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Author Topic: .45 Colt Black Bear Load  (Read 3222 times)

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Offline Woodchuk

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« on: March 27, 2003, 07:02:55 PM »
Thinkin' bout buying a single action .45 Colt.  I want to make this my do everything gun for around home which is New York State.  Biggest game in my area is black bear...

What would you guys recommend for a black bear hunting load?  How'd you rate the .45 Colt for this task?

Thanks, for any advice offered.
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Offline Varmint Hunter

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2003, 02:34:00 AM »
Personally, I'd rather have a 44mag. Not because the 45LC can't do  the job, but the 44mag has such an extensive line of factory ammo and reloading components available. From light loads to heavy mags, jacketed bullets to cast lead, and discounted components to high-end premium stuff, the 44 has it all.
With that said, the 45LC is capable of taking NY bears, deer and other game with near equal authority as the 44mag. The game will never know the difference. :grin:
VH
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Offline Woodchuk

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Interesting points
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2003, 04:18:07 AM »
I hear what you guys are saying about the .44, but I've kinda got my heart set on the .45.  I'd like to use it for everything from CAS to plinking to hunting and WANT to reload my own ammo.  So the abundance of factory ammo for the .44 doesn't weigh very heavy for me.  However, I appreciate all your insights.  Keep 'em coming.
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Offline Tony D

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2003, 05:52:58 AM »
I too like the 45 Colt.  I just got one of the Accusport Stainless Bisleys.  For bear, I would use a 300 grain or bigger wide flat nose bullet.  If you go to John Linebaugh's site, he has loads that are safe in the Ruger, but hotter than normal factory loads.  

What I really like about the 45 is you can get the same, if not better performance as the 44, but you will be operating at less pressure than the 44.  You can also use heavier bullets if needed.

Check out:  http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm
It talks about the advantages of the 45 Colt and gives loads he has developed.

Good luck!
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Offline globemountain

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2003, 06:44:28 AM »
I have both the .44 Mag and .45 Colt in 7.5" Redhawk.  For all practical purposes .45 Colt (in a Ruger or eq.) will do what the .44 Mag will do.  My most accurate load is either a 240gr. XTP or Speer 225gr. HP with 24.6gr. of H4227 with a Fed 150 primer.  Very accurate out of my gun...around 1300fps.  Will say that the .45 Colt is more enjoyable to shoot.  The muzzle blast and recoil are not a problem at all.  I have also loaded Speer 225's with H110 to approaching 1500fps....man that sure gets your attention.
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Offline Woodchuk

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FA M97
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2003, 08:43:38 AM »
Ok, maybe I should've posted this in handloading forum, or even single action forum, but it's related to what's already here...

I'm considering purchasing a Freedom Arms Model 97 in .45 Colt.  The idea is that at about 38 ounces with a 5.5 inch barrel, this would serve as my all around gun...From plinking, woods bumming, backpacking, and hunting (shots all at reasonable ranges).  But, if it's gonna be my all around gun, it's got to handle black bear.  Now, I know that the FA will handle the same pressures listed in loading tables for Rugers (called them to confirm this), BUT it has a much shorter cylinder than the Ruger.

According to John Taffin:  http://www.sixguns.com/range/Fa45.htm
"None of my 300 grain loads will fit the short cylinder, 93% as long as the Ruger, of the Model 97. When bullets are seated properly they protrude through the front face of the cylinder preventing cylinder rotation."

So, can the M97 be sufficiently loaded for black bear with a 250 grain bullet, or can the heavier bullets be seated differently to allow them to work in a M97?

Hodgdon lists nothing heavier than a 250 grain bullet that will fit.  Taffin measured the cylinder lenght to be 1.627 inches.
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Offline Varmint Hunter

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2003, 01:36:22 PM »
I just loaded the .452" 300gr Swift A-Frame bullet in my 454. If you really want a heavy bullet that will not fail on heavy targets this is one of them. It does not require a long cylinder.
I would also think that an XTP (Hornady) bullet would work fine on black bears and would cost a lot LESS.
VH
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Offline Mike C

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FA97
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2003, 04:21:55 PM »
Because of the shorter cylinder in the 97 you are forced to crimp in the forward groove on the 300 Speer bullet.  If I remember right the Hornady 300 has a double cannelure also.  Because of the lessened case capacity with the bullet seated this way you are limited to about 22 gr. of H-110 or right at 1200 fps with this combination.  Out of a ruger you can crimp in the rearward groove and because of the effectively greater case capacity, burn a few grains more H-110 and get another 150+ fps at equal pressure.  

