Minimum 45 Colt Velocity Needed For Deer

[powhs]

When useing 250gr SWC bullets in a 45 Colt. What is the minimum velocity needed for shooting through deers rib cage at about 25 yards?

[Mikey]

About 850-900'/sec.  Bump it up to 900-1,000 and you should get the same effect to 50 yds or so.  jmtcw.

[powhs]

Thanks
I want to come up with a trail load thats not to hot but will take care of business if needed.

[Badnews Bob]

Yep Micky is dead on.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I have little experince shooting cast bullets, but a noted gunsmith from northern Wy. with lots of experince behind him, told me a .45 Colt with a 250 cast at 850fps. would "shoot though and elk like cheese"". The little I have shot the .45 and cast, penetration was the least of the problems.

[Cayoot]

I have little experince shooting cast bullets, but a noted gunsmith from northern Wy. with lots of experince behind him, told me a .45 Colt with a 250 cast at 850fps. would "shoot though and elk like cheese"".

WOW! I can get the #424423 (255 grns) to move at 850 fps from my S&W 625 (.45 Auto Rim)...I never thought of it as a potential big game gun...Makes me feel like it might be a good woods gun where the wolf and the black bear roam (I've never heard of a 2 legged problem in the woods out here).

Thanks for the tip!

[Redhawk1]

Mikey said it well...

[Mohawk]

 My former partner used the Remington 225gr factory SWC on several deer. Pass thru at 20yds, deer ran 25-30yds. I think this load runs about 960 fps. Never used it myself by I helped him dress out his deer and it definately did the trick.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  In my life I have known 2 outstanding whitetail deer hunters. These guys didn't shoot from tree stands,over bait, use no sent clothing, and any  of the stuff the current crop of deer hunters "need" to enable them to bring home some venison. The guy who was  "best" had been a sniper in WW2. His deer rifles were a Rem. model 141 (I believe) in .35 Rem. AND a wildcat similar to the .300 Wea. It was a recambered modle 721 Rem. 300 H & H. This guy could track, still hunt, watch from a stand, he did it all. BUT he also LOVED pistols. His war experience left him with a deep affection for the 45 auto, AND the 45 auto rim...... He had a couple of these old pistols as I remember. During the years I knew him, he killed several deer with these old pistols, so it seems they will do the trick if given the chance......

[Sweetwater]

"In my life I have known 2 outstanding whitetail deer hunters." Nicely written, WCH!

A lot of the Old Timers needed far less gun than the current crop of "gotta have" deer rifles. Heck fire, I expect most of us use more than we need, purely because it's what we like, or inherited......

All hunting is time well spent...and it is good to know others have proven a 45 capable without magnumizing it.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Sweetwater, thanks for the remarks. These guys were something.  Over the years I kept notes on old timers I have known, but lost most when my wife passed and her computer was given away. Will have to try and get some of this on paper before I forget... The guy I mentioned was a real character...

[powhs]

Once killed a deer at 20 feet with a 38 snub 125jhp. She never took a step. I would not do it again unless the deer needs a finishing shot.

[Ak.Hiker]

I have little experince shooting cast bullets, but a noted gunsmith from northern Wy. with lots of experince behind him, told me a .45 Colt with a 250 cast at 850fps. would "shoot though and elk like cheese"".

WOW! I can get the #424423 (255 grns) to move at 850 fps from my S&W 625 (.45 Auto Rim)...I never thought of it as a potential big game gun...Makes me feel like it might be a good woods gun where the wolf and the black bear roam (I've never heard of a 2 legged problem in the woods out here).

Thanks for the tip!

I carry my old S&W 1955 45 auto rim in the woods every once in a while. I have a load that runs a 250 cast bullet at 900 or so. It does hit pretty hard. Double Tap and Buffalo Bore both offer a pretty good looking cast load for the auto rim as well.

[Cayoot]

Thanks AK hiker, have you ever done any penetration tests on that load?

[Merle]

I have little experince shooting cast bullets, but a noted gunsmith from northern Wy. with lots of experince behind him, told me a .45 Colt with a 250 cast at 850fps. would "shoot though and elk like cheese"".

WOW! I can get the #424423 (255 grns) to move at 850 fps from my S&W 625 (.45 Auto Rim)...I never thought of it as a potential big game gun...Makes me feel like it might be a good woods gun where the wolf and the black bear roam (I've never heard of a 2 legged problem in the woods out here).

Thanks for the tip!

I carry my old S&W 1955 45 auto rim in the woods every once in a while. I have a load that runs a 250 cast bullet at 900 or so. It does hit pretty hard. Double Tap and Buffalo Bore both offer a pretty good looking cast load for the auto rim as well.

I am familiar with Buffalo Bore and have a good opinion of it, but have no experience with Double Tap. Anyone have any comments or opinions, etc?

TIA

Merle

[powhs]

Today I loaded some cast 260gr full waddcutter ahead of 8.5gr of powerpistol. It ran about 810fps out of my Taurus snub nose 45. Went through eight water filled gall milk juggs and kept going. Should be a good back up load when hunting hogs/deer.

[Catshooter45]

Today I loaded some cast 260gr full waddcutter ahead of 8.5gr of powerpistol. It ran about 810fps out of my Taurus snub nose 45. Went through eight water filled gall milk juggs and kept going. Should be a good back up load when hunting hogs/deer.

Man, that is a snub load!  I have a Lyman .45 full wadcutter mould, I'll have to remember that one.


Cat