Hunting with .45 Colt

[Rye Miles #13621]

I’ve got a 73 and a 66. My friend wondered if hunting with a .45 would be okay for deer. I don’t hunt but I told him he can use one of the rifles if he wanted. I have some coated 200 gr rounds I loaded (6.2 grs of HP38) and also a box of 250 gr Hornady Cowboy loads. Would either of these be okay or does he need something hotter?

 Thanks 

Edited September 24 by Rye Miles #13621

[Silver Creek Jack]

Morning Rye, the .45 colt has plenty of punch for close range whitetail deer in your rifles mentioned but he needs to keep his shots within 100 yards, 50 yards would be perfect with those two loads you have. I have taken several whitetail with my 73 here in Kansas with the 45 colt over the years, I used a 200 grain RNFP  lead bullet and it was leaving the muzzle at 900 fps. It took them out with no problem. None were over 75 yards, Will have to look up the exact load of powder and grains I used, probably power pistol. The load was very accurate, Hope he does well!

[Rye Miles #13621]

13 minutes ago, Silver Creek Jack said:

Morning Rye, the .45 colt has plenty of punch for close range whitetail deer in your rifles mentioned but he needs to keep his shots within 100 yards, 50 yards would be perfect with those two loads you have. I have taken several whitetail with my 73 here in Kansas with the 45 colt over the years, I used a 200 grain RNFP  lead bullet and it was leaving the muzzle at 900 fps. It took them out with no problem. None were over 75 yards, Will have to look up the exact load of powder and grains I used, probably power pistol. The load was very accurate, Hope he does well!

Thanks! I’ll let him know. He’s a pretty experienced hunter but he usually hunts with a shotgun.  He probably has to stay well within 100 yds with a shotgun. 

Edited September 24 by Rye Miles #13621

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

Yes, just like Silver Creek Jack said. If he keeps his shots in the same range as he would for his shotgun the 45 Colt will do just fine for deer.

[Dacotua]

1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I’ve got a 73 and a 66. My friend wondered if hunting with a .45 would be okay for deer. I don’t hunt but I told him he can use one of the rifles if he wanted. I have some coated 200 gr rounds I loaded (6.2 grs of HP38) and also a box of 250 gr Hornady Cowboy loads. Would either of these be okay or does he need something hotter?

 Thanks 

 

I'm a avid hunter. Deer are not some sort of super animal. If he puts a bullet into the vitals of the deer, it will go down.

 

I've killed many deer with an arrow and a 45 Colt has way more penetration and energy than my Mathew's Bow with a an arrow.

 

If you loaded the 45 Colt as a "full house" load (I did not go look up what 6.2grn of HP38 on a 200grn bullet), but it should be enough for a deer.

I have also killed Wild Hogs with a 22 Long Rifle, at about 20 yards max, but it still killed the hogs (They were in my hog trap).

 

You can also search youtube with "Elk Hunt with the old iron sights 45 long colt". You will see someone hunting a Elk with a Winchester 1873 with 45 colt. Its a short video, but it knocks the Elk down immediately. (Not my video).

 

Edited September 24 by Dacotua

[Bison Bud]

As already mentioned, the .45 Colt should be quite adequate with proper bullet placement and within proper ranges.  However, I'd recommend checking the State laws in your area first, as I think there are still some states to do not allow pistol calibers or at least have some regulations about their use to hunt deer.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Ohio allows any straight walled cartridge for hunting including .357 mag, .44 mag, .45 Colt, etc

9 minutes ago, Bison Bud said:

As already mentioned, the .45 Colt should be quite adequate with proper bullet placement and within proper ranges.  However, I'd recommend checking the State laws in your area first, as I think there are still some states to do not allow pistol calibers or at least have some regulations about their use to hunt deer.

 

[Dacotua]

1 hour ago, Bison Bud said:

As already mentioned, the .45 Colt should be quite adequate with proper bullet placement and within proper ranges.  However, I'd recommend checking the State laws in your area first, as I think there are still some states to do not allow pistol calibers or at least have some regulations about their use to hunt deer.

 

True!

 

Places like Colorado requires all cartridges to have 1000 ft pounds of energy at 100 yards to be legal as well as being .240 cal or larger  (So it basically makes you use a 44 Magnum if you want to use a pistol cartridge).

 

Some States require only Straight wall cartridges.

 

Some regulations of certain areas will only allow single shot rifles too.

 

Hunting regulations vary drastically from State to State and even in local locations. Even some federal lands place restrictions such as Muzzleloader only or Shotgun only.

