45 colt

[benjaminw7528]

 what is a good factory load for deer hunting

[Redhawk1]

Corbon offers some good 45 LC plus P ammo for hunting. But make sure you gun can handle heavy loads.
http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/corbon/hunter.htm#45COLT

[bigjeepman]

I think Redhawk1 has given some sound advice. Before I started reloading, I purchased some Corbon 45 colt Magnum +P 265gr Bonded HP with 1350fps and 1073ft/lbs. It was very accurate out of my Marlin 1894 CBC .45 colt rifle and quickly laid to rest two big boars weighing over 225 lbs. It had quite a kick to it so as Redhawk1 pointed out, please make 100% sure it is safe in your firearm.

I almost forgot ... it was quite expensive but served the purpose for which it was purchased.

[jro45]

My Blackhawk is the New Model and can shoot those 240 gr bullets at 1450 fps. The Blackhawk models that do NOT have the New Model on them cannot handel the high pressures. I know the Thompson Center handguns can handle the high presures also.

[singleVI]

What do you mean the Blckhwks with only New Model stamped on them can handle the +P loads? I thought the only difference between the New and Old model was the 3 screw deal and that the New model has the sliding transfer bar, and the old models didnt. Did I miss something along the way?

And dont forget about BUFFALO BORE ammunition.

[Lone Star]

My Blackhawk is the New Model and can shoot those 240 gr bullets at 1450 fps. The Blackhawk models that do NOT have the New Model on them cannot handel the high pressures. I know the Thompson Center handguns can handle the high presures also.

I have to wonder at the accuracy of this post.  The quoted 240-grain bullet at 1450 fps is a .454 Casull  load, not one for the .45 Colt and should never be used in a .45 Colt Ruger (if it would fit).  And while the pre-New Model Blackhawks had slightly smaller frames, AFAIK they have not been identified as significantly weaker than the New Models.  CorBon makes no such distinction. 


.

[Castaway]

The Black Hawk in 45 Colt can be loaded to 80% of 44 magnum pressures, per Linebaugh and Taffin.  With the right powders, you can safely launch a 260 grain projectile from your BH at 1,400 f/s or even more.  See the Hodgdon link below:
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45coltlil.php

[John R.]

I think he was talking about a 240 gr. jacketed bullet, and if he was that's to hot a load for a 45 Colt. Linebaugh says you can run a 260 gr. Hard Cast up to 1450 fps, but not to try to achieve this velocity with the same weight jacketed bullet. (a lot more friction)

[Camel 23]

Whitetail deer do not wear kevlar vests.  They do not require high pressure loads nor do they require high velocity.  It would help to know the type of firearm you intend to use but some ammo manufactures produce loads that are standard pressure that should be more than adequate.  Buffalo Bore's stardard pressure heavy 45Colt loads should be fine in any modern firearm.

[Castaway]

John R.  With Lil' Gun, Hodgdon lists 1489 f/s with a jacketed, 240 grain Sierra bullet.

[John R.]

I'll check that when I get home. I load 27 grs. of H-110 with a 250 gr. XTP (what Linebaugh says is max with a 260 gr. Hard Cast) and it runs an even 1200 fps. over the chronograph.

[jro45]

I was talking about the FMJ HPs 240 gr.  Thats what Ruger says. Have ? ask Ruger he is the one that makes the rules for his guns.

[S.B.]

My Blackhawk is the New Model and can shoot those 240 gr bullets at 1450 fps. The Blackhawk models that do NOT have the New Model on them cannot handel the high pressures. I know the Thompson Center handguns can handle the high presures also.

I wish someone else would chime in on this one? I've always thought that the older Rugers were as strong as the newer ones? I've got an OM .41. I've never seen where Ruger Co. has said anything different about this issue, has anyone else, here? What is the opinion of the rest of the members? And, Ruger died, a while back.

[Castaway]

A caveat is in order here.  We can match our load to pressures listed, but not to velocities.  I've never achieved the velocities listed in a manual but when I get to the pressures limits allowable, I stop.  I guess this opens the question if the velocities are suspect, are the pressures also in error?  I think not; as we know, loads are shot in test barrels and although velocities may differ, the powder charges that generated those pressures and velocities are a constant.

[S.B.]

I, personally, don't have the expensive equipment needed to check pressure. Velocities listed can be attained by following the loads listed closely. Many loaders think that the primers don't affect the velocity that much, so they substitute another brand. I've always been above the velocity listed by the manuals list for a load of 21 gr. of 2400 under a 240 gr. cast bullet in any of the .44 mag. pistols I've owned? I dought that a published load manual would lie and be liable with todays ambulance chaser lawyers?

