.45 Colt hunting load

[dongun]

I recently acquired a Blackhawk in .45 Colt with a 7 1/2" barrel. In addition to plinking, I plan to use it as a backup for hunting whitetail (for those close-in shots - no scope). I regularly reload for my rifles, but this will be my first experience rolling-my-own handgun loads. I would like some suggestions on hunting loads to get me started. I have several partial cans of powder and boxes of bullets that I never use from experimenting blindly with rifle loads. Any tips concerning the difference between reloading for rifles and reloading for handguns would be greatly appreciated also. Thanks for your help.

 

[oscar]

Any healthy dose of 2400 or Unique and a 250 grain cast swc should work just fine for a close shot at a deer. You could use a jhp if you desired.

 

[redneck2]

Go to http://www.sixgunner.com and read "Dissolving the Myth" Covers loads from plinking up to Cape Buffalo

While he covers some rather "substantial" Ruger-only loads that exceed .44 mag performance, for deer I use hard cast 255 LSWC's and Ruger-only charges of AA5. Clocks about 1,000 fps and will go clear thru a deer from any direction.

I used to use heavy charges of H-110/WW-296, but since I'm only shooting one deer with each bullet, I finally figured it was excessive. Lots of noise, lots of recoil, and still one .452 inch hole.

 

[JoeHatley]

Here are a few "Ruger Only" loads from over at Real Guns.

www.realguns.com/loads/45colt.htm

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Harve Curry]

Shot placement on the critter and know where your gun shoots.
You can have to heavy a load/bullet then you really need.
Like some have mentioned you can go through a deer several times.
I recommend 180gr to 200 gr JHP, and a accurate load that gives you 1000 to 1100fps in your 45LC. It will be pleasant to shoot and you can get good with it.
I shot a Coues buck once at 25 yards with a Colt 44 special, 275 gr Kieth bullet and 6.5gr Unique. Hit him to far behind the heart, he fell to his knees, got up and ran. Double lunged him, and went on through. I remember seeing his rib cage compress and come back when it hit him, dust flew from his coat.
Shot a 300 pound black bear with a 1873 Winchester short rifle I'd had converted to 45 lc. Just had plinking ammo. 225 gr cast SWC over 8gr of Unique. Not what I wanted but only thing I had at the time. It did the job pretty quick with 2 good shot placements.

 

[magyars4]

Help

Redneck2
I cant seem to find "dissolving the myth" @ http://www.sixgunner.com could you provide a direct link, or post the article her?
Thanks

 

[dongun]

Thanks for the help. This was just what I was looking for. Everybody pat yourself on the back and tell 'em I said to give you a raise.

 

[redneck2]

Used to be easier to find..

try http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm. I have it in my "favorites" and that's the address it shows

sorry...I have no idea how to copy, paste, etc. Lucky I know how to turn the computer on. If this doesn't work, post again and I'll try again. The article is well worth reading.

 

[WESHOOT2]

somewhere around here.............

Posted quite a bit of data using the Penn Bullets 270g "Thunderhead", might wanna looksee THAT info.......

or e-mail me direct and I'll send an attachment.

 

[JohnK]

Beartooth Bullets has a new one they're calling the Sledgehammer that is along the same lines as the Thunderhead, a little more rounded though. It looks like a great middle weight hunting bullet.

http://beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/archive_open_sight.htm/19

 

[Johnny Guest]

MODERATOR NOTE:

Please re-read the float at the top of H&R forum:
REQUIRED READ for those posting Extra Heavy Load Information

Thank you
Johnny

 

[cheygriz]

250 GR cast gascheck bullet over 9 to 10 GR of Unique works well. 950-1000 FPs depending on which gun I shoot them through.

Plenty of power for whitetails under 50 yards.

Of course, you could go to a 325 cast GC bullet and a healthy dose of H-110 if you really enjoy pain.

 

[Onty]

Here is the link to John Linebaugh's website, just scroll down. Some of the best articles about hunting handguns ever written. Onty.

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/Default.htm

 

[HSMITH]

13 grains of Blue Dot with the Penn Bullets Thunderhead WESHOOT2 pointed out. Nothing on the North American Continent will survive that combo placed right, and it will go deep enough to cover all but quartering-on angles on elk and moose.

 

[Onty]

Here is another MUST READ from John Linebaugh: http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12 , Onty.