Author Topic: .45 colt and black bear (Read 1672 times)

harley45 · « **on:** August 22, 2004, 12:10:15 PM »

I did a search but couldn't find what I was looking for. I bought a .45 colt blackhawk today and was curious as to weather it is considered heavy enough for Black Bear hunting? If so does anybody have a handload I can try?
Thanks Eric

bigjeepman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2004, 01:19:44 PM »

Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors, Eric ...

That's a great caliber you went with. However, I know nothing about black bear hunting but there are plenty here who does.

Good luck with your new Blackhawk.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2004, 02:29:26 PM »

First off, Welcome to Graybeard.

A 45 Long Colt can be loaded comparable to the 44MAG. Here is a website for load data for the 45 Long Colt *used* in a Ruger or Thompson Center handguns. A 45 LC will do a good job on Black Bear as long as you do yours.

http://www.realguns.com/loads/45colt.htm

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2004, 02:17:36 AM »

harley45: Welcome to the forum. Lots of folks who post here use and prefer the 45 Colt in modern handguns to the 44 magnum and as Redhawk1 said, they are comparable. Probably more than that though as the 45 Colt cartridge in a modern handgun, especially the Ruger, can be loaded quite heavily. From all I have read from posters to this forum, with proper loads the 45 Colt is certanly up to the task of taking Black Bear. HTH. Mikey.

wyote · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2004, 04:54:04 AM »

I've killed several bears with the 45 colt. I use cast bullets and a heavy load of H110 or 820 surplus powder. I have used bullets from 255 grain up to 280 grain LBT bullets. Also used a 45 win mag (which is similar to the 45 colt) with facory loads to take one bear.

IMO the 45 colt is up to the task

The deerslayer · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2004, 05:28:50 AM »

If you was ever interested in using factory loads check out buffalobore ammo.

Robert357 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2004, 06:21:30 AM »

Yesterday at the gun range, I was shooting my Ruger Blackhawk 45 (Long) Colt. I used some "normal" power ammo which has a pressure rating allowed for a Colt or Colt clone and then some "Ruger/TC" presure level stuff that is near 44 mag power level. The difference is "night and day!"

My hunting load is a 250 grain Hornady XTP bullet with Alliant 2400 powder in either 18.3 or 18.5 grains out of my 7.5 inch barreled Blackhawk. My problem is that I can only shoot about 30 rounds of the 45 Colt +P+ stuff before my hand gets real tired and accuracy goes to heck.

Yesterday, I was shooting 32 ACP, 22 LR and two power levels of 45 Colt.

In Washington State, the 45 Colt, with a min 7 inch barrel and 240 grain bullet is considered acceptable and "ethical" for hunting black bear and that is the vanillia Colt level of loading not the Ruger/TC level of handloads.

See the following URL
http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/handguns.htm

A 45 Colt should do fine for black bear, as long as you aren't going after something really really large in Alaska or Canada.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2004, 01:15:16 PM »

Harley45,
A well placed 45 slug is going to stop about any thing you will encounter in the lower 48. If you do your part the old 45 will sure get the job done.
Good luck and stay safe...........Joe............

harley45 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2004, 01:22:56 PM »

Thanks for the help guys this gives me a place to start.

Smokem · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2004, 01:35:51 AM »

Try the Cor-Bon .45+P. They pack plenty of punch for anything the in continental U.S. I use these for deer in Maine. All though I have not shot a deer with them yet. I use a Ruger SRH in .454. The full powere .454 loads are more that needed for deer size game. That's why I went to the .45+P.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2004, 02:05:43 AM »

Quote from: Smokem

Try the Cor-Bon .45+P. They pack plenty of punch for anything the in continental U.S. I use these for deer in Maine. All though I have not shot a deer with them yet. I use a Ruger SRH in .454. The full powere .454 loads are more that needed for deer size game. That's why I went to the .45+P.

The 454 can be loaded down to the same as the .45+P.

Smokem · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2004, 08:44:59 AM »

Yes it can. I bought the corbon .45+p before I stared to do the reloading thing. I had a S&W 629 .44 Mag as my original big game handgun. I recently sold it after I bought my SRH .454. The .44 mag was great but I was looking for a round with more "smack". If you're into reloading the .454 is great.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2004, 09:19:20 AM »

Quote from: Smokem

Yes it can. I bought the corbon .45+p before I stared to do the reloading thing. I had a S&W 629 .44 Mag as my original big game handgun. I recently sold it after I bought my SRH .454. The .44 mag was great but I was looking for a round with more "smack". If you're into reloading the .454 is great.

I agree with you on that.

jar-wv · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2004, 11:57:41 AM »

harley 45. A good read on this subject, authored by John Linebaugh. I have used some of the loads in this article, but quit before I got to the max as stated in article. Hope this helps you out some.

http://www.foxwebdesigns.com/Area51/JLSixGun/articles/dissolving.html

jar

harley45 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2004, 11:16:57 AM »

Thanks for the link that arcticle was helpful.

tubbythetuba · « **Reply #15 on:** August 27, 2004, 04:35:39 PM »

Mike Venterino (sp?) was fond of his .45s and often told of complete penetration of black bear with normal .45lc loads and his cast bullets.

GunnyII · « **Reply #16 on:** August 28, 2004, 08:27:15 PM »

Here's some more Linebaugh info that I found interesting. Very limited study, but worth a look.

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/penetration_test.htm

I have got to make it to one of those seminars. It sounds like too much fun!

