Me and Fezzik

I took Fezzik (my Ruger Super Blackhawk in 45 Colt from Jack Huntington) on a walk this morning. Loaded up some light loads, or at least what I THOUGHT were light loads, and intended on bagging some rabbits and squirrels. Shot a rabbit about ten minutes into the hunt at just over 20 yards away, and there wasn't much left of him to take a picture of. I quit hunting this morning after I saw the carnage as I didn't want to waste any more small critters like that. Anaya will be happy with what is left, but I was planning on eating it myself, and there wasn't anything worth saving.

This brings me to my question...

I was only using 9gr of Titegroup under the 335gr hardcast for this load. It obviously obliterated the rabbit. I want a light load for small game hunting with this 45 Colt, but there has to be a better bullet / load. I used the 335gr hardcast because that is the only bullet I keep on hand. I usually hunt deer / elk / and bear, and this bullet is my choice for those quarries. However, it is obviously too much for small game, and this little revolver is such a joy to shoot, that I am now wanting to do more small game hunting with it on days that Anaya is taking a break.

Any suggestions??

Thanks

I would change to a Rn so it will punch thru

Any suggestions??

.22 LR

I'm getting away from .22 anything. 22lr, 22 mag, all of it. Gonna have a 327 federal made as soon as I can find another Ruger Super Blackhawk donor gun.

Want something small, potent, and something I can reload. 327 Federal fits that bill perfectly. Till that gun is built, I'm going to use the 45 Colt, or possibly my 1911 in 45 ACP. My TRP is accurate enough to do it, and has done it, but I'd rather use a revolver in hunting situations, even for small game.

You guys can have the 22's. I'm tired of feeling like I'm sneaking out of Fort Knox every time I come across any 22 ammo.

Oh, and sorry Hoggin, didn't mean to ignore your suggestion. I agree with ya though. I talked with another member off of here, and that was his opinion also. Going to go pick up some RN bullets, and see what happens.

Thanks for the help.

It shouldn't really matter how fast you push the Rn bullets. Should just make a pencil hole

Missourri Bullets has a 255 SWC coated bullet. [listed as Keith style] In my Ruger Bisley 5 1/2" I load 6.2 gr Titegroup. Shoots real well at about 850 fps.

ever consider head shots?

Yeah, but his head was the only part I couldn't see. It was behind a log.

With that 335 gr hardcast you should of just shot thru the log.

I like the way you're thinkin Junebug!!! I'm workin on securing one of those 32's. Been watching the "used" pages on a couple forums.

I agree on the head shots. I always pass up the shot if its not there. I took a snowshoe hare a couple years ago with a .45-70 loaded with a 405 gr JSP over a healthy dose of H4198. I put the crosshairs on his eye at about 10 yards. It removed the head completely and did no harm to the body. It provided dinner that night plus a hide and rear feet for fly tying.

X2

My dad use to do some small game, ground hog control with a 38. WC on top of 3.5 grains of unique

Yeah, X3 on the headshots for me to, when available. Like I've said in a post somewhere else long ago, I used to use a 22 just for that reason. Could shoot the squirrels and rabbits in the head, and have no lead in the meat when I gave it to my hawk.

Headshots are my prefered shot on small game, but it wasn't available this time. I sure learned what a WFN will do on the terminal end though! Had no idea it would cause that kind of carnage. I didn't expect a clean hole, but I didn't expect a vaporized rabbit either.

Did you try a few different recipes? You may have just not hit the magic number yet for your gun.

I tried 5 different ones. Not a single one of them was even CLOSE to being any good. I'm not gonna put a lot into it as I can shoot the XD and the TRP just fine, and will just use them. I'd rather save the powder and primers.

Well darn it anyway. Was worth a shot.

Yeah, wasn't a bad idea, but I don't want to put a bunch of time into it when I've got two guns that shoot very well with pretty much the same bullet already. Besides, gives me more trigger time behind the TRP and the XD, which is never a bad thing!!

Thanks for the suggestion though Rod!!