45 acp round from double tapp

[ccoker]

occasionally, there's a deer that gets too close to the blind and I would like to try my 1911 at one
I am very accurate with it and comfortable shooting it..
would get shots within 25 yards

I have some Federal HST 230s that I am sure would work fine on Texas Whitetail
but, these look interesting:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=156

anyone have any field experience?

[jason280]

I wasn't able to pull up the link, but I would not feel comfortable with any .45 ACP round for deer.  Now, if it came down to a "must use" scenario, then I might consider a 200-230gr hardcast.  However, I still would not call it adequate.  I just don't think the ACP round can churn up enough velocity to really effectively (and humanely) harvest deer. 

[ccoker]

I don't think there would be any problem with a welll placed shot through the vitals.
I had shot a big buck with a rifle and as we got close it reared it's head up and I nailed it with a Sig220 45acp with a gold dot 230 +p JHP
from about 20 yards out or so, and it made a nasty hole through the ribs and out the other side

probably wasn't needed, but there was swampy area close and we had to leave shortly...

[corbanzo]

That would be no problem through the vitals at 25 yards, if you are staying over 200grns with a .45acp.  Wouldnt try any shoulder shots or anything like that, but through the vitals at that range, would work without problems.

[Ak.Hiker]

That Double Tap 230 Acp is loaded with the Hornady Flat Point bullet. It is one tough FMJ. Running at 1,010 fps it should give very good penetration. I tested some out in my Glock 36. I set up a bullet trap and it shot thru two 2x4's and then thru 3 pieces of 3/4 inch plywood. The bullet of course did not expand. It had about the same penetration as several different 158 grain 357 magnum softpoints I also tested. My guess is it would shoot thru a deer. It is loaded pretty much the same as the original black powder 45 Colt loading. Mike from Double Tap would be the best person to ask. He is very good at answering his e-mail. 

[PeterCartwright]

A number of years ago, I had an antlerless deer wander by within 30 yards of my blind when I was carrying my (then) new Kimber Compact (4"barrel).  I had a solid rest and a mag full of 230 gr. Rem. Golden Sabers.  One behind the shoulder (broadside) put the deer down within 15 yards...but the bullet didn't exit.  I'm not sure I'd do it again.

[LEO]

I have shot several deer with the 230 grain Hydra-shok, that had been hit by a vehicle or somehow injured and they have done well, the majority were headshots however so that is really not the best sample. However the ones that I have body shot expired quickly and injured/wounded deer can be pretty tough to kill.  But I have shot several wild hogs with the load and it has done fine.  The 45 a.c.p. would not be my first choice for deer hunting but under the conditions that you described, under 25 yards and a carefully picked shot it would work.  Remember a lot of people bet their lives on the 45 a.c.p. stopping a 200 lbs plus person intent on killing them, it certainly should be adequate for a 125 lb deer under similar circumstances.  Check your local laws on the bullet selection though because where I live the double tap round you discussed would not be legal due to being a full metal jacket, you would need to use a cast bullet, soft point, or hollow point.  good luck on your hunt

[ccoker]

thanks
I have some Federal HSTs already that group very well and I have seen the ballistic test reports
so. I think I will just stick with those

http://www.le.atk.com/pdf/Pierce%20County%20Workshop.pdf

[Ak.Hiker]

Those Federal 230 HST loads must be very good. The Speer-Federal dealer in Anchorage carries the 230 +P HST in his 45 when out in the sticks on his snow machine. He has a lot of good choices in his shop to choose from but carries the HST.

[a45gunslinger]

This topic comes up quite a bit...I think a stout load will do it out to 20 yds. w/out a hitch. Just treat it like bow hunting. I will say this we shot hard cast 230rns at some bowling pins @ about 15yds and the recoverd bullets were in perfect condition except for rifling marks. The bullets were stuck between the plastic covering and the inner wood.- Kevin

[ccoker]

I don't think on whitetails you need hardcast bullets
at 20 yards or so I would think they would just punch a clean hole through
I would much rather have a big hole with a lot of carnage that the HSTs deliver

[a45gunslinger]

I agree. it would be like using full metal jackets...

[Mikey]

The 45 ACP is not the best choice but given nothing else available to your hand it will suffice with a proper load and under the right conditions.  I do not rely on a hollow-point or soft nose bullet to be an effective game stopper - the hollow-points can fill with tissue and act like a round nose slug or expand early and the soft nose can deform and veer off major bone structures.  You aren't shooting a 200 lb drugged up human who will react in a human fashion, of sorts, to being shot.  You are shooting a wild animal that will do its best to get away from you and a bullet that fails to perform might cost you a lost and wounded animal.

Hardcast bullets do not deform and that is what I count on them to do.  They shoot through larger bone structures that would deflect other bullet designs.  The best of the cast bullet designs are the semi-wadcutter, in my opinion and I use them exclusively for hunting. 

For a while I had been in search of the perfect semi-wadcutter bullet design for the 45 auto, intending to put a 230 gn swc (or the old Lyman 238 gn swc) downrange at 850-900'/sec.  I wasn't successful finding the bullet design I wanted until I saw that Mag Tech had begun manufacturing a 230 gn fmj-swc.  I have been working up loads for this bullet with different powder charges and will probably settle on either 6.5 of Unique or something similar in a Vitha Vourhy powder, most likely their N350.  A loaded cartridge looks pretty awesome with a 230 gn swc hanging out the end of it and it leaves a very 'square' hole in the target.  I believe this is one fmj slug that will perform like a hardcast and not deform, making it a good choice. 

In NYS I can carry these loads in a pistol as a concealed firearm but probably not use them as a primary hunting bullet.  However, I will let you know after hunting season how they performed on wounded game (if I'm lucky).  Mikey.

[ccoker]

some independant testing
HST comes out on top (even though it's 9mm)

http://www.btfh.net/shoot/bullet-test-2.html

[Ak.Hiker]

Their is an interesting write up on 45 acp +p loads for hunting at Realguns.com. Look under articles and commentary. They tested several loads for expansion and penetration. Check out the penetration of the Buffalo Bore 230  Flat Point.