Originally Posted By: 45MAN
 Originally Posted By: AKBman
What is the largest game you would pursue with a 45 Colt and a 285Gr RCBS 45-270SAA bullet at 1100-1200 fps? Or same gun but with a 70% meplat 325gr bullet at the same velocities?


I TAKE THE QUESTION ON ITS FACE AS BEING ABOUT "PURSUE" NOT ABOUT "KILL". THOSE BULLETS, AT THOSE VELOCITIES, COULD PROBABLY KILL ANY LAND MAMMAL, EVEN AN ELEPHANT AND A HIPPO. IF I WERE TO PURSUE ANYTHING WITH SUCH LOADS IT WOULD PROBABLY BE IN A 5 1/2 INCH OPEN SIGHT REVOLVER, AND I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SHOTS NO FURTHER THAN 50 - 60 YARDS. IN NORTH AMERICA, I WOULD NOT PURSUE BROWN/GRIZZLY BEARS, BUT WOULD CONSIDER IT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. IN AFRICA, I WOULD LIMIT IT TO PLAINSGAME.


I AM IN ALASKA RIGHT NOW ON A BLACK BEAR HUNT AND AS A 5 1/2 FOOT - 6 FOOT BEAR WAS FEEDING 30 -35 YARDS FROM ME, AND I WAS LOOKING AT THE THICK, TANGLED, ROUGH ALASKAN BUSH AROUND ME, I ASKED MYSELF "WOULD I CONSIDER AN OPEN SIGHT SHOT WITH MY 5 1/2 IN LINEBAUGH RUGER 45 COLT REDHAWK" AND I ANSWERED "NO", PREFERRING TO USE MY HIGHER POWERED 454 FA REVOLVER. I PASSED ON THE BEAR AS I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER. COULD I HAVE KILLED THAT BEAR WITH THE REDHAWK? YES, BUT MORE POWER IS ALWAYS BETTER ON DANGEROUS GAME IN THICK BUSH.

"ADAPT OR DIE". I USE ALL CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD HABIT FROM MY ARMY DAYS, PLUS IT IS EASIER TO TYPE AND READ.