Minimum for 45 Colt and wife

I'm trying to get the 45 Colt loaded to levels that my wife will feel comfortable shooting it. (Think more along the lines of a 15 year old female being able to handle it. My wife has some horse riding injuries that affect the strength in both wrists.) However, I don't want to go so low that the same load can't be used for hunting elk.

What is the lightest load you would use for elk, and how close would we need to get to make a clean shot with that load? Oh, the bullets I have are the 335gr WFNGC from Cast Performance. I'm not opposed to buying different bullets if it helps the situation. If you recommend a cast bullet load, that's fine, but PLEASE don't turn this into a cast/jacketed thread.

We've been there done that...

Thanks.

A 300 going at 1,000 fps will shoot clear through most critters, and 9 grains of TG will get you there. I would stick with a hardcast for slow rolling as XTP's and the like require a bit more velicity to expand reliably and penetrate deeply.

Oh yeah! I forgot about that!

Thanks for the load info also.

265-300 at 900-1100 would be mild and handle anything within reason.

I agree. A 255-265 at 1000fps are really fun to shoot and I should be fine for an elk. If she can handle a 300+gr at the same velocity even better. If it wasn't for the injury I would suggest practicing with the 255's and loading the 300's for the hunt. Just check the POI is the same.

In my experience, a weight differential that significant will require a sight adjustment.

A 255gr cast and 8.5grs Unique.

My pleasure. You can use the same data with a lighter bullet as well, it will just go faster and kick less ;-)

Thanks a lot guys! I'll get some of the 265gr hardcast from Cast Performance, and see what we can do with those. If she can shoot those, and shoot them well, then we may try the 300's.

Great help everyone! This is why I like this site!!!

Thanks!!

I saw Sixshot shoot an elk a few years back with a 250 WFN in a 41 mag at 1100 and the only movement she made was down. Just out it in the right place and the rest will take care of itself

13.0 grains of HS-6 pushes my 320 wfn at 1100 with my 7.5" barrel. My non-shooting wife has shot it and didnt find it to be terrible. You should be able to download that to 900 pretty easy and have a very mild recoiling gun.

8.5grs of 231 will get you 800-900fps and very mild and usually good accuracy

Given the broken wrists, 15 year old, etc. information, I think a remington model 7 in 308 or 7-08 is in order. I would hate to shoot an elk with an 800-900 fps bullet. 45 acp velocities and even soft easily expanding bullets more than likely would not perform well. Unless the elk is being shot from a tree stand at 10-20 yards or is tied up to a game pen fence, there would be a great chance to wound it and have to track it for miles. My thoughts.

If we go with a rifle, she'll take the Browning X-bolt in 270WSM that she already has. The whole idea on this was a light handgun load she could shoot out of my 45 Colt.

RR, from what I gather, you are wanting the 45LC simple for protection or targets of opertunity?

Sorry, I can't help with the loading data. If it were me, I would choose a good hard cast an just play around with it and primers. Sometimes, just don't know until you shoot it. Point in fact, I shot my 45 ACP with blue dot using both WW and CCI primers. The CCI produced significantly more recoil than the WW with the same powder charge.

Duane

A 260 - 320 good cast bullet at subdued velocities will have no trouble pushing through an elk. 13grs of HS-6 will speed things up to the 1000 - 1100fps range and still easily handled. The A frames and XTPs will work but usually need velocity to be very accurate.

No, I use hopped up loads. But I'm wanting to find something my wife can shoot, and hunt with. She carries a Glock 23 for her CC, and shoots it very well. It is her protection gun of choice. I'm wanting to find a legitimate elk hunting load for her out of my 45 Colt.

I think I'm getting close though. I've been working with some light loads of Titegroup, and she seems to be enjoying it, and starting to get the confidence to go hunting with it. If I could get her on an elk with a handgun, I'd be ecstatic!!

255 @1000 fps will do the trick.

Never underestimate the mighty elk. I'v seen elk drop from a single bullet from a 243. I've also seen them run over two mountains of thick timber with a 338 nosler in their lungs and chest cavity. Whatever is chosen, ensure confidence and use common sense. Words on paper and such doesn't amount to much on a hillside.

BINGO! Well said.

25 gr's Imr 4227 with a 250 XTP runs 1250-1300 fps in my Ruger Hunter.

Well, following this logic, the 338 is not enough, either.

This, for the most part, is a game of percentages and a high percentage of the time, the loads for the colt that have been recommended, will work.

This is from the Hodgdon reloading manual online for the 335 CPB LFN CG:

Lil'Gun .452" dia 1.680" COL; 17.0 gr; 1,052 fps; 20,100 CUP
20.0 gr; 1,206 fps; 29,600 CUP
My opinion is a 255 gr, 18.5 gr 2400, up to 280 grain cast bullet, 10 gr Unique at 1050 fps is more than enough. Once you have two holes, how much more can a bullet do? The first load is the old Elmer Keith load which I've used on big pigs, the second I used on cow elk. Not a big sample but useable in S&W 25 in the first case, if actually hunting and the second all the time in a Ruger Bisley 5.5". You mention a .45 Colt but if the gun is not a Ruger or modern S&W, I suggest 9 grains of Unique and 255 grain cast SWC or LBT.

I agree with Sheriff Russel, a 255 grain bullet at around 900-1000 fps should be fine. The 300 grain HC is excellent as well. Read Elmer Keith, he took lots of game including Elk an Bear with normal 45 colt loads, 250-255 grain bullets. Good hunting.