45 ACP Deer and HD loads

[Clark]

I killed 4 deer in 2008 with handloads in 270.
I killed 4 deer in 2009 with handloads in 270.
I killed 3 deer in 2010 with handloads in 7mmRM.

I don't know how those bow hunters and handgun hunters do it. I am shooting at 500 yards.

 

[GLOOB]

Berry's HP's don't expand.

Rainier's 230gr HP definitely expands in a way that blows up water jugs and watermelons. But I would question how well the bullet would hold together in a deer. Maybe you could do some testing and let us know.

 

[gdcpony]

I killed 4 deer in 2008 with handloads in 270.
I killed 4 deer in 2009 with handloads in 270.
I killed 3 deer in 2010 with handloads in 7mmRM.

I don't know how those bow hunters and handgun hunters do it. I am shooting at 500 yards.

For bowhunting it involves allot of patience and prescouting. I have only handgunned for varmints so far, but it is much similar.

I like using a rifle, but not legal here in OH. Besides gun season (handgun and shotgun) is about a week and a half. Bow season is over 4 months.

 

[35 Whelen]

I never quite understood people wanting to use an expanding bullet in a 45 ACP. Think about it: the bullet of a 45 ACP is already almost 1/2" in diameter. We fire little skinny bullets from our rifles hoping they will expand to 1/2" so as to make a larger hole through the vitals of the game animal.
Seems to me something along the lines of a 200-225 gr. SWC or TC would fill the bill.
Something else to remember when when using expanding bullets; the larger in diameter the bullet becomes (as it expands) the lower its sectional density and hence, the less it penetrates.
Just a little food for thought.
35W

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I have pics of what a 230 grain 45acp bullet (Golden Sabre) at 830 fps does to deer...

It does more damage than you might think 918v. Complete penetration, I don't have pics of the gob of gunk that was the lungs though...my pics are of the dressed and cleaned deer showing only clean bullet holes.

Warning for weak stomachs...these pics are of bullet wounds on a deer!
On the "inside" of the entry wound...the hole measured over 2 inches... http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/Ridgerunner665/?action=view&current=120_2087.jpg
Bloodshot meat even at the exit hole... http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/Ridgerunner665/?action=view&current=120_2090.jpg

I have a blurry pic of the "inside" of the exit side too...the hole is at least 1", but you can't tell in the pic... http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/Ridgerunner665/?action=view&current=120_2089.jpg


230 grain XTP's are better deer bullets in the 45acp...I expect the 200 grain XTP would be OK too, but haven't tried the lighter bullets. I prefer the higher sectional density of the 230's.

Bullet frontal area is the tale of the tape in permanent wound cavity...the bigger the flat area (expanding bullets or not), the bigger the permanent cavity. Higher velocity also increases the size of the cavity...but the ole 45acp has enough to do the job.

 

[Clark]

I shot a deer with 270 and shot it's nose off. It staggered around and fell down.
I wondered why it could not run without a nose
I tagged it and cut him open.
I had him and inch above the GI tract exit hole and the entire spine had been turned into Shrapnel that hit the guts, and the bullet exited through the nose.

Now I only shoot broadside and through the lungs.

 

[USSR]

I have no doubt that with the proper load and a classic broadside (heart/lung) shot at a reasonable distance, the .45 ACP is up to the task for deer.

Check out the bullets that snuffy and myself are currently turning out:


This 200gr bullet cast with a good alloy and loaded to 1000fps will surely work on whitetails.

Don