Originally Posted by
TurnipEaterDown
MNEWCOMB59 -- Several of your comments are valid in the particular scenario - granted.
But the 338 Fed has flexibility that the 44/45 does not.
I would expect the 338 to be able to achieve 2100-2200 on a 225, in a 15" Encore. I base this on personal use of 30-06 in an Encore vs rifle, and A Square Data, Phil Sharpe data, as well as other newer internet source data on testing of barrel length effect.
Sure, expansion ratio has a strong effect on residual muzzle pressure.
But if this is only what mattered in life, the argument would tend toward a 50 cal or larger w/ a 250 gr bullet, where SD and BC hugely suffer.
I see no stated BC for a 50 cal 250 gr. These are often about 0.1. Pretty poor.
Sure, use of less powder to get a desired result has advantages, but then again, increase the bore size as much as possible to effectively convert the pressure to work.
But energy & muzzle pressure is not king, and what is less powder used to accept a flexibility penalty?
No comment by the OP if he uses hearing protection when hunting or not. Maybe he doesn't care about muzzle pressure.
I hunted for a while w/ pistols w/o hearing protection, and now do use hearing protection w/ most hunting pistols. Yes, hearing can be damaged, but I hear fine for my age after shooting numerous WT w/ 35-50K psi pistol cartridges in 7-15" barrels w/o hearing protection.
1800 fps on a 250 from a 44/45 in pistol length isn't going to be exactly hearing friendly either. Takes a pretty capable cartridge to do that.
44 Rem Mag achieves 1600 on a 250 w/ 14" at SAAMI pressures. 45 Colt won't when adhering to Colt SAAMI spec pressure, really about equal to the 44 when used w/ published "Ruger & TC" loads. 45 Win Mag should do it in 12-14", but stuffed w/ AA9/W296. 454 Casull will out of a 12", but that isn't low muzzle pressure and is still 27-32 gr of powder. 460 S&W will exceed 2000 fps in 15", but likewise, that is not low muzzle pressure and 35-40 gr of powder to do it. Cut the 460 back 200 fps and it doesn't become hearing friendly.
Flexibility:
300-ish yd shot w/ no range finder in unfamiliar territory (degrading estimation): 338, change the bullet & go on your hunt. 44/45, get a range finder and encumber yourself or get a different gun.
Some people just use different things for the same job, seems there can be advantage to me in using what the OP used as he can do something else w/ the same gun. Might seem that way to him too, but just betting there.