Donna · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2004, 12:37:41 AM »

harley 45,

When I was in Alaska there were two camps of thought on hunting bears. First was the people that thought it was better to have the bullet stop inside the animal to impart the total bullet energy for the best stopping power. The second were the ones that thought the bullet should be constructed in such a way as to allow the bullet to go completely through the animal, in this case bear, so that if it hit bone it would smash through it to break the bear down. If the bullet did not kill the bear maybe it would smash a shoulder or the hip making the bear unable to get to you for that second or third shot if needed. Lots of people have had their lives saved because the bear could not get to them before they could take the extra shot. Now mind you I never got to hunt in Alaska or for bear but the second way sounds like the way to go. I got a bullet swaging die set for my Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC caliber to hunt bear. The die set could make bullets out of 0.035 inch thick copper tubing with multi-cores inside for extra strength but with that thick of a jacket wall I dont think the multi-cores are needed. I handload for my .45LC, of course, and I can get my 300-grain or 350-grain bullet flying out the tube at such a velocity that my hands cannot take any more punishment from the kick and without seeing any pressure signs.

The Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC caliber in my opinion may not be enough gun for the bears of Alaska but it is a good choice in the lower 48 with the proper type of bullet and load. Remember bears have thick hides and that fur is usually packed with dirt for insulation, from what I have heard. One person told me that a bullet with a hollow point would mushroom out too much on the surface and not penetrate properly for a good kill, kind of like hitting it with a Beebe. I have not seen any jacketed bullets on the market that I would feel comfortable with hunting bears with my .45LC. Im sure there are differences between Alaska bears and bears in the lower 48. If Im off on any of this please correct me guys and gals.

Donna

Greeenriver · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2004, 10:21:35 AM »

About any good Hard Cast bullet of 250grn weight or heaver, loaded to about 850fps or more will take a bear down.

Hummmmmmm.........250grem 850fps,,,,,,,,,,,,,I can get that with a full case of Black Powder and a good crimp, and safe in a Colt or clone.

But then I oftedn hunt with the 45lc and BP just for the fun of it.

Greeenriver, (There's something about taking game with the old calibers loaded the way they were way back then.)

harley45 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2004, 01:49:52 PM »

I posted this question on several boards and the consensus was that a 250 gr slug at 850+ fps was a good way to gop for lower 48 black bears. This got me to thinking that if a fellow was so inclined a 255 grain bullet in a 45acp/super case can reach that velocity pretty easy. so my old 1911 now seems even more versatile. any thoughts?

Mikey · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2004, 01:57:00 AM »

harley45: Black Bear with a 45 auto and proper loads is not recommended. I know that ballistics will tell you it could be done but there are a whole bunch of good reasons not to try.

Ballistically, it would appear that the minimum load for a 45 Colt can be duplicated by a maximum or near max load for the 45 auto and that Black Bear could be taken with that or those loads but not too many folks would recommend it.

Black Bear harvests with a 45 auto have been accomplished but not in the most humane manner. Lots of folks, including my own self, feel you're really getting close to dangerous by tackling bear with a 45 auto. Yes, it has all the power necessary to deal with the human body, but wild animals are an entirely different creature and don't react the way we do to bullet impact.

If, in a survival situation the 45 auto with heavy loads is all you have then that is what you will have to rely on but I would not advocate you're going out looking for Black Bear with just a 45 auto.

Also, check down in the General Handgun Discussion forum and in the 1911/45 forum - there should be some threads there on this topic and I hope they answer your questions better than I could. Mikey.

Elwood · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:37:18 AM »

My Sierra reloading manual list the same top velocities for the 45 ACP and 45 LC (Colt, Colt clones, S&W ect). Not Begining loads for the Long Colt and top loads for the ACP. No disrespect intended just facts.
Elwood P. Dowd

harley45 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:20:12 AM »

My hornady man. is the same way and that is what got me thinking. Also I've played with .45 super quite a bit and would feel very safe loading a 255 @850-900 in my 1911. The problem as I see it would be following state guidelines and finding a guide that would let you do it. Also I know several gentleman who have taken black bears with a 10mm loaded with 200 grain at 1200 fps another easy thing to do with .45 super.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2004, 10:17:59 AM »

My top loads for the 45 Colt are,
1320fps.... 330gr hard cast bullets,
1300fps.... 300gr Hornady XTP's or Speer JFP's
These loads are in spec for my Ruger handguns.
Cam

Sverre A. · « **Reply #24 on:** September 12, 2004, 03:22:58 AM »

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/penetration_test.htm

When I read this article - I ask myself: Why shoot with a Casull - when 45 LC will do the job?

Camp Cook · « **Reply #25 on:** September 13, 2004, 05:20:36 AM »

The 454 Casull can be loaded down to do anything the 45 Colt can do and loaded up to do everything it can't. I had been carrying for wild animal protection in the bush a 45 Colt in a Ruger Bisley Vaquero but have moved up to a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull. Just this last week I was in a very remote area and within 10 minutes of walking down a deactivated old logging road I had 5 black bears around me. The furthest away was 100 yards and the closest was about 10 yards. I have to tell you that I felt a lot better carrying my 454 Casull that the 45 Colt.
Cam

Sverre A. · « **Reply #26 on:** September 13, 2004, 06:57:04 AM »

You felt safer - but was you safer?

Camp Cook · « **Reply #27 on:** September 13, 2004, 07:28:47 AM »

Yes....... I feel alot more comfortable driving a 335gr hard cast @ 1600fps than same bullet out of one of my 45 colt's @ 1300fps. I guess I should also add that I also had my s/s Remington 700 synthetic stocked 300 RUM loaded with 200gr Swift A-frames @ 3250fps slung over my shoulder. I felt very safe even when I was looking at one of the bears through my binoculars @ about 100 yards and when I lowered them there was another bear about 20 yards in front of me. Also just for interest 2 of the bears where chocolate brown color phazes and the other 3 where black.
Cam