Hunting: .45 LC Vs. .357

[ozzyrules]

Which of these calibers is best for deer hunting and the scary accident and running into a bear (small cinnamon bears)?

 

[J Miller]

I've shot enough over the last three decades to distrust anybodies hollow point bullets.

So I can only answer your question this way. A bigger diameter bullet makes a bigger hole.

The .45 Colt can push a bigger dia, heavier bullet at very close to the same velocity as the .357 (gun brand and design permitting). So you have more of everything needed for a good hunting bullet. Given the same bullet design, as far as I'm concerned, there's no contest. .45 Wins.

What's a cinnamon bear? I've never heard of that one.



Joe

 

[HSMITH]

The 45 is leagues ahead of the 357 in killing power. Send a 250 RNFP at 900 fps and a 158 at 1350 and guess which one experienced handgun hunters will take? Even archers get the jist of this, and will choose correctly.

A hunting gun MUST beyond a shadow of a doubt penetrate to the vitals of a target!!!!!!!

The 357 is like lightning bolts on whitetailed deer when shots are placed well, but can't even pretend to be in the same league as a 45 colt.

A cinnamon bear is simply a color phase of the black bear, not a normal phase but not unusual enough to talk about.

 

[Jim March]

Ehhh...a REALLY hot 357 from a 5" or 6" barrel, hardcast and at least 158grains, is no slouch. 180grains @ 1,400 isn't impossible.

You can that top that with 45LC, but you'll need a Ruger or equivelent strength.

 

[caz223]

For smaller animals like deer, the .357 is indeed a lightning bolt with good ammo.
But by the same token, a ruger SA .45 colt with hot ammo is like the fist of God.

 

[ozzyrules]

What about in matters of distance? I shoot .45 acp and i would never use it for hunting deer because the bullet drops and is moving pretty slow. Does the 45 revolver caliber have the same ailments? I am sure it has awesome stopping power but at what range, i guess is the real question i'm asking.
About the bears, the area where i hunt is weird. There are more cinnamon bears than there regular black bears. Rather strange but man are they beautiful.

I also forget to mention that i don't reload.....yet. Will i be able to find good hunting loads for the 45 caliber?

 

[caz223]

Here's a page that might help a little.
http://mysite.elixirlabs.com/index.php?uid=12665&page=1625

Bullet drop tables, a place to buy hot .45 colt ammo (It's not cheap!!), and specs from cor-bon.

A 300 grain JSP at 1300 FPS is serious medicine.
Incidentally, 357SIG, .41 magnum, and .45 colt are the biggest reasons I still reload...
I suppose I should add 10mm to that list soon, but blazers are so convenient.

 

[Majic]

If you compare the "cowboy" loads in .45 Colt to the .45acp they will equal, but move up to the heavy, hard hitting .45 Colt rounds with bullets such as 300 grainers and it's an entirely difeerent world. These loads can be ordered from places such as Buffalo Bore.

 

[RWK]

ozzyrules . . .

To respond to your question “I shoot .45 acp and i would never use it for hunting deer because the bullet drops and is moving pretty slow. Does the 45 revolver caliber have the same ailments?â€, the .45 (long) Colt’s mildest loadings approximate the .45 ACP. At the top-end, however, the .45 (long) Colt has velocity and energy much like the .44 magnum. Therefore, its drop is less pronounced and it is a far more potent handgun round.

 

[Jim March]

45LC from an S&W, SAA, Taurus or "Italian cowboy gun" is practically a different caliber from 45LC+P in a Ruger, Center Contender, Freedom Arms or Anaconda.

The former can be topped with the 357, with difficulty.

The latter can spank a 44Mag by a little bit...Cor-Bons are not the hottest 45LC+P available.

 

[Gastonite]

Check out Buffalo Bore - they push the envelope regarding Velocity and Energy.

http://www.buffalobore.com

 

[Oracle]

Just make sure you have decent sights on the gun. A lot of .45LC guns don't have sights that lend themselves well to hunting. Remember, shot placement is everything, whether you're using a lightning bold or the fist of god, if it doesn't hit in that deer's vitals, then it's not going to be much use to you.