.45LC questions

[Choclabman]

Yesterday, I won a Ruger Blackhawk 5.5" .45LC. I put 2 boxes of CCI 200gr JHP's through it. I really like this revolver. Shooting it, reminded me of the history behind the SA and the .45LC.

It also got me to thinking, about using the .45LC for deer hunting. I have had great luck on GA, AL and TN whitetail with a 5.5" SBH .44mag.

I do not reload. Can someone recommend quality factory hunting loads, for the .45LC?

Thanks

 

[BigBlock]

Buffalo Bore (www.buffalobore.com)

You really should start realoading though, 45 colt rounds are EXPENSIVE!

 

[rcmodel]

https://dakotaammo.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_59&products_id=98

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/handgundetail.aspx?symbol=X45CSHP2&cart=NDUgQ29sdA==


rcmodel

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Hunting ammo depends on what kind of game you want to hunt. All the major ammo makers produce hard-cast lead and jacketed softpoint or hollowpoint loads for hunting. For that matter, the 200-gr. JHP you mentioned should easily take thin-skinned game like deer. This revolver (and only this revolver) can handle some very heavy loads if necessary. The limiting factors are your stalking and shooting skills.

 

[mavracer]

www.doubletapammo.com

 

[MCgunner]

B. Bore would be my first choice. I'm glad I handload, though, and don't have to pay for that stuff.

Hey, I'd say you have some skills if you won this gun in a match. However, I won a rifle once, and didn't need any skills, just pure dumb luck. Was a gun show door prize raffle. You will LOVE this gun. It's exceedingly accurate with either cast or jacketed stuff. I cast a 255 grain flat nose bullet for mine that pushes about 950 fps out of my 4 5/8" barrel. It's my light load. It makes little clover leafs at 25 yards if I can do my part. My hot load involves a 300 grain Hornady XTP at something shy of 1200 fps. It is just as accurate.

 

[Jim March]

In case it's not clear yet: your gun in 45LC is built on a "44Magnum grade" frame - and can actually take more power than that. Your gun is the reason the "45LC+P" rounds exist, some of which equal or even slightly exceed the 44Mag in raw power on tap and are perfectly appropriate for most deer this side of a moose .

With the right type of slug of course. But that's just as true of the 44Mag.

 

[Mac45]

Congrats on the win!
Another vote for Buffalo Bore.
But you REALLY should think about handloading.
.45 Colt's are addictive, and can be expensive to feed if you don't roll your own

 

[hamourkiller]

That 255 gr Keith Style Semi Wad cutter made out of lino type is one heck of a bullet. I found mine shot the best when sized .454 VS .452. 900 to 1100 fps with the lead bullet kills very well.

 

[Stainz]

Georgia Arms loads that high speed Speer 200gr GD JHP in Starline .45 Colt brass. It's pretty potent - I've chrono-ed them at 1123 +/-8 fps from my 4" S&W 625MG, 1210 +/- 20 fps from my 5.5" RH, and 1424 +/- 6 fps from my 24" Puma SS M1895. Speer has a lower speed .45 Colt bullet - #4484 250gr GD JHP - made to open at 800 fps up. I load it over 6.1 gr of Titegroup for 814 +/-11 fps from my 4" 625MG, while a Meister/OT Laser Cast 255gr LSWC .452" makes a few more fps. Either would be sufficient with good marksmanship for a thin-skinned beastie, like a white-tail.

Try to avoid Al-cased Blazers - I have had the .44 Specials split. The GA Arms ammo is probably cheaper, anyway. Save the brass... I never thought I'd reload, either. Then, at a reloader/friend's request, I counted my .45 Colts - over 2,700! I ordered a Dillon 550B, sight unseen - the first press I ever touched came directly to my house. Great equipment, too - and another hobby.

Stainz

 

[Choclabman]

The match was an IDPA type match, between club members. The BH was donated by a local gunshop. As far as winning-- Thanks. I do appreciate it. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.

The .45LC is really intriguing me. It is a great/fun caliber to shoot. The history behind the caliber is long and storied. It looks like you can go from squib loads for punching paper, to very heavy loads that eclipse the .44mag for hunting.

I see form the links you have been nice enough to post, the .45LC is no more expensive than the .44mag.

I just want to say, that I really do appreciate the help.

 

[Jim March]

No problem. If you do get another 45LC gun, bear in mind that most can't handle the same power levels as the Blackhawk you just scored. For example, the Ruger "New Vaquero" is built on a smaller mid-frame size similar to the Colt SAA. The hottest 45LC+P loads might damage an SAA-class gun in just one shot and a full-blown "parts flying everywhere" situation isn't impossible...

Hot 45LC+P is tricky this way, OK?

If you're going to shoot the wild stuff in a gun like what you have, you might be safer deliberately not owning a lesser-strength 45LC gun of any brand so as not to mix ammo up by accident.

 

[campbell]

Doubletap and Buffalobore are the best, but Doubletap is much cheaper.

If you're shooting big bores regularly, reloading is something to consider. .45 Colt is perhaps the greatest all around caliber there is.