45 LC Hunting Cartridges

[Texbguy]

What are some good hunting cartridges for 45 LC. I am not a reloader to I must confine myself to what I can purchase at some store.

[tacklebury]

Hi there.  I reload so I don't purchase ammo.  I have heard good things about the FTX ammo.  I have loaded FTX rounds in .45-70 and had stellar success.  If you are looking for more CAS level loads, there are some from Magtec and Ultramax and others.  There are also offerings more for defensive type loads.  Here's a search from Midway and I wish you luck finding some ammo.  I have had zero luck purchasing any form of .45 Colt factory ammo here where I live in Michigan.  Jay's Sporting goods finally got in some Winchester, but I have developed many good loads now, so I have zero need for factory ammo.  In 6 months of loading Colts, I've paid for my reloading equipment 3 times or more.  I can load from light plinkers to heavy long range (and the associated pain in the wrist. 8D)  Lee still makes their Classic rap-n-tap style reloader for about 19 bucks and with a small investment of under $100, you could be loading basic plinking loads.  That's how I started out.  Now I still am pretty simple in form and use the Lee hand press and 4-die carbide deluxe dies and a lee safety scale and digital Franklin arsenal scale.  I did get a tumbler used for $25 and spent a little on Tuff-nut walnut hull media.  All told I have under 200 bucks in my set-up.   Might be something to consider if you have issues finding ammo, although even finding brass can be hit-or-miss.  Good luck to you though.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=3&categoryId=7554&categoryString=653***691***&sortBy=RetailPrice asc

[petemi]

I also have had great results in the .45-70, .44 Mag and .30-30 with Hornady LEs.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 225 gr. Hornady FTX Leverevolution.  They shoot and they kill.  Just now, I'm loading 250 gr. Hornady XTPs, but haven't hunted with them to give a report....besides which, they're hand loads.

Pete

[S.E.Ak]

For deer type game the Hornady LE in 45colt is good to at least 50yds. For bigger stuff I like the 335gr DoubleTap

[yukondog]

Pete, Mine shoot 250 xtp the best, I went to the range yesterday and shot them into 5 gal. buckets packed full of wet newsprent shot at 100 yrds retrived bullets weighed 242 gr and expanded to .53" penetrated 15" of packed wet newspaper, most bullets penetrated bottom of bucket, havent hunted with them yet but plan on this year. Also shot 180 xtp .357 mag. all of them kept going.

[petemi]

yukondog, thanks for the post.  I'm getting good accuracy out of the 250 XTPs, I just haven't been able to smack meat with them yet.  I'm gonna leave it in the rack for bear and use the .45-70.  My wifes lady friends, two, were picking berries out back on my place day before yesterday and were run off by a bear.  I went out and scouted a bit and found some really nice large tracks and scat.  I keep telling folks not to go out there this time of year without a bear stopper.  If yer gonna be dumb, ya gotta be tough.  They hopped on a 4 wheeler and scooted.  My 120 acres is L shaped, and their property ties into mine on the NE side.  They enter across their property with permission, of course, but they don't come up my drive so I don't know they're there.  I gave them both a tongue lashing for being back there unarmed.

Pete

[Texbguy]

I guess whatever loads will be +P loads.. Double tap has several I see. I am sure there must be a couple of more. I bought some serious double tap ammo for my Ruger .35 Whelen.. just haven't used it yet. What are these hardcast bullets? 250 grain would seem good in this caliber, but you see them loaded all the way up to 360 grain bullets.

[tacklebury]

250 is good for most N. American game, albeit the 300 gr. such as Cast Performance and others make, are probably safer on the penetration side for Brown/Grizzly bear, Moose and such.  I'm really thinking of trying the 280 gr. from Jae-Bok Young's Bullet Casting and his 420 gr. Crater2, which is set up for the short throated single shots. 

[Dinny]

From my 45LC handi rifle, I get the best accuracy with Barnes' 225gr DPX bullet loaded by CorBon.  I haven't tried any of the Hornady LEs yet, but will soon. Both Buffalo Bore and Grizzly make potent loads for the 45LC.

http://www.dakotaammo.net/Self-Defense-DPXreg/45-Colt-Plus-P-225gr-DPX/DPX45C225-20/200/Product

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=8

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/-strse-Grizzly-Cartridge/searchpath/1588785/start/17/total/65/Categories.bok

Thanks, Dinny

[Lefty Dude]

Since you are not a handloader your choices are limited. Unless you have a Friend who does Handloading.

For Factory rounds expect to pay a hefty price for a box of 50.

[Texbguy]

Would this be a good 100 yard cartridge?? Is the CR-45LC strong enough to handle it?

.45 Colt +P 335gr. WFNGC Hardcast 50rds. $45.95
 
 Heavy, hardcast, and hard-hitting! This is THE load for big critters using your .45 Colt. Whether you are hunting, deer, elk, moose, or just want something for protection against animals that bite back, this is the best .45 Colt load available. These loads are safe in all Ruger revolvers, TC Contender, Colt Anaconda, BFR revolvers, and Freedom Arms firearms. These loads are safe in all modern Model 1892 leverguns as well as all Winchester & Marlin 1894's. DO NOT USE IN ANY OTHER FIREARM. THESE ARE NOT STANDARD PRESSURE CARTRIDGES! Operating at 27,500PSI

Caliber : .45 Colt +P

Bullet : 335gr. WFNGC Harcast

Ballistics : 1300fps - 1258 ft./lbs. - 7.5" bbl.
1655fps from a 16.5" carbine

Box of 50rds.

They also make it in a smaller bullet..  Caliber : .45 Colt +P

Bullet : 255gr. Keith-Style SWC Hardcast

Ballistics : 1450fps - 1191 ft./lbs. - 7.5" bbl.
1775fps from a 16.5" carbine
 

[quickdtoo]

Yes, the CR45LC will handle 454 Casull and 460S&W, so it will handle any 45Colt load as long as the round will chamber, Kurt shoots 360gr in his.

Tim

[gcrank1]

If you dont want to get into reloading there has to be someone in your area who does that wouldnt mind being your friend. If they arent set up for .45 Colt offer to buy the carbide dies and components for him, and something to butter his toast for doing it. Way cheaper than retail, and you can custom build light to heavy loads, ie, plinkers for the wife & kids and T-Rex for you (haha). Reloaders are generally a great bunch of chaps and willing to help out someone like you.

[Dinny]

I just found something very interesting about a specific Double Tap load.

Here it is:

.45 Colt+P 225gr. Barnes XPB Lead Free 20rds 

Using a solid copper hollow point, this loading makes your .45 Colt a very effective hunting weapon. These loads are safe in all Ruger revolvers, BFR revolvers, TC Contender, Colt Anaconda, and Freedom Arms firearms. These loads are safe in all modern Model 1892 leverguns as well as all Winchester & Marlin 1894's. DO NOT USE IN ANY OTHER FIREARM. THESE ARE NOT STANDARD PRESSURE CARTRIDGES! Operating at 27,500PSI

Caliber : .45 Colt +P

Bullet : 225gr. Barnes XPB Lead Free

Ballistics : 1495fps - 1117 ft./lbs. - 7.5" bbl.
1825fps from a 16.5" carbine

What's interesting is I use this same bullet at a velocity much lower than this.  My velocity ties into what Ty Herring of Barnes Bullets recommended due to the 225gr bullet's ability to peel petals and act as solid when pushed above 1700fps. 

Thanks, Dinny

[Doublebass73]

Try the Buffalo Bore 325 Gr. +P.