Loading the .45LC for hunting

For you fellas that reload 45LC what are some good hunting loads, foe deer. Will probably be using 250 gr Speer Deep Curl and 250gr Hornady XTP's.

I run a 250gr XTP over 26.5gr H110 from my 6? Bisley @ 1,365 fps to good effect on deer.

The Gold Dot should do well also.

I don't see what gun you plan to load for in 45 Colt, but my experience is with Ruger 7 1/2" large frame revolvers and Contenders. I've loaded for the 250 gr XTP and Deep Curl, and both are very accurate bullets. I know the XTP performs well on deer, but I haven't connected with a DC bullet yet. Some experienced handgun hunters think the DC is a more consistent performer in big game. Both bullets can attain velocities of 1350+ fps with 296 powder from 7 1/2" barrels. Start at 24.0 grs and work up, assuming you are using a full sized Ruger or Contender. The 240 gr XTP is probably a Mag bullet and is designed to perform better at magnum velocities, like out of a 454 Casull. Best of luck to you.

It's a 4 5/8" Ruger

250 Hornady XTP 20.5 Gr of 2400 and LPM primer.

By far the best load for my Ruger 45 Colts.

For the S&W

250 gr Berry HC FP with 16.0 of 2400 LPM

Also a great target load for the Ruger.

I don't even know how many deer I have killed with that gun. I bought it new in the early 80s. Don't load that load on the target without a work up. It is safe in that gun and was formerly published data but has been removed from manuals. I backed off to 21.5grs H110/296 lit by a 155 primer.This is with the 300gr XTP. The XTP mag is more accurate but the old XTP performs better on game. The mag doesn't always open at Ruger level velocities. Hope that helps.

I use the load water bug posted above in my FA M97 and it shoots one ragged hole at 25 yards. I?ve killed hog, black bear, and deer with that load and it performs very well. I?d stay away from the 240xtp for colt loads - it?s intended for 454C and is pretty hard.

Made a mistake when posting, they are 250gr.

The 240 XTP is a bit hard for 4-5/8? barrels. I use the 250 XTP over 15.0 grains of BlueDot for 1161 fps/611 fpe. Kills deer very well and is efficient in my short-barreled BH. In my 4-5/8? barrel, the 240 XTP over 20.0 grains of 2400 only gave 1049 fps...



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I've had great results with the top end published Ruger level loads with H110 and the 250 XTP, both accuracy and terminal performance wise.

Finally got a doe with the .45LC SBHH Bisley with Speer DC 250 gr. Picture posting in BB forum. Looks just like the one I shot into water jugs. Kept 249 grains of the advertised 250 after two shoulders and the ribs. Gonna try the XTPs after I get the TC 35-30/30 bloody.

Amazing expansion on that bullet.

Congratulations on your deer and thanks for posting the pics of the bullet performance.

John

the deep curl is a great bullet. nice shooting!

I've had great results using a Lyman 454424 ahead of 13.0 of HS-6.

Short30, what was the velocity on that load?

I have not measured but should be just at or above 1200 fps. I typically start about 2/3 way up the range and look for the sweet spot. This load also shoots the 250 XTP in to the same hole - interchangable at hunting ranges (75 yards)

I like the 335g LFNGC hard cast from Cast Performance. They hit like Mike Tyson. Used 23.3gr of H110 for the hot loads (1175fps), and 9.0gr of Titegroup for the light loads (850fps). These two loads, and the 45 Colt, are still my favorite handgun combination to this day. Well, as long as I'm under 75 yards. Beyond that, gotta grab my XP100.

The problem with many of the loads recommended here is that the OP never stated which ?4-5/8? Ruger? he has. If it?s a Blackhawk, Redhawk or original Vaquero then fine, but if he has a new model Vaquero then many loads here could be unsafe. Strange that no one asked the question.....





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Maybe because it's a handgun hunting forum and we think that people here are smart enough to not have to be beat over the head with warnings,cautions, and oh my goodness every time we turn around. Or maybe again we are just too dumb to notice

To be fair, when someone mentions a Ruger, I picture a Blackhawk or Super Redhawk as opposed to a New Vaquero.

To be fair, many of the posters on this site are newbies looking for advice. While the OP isn?t new, he clearly knows little about hunting loads for the .45 LC - otherwise why ask? I have always thought that one function of a forum was to help others, and to try to keep them out of trouble. Just checking on the exact revolver the OP has is hardly ?beating him over the head? (oh,the drama!). Or maybe again we just shouldn?t bother to watch out for each other. 😉


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Carpe Diem
Seminolewind addressed that very thing [what gun is it ]in the 3rd post on page one.

I've never heard of anyone on here hunting with a Ruger that ISN'T a Blackhawk or Redhawk of some sort. Never heard anyone mention a vaquero in all my years on this site. If people aren't smart enough to do their own homework on their own firearms, then I consider it a way to strengthen the gene pool.