 

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

.45 Colt is very similar in hitting power to .44-40, which has, by some estimates, put more deer meat on the table than even the .30-30.   

I'd go buy 1 box of standard .45 Colt ammo, and just use that for a hunting load.  

[Blackwater 53393]

The .45 Colt ammunition that I shoot out of my Ruger Blackhawk and replica ‘92 rifle is hotter than .44 Remington Magnum, (bigger case, more powder, bigger projectile).

 

I wouldn’t shoot it out of my ‘66 or any of my Remington or Colt replica revolvers, but out of a ‘92 or perhaps a Marlin I wouldn’t hesitate!

 

Check out Widder’s thread over in the Saloon on hot .45 loads titled “45 Colt: HOT loads (Ruger SBH Hunters and Marlin)”.

 

He goes into some detail with some hot .45 Colt loads with load combinations, velocities, and muzzle energy numbers.

 

It’s about four pages over right now.  Ought to be great for hunting deer and such!

 

 

Edited September 24 by Blackwater 53393

[Erasmus]

We're it me, I'd buy a box of the Hornady FTX ammo and go hunting. 

 

If your buddy is a slug hunter he's used to putting some really big holes in deer. A cast lead bullet with a BIG wide meplat (so not the standard shaped .45 RNFP) will put a pretty good hole in a deer, one with a small meplat will put an okay sized hole in a deer. An expanding bullet like the FTX will put a big hole in a deer. So long as it doesn't limit penetration, bigger holes are better. 

 

Yes, people have killed deer with all sorts of cartridges using all sorts of bullets. But back in the day when cast lead bullets and black powder were standard, blood trailing your shot deer for hundreds of yards wasn't considered abnormal. A deer shot in the heart is a dead deer right now, a deer shot high in the back of the lungs is a dead deer in a few minutes. 

[Sawhorse Kid]

What kind of terrain does your friend hunt in? 

Terrain type, is it .... Flat and Open or Hills, Trees or Brush?

Average shot distance for his designated hunting area?

These details can influence weapon and ammo choices.

 

 

 

Edited September 24 by Sawhorse Kid

[Rip Snorter]

Might be worth checking out this  https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/leverevolution#!/

[Sawhorse Kid]

Aren't the Leverevolution rounds designed for lever actions with a box magazine?

[Griff]

According to QuickLoad, 6.2 grains of HP-38 provides about 8,748 psi of pressure and from a 24" bbl, about 1,112 fps of muzzle velocity.  Unlike cowboy action, it's all about location, location, location.  Depending on just how confident a shot your friend is... I'd consider that adequate under 100 yards, (preferably under 75).   Bumping that up to 7.0 grains, increases pressure to just over 10,000 psi and very close to 1,200 fps... IMO better numbers and terminal velocities at 100 yards. 

4 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

.45 Colt is very similar in hitting power to .44-40, which has, by some estimates, put more deer meat on the table than even the .30-30.   

I'd go buy 1 box of standard .45 Colt ammo, and just use that for a hunting load.  

I've read that the .30-30 eclipsed the .44-40 some 40 years ago in terms of numbers of deer harvested.

10 minutes ago, Sawhorse Kid said:

Aren't the Leverevolution rounds designed for lever actions with a box magazine?

NO, they were specifically developed for tubular magazines, hence their "gummy" tips.

 

 

Edited September 24 by Griff

[Erasmus]

30 minutes ago, Sawhorse Kid said:

Aren't the Leverevolution rounds designed for lever actions with a box magazine?

They are not. The pointy tip is soft and meant for use with tubular magazines. 

 

Heh, Griff got there first but I'll add: If you use the brass from the Hornady ammo loaded with the FTX (Flex Tip) bullets you'll find it's shorter than 'normal' brass. It's something to be aware of if you're flaring and roll crimping your cowboy ammo and get that brass mixed in. 

Edited September 24 by Erasmus

[Widder, SASS #59054]

When I tested the FTX bullets (.45 Cal, 200 grain), I only tested the bullets in MY brass.

 

Thats good info to know about the factory FTX brass length........ THANKS!

 

As for the OAL using FTX bullets, caution is to be used in the OAL.   Loading 'too short' can create a compressed load.

Loading 'to long' and they won't feed reliably onto the carrier and into the chamber.

On my reloads, using the 200 gr FTX (.45 Cal), I cut off the extended red tip at the end of the brass portion of the bullet.

Works great.

 

..........Widder

 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

My information on the HOT .45 COLT reloads has been moved back to the 1st page in the Saloon.

