Author Topic: .45 Colt?? (Read 1387 times)

ihuntbucks · « **on:** May 14, 2004, 05:41:40 PM »

What do ya'll think of the .45Colt for whitetail hunting?.......Rick

leverfan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2004, 06:38:27 PM »

Rick-

In a strong, modern revolver, the 45 Colt is all the handgun you'll ever need to hunt deer, elk, black bear, or what have you. It used to be that only handloaders could take full advantage of it, but now Buffalo Bore and others are offering what you might call "+P" loads for the 45 Colt. These loads are strictly for Ruger, Freedom Arms, T/C type handguns, not Peacemakers or their clones. I've used AA#9 or H110 under 255 grain lead bullets in handloads for a Ruger Blackhawk, and it's a great round to handload.

Even if you hunt with a Colt Peacemaker, there's no reason why it can't take whitetail deer out to whatever range you're up to. In a 7.5" barrel, the original black powder load sent a 255 grain bullet out the muzzle at over 900 fps. That will drop any deer around, if it's well placed. Several loading manuals can give you handloads that safely match or approach that original power level in Colts and Colt clones.

I wouldn't use some of the current down-loaded cowboy action shooting ammo, since it's about 200 fps slower than the original black powder loads, and some of it is loaded with light weight bullets, too.

wyote · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2004, 11:42:21 AM »

I have a SS Ruger 7.5 in blackhawk and a SS Ruger 5.5 in Bisley. I've taken mulies, whitetails, antelope, and bears with them.

I use a 300 gr or 330 gr cast bullet with a heavy load of H110. It's all I need in a handgun.

WD45 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2004, 12:47:21 PM »

The 45 colt is a lot of power in a small package. Even at the lower velocities of 1000 , 1100 fps with a 250 grn and above kieth style cast bullet you will have no problem killing deer under 100 yards. With the Rugers and other strong guns you can run them faster but for deer I have found it not necessary. Every deer I have killed with those loads has been a pass thru so the only thing more velocity would do is make it shoot a little flatter. They dont beat ya to death either

Take some 300 grainers and run them about 1000 FPS and go shoot a few wet phone books , small trees, ( just don't let any tree huggers see ya ) and such and I believe you will be very suprised

Zeus · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2004, 09:13:17 AM »

I'll have to agree with the above. I just bought my first 45 Colt, an Old Model Ruger with the 4 5/8" barrel. Looks new so I figured I would dirty it up a little. With the heavier hunting loads, this thing seems to recoil faster than my Freedom Arms 454. However, the grip frame is different which will make all of that different. I loaded some 325 grain Keith bullets with Lil Gun, they were going 1262 fps, the 265 grain Cast Performance bullets were somewhere around 1350, and the 300 Cast Performance bullets were around 1130. These all shot somewhere around the 2-2.5" mark with 5 shots at 25 yards. I imagine they will do better than that for sure. The throats are tight on mine so I may have that opened up to .4525 to see how much it will help, sure couldn't hurt. As far as hunting with it, I can't wait. From the power of these, it should be awesome for the whitetails. Light, short, and easy handling, this is a very small yet powerful package. However, I've loaded some 255 cast at 800 that were pretty accurate and should be a good plinking load. They should be fun and would probably do just fine on everyday shooting activities. I say get one for sure. I like mine so far......GS

Sverre A. · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2004, 10:55:32 AM »

"In a strong, modern revolver, the 45 Colt is all the handgun you'll ever need to hunt deer, elk, black bear, or what have you. "

I have a Ruger Vaquero (bought this year), and want to load some huntingloads for it. Do you think it is strong enough for loads which are used in a Blackhawk?

leverfan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2004, 10:57:39 AM »

Sverre A.-

The Vaquero is just a variation of the Blackhawk, and they're equally strong. Have at it, and have fun.

Robert357 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2004, 06:55:23 PM »

A Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt with 7.5 barrel jumped into my hands at a gun show on Sunday, and forced me to take it home. In the past I have handloaded heavy 180 & 200 grain 357 Mag with Alliant 2400 power and really like that powder.

I saw the suggestion on cast lead bullets and H-110, but I prefer Alliant 2400. I am thinking about leaving my Win Mod 70, 30-06 in the gun safe this deer season and had thought about using my heavy 357 mags, now I think I will try the 45 Colt with some 250 or 300 grain bullets.

In looking over some reloading manuals, it appears that 2400 can be used with jacketed bullets of 250 to 300 grains such as the Hornady XTP bullets. I have yet to see 2400 suggested for any cast bullet loads. Even my Lyman Cast bullet reloading manual only goes up to 250 & 255 lead bullets for Ruger & TC and doesn't list any magnum powders like H-110 or Alliant 2400.