[Castaway]

I don't have the pressure testing equipment either, I do have a cronograph though.  When I reach a load that I determine is safe for my rifle/pistol and that load is listed as a max load, I'm not near the velocity listed in the loading manual.  This is due to variations in each particular firearm.  My point is that the powder folks severely test the various powders for consistency with slight variations from lot to lot.  As long as they are within the parameters the manufactorer sets, the powder gets shipped out to stores for us to use.  Assuming no recall on a particular powder, the pressures listed will be at or below those listed in the manual.

[John R.]

30,000 to 32,000 is max cup pressure for 45 Colt in Ruger guns. 27 grs. of H-110 with a 260 gr. Hard Cast bullet runs 1450 fps. 27 grs. of H-110 with a jacketed 250 gr. XTP runs 1200 fps. These are max loads that run in the 30,000 to 32,000 cup range. Jacketed bullets will run slower than Hard Cast with the same powder charge due to the extra friction of the jacketed bullet. Linebaugh says that as long as you do not exceed his velocity numbers you will not exceed the pressure limits. He also stated that you should not try to make up this velocity difference using jacketed bullets as the pressure will be much higher.

[Lloyd Smale]

all large framed rugers both old modes and new will take ruger level loads. Its the new smaller framed guns that WONT!!! that would include the new aniversary .357s converted and the .45 colt vaqueros on the smaller frame.

[Old Griz]

OK, back to the ORIGINAL question, what are some good FACTORY loads for deer hunting? I'm about to purchase my first .45 Colt, and like benjaminw7528, I need some ammo advise. Some of us don't reload and have to buy our ammo. I know Buffalo Bore stuff is supposed to be good, but I hate paying more for my ammo than the gun cost. Has anyone had experience with the Winchester loads? They shoot great in my .41mag.

[slave]

You get what you pay for, unlees you do it yourself.

[Redhawk1]

OK, back to the ORIGINAL question, what are some good FACTORY loads for deer hunting? I'm about to purchase my first .45 Colt, and like benjaminw7528, I need some ammo advise. Some of us don't reload and have to buy our ammo. I know Buffalo Bore stuff is supposed to be good, but I hate paying more for my ammo than the gun cost. Has anyone had experience with the Winchester loads? They shoot great in my .41mag.

There is not a lot of ammo that is factory loads that are made for hunting. They are loaded light for people that shoot the old Colt's. The hunting ammo pressures will damage the old Colts. That is why there is not a lot of hunting 45 L/C ammo out there. Just like factory 45-70 ammo. Most of what you see out there is loaded at the trapdoor pressures. That is why Corbon and Buffalo Bore stepped in. 

[jro45]

I was talking about the FMJ HPs 240 gr.  Thats what Ruger says. Have ? ask Ruger he is the one that makes the rules for his guns.

I know Mr Ruger passed away I was talking about his people.

[prairiedog555]

check out the latest issue of Shooting Times Magazine.  great article about loading for .45 Colt.

[Ak.Hiker]

I have shot the Cor-Bon 300 grain soft point in my Blackhawk. I carry it for bear protection. It is loaded with the tough Sierra bullet and would be overkill on deer. One load that I have been shooting in the last 2 weeks is the Double Tap 255 Keith. It has less recoil than the 300 grain load and should do a good job on about anything you could hunt with a 45 Colt. I would stick with the standard 250 Keith or 265 LBT's for deer.

[fatercat]

would a smith & wesson 25-5 hold up to these loads? i sure don't want to blow my hands off.

[Graybeard]

would a smith & wesson 25-5 hold up to these loads? i sure don't want to blow my hands off.

NO!

[corbanzo]

For the most part if you want to shoot hot, get a ruger.  Other guns may be able to do it a few times, but rugers will do it all the time.  If you really want to push your limits with a .45, step up to something in a .454 to test the loads out on.  You may hurt your brass, but not yourself.

[fatercat]

so if my S&W 25-5 won't hold up to the hot loads, will my S&W 27-2 in 357 mag. be weak also? is thr ruger red hawk the only one? i sure like the smooth triggers on my smiths

[Dusty Miller]

And as for them jacketed bullets being slower due to higher friction, just rub a bit of olive oil on them before you load'm and they'll really pick up speed in a hurry!

[Graybeard]

so if my S&W 25-5 won't hold up to the hot loads, will my S&W 27-2 in 357 mag. be weak also? is thr ruger red hawk the only one? i sure like the smooth triggers on my smiths

No. The S&W M27 is one of the strongest .357 Mag guns around. Same frame and cylinder as used in the M29 .44 Magnum. It's just that there isn't enough metal when you fit the .45 Colt in it.