Author Topic: Hunting with the .45ACP? (Read 12841 times)

dogsoldier0513 · « **on:** November 16, 2010, 07:07:47 AM »

Those that do, please share your stories, guns, loads and pics! Thanks!

Scotticus · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2010, 06:16:50 AM »

I'd be very interested the responses, too. I am considering using a .45acp for deer next fall. I was planning on using Hornady 200 gr +p JHP/XTP with muzzle ballistics of 1055 fps/494 ft-lbs (but I will be using a 4.25" barrel). Maybe the responses here will change my mind.

In doing an internet search, I find very polarized viewpoints on the effectiveness of the .45acp for deer. Although I have no practical experience yet, I think it boils down to range and shot placement. I hunt with a longbow and am used to close ranges (20 yards is a comfortable shot and over 25 yards is a pass). With the .45, I would consider 30 yards maximum range, with only broadside or slightly quartering away shots just like bowhunting. I subscribe to the old adage that "shooting" is how far away you can get and still hit something, but "hunting" is how close you can get. With the .45acp, I believe the latter applies.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2010, 06:30:53 AM »

Get an accurate gun , I had a box stock series 80 with the small military type sights and collet bushing. Nice gun and was used to turn away home invaders twice . Note they saw gun and run no shots. Well I only had that pistol so it went everywhere. I was deer hunting one day and limb rats were everywhere. After a mag full no limb rats !

drdougrx · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2010, 09:19:12 AM »

I've had the itch to hunt with a 1911 also...but...I think I'll bite the bullet and get a 460 Rowland conversion kit. Makes more sense for me....GL in whatever you decide.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2010, 12:21:05 PM »

I have taken Whitetail before with the 45 acp and as long aas you keep your shots to a reasonable distance, the load you are talking about should work just about as well as anything else.

I believe, as Larry the Cable Guys sez, I believe that if you place your shot properly most of the defensive loads for the 45 should work on Bambi. The load I used was a Hornady 230 gn soft nose over a full charge of Unique and it penetrated t&t at about 25m. Nowadays I prefer a 238 gn cast swc slug of Elmer Keith design for the 45 Auto Rim and keep it just a bit below 900'/sec. This year I hauled my 5" Springfield around with those loads in it but never got the chance to use it. I would keep most of my shots to the 25 yd mark, but that is just me and my failing old eyeballs, although I sight the darn thing at 50m, so go figure.........

Doug - the 460 is a hot one and should work well for you. Hey, btw, I found the hole, the one where I thought I missed (but didn't). I feel many betters now........

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2010, 02:03:42 PM »

Mikey....I couldn't imagine you'd missed!!! BTW...how's the last weekend in March look'n???

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2010, 02:06:47 AM »

I have thought about using the 45 ACP, but the bullet selection is slim. Shots would have to be kept to 25 maybe 30 yards. Another thing to consider is, how well the gun shoots at that range and sights used. I have always given it up due to having better choices to use, and I knew I could get longer shots with my 45 Colt or larger handgun.

What I have seen from a lot of handgun hunters is, they fail to stay proficient at longer ranges. They practice right before the season, myself I shoot all year long, and know my guns inside and out. I have a couple of buddies that only shoot once in a while, and they think they are good enough. When I take them out in the woods, and have them shoot at target I set up at different ranges, they don't do so well. They are learning slowly that they have to shoot those ranges consistently, in order to keep there accuracy up. That is the number on problem with handgun shooters, second is there choice of bullet. JMHO

shot1 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2010, 04:25:06 AM »

I fed my family with an old Colt 1911A1 45 ACP for 4 years. 200 gr cast SWC from wheel weights and 7 grs Unique. I kept my shots under 50 yards and picked broad side and double lunged them. I can't remember ever not having a complete pass through. Deer would go less than 50 yards after the shot.

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2011, 05:48:18 PM »

Our old buddy Mohawk downs them with a .38 Sp., so I guess a 45ACP should be enough unless the deer is wearing a vest.

Casull · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2011, 05:46:16 AM »

Well, if a .45 Colt shooting a 255 grain hardcast @ 850 fps will shoot through an elk @ 100 yards (as some on here have stated), a .45 acp shooting that same bullet at the same velocity will do the same.

Mohawk · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2011, 12:14:56 PM »

I haven't used a .45 Auto but have seen the ..45 Colt used with standard SWC bullets. It did fine. I just keep shots at 25 yds and closer with street guns.

mlk3454 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2011, 02:48:18 AM »

I have only shot 1 deer with my 45. It is a commander length 1911 and was about 10 yards. I would only take a shot at a deer in bow distances and broadside. That being said I used a 200gr swc and it went through the first shoulder and mushroomed on the next one so it never exited. The deer dropped almost in its tracks. I dont usually go out with the small guns as I like my contender in 7/30 waters and my 480 SRH but I think in the next year or so I will try to get one with my 10mm.

mjbskwim · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2011, 07:42:54 PM »

Why?
Even though the 45ACP is a very formidable round for 2 legged creatures,it's not even close to a good hunting round.
Maybe if the deer won't move out of your way and is 20 feet away.

There are soooo many good cartridges out there to handgun hunt with,why use a marginal round and risk injuring an animal?
Just to say you did? Gawd,I hope you're more mature than that.

BTW,"defense" rounds aren't the best way to go for bigger game in any hand gun caliber.

countryroads · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2011, 09:04:28 PM »

Quote from: dogsoldier0513 on November 16, 2010, 07:07:47 AM

Those that do, please share your stories, guns, loads and pics! Thanks!

