Author Topic: Deer loads in 5.5" 45Colt Redhawk? (Read 603 times)

hans g./UpS · « **on:** November 01, 2003, 10:59:32 AM »

Any suggested deer loads in a 5.5" 45Colt Redhawk?I'm considering Hornady's 250gr XTP JHP with 20.8 gr 2400,as well Penn Bullet's 270gr
Thunderhead[full wadcutter] cast.I'm open to other loadings.
Thanks.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2003, 06:54:38 AM »

I will be using the FA260JFP over 19.0 grains of H2400 in my Ruger Bisley 5.5" .45 Colt this season. At that velocity I don't expect the super hard Freedom Arms bullet to act much differently than would a hard cast but that's OK. The meplat is huge on this bullet and it is really accurate in my Bisley.

I believe the Hornady 250 JHP might be an ideal bullet for deer in the .45 Colt round. Should duplicate the .44 Mag 240 XTP real well and that's my favorite deer load.

GB

Holiday · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2003, 12:41:16 PM »

What kind of velocities are we talking about here? I was about to post a similar question, only I'm gonna be using a Marlin 1894 Cowboy. Is this load safe in this gun? The Marlin is tough, I just have never loaded loads this hot for it before. Also, how would this load do for wild hogs? My friend is gonna take me to a place this time that has a lot of hogs around. I was thinking of doing the landowner a favor and hunting the hogs for him. What would be a good load for pigs?

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2003, 06:10:03 PM »

Holiday, the load I listed is well under max in both the Ruger Bisley I'll be using it in and your Marlin. It is just that I can't deal with the recoil of the single actions as well as the double action revolvers and that's getting close to what is uncomfortable for me in the Bisley. I'm guessing it will be around 1100 fps in my 5.5" barrel but haven't run it across my Oehler yet so that is a guess.

For the hogs I like hard cast bullets. What you really want and need is penetration more than expansion. When you start out with a bullet that is .429" to .452" in diameter it don't need a lot of expansion. Just needs to penetrate to the vitals and preferably exit to give a blood trail. They don'tl always fall over when ya shoot them. I'd not use a JHP. If you can't get a hard cast load that works for you at least use a JSP not a JHP. The advantage of the FA bullets is they are made hard for use in the .454 Casull and so act like a hard cast in the Colt at the velocity I am running them.

GB

Holiday · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2003, 01:02:24 PM »

Thanks for the info, Marshal !