You can load any crimp groove to nose dimension bullet in the 97 and still crimp in the groove by trimming your brass to suit the bullet chosen.  If the bullet has a real long nose, crimp over the front driving band, just so your OAL is avout .040 shorter than the cylinder.
You will find a 300 gr bullet @ 1200 fps to be about all you want out of the small light FA 97.

The 97 is a perfect carry sixgun, the emphasis is on carry.  The mountains are steep enough withought extra weight on your belt.  :wink:  

MIke C
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2003, 10:31:57 PM »
any load that pushes a 270-350 grain cast bullet to 1000-1200 fps will more then do the job.
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Offline JohnK

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2003, 06:06:15 AM »
Either a 45 Colt or 44 Mag with the proper loads will be more than enough for any black bear in the US. The next question is - is the 45 Colt legal for black bear in New York?
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Offline Woodchuk

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2003, 06:21:21 AM »
Thanks for the input everyone...It has made my decision a little easier.

JohnK - Depends on where you live.  Check out http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/guide/legalimp.html  if'n you're interested.  I'm fortunate enough to live in the grey so no problems for me.
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Offline 1badmagnum

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2003, 04:00:27 PM »
I did some load developement today with my new 454 raging bull and feel the 454 and its double duty traits is an added plus.
I use 230 grain fmjrn (45acp) bullets for plinking.
these are plenty cheap from jeff at gibrass $60 per thousand.
when i want to go hunting I can spend a few dollars more and load up some 300 grain jhp's or jsp's.
also can shoot 45 long colt for self defense.
the colt has much lower velocity and pressure,which makes it a good personal defense pistol.
my 45 colt loads were using 22 grains of h110,and 454 loads were 32 grains,both using the 230 grain bullets.
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Offline shooter

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45lc for bear
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2003, 04:49:09 PM »
I use corbon's 300 gr jsp which i think is rated at 1300fps,which gives about 1096 ft/lbs.If i were to do it again(and i might) i'd have bought a 44 mag.My 45 colt is stainless,4 5/8 barrel and has a millet red dot.
                                                                       shooter
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Offline 1badmagnum

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2003, 10:35:07 PM »
I love my 44 magnum but the added velocity is only good for plinking and hunting,not a very good self defense round because of the chance if richocette.I like the 454 because it can double as a self defense round at home using 45 colt.
I love all the magnum calibers,and each has a best use,but the added velocity and stopping power of 454 is great for hunting.
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Offline Gregory

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2003, 07:24:53 AM »
Quote from: 1badmagnum
I love my 44 magnum but the added velocity is only good for plinking and hunting,not a very good self defense round because of the chance if richocette.I like the 454 because it can double as a self defense round at home using 45 colt.
I love all the magnum calibers,and each has a best use,but the added velocity and stopping power of 454 is great for hunting.


Any 44 Mag would be a dandy self defense gun when loaded with 44 Specials loaded with 180-200 gr. JHP at 1000-1200 fps.
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Offline 1badmagnum

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.45 Colt Black Bear Load
« Reply #15 on: March 31, 2003, 01:10:34 PM »
my 44 magnum is a desert eagle. :D
no specials. :shock:
I can definately see your point,with a 44 magnum wheelgun.
I just cant pass up big bore firearms from my used range case. :-D
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Offline Loop33

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.45 colt loads for black bear....
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2003, 07:56:08 PM »
Cor-Bon's 300gr jsp @ 1300fps is more than enough for black bear.  I've had complete pass-throughs on 2 sizeable blacks (300+ lbs). Both went through the shoulders. Bear #1 was a quartering away shot @ 25 yds. Bullet went in ribs and out the far side shoulder.  Knocked him down, but he got up and ran about 50 yds. No follow up shot was needed. Never did find the bullet.  Bear #2 was a quartering toward shot @ 35 yds.  Bullet went in left shoulder and out behind the ribs in front of the rear hip.  Bear dropped  immediately, as he got up, I popped him a second tim high in the neck, that put him down for good.  Gun was a Ruger Bisley Vaquero with Belt Mtn. base pin. and Wolfe springs.  That Cor-bon load did as much damage as my .375 H&H has done on them.  I'm sure you've visited www.sixgunner.com.  There is plenty of information on .45 colt loads there.  Both Cor-bon and Buffalo Bore offer some excellent rounds.
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