The last whitetail that I shot was with a pistol was with a Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded. The deer was shot at a range of 17 yards using a 185 gr. Remington Golden Sabre and 7.9 gr. of Unique. It was a lung shot, and the deer ran about 50 yards.

Scotticus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2011, 05:44:47 AM »

As I practice more with deer in mind, I've revised MY maximum yardage (not the cartridge's) to closer to 20 yards for a humane, lethal shot.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2011, 12:49:37 PM »

I find it pretty strange that guys who consider the .45 ACP to be the ultimate combat handgun for use against people who might shoot back don't consider it adequate for puny little deer.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:24:06 PM »

Quote from: coyotejoe on January 13, 2011, 12:49:37 PM

I find it pretty strange that guys who consider the .45 ACP to be the ultimate combat handgun for use against people who might shoot back don't consider it adequate for puny little deer.

they have about as much brain capacity

as those that say a 44 mag it TOO big for some one trying to kill you

at very close range and a well placed shot
avoiding shoulders and such......why not a defensive type hollow point

might as well test ALL your self defense equipment

demented · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2011, 09:04:56 PM »

Standing broadside shots, 25 yards max, cast lead SWC bullets, yeah a .45 will work. Other than just being able to say "been there, done that," I'm not sure I understand the reason for using one though. I consider a .41 or .44 magnum or hot loaded .45 Colt as a minimum.

teamnelson · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2011, 09:36:58 PM »

Its amazing we managed to feed ourselves before the invention of the magnum round.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:17:33 AM »

i want to take a deer or pig
with my carry gun and carry load
2 inch smith 640.....125 jhp

just to see how effective it is

i know its limitations and i know my own
i can't get ant thing with my 308 rifle...so i really don't need to further handi cap myself

this is just something i want to try......like we already know..bow hunting ranges....only

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:05:28 AM »

I finished a deer with that load in a 340PD . Its effective .

victorcharlie · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2011, 01:02:08 PM »

IMO, what makes the .45 acp the ultimate combat round is the fact that it isn't over powered and it doesn't over penetrate.

When used in trench warfare, the last thing a soldier would want would be to kill his fellow soldier after the round left the enemy's body. It's a big, slow, hard hitting round that does the job, but without as much potential for collateral damage as today's magnums.

This also makes it a great round in an urban setting too, and IMO one of the reasons many police forces are going back to it.

Mohawk · « **Reply #22 on:** January 15, 2011, 08:48:53 AM »

For deer, not big hogs, SD ammo is fine. Its not about "see what I can do", its more " this cartridge does fine". You would be suprised how quick a .38 Spl FMJ flat point 110 gr takes out a deer's lungs. Been there done that.... Not that I would hunt with it.... Nothing wrong with using what is legal. If someone needs a mortar to kill a deer then more range time is needed, frankly. If a person can't put a rested .45 shot through a deer's lungs then that person should reconsider carrying a .45 at all. Paper is paper. A deer is real life shooting function where your bullet will have to do what you "think" it will do. You won't see it on the Outdoor Channel but the .45 Auto is used much more than you think. (:

S.S. · « **Reply #23 on:** January 15, 2011, 10:04:50 AM »

Quote from: TeamNelson on January 13, 2011, 09:36:58 PM

Its amazing we managed to feed ourselves before the invention of the magnum round.

+1

My S&W 1917 will and has dropped whitetail quite a bit farther than some of the distances
mentioned here too.

eclarsen · « **Reply #24 on:** January 17, 2011, 02:37:22 PM »

Make sure it's legal in your state. In IL a published figure of 500 ft/lbs or more at the muzzle is required for handguns, making the OP's round just under the lower limit (496 ft/lbs).

Mohawk · « **Reply #25 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:53:50 AM »

That would be funny. Having a prosecutor prove that that exact round that killed that deer was under 500 ft lbs when it lists at 496. But yes, follow the law.

rybo · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2011, 05:57:51 PM »

While never actually having hunted with one, I'm pretty sure if you put a 45 thru the lungs or heart of a whitetail, its gonna die in short order. Given the accuracy of the pistol, I would not hesitate to hunt with my 1911 for deer out to 30 yards at the proper angle. But I just like my revolers too much.

t-reg · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2011, 07:05:51 AM »

Lots of excellent observations and experiences in this thread.

Here's my $.02 on the subject.

The ballistics of the .45 ACP are very close to those of the Holy Grail of handgun hunting - the .44 Special. We don't hear much debate about whether it works, just the limitations involved and the satisfaction gained by those who use it.

Borrowing from my experience with the .44 Mag and Spl I would (will?) use a 200-215 gr LSWC load which was tested extensively for reliability and accuracy.

Mohawk · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2011, 07:19:12 AM »

I agree. The .45 ACP, Colt and .44 spl are close enough. I think all are good at bow ranges AND shooting through both lungs. Though I would step to magnum levels for hogs.

greywolf444 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2011, 07:03:32 PM »

while I have not taken deer with .45 auto I regularly pick off squirrels with it. a 200 gr hp just peels them off the limb and they fall limp to the ground. not much damage except the hole. I practice on claybirds and 1 liter bottle at 50 yds and have hits of 4 or 5 out of 5. I would consider using this load on deer out to 30-40 yds if the oppurtunity presents itself. I carry the .45 everywhere but I don't choose it to hunt with due to range limitations.