is often worth the price of admission.
The .357 Magnum: The Modern Maverick
The .357 Magnum might be a 20th-century invention (1934, to be exact), but it has earned its spurs in the Western world. It offers a level of versatility that the .45 Colt simply cannot match. If you’re looking for one rig to do it all, competition, home defense, and small-to-medium game hunting, the .357 is your huckleberry.
Why the .357 Magnum Dominates:
- The 2-in-1 Advantage: Almost every .357 Magnum revolver or rifle can also fire .38 Special rounds. This is a game-changer for Cowboy Action Shooting. You can practice or compete with light-recoiling .38s and switch to Buffalo Bore .357s when you need real power.
- Flatter Trajectory: The .357 is faster and punchier. If you’re stretching the distance with your lever-action, the .357 is much easier to aim at 100+ yards.
- Cost and Availability: Generally, .357 and .38 Special ammo is easier to find and easier on the wallet than .45 Colt.
The Trade-offs: Some purists will tell you that a .357 isn't "period correct." While the guns look the same, like a beautiful Taylor’s & Co 1873 Cattleman, the smaller bore doesn't have quite the same visual "wow" factor as the gaping hole of a .45 muzzle. The recoil is also sharper; it’s a "snap" rather than a "push."
Direct Comparison: The Buffalo Bore Performance
Let's look at how these two stack up when Buffalo Bore works their magic. Here's what you need to know before you hit the range:
| Feature | Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum | Buffalo Bore .45 Colt |
|---|---|---|
| Recoil Profile | Sharp, snappy, manageable | Heavy push, substantial |
| Versatility | High (shoots .38 Special) | Low (caliber specific) |
| Trajectory | Flat and fast | Arched and slow |
| Authenticity | Modern classic | 100% Frontier original |
| Best Use | Competition & Versatility | Heritage & Pure Stopping Power |
✔ The .357 Advantage: For the shooter who wants to win on the clock. Faster follow-up shots and cheaper practice. ✔ The .45 Colt Advantage: For the shooter who wants the soul of the 1880s and the legendary "knock-down" power of a big-bore lead slug.
Saddling Up Your Rig: Revolvers and Lever-Guns
Your choice of caliber will dictate your choice of steel. At Western Gun Store, we see folks falling into two camps.
If you choose the .45 Colt, you’re likely eyeing a top-tier revolver like a Cimarron Frontier or a Uberti 1873. These guns were designed around this cartridge. In a rifle, the .45 Colt feels like a piece of heavy artillery. There’s something deeply satisfying about cycling a large .45 shell into the chamber of a Winchester 1873 replica.
If you go with the .357 Magnum, you’re likely looking for efficiency. A .357 lever-action rifle is a joy to shoot. It holds more rounds in the tube (depending on local laws and tube length) and handles like a dream. It’s the ultimate "entry-point" for someone new to the sport who doesn't want to get beat up by recoil on day one.
The Buffalo Bore Experience: Beyond the Paper Target
Why do we specifically recommend Buffalo Bore for these calibers? Because the Old West wasn't just about shooting paper; it was about survival.
Buffalo Bore’s Heavy .357 Magnum loads (like their 180gr Hard Cast) turn a standard revolver into a legitimate woods-protection gun. Similarly, their Heavy .45 Colt loads (for modern firearms only!) can rival the power of a .44 Magnum.
When you buy Buffalo Bore from our online catalog, you aren't just buying target loads. You’re buying the peace of mind that comes with knowing your ammunition is built to the highest standards of the industry.
Which Round Reigns Supreme?
So, who wins the crown?
- Choose the .45 Colt if: You live for the history. You want the most authentic experience possible. You love the "clink" of big brass and the heavy recoil that reminds you you’re alive. You want to carry the same caliber your ancestors might have used to defend the homestead.
- Choose the .357 Magnum if: You’re a competitor who wants to shave seconds off your stage time. You want the flexibility to shoot cheaper .38 Special ammo for practice. You want a flatter-shooting round that can pull double duty as a home defense or varmint hunting rig.
The goal? Speed, accuracy, and authenticity. At the end of the day, both rounds have earned their place in the pantheon of Western legends.
Your Next Adventure Starts Here
Whether you’re looking to pick up your first set of six-shooters or you need to restock your ammo cans for the next match, we’ve got you covered.
The spirit of the Old West isn't found in a history book: it's found on the range, in the smell of the smoke, and in the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. Don't let your rig sit idle.
Saddle up and head over to the Western Gun Store. Explore our full collection of cowboy action gear and find the perfect Buffalo Bore load for your favorite iron.
Tell us in the comments: Are you Team .45 Colt or Team .357? Let the debate begin!