 

I would not recommend using these type reloads in the 66 or 73.

But they are a real 'thunder boomer' in Ruger SBH Hunters and the 1894 Marlin.

 

Best regards

 

..........Widder

 

[Erasmus]

28 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

When I tested the FTX bullets (.45 Cal, 200 grain), I only tested the bullets in MY brass.

 

Thats good info to know about the factory FTX brass length........ THANKS!

 

 

Yup, I learned the hard way. When I started with .45 Colt the cheapest way for me to get brass quickly was to buy a couple of boxes of the Hornady ammo and fire them off. I then reloaded them for a cowboy shoot. Later I found some new Starline brass and loaded it all up for a cowboy shoot but ended up screwing up the first piece out the gate. I adjusted the dies and didn't think of it. After that I had a mix of the Hornady brass and Starline brass. I started reloading and lo and behold, I squashed a case seating a bullet because it didn't have enough flare. That was the "ah ha" moment and I finally took out the calipers and eventually separated everything by headstamp. 

 

It's a by product of the FTX bullet shape, the long ogive reduces the bearing surface and moves the crimp groove back. If you load an FTX bullet in a standard length case you'll either see the bullet seated past the beginning of the ogive, or you'll end up crimping over the ogive instead of in the crimp groove. 

 

If you have a hornady handbook handy it warns you that the trim length for the FTX bullets is shorter than standard. If you seat the to crimp groove with standard length brass your COAL will be too long (unless you cut off the tip). With a full case of powder you could probably just crimp over the ogive like old school black powder rounds; but without a full case you might be flirting with bullet setback and accompanying pressure issues. 

[Silver Creek Jack]

20 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

My information on the HOT .45 COLT reloads has been moved back to the 1st page in the Saloon.

 

I would not recommend using these type reloads in the 66 or 73.

But they are a real 'thunder boomer' in Ruger SBH Hunters and the 1894 Marlin.

 

Best regards

 

..........Widder

 

Exactly why I told Rye to use the load I mentioned, the links in those 66 and 73 rifles I think would have a very hard time standing up to the pounding of those HOT loads. Also the .45 caliber 200 gr. RNFP were cast by me out of 1-20 lead, they flatten out on impact and leave a devastating wound channel with complete penetration at 50 yards on these big Kansas white tails, of the 8 whitetail and 3 mule deer and one pronghorn antelope I have shot with those loads, the farthest one might have made it 80 yards before dropping, most dropped within a few yards or in their tracks. Never shot one over 85 yards….yet.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

4 minutes ago, Silver Creek Jack said:

Exactly why I told Rye to use the load I mentioned, the links in those 66 and 73 rifles I think would have a very hard time standing up to the pounding of those HOT loads. Also the .45 caliber 200 gr. RNFP were cast by me out of 1-20 lead, they flatten out on impact and leave a devastating wound channel with complete penetration at 50 yards on these big Kansas white tails, of the 8 whitetail and 3 mule deer and one pronghorn antelope I have shot with those loads, the farthest one might have made it 80 yards before dropping, most dropped within a few yards or in their tracks. Never shot one over 85 yards….yet.

 

You'll find this humorous:   I use my Hot Loads in my 1894 Marlin on close range 'groundhogs'.   Its devastating to say the least.

 

Another item of interest and fun:  I have some .45 Colt 'blank' brass that uses SG primers.   These are great with wax bullets but

normally, I don't use any projectile but rather just the 'flash' of the primer in my short barrel Ruger's.

When I find a wasp nest under my deck or in the corner of house, I get real close with both Ruger's in hand and start burning their

butts on the nest.   The 'flash' doesn't always kill them, but it singes their wings where they can't fly away or sting ya.

Of course, if you are a slow shooter, you don't want to engage this type of fun.....

 

..........Widder

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

You murderer! Those wasps have kids and spouses, they may have kids ready to go to college, some maybe entering first grade or even some getting married! I hope you’re happy!🙄 

😂😂

[Widder, SASS #59054]

32 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

You murderer! Those wasps have kids and spouses, they may have kids ready to go to college, some maybe entering first grade or even some getting married! I hope you’re happy!🙄 

😂😂

 

About 200-250 yards behind my house is an old, huge barn, surrounded by 200 acres and a few cows..... plus a big

pond.   Those wasp should have built their nest back there.  

 

My back yard is that 200 acre farm and I go back there all the time.   That's where I do all my test.

