Velocity Requirements for 250 Grain XTP on Deer (45 Colt)

[Racer X]

A few questions on the 250 Grain XTP in Heavy 45 Colts for Deer:

(1) How fast do you have to run 250 grain XTPs out of a 45 Colt for them to be effective on deer? I am talking impact velocity, not muzzle velocity.

(2) As for powder, I have some AA #9 and 2400 on hand. How heavy do you have to load powders with a 250 grain XTP to get consistent loads (low extreme spreads)?

(3) I am also considering buying some H110 for this bullet. No so much because it gives max velocity -- but because according to the Hogden manual, there is less that 1 grain difference in starting and max loads, which means I used fewer bullets and less powder during load development. Do you believe H110 is a better powder for this application, or are the slightly faster powders like #9 or 2400 better for this lighter bullet?

Any first hand experience is appreciated.

[Castaway]

What pistol are you using?  Some 2400 loads and without looking, all H110 loads will disassemble a SAA.   Maybe not on the first shot, but shortly thereafter.  If it were a cast bullet, I'd say that 1,000 f/s is enough for a pass through on a broadside shot.  Given the fact the XTP expands, the parachute you'd be pushing through the animal would require more velocity to make an outey.  How much more?  If I were loading a Black Hawk, I'd go with a minimum of 1,200 f/s or  more but I don't have any data to support that.  That's muzzle velocity though and I'd take a 50 yard shot with confidence.

[Racer X]

What pistol are you using? 

A Clements Custom Super Blackhawk Hunter w/ 6 shot linebored cylinder and minimum spec chambers.

[MS Hitman]

Any load you use that will get the bullet to around 1,200 fps will work fine on deer.  You can certainly run the bullet harder, but penetration testing shows that going over this velocity buys you little but extra noise and recoil.  H110 is a fine powder for this application, but so are #9 and 2400.  You will need to shoot enough to determine which loads your revolver likes.  Each firearm is a law unto itself and you just have to put in the trigger time.

[Ken ONeill]

All of my Ruger and FA .45 Colts have preferred 2400 @ 1150-1200 fps with the 250 XTP or Speer 260. WORK UP to 19 (260) -19.5 (250)  gr. 2400 per the Hodgdon Manuals, if you're using a strong Ruger T/C or FA. CCI 350's have given me very consistent velocity. In my light FA Mdl. 97, even a lighter recoiling load of 17.5 gr. 2400 with the 250 XTP and CCI 350's has given me reliable expansion on game as small as jackrabbits.

[Racer X]

All of my Ruger and FA .45 Colts have preferred 2400 @ 1150-1200 fps with the 250 XTP or Speer 260. WORK UP to 19 (260) -19.5 (250)  gr. 2400 per the Hodgdon Manuals, if you're using a strong Ruger T/C or FA. CCI 350's have given me very consistent velocity. In my light FA Mdl. 97, even a lighter recoiling load of 17.5 gr. 2400 with the 250 XTP and CCI 350's has given me reliable expansion on game as small as jackrabbits.

Ken -- How consistent are your loads (extreme spread) and what kind of groups are you getting? Is 1150 - 1200 FPS enough for deer using hollow points? I know cast will go through a deer going as slow as 850 - 950 FPS but I thought jacketed would need more velocity to get a deer's attention.

Thanks

[Graybeard]

That 250XTP is made specifically for the .45 Colt and is a pretty soft bullet as a result. It should do just fine at those velocities.

[MePlat]

Here is a bullet I think would do well from a 45 Colt.
It is the RCBS 270 SAA bullet cast 1-16 Sn Pb.

[Ken ONeill]

Racer-X,
Groups ? Depends on how well you shoot. I expect a cylinder full in an inch to an inch and a half at 25 yds, depending upon the gun and day. ES= maybe 30 or so; SD= maybe single digit to 20. Will expand on a jackrabbit, will expand on a deer. Kills about like a .41 Mag. in my judgement. Might exit a deer, might not, depending upon the angle and size of the deer and what it hits. I don't expect it to, and that doesn't bother me.

[Racer X]

Here is a bullet I think would do well from a 45 Colt.
It is the RCBS 270 SAA bullet cast 1-16 Sn Pb.

I have a bunch of those but I don't want to use cast on deer. Where I hunt, if they run, you won't find them. The deer I have shot with cast in my 45/70 (WLN profile) hardly bled at all.

[MePlat]

Never mind.  I don't know why I posted it anyway.  Even thought it was cast fairly soft at 1-16 Sn-Pb and was sporting a large.  deep hollow point I am sure it would still have been no good for the intended purpose.

[Graybeard]

I continue to be amazed that supposedly experienced hunters believe anything other than a CNS hit is gonna "drop them in their tracks". It ain't what ya hit them with but WHERE you hit them that accomplishes that feat.

[Ken ONeill]

Amen

[MS Hitman]

I'll second Ken's Amen.