Deer Hunting with a 45 ACP?
- Thread starter WisBorn
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Patocazador
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IMO, it's a bad idea. Too much room for error when trying to make lethal shots.
Animals deserve to be put down quickly.
Animals deserve to be put down quickly.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
No semi-auto allowed for big game in Pa. I think that will change soon. They are now allowing it small game and varmints. Where before it wasn't allowed. I hunt the woods. So i would feel comfortable using a 45 PPC.
Bazoo
Member
The 45ACP is legal for big game hunting here in Idaho. As a matter of fact, about the only restrictions for hunting big game with a handgun here are: it can't be a rimfire, and it can't be a muzzleloader.
That said, I personally wouldn't hunt deer with a 45ACP. Less than one in three Idaho deer hunters even get a deer. I don't get one every year, and I've been hunting deer since I was 14 years old - 60 years. My wife makes the best chicken fried venison steaks with biscuits and gravy in the world, and I'm not about to lower the chances of my bringing home a venison by restricting myself to using a close-range gun like a 45ACP - regardless of its barrel length.
Could you share that recipe? Sounds amazing.
.308 Norma
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Yes, I'd be happy to. I'll have my wife type it up, and then I'll post it in that "recipe forum" thread. Thanks for asking.
Terry G
Member
If your an expert shot and lucky you would probably do alright but I've seen too many Whitetails lost to rifle calibers to think about it. I've shot my share but with a BSA 7 MM magnum and now exclusively with a Browning BAR in .30/06. I've never lost one or even had to track one.
Armored farmer
Member
With good ammo, good shot placement and at appropriate ranges to make that happen a deer will be just as dead from a 45 ACP as anything else. You will have limited range compared to a rifle, and it takes more skill with a handgun than a rifle. You just have to accept your limitations and don't take shots farther than you have the skills to put it in the vital organs. And your ammo choices have to be made more carefully.
I don't hunt with any handgun because I'm not willing to accept the limitations. But lots of guys do. The way I see it using a 45 ACP to deer hunt is no different than someone choosing to deer hunt bare bow with traditional long bows or a recurve. Both are very limited, and both have about the same effective range. And both should only be used by highly skilled hunters and shooters.
I don't hunt with any handgun because I'm not willing to accept the limitations. But lots of guys do. The way I see it using a 45 ACP to deer hunt is no different than someone choosing to deer hunt bare bow with traditional long bows or a recurve. Both are very limited, and both have about the same effective range. And both should only be used by highly skilled hunters and shooters.
tactikel
Member
Over the last 130 years PCCs (.45 Colt, .44-40, .38-40,.32-20) have harvested 10s of thousands of deer, and lost thousands upon thousands more.
So use the .45 acp, just keep shots under 20 yards, be able to put 6 of 6 shots into a 6” bull in hunting conditions, and use quality bullets ethical for deer.
So use the .45 acp, just keep shots under 20 yards, be able to put 6 of 6 shots into a 6” bull in hunting conditions, and use quality bullets ethical for deer.
OP
OP
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Thank you to everyone that responded to the thread!
I would need to buy a new 5 1/2" - 6" barrel for my Springfield to use it in Wisconsin. So I will pass on using the 45acp in the near future.
Safe and ethical hunting to you next season!!!
I would need to buy a new 5 1/2" - 6" barrel for my Springfield to use it in Wisconsin. So I will pass on using the 45acp in the near future.
Safe and ethical hunting to you next season!!!
jmorris
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Not to make any attempt to reverse your sound and good decision, but there are even 16” barrels for 1911 pistols. I don’t feel it makes the round much more potent but they do make one noticeably quieter and much less useful as a holstered firearm.
N555
Member
Cut that down to around 8 or 9 inches, load up some good 230gr HP bullets with enforcer and they may go supersonic.
v8stang289
Member
I'd say it depends on the size of the deer as well. I'd have no qualms using a stout 45acp for Eastern NC deer. When hunting I sometimes carry a 3.5" or 4" 45acp revolver loaded with a 215wfn over power pistol to ~950fps. (IIRC avg was a tad over 940 with the 3.5" and about 980 with the 4". SAA replica and S&W 625)
I also have a G21 set up for 45super. That same 215wfn @1100fps or a 230xtp @1050fps is plenty for ENC whitetails in my opinion.
But as others have said, shot placement and proficiency is key.
I also have a G21 set up for 45super. That same 215wfn @1100fps or a 230xtp @1050fps is plenty for ENC whitetails in my opinion.
But as others have said, shot placement and proficiency is key.
The Happy Kaboomer
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I killed a running buck in a cut down with my Kimber 45 acp loaded with Hydra-Shoks. Bullet broke left shoulder and when exiting nicked the bone on the right front leg. I was in there with my dogs trying to jump a deer. Too thick to wield a shotgun. Dogs jumped and the buck circled back by me at about 20 feet.
AJC1
Member
I was considering a 32-20 as a range toy, I personally feel it's less than ideal for medium game and would choose the 45 over it.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Super fat pest of a groundhog with a FMJ .45 out of a Hi point carbine was unimpressive.
But I bet a real round would do well.
Ammo will make or break it.
But I bet a real round would do well.
Ammo will make or break it.
evildogooder
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45 acp is legal out of a 1911 in mn. the only requirement is that it is .220 or larger centerfire. there are no restrictions for pistols other than it can't be a muzzle loading revolver. our local dnr agent has hunted with one for years and i have taken several. the original round was meant to closely mimic the 45 colt. The government's requirement of the .45 colt was to be able to drop a 1200 pound horse with one shot from distance, yes they actually did do this test, yes it did pass the test. If you can place your shot correctly a .45 will take any deer at reasonable distances
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Buzznrose
Member
A LOT of deer are killed by poachers with .22LR’s. Deer aren’t hard to kill.
Us deer hunters (Meat eaters) are a twisted bunch! Back in the mid 70's we were at the fire house and heard of a deer being hit down the road from the fire house. when We arrived the little doe had a broken leg, the woman who hit her said she would be ok right?
I said I don't think she will make it, and put a .22lr behind her ear. the woman screamed and we loaded the Bambi into our truck, the meat was still twitching as we were cutting it up.
When the next town over's PD camo over and asked where the deer was we said What deer
I said I don't think she will make it, and put a .22lr behind her ear. the woman screamed and we loaded the Bambi into our truck, the meat was still twitching as we were cutting it up.
When the next town over's PD camo over and asked where the deer was we said What deer
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