Anyone use a .45 auto for deer hunting? Been thinking I would like to give it a try. My present hunting centerfires of choice are a .44 mag Redhawk and a .357 mag GP 100. Those new Ruger 1911's look darn nice.

I sure it's possible, but I would want a handloaded bullet, such as an LBT. I would stay away from hollow points because of the lack of velocity and penetration. I have loaded 255 gr lead bullets in 45 ACP before, just because I hadn't done it before. I got 800fps for velocity out of my Sig P220. Accuracy was fine, but pressures were a little a little high.

If you are looking for loading data for heavier bullets in 45 ACP, Hodgdon's Reloading Manual No. 26 is a good resource for bullets up to 260gr.

Adam

I know that a 1911 is not a "huntin' gun". Just trying to come up with a good reason to buy one. My Redhawk does just fine. Reason....I don't need no stinkin' reason, right?

Tom

You can convert a 1911 45ACP to .460 Rowland for about $300 and then you will have a "hunting" gun. The 45 ACP is capable within bow hunting ranges, the Rowland makes the 1911 a 100 yard gun.

Everyone needs at least one (or three) 1911's-- you never know when you might get atacked by wild dogs or devil worshipers.

They are great for situations just like these

They are great guns for all kinds of stuff

I'm thinkin the same, I just need the excuse to get that new Ruger but it would be a plus to hunt with the 45ACP.

My son's brother in law killed a deer two years ago with a 1911 .45ACP. Don't know what load he used but it was a factory load.

Dick Metcalf and Layne Simpson had written and article about the 9mm verses 45 acp and had loads in there for shooting deer.I would think that the 230 Hydroshock would be a good bullet cause your gonna have to be close anyway because of the accuracy issue.My wifes Ruger P90 will shoot 2" groups all day long at 40 yards but I would want to be within 25 yards if I were hunting deer with it.

A 45ACP is a great hunting caliber – will shoot 0.451/0.452 bullets with authority just like a 45 Colt – really no difference. Sure, the 45 Colt can send a much heavier bullet down range and will do so with a lot more velocity but 185 to 230 grains at 900 to 1,000 fps from a 1911 will do just fine for about anything in North America.

There might be a member or two on this board that might have dropped a water buffalo or two with a 1911 using good ole 230 grain hardball half a century ago in a far away land. If a water buffalo can’t handle the 45ACP I doubt the whitetail, mulie or black bear will present any problems.

Premium hollow points such as the Hydra Shok, Bonded Golden Sable and other bonded hollow points commonly thought of a self defense rounds more likely than not will punch 2 holes in thin skinned game such as deer. I wouldn’t hesitate using the bonded hollow points on deer/black bear.

I'm liking the idea of hunting with a 1911 more and more. I do just fine with my revolvers, but would like to try something different. I hunt rabbits, squirrels and feral carts with a Ruger .22 Mark II and really like (and sometimes need) the quick followup shot that I can get with it. A 1911 should be pretty much the same. "Double tapping" a deer at close range might be the way to go. Just kidding...sort of.

Tom

Before retiring as a deputy sheriff, I had to shoot many deer that had been hit by cars. Some were immobile, but several were still standing. I shot them with .22 LR, .223, 9mm, .357 magnum,.40 S&W and .45 a.c.p. Only the .357 125 grain and .45 would drop them quickly with chest shots. 230 grain Hydra Shok.45's were better than 185 grain Silvertips. All the deer were shot within 25 yards. I learned that the other semi-automatic pistol rounds and the .223 required head shots to be effective. Interestingly enough, 12 gauge #00 buckshot was highly ineffective unless fired from about 10 yards or closer.

Wheeler,

Not to highjack this post, but your comment about OO buck is interesting. A few years ago I was on a bear hunt and a client was shooting a 3", 12ga with OO buck. Nobody gave it a second thought. I saw a 190lbs sow take three rounds from that shot gun with almost no effect. I finally had to put her down with my 45 Colt. The buck shot failed to penetrate more then an inch or two. I don't know if this was just a fluke but it turned me off from hunting with buck shot.

Adam

Buckshot carries a good punch within 20-30 feet of the muzzle, but when those pellets start to separate you are dividing your energy by the number of projectiles so it is rather inneffective beyond 20 yards on other than thin skinned game like geