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Author Topic: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads  (Read 2381 times)

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Offline RIFLE MAN

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45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« on: July 11, 2010, 05:14:42 PM »
Is it your opinion that the so-called 45 Colt and 44-40 Win. "cowboy" loads are
not adequate for hunting whitetail deer due to low velocity and poor shape of
bullet? Or, is it your opinion that they are adequate? Why? Why not?

Most graciously,
Rifle Man
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Offline Camel 23

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2010, 06:53:51 PM »
There are better choices that's for sure. 
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2010, 07:52:52 PM »
If you put the bullet through the heart or lungs it should do just fine.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2010, 02:20:53 AM »
Rifle Man:  both previous responses are correct.  With all due respect to both calibers, the 'cowboy' loads are underpowered and as Camel sez:  there are better choices but I would add that there are better choices within both calibers and with some of those better choices as Grumulkin sez:  if you put the bullet through the heart or lungs it should do just fine......
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Offline Sensai

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2010, 07:56:43 AM »
The cowboy loads are designed for shooting a lot of rounds without sustaining a lot of damage to your body.  They do a good job for what they are designed to do.  Full strength loads are a much better choice for hunting.  They stand a much better chance of exiting and creating a dual blood flow path.  I don't enjoy a lot of tracking, so I use the strongest loads that I'm comfortable with in my Blackhawk 45.
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Offline Reed1911

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2010, 09:44:45 AM »
"Cowboy load" is a bit of a generic term really. I've seen it applied to loads ranging from 600-800 FPS with the 255g lead bullet. That being said, 800FPS with a 12 BHN 255g SWC bullet will certainly be enough for deer inside of 50 yds from a BH revolver. I would opt for the SWC design over the RN profile. Yes, there are better choices, but it is sufficient for sure.
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Offline Bitterroot Bob

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Re: 45 Colt Cowboy Loads
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2010, 10:56:08 AM »
Howdy,
Well, there are "cowboy" loads and there are "cowboy" loads. Currently, those he-man big-bore competitors are using 160-grain bullets at around 500fps. You can safely shoot a 255-grain bullet out of a Colt Clone at around 950fps and THAT "working cowboy" load is plenty for deer.
A .44-40 loaded with a 205-grain bullet and 33-grains of FFg will deliver about 950fps. I have some loaded with Hodgdon 777 that exceed 1000fps from a 7-1/2" barrel. They go supersonic out of my Model 73.
If your idea was to buy some commercial "cowboy" loads for hunting, I'd forget about it. Standard Winchester 255-grain RN Super-X will do the job and won't hurt your Colt.

Bitterroot
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