question about Gold-dot 45 colt loads

[ar-steve]

I have a 4 5/8 Ruger blackhawk in 45 colt . I found a load that shoots good out of my gun , but I have some questions...
Anyone use 250 grn gold dot HPs  at 900fps for elk?
Thanks ..Steve

[drdougrx]

Hi Steve,

I've seen 44mag gold dots used on a big boar (300lbs dressed).  They were fired from a win 96 lever action.  They left the nicest dollups in the hide where they expanded too fast.  We finally had to use a 45/70 to put it down.  Yes... I understand they were fired from a rifle and maybe weren't designed for the velocity...but...HPs on big animals are generally not a good idea.  However, I've had GRWAT luck with heavy hornady XTPs on big animals and I'm sure someone will rightly suggest a hard cast,

Best of luck!!!

[Gene R]

I just received 200 rds from Stars & Stripes ammo, loaded to 950fps. I haven't had the chance to shoot a deer or hog yet. I will let you know when I do.

Good Luck!

[pab1]

The 250 gr HP might be okay for deer, but I don't think they would penetrate enough for elk. If you want to stay with a jacketed bullet, you might try the 300 gr JSP from Speer.

[Ak.Hiker]

If you want to use a Speer bullet in your 45 Colt for elk I would look at the 300 grain Unicore. This bullet is designed for hunting. The 250 Gold Dot is designed for personal protection. I have found as far as jacketed bullets go the Sierra 300 grain JSP is a good one in my Blackhawk. I keep it under 1100 fps to make is more enjoyable to practice with. Have you thought about a 255 hardcast Keith or 265 LBT? If you check the Accurate Powders website they have some loads that start at about 1000 fps with either bullet.

[corbanzo]

I would say definitely not for elk.  They are a pretty tough animal.  Maybe a 300grn JSP or hardcast at a minimum of 900fps at short range for elk out of a 45 colt, but not a hollow point. 

For elk, I would say preferably cast. 

Ak.Hiker is right about the gold dot being designed for personal protection.

[ar-steve]

Thanks for the replies! I dont hand load ...yet. so I am looking at factory loads . I ordered some Buffalo bore ammo, well see how it works when it gets here. but no body stocks it localy and Im just trying to find a "back up plan" ..... Probably gunna have to start reloading.

[kennisondan]

that buff bore ammo will have you sit up and take notice... plenty for elk, I would imagine... the cor bon 300 at 1300fps in a 7.5 inch test barrel will penetrate 14inches of seasoned wood, trees, etc. and would penetrate an elk without doubt from what I have seen on other mediums... I have been advised time and time again that if you get a non deforming bullet at 900 or 1000 fps you wll down anything you can shoot in the states, it seems... it took a while for that to sink in .. if you go to 1100 or so with that kind of bullet no one will argue it will take care of it... the guys here will impart a lot of experience onto you.. I have jsut about settled on a 300 gr cast at around a 1000 or 1100 but will take it down to 900 fps if the recoil is bugging me for the amount I feel I need to shoot ... I would not be afraid to shoot an elk or buffalo with any 300 grain 44 or 45 at reasonable distance with decent shot placement... look for smale's post on his buffalo shot with his 44 and light (lighter than some) loads and what it did... on a buffalo... I have only shot the cor bons for penetration and they are ridiculously effective, they have a little recoil in a standard gripped gun, but if I felt i needed to go there, I would ... I just am convinced that I can penetrate any elk with good placement - with less than 1300 fps... That is what I have learned from the Masters... and I was amazed how long it took me to really hear it... I was hung up on going really fast and really heavy .. and that works too... it is just not what you end up asking when you mention the buffalo bore... then the cor bon and the heavier stuff comes into the option list.
I would handload before too long, the savings and the satisfaction are worth it .. and the variety is really cool too. .. and if you shoot all your ammo you just reload it and do it all again.. I love it..
dk

[Ak.Hiker]

That 300 grain CorBon is one heck of a good load. They were one of the first companies to load the 45 Colt to that level that I know of. They use the 300 grain Sierra bullet. That same bullet will stand up to some heavy 454 loads so it is plenty tough enough for a hot loaded 45 Colt in a Blackhawk. CorBon does load a 335 grain cast bullet to 1050 in the 45 Colt as well. Double Tap loads a 255 Keith SWC in the 45 Colt. It has less recoil than the CorBon loads. It also comes in boxes of 50. They load it to 1450 out of a 7.5 inch barrel. I have never shot a Buffalo Bore load that was not of the highest quality. You could not go wrong with any of them.   

[kennisondan]

would just add I shot the lesser corbon loads with 335 gr. and they were no slouches either.. much easier on the recoil too.
dk