[farscott]

As I get ready for another hunting season, I am torn about what gun/round I want to use. In rifles, I usually use factory .243 Win and, in handguns, I use a 260-grain JHP .454 Casull at 1100 fps. This year I am considering using my Baer Prowler III with its Aimpoint Comp for deer.

I looked at tracks on my property on Saturday, so I have a very good idea where the deer will be and where I will be.

Is the .45 ACP reasonable for this considering the following?

1) The deer here tend to be small. All of mine have been less than 140 pounds. Most are under 120 pounds.

2) Shots are all under 50 yards from a rest. I expect the average shot to be around 30 yards.

3) I can shoot the gun into less than five-inches at 50 yards offhand using all seven rounds in the magazine. I can do three-inch groups at that distance with a rest if I avoid caffeine. Saturday I was shooting three-shot cloverleafs at 25 yards using a piece of oak facing end-wise as my target. The dot sight makes holding on a point target easy.

If the round is reasonable, any suggestions on bullets? Right now, I am leaning toward standard-velocity 230-grain ball. I could change the springs and firing pin stop and load a .45 Super, but I rather not.

[PT1911]

I have heard of several people taking deer with their 1911's in mech tech uppers... the round is well capable of it if you are able to make the shot... as far as what bullets to use... others can tell you better than myself, but I think the majority will lean toward penetration over expansion with the 45acp for hunting.

[bdg146]

XTPs are supposed to be great hunting bullets, so why not go for their +P offering? Not sure if it'll have enough velocity out at 50 yards to still penetrate enough though.

[kdstrick]

If you can make a head shot, yes. If not, unless you have a dog to follow the blood trail, I would not recommend it. I've shot deer through the heart and lungs with my 243 and had them run 150 or more yards. They are tough, and don't go down easy. If the 45 bullet fails to create an exit hole, the blood trail will be minimal and you may lose the deer.

[351 WINCHESTER]

I think you are just asking for trouble. No doubt a .45 will kill a deer (so will a .38), but why take a chance on a wounded deer running off and suffering?

[mongo4567]

I would be very comfortable with the .45 for a central Texas deer at 50 yards or less, but they are tiny compared to other areas. I had a friend kill one with his .45 at about 25 yards, DRT. If it was a MO or KS deer I would only take a shot equivilent to a bow hunter's: double lung quartering away or perfectly broadside.

[farscott]

The deer are tiny here as well, at least compared to the deer I hunted in Michigan. I will limit myself to head shots and give the .45 ACP a try for a day or two. I also want to try my Contender with its ten-inch .41 Magnum barrel.

[MCgunner]

I'd keep it to 30 yards or less, recurve bow range, personally. You ain't workin' with much energy at the muzzle, let alone at 50 yards, even with +P stuff. I've killed 'em quite dead with the .357 Magnum making round abouts 800 ft lbs at the muzzle and I keep that one under 50 yards, but it worked, so within 25 or 30 yards, the .45 should work okay. There are far better hunting handguns, though, who's name includes "magnum", or maybe "long colt". :D That .41 mag Contender is definitely a better choice. My own favorite deer hunting Contender barrel is in .30-30 Winchester.

[GodGuns&Guitars]

I've posted pictures on here of two of the three deer I've taken with 45ACP. If you can keep your shots down into the 30 yards or less distances, I say HELL YES go for it. Shoulder shots do work well on deer with the 45. Two of the three deer I've taken with the 45 the rounds went through and through. Nice big exit wounds and only minimal tracking had to be done. (60 Yards max as far as tracking) I was using 230 grain Gold Dots on one I shot and 230 grain Golden Sabre's with another one I shot. One I shot with 230 grain Federal Hydro Shoks I did recover the bullet. He was at 25 yards and went down in his tracks. If you feel confident with your shooting skills go for it. I"ve been handgun hunting since 1974.

[kanook]

I am leaning toward standard-velocity 230-grain ballprobably not legal to use ball ammo.

[GodGuns&Guitars]

I have to agree with kanook. I know in Arkansas ball ammo is not legal. Go with a good hollow point. 230 grain.

[jimmyraythomason]

Ball ammo is definitely NOT legal for hunting in Alabama.

[GodGuns&Guitars]

Here are two of the three I've taken with 45acp. Both were shot using a Kimber Custom TLE II.

Five point
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/KIMBER45TLE/9005800-R1-031-14.jpg

Seven Point
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/KIMBER45TLE/4470930-R1-015-6.jpg

[farscott]

I pulled the regulations for hunting in Alabama. The wording is as such.Handguns or pistols using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.I guess I need to load some 230-grain hollowpoint ammo. Thanks for letting me know.

[kanook]

200 grain SWC will work also. I've used that for Hog hunting.

I think the best bet is to do what GodGuns&Guitars seems to be using.

[HGUNHNTR]

I do a fair amount of handgun hunting as you can probably tell from my screen name. I have had very good success on whitetails with Remingtons 185 gr +p golden Saber. It has plenty of penetration at 30 yards, and mushrooms nicely.

Its kind of silly how the same people that will attest to the stopping power of a 45acp on 250 pound bad guys, don't think it will work on 120 pound deer.:rolleyes:

[Jim Watson]

The late Stan S. here in North Alabama hunted deer routinely and effectively with .45 ACP.
I think he shot mostly Ranger T.

[highorder]

I also want to try my Contender with its ten-inch .41 Magnum barrel.


That sounds dandy.

Its kind of silly how the same people that will attest to the stopping power of a 45acp on 250 pound bad guys, don't think it will work on 120 pound deer

In all fairness, a shot bad guy knows he's shot, and everything that comes with it. He is far more likely to lay down and die...

The deer only knows to escape sudden danger/pain. The have no cognition.

A deer shot with a .45acp will die, but not as fast and close as some would like.

[mbt2001]

You can use .45 auto on deer no problem, SUPPOSING that your auto is accurate enough. That is my number one concern. The .45 LC is a good hunting round and the .45 ACP is basically an analog of the .45 LC, but revolvers tend to be more accurate than autos.

Keep the range close and the shots to the neck.

For the record, the .38 special was considered a small to light deer game getter in days gone by... Most pistol cartridges will do fine if the range is close and the shot is good (again, preferably to the neck). I would advise shooting your weapon and practicing gauging distances to ensure that you can do your part when it comes time to drop the hammer.

[HGUNHNTR]

^^ agreed In short, imagine you are bow hunting and practice accordingly.
Gun companies would have us beleive that pistol rounds are only good for defense.
Imagine how the image of the hunting handgun could change the general nonshooting public's view of handguns. People are amazed and astonished when I tell them I hunt with a handgun, most people don't even think its possible. Get out there and does some handgun hunting, and share your success stories with friends, relatives and co-workers. Most gun nuetral folks are more accepting of firearms they think are for hunting, ie bolt action rifles and wood stocked shotguns. It may be futile, but I'm doing my best to change the sterotype.