The Alliant website further doesn't list anything for the 45 Colt. Hodgdon's website does have H-110, H-4227 & Lilgun loads for the Ruger 45 Colt and heavy bullets.

If I want to use Alliant 2400 am should I use a jacketed bullet like the Honrady XTP? Or if I use a cast bullet, should it be gas checked or will the likely 1100 to 1300 fps not require a copper gas check? In short, can I just substitute a similar cast bullet weight for a jacketed Alliant 2400 load? (obviously working up to it and checking for signs of overpressure.)

(P.S. on the way home from the show, I stopped by the range and fired 12 factory rounds through the Ruger 45 Colt, from a support at a 25 yards target. All were in the Black on an NRA pistol target--I was quite pleased. Now I can practice unsupported shooting and know that might sights are on for a 6 o'clock hold and factory 240 grain loads.)

WD45 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2004, 01:04:37 AM »

robert 357,
You can use 2400 with cast no problem. That was one of Elmer Keiths most used powders for years with all kinds of cast bullets. Check out Paco Kelly's articles and the other Boys on the sixgunner.com back issues. He has some good stuff there on 45's along with some good loads with 2400 and cast. Hope that helps

Donna · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2004, 03:50:54 AM »

Been working up loads for my Ruger Blackhawk 45 colt using my own swaged jacketed 300-grain bullets, got the velocity up in the 1200 fps range without any of the pressure signs at all but I think Ill stop there it is all that my hands can handle. Im using a military surplus powder WC-820. I was getting my load worked up where you could cover 5 shots with a quarter at 50 yards when my Burris 10X pistol scope broke. Now I have a Leopold 2.5-8X, hopefully this wont brake under the pounding that the Ruger 45 colt can handle.

I would like to hunt Black Bear with it, think it will do a good job on Bears and Deer.

Donna

44 Man · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2004, 09:21:07 AM »

Assume when you buy the older model Rugers that you will handload .454 size bullets. I have owned three of them (early new models) and none shot worth a hoot. They were terrible with .451 bullets and barely passable with .454 bullets. One shot the best with .456 as cast, unsized bullets. I finally replaced the cylinder on the last one I owned with one with tighter throats and that was better but still not up with my .44 mag Rugers. Ended up selling it also. If I were to buy another, I would carry a jacketed .452 bullet in my pocket and make sure it was a slip fit through the cylinder throats before I put down my money or just plan to fit a .44mag cylinder and have it cut to proper dimensions. 44 Man

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2004, 10:05:51 AM »

I think Zeus' gun is the perfect 45LC handgun hunting configuration. Simple, holster-able, iron sights, short barrel, capable of handling stout loads. It may be the cheapskate's answer to the 480 Ruger.

Zeus · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2004, 03:26:13 PM »

I've had the 480 Ruger and actually prefer the 45 caliber handgun overall. My Freedom Arms 454 is my favorite for sure. I've got a few loads for it that are basically 45 Colt loads that I will be using this year for the deer here in MS. The 480 is fine but is only chambered in large bulky handguns at this time (besides the FA) in my opinion. The SRH I had was bulky and lacked the lines and balance of the single action. The only other downfall is the component availability for the 480 to reload for. However, the components are becoming more readily available. With more and more 480s and 475s out there, it will only get better I imagine. I for one have always liked the short barreled guns but this is my first to own. All of my others mainly have 7.5" barrels. As far as a "cheapskates answer", I actually paid more for this one that I did for my 480 so I didn't fall into that catagory unfortunately :cry: this time but if I were to go and get a new model one, I just may fill in that slot. They can be had for very reasonable prices, some with the convertible cylinders for the ACP for cheap practice of trigger control. I think everyone is a cheapskate at heart. :grin: Sometimes we just can't get what we want for that low ball number. We can still try though....GS

oso45-70 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2004, 04:01:21 PM »

Zeus
Nice looking three screw. Theres nothing quite as nice as the older Bhs.
I have had a lot of rugers since 1956 and all of them would do the job if you did your part. I learned early in my shooting days to tune them up and put a little better trigger on them and slick them up some. I've had a lot of enjoyment out of my rugers. My favorite is and has been the 45. there's nothing you can't do with one, Not that i don't like the others, i do.
I have a couple 44-40s that i like pretty well also. OK i'll shut up now that i have put every one to sleep, yall have a good day.........Joe..........