 

..........Widder

 

[Diamond Jake]

45 Colt.  8.2G Unique with 250 gr RNFP.  Double-lung and through the heart.

 

 

[ORNERY OAF]

 

www.buffalobore.com

 

Check out the 45 colt ammo, buy good ammo 

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

9 hours ago, ORNERY OAF said:

 

www.buffalobore.com

 

Check out the 45 colt ammo, buy good ammo 

 

I wouldn’t put that through my 66 or 73. If my friend wants he can use my ammo or the Hornady 250 gr ammo I have.

Edited September 26 by Rye Miles #13621

[Pat Riot]

On 9/24/2024 at 2:09 PM, Erasmus said:

We're it me, I'd buy a box of the Hornady FTX ammo and go hunting. 

In my 3 .45 Colt revolver Hornady’s LeverEvolution cartridge with the FTX bullet is very accurate  and precise at 25 yards. 
Out of my Henry X model at 50 yards it patterns. 
I tried hand loading some cartridges using that 225 gr FTX bullet and for whatever reason I just haven’t found a loading yet that I would hunt with. No idea why.  
 

@Rye Miles #13621 have your friend shoot at 50 yards and then 100 yds. .45 Colt in a heavier traditional bullet in a traditional loading drops 6-8” from 50 to 100 yards. 
Going by memory here, but sighting at 100 only puts the bullet at 2-3” high at 50 yards. 
 

Here are some examples of factory ammo zeroed at 25 yards. The drops at 100 yards are eye opening. 
https://ammo.com/ballistics/45-long-colt-ballistics

[Rye Miles #13621]

Thanks Pat, interesting. I’ll show this to him.🤠

[Pat Riot]

2 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Thanks Pat, interesting. I’ll show this to him.🤠

Yeah, I got a bit of a surprise years ago getting a .45 Colt rifle ready for a hunt. I sighted it in at 25 yards when I was working up my loads. When I selected 2 accurate loads I began shooting at a target at 100 yards and was sorely disappointed until I actually looked at some trajectory graphs and realized I made a boo-boo. I opted to sight it in for 75 yards. 
I didn’t get a deer that year. That was the only year I hunted when I lived in Oregon. 
I plan to go deer hunting this year. With the hunting pressure in the public game lands it may be another deerless year. 
That’s okay. I enjoy it anyway. 

[Eyesa Horg]

51 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

Yeah, I got a bit of a surprise years ago getting a .45 Colt rifle ready for a hunt. I sighted it in at 25 yards when I was working up my loads. When I selected 2 accurate loads I began shooting at a target at 100 yards and was sorely disappointed until I actually looked at some trajectory graphs and realized I made a boo-boo. I opted to sight it in for 75 yards. 
I didn’t get a deer that year. That was the only year I hunted when I lived in Oregon. 
I plan to go deer hunting this year. With the hunting pressure in the public game lands it may be another deerless year. 
That’s okay. I enjoy it anyway. 

Just go way in on public land early. Then let the lazy guys push em to ya! Also stay late and wait for movement when most leave mid morning.

[Pat Riot]

1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Just go way in on public land early. Then let the lazy guys push em to ya! Also stay late and wait for movement when most leave mid morning.

That is a great idea and I thought of this last year. Then I discovered access roads into the far end of the WMA (Wildlife Management Area) 

I went out at 04:00 and made my way around the far end of the nearest WMA to me and discovered several trucks idling. I didn’t even bother. I turned and left. 
I did find that later in the week there was no one hunting there. So, I went hiking with my gun and sat under a tree overlooking 2 hillsides. Luckily a couple of chipmunks showed up to keep me entertained while I sat and watched. 
No deer…they went to my house and ate all my birdseed. 

[Eyesa Horg]

46 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

That is a great idea and I thought of this last year. Then I discovered access roads into the far end of the WMA (Wildlife Management Area) 

I went out at 04:00 and made my way around the far end of the nearest WMA to me and discovered several trucks idling. I didn’t even bother. I turned and left. 
I did find that later in the week there was no one hunting there. So, I went hiking with my gun and sat under a tree overlooking 2 hillsides. Luckily a couple of chipmunks showed up to keep me entertained while I sat and watched. 
No deer…they went to my house and ate all my birdseed. 

Boy does that sound familiar  I used to put a little corn out at the bird feeder for the turkeys. During hunting season I'd sit a few hundred yards up in the woods to hunt them in the way down the mountain. Never failed, sit for hours, head home, turkeys all sitting under the bird feeder.

I'm still amazed I didn't just pop one right there.