Which of these is best for deer?

[300grJHP]

An average doe here in central NC weighs about 90-120 lbs.  I'd like to take one with either my 40 or 45 next season.  Assuming that I limit myself to broadside shots out to 40 yards, which of these loads would work best?

thank you,
tom

all are doubletap:

45acp:
230 gr FMJ-FP at about 950fps from my gun
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=156

230 gr Gold Dot at about 950 fps from my gun
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=101

40S&W:
200 gr FMJ-FP at about 1100 fps from my gun
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=180

200 gr JHP at about 1100 fps from my gun
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=108

200 gr WFNGC at about 1100 fps from my gun
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=210

[Ak.Hiker]

I am sure others with much more experience will give you some advice. But if I was going to pick one of your choices for a close shot I would go with the DT 230 grain Gold Dot load. Running at 950 they are close to the old original 45 Colt loads.

[Redhawk1]

Personally I would not use any you listed, but if I had to choose from the choices you have, it would be the 230 gr Gold Dot at about 950 fps.

[Lloyd Smale]

any of them will kill a deer with a well placed shot. I doubt youd see much of a differnce in the killing power of any of them. None are ideal though and if you plan to become a handgun hunter your much better off getting a tool designed for that. Used super blackhawks can be found at reasonable prices. the guns you listed are capable of killing but are much better in the hands of a very experienced handgun hunter not someone wanting to give handgun hunting a try.

[Redhawk1]

Lloyd, you are correct. So many people want to try handgun hunting, but start out with what I consider the wrong platform as far as a gun is concerned.

There are so many better choices of handguns and calibers. I say, if your going to do something, do it right.

[Mikey]

Lloyd x 2, Redhawk1 x 2.         

[Lazermule]

I guess I would agree that neither is really adequate, but both would probably do it if placed well.  You have that 40 running pretty hot....

LM

[Handgun Hunter]

I must agree with most of these posts. It could be done cleanly by and experienced handgun hunter with patients, but not the average. My mentor Bob Milek used to heart shoot antilope off a day pack from 150yds. out with a Contender, but he was the exception not the rule.

[Cottonwood]

Lloyd x 2, Redhawk1 x 2.         

[Mikey]

Bob Milek was a exceptional hunter, writer and shooter.  He liked his Contenders and could make long shots, but he practiced and shot much.  He needed that experience to be able to convey his ideas to all of us when he began writing.  I always enjoyed his articles.

No, he was not the average guy and it takes better than average to make the kind of shots that 300gnjhp is talking about.  I still agree with Lloyd and Redhawk1.  Mikey.

[Cheesehead]

Sometimes you must use what you have. One thousand rounds of perfect practice, reduce the range to 20-30 yards, 45ACP HP, could equal a very rewarding hunt.

Cheese

[Lloyd Smale]

no doubt true cheesehead but the way i see it is a guy has to ask then he cant be considered experienced and would be better off hunting with his rifle till he could afford to do it right. If a guy only has a 25 lb pull fiberglass bow would you say to use it for  bow hunting if thats all you have?  Maybe if it meant the difference in eating or not but id guess that anyone here allready has a good deer rifle. Personaly i think way to many people approach handgun hunting to casually. NO handgun has the knock down power of a deer rifle and none give you the leeway a rifle does with a marginal shot. Handgun hunting is more like bow hunting then rifle hunting. Most guys under the pressure of shooting big game do much better with a rifle then a handgun. Just a minute movement in your hold because your heart is beating can throw a handgun off by a foot. I know a good many bow hunters that can hit a target in there yard all day long and when under stress in a hunting situation fall flat on there face. Same goes for handguns. I still say do it right. Buy yourself a 44 mag or 45 colt load some ammo that pushes a  well designed 250 grain bullet to at least a 1000 fps and shoot about a dozen deer with it. By then you will get over some of the buck fever that about anyone who is shooting there first deer with a handgun gets. Then if you want to try with the 45acp you will know your limitations and the guns limitations and if you respect both of those you will bring home venison.

[Mohawk]

 As has been said. The entire list will work. Use them at bow ranges and take out both lungs if possible. Deer will probably run about 50 or so yards and you will have some good venison. 

[riddleofsteel]

Truth is that a round designed to effectively kill humans will ace a lung shot on small does if the distance is kept short. The kicker is hit the right place every time and pass on long shots. I have killed deer here in Rockingham county NC with a S&W 4006 using 165 grain Golden Sabers with complete pass thru and blood on the ground on the other side. However, I was at 25 yards.
I have also used the .45 ACP cylinder on my 4 5/8" Blackhawk and killed does for meat using a variety of 230 grain hollow points from Federal, Golden Sabers, Hydroshock ect.

AHHHH the days of youth.

The real question is should you?

Limit your distances to bow range and have at it as long as it is legal.

I have killed a pile of game animals using 250 to 270 grain .45 bullets in SWC's and hollow points out of the .45 Colt but they were trucking at 1100 FPS. These days I prefer the penetration and bone breaking power of a hard cast SWC to the massive internal damage from a hollow point. Two holes bleed beter than one.

[BrianU]

I am a big fan of single actions and cast bullets for hunting,  so I find the .40 200g WFNGC interesting.  That load would put a .40 caliber hole completely through the deer you are talking about.  Pick your shots very carefully, keep them within the 40 yards you mentioned and you will have more than enough gun for the job.

Brian    

[VARMONTER]

I am a bit confused.Are you planing on hunting with a
hangun like a glock or a 1911.Or are you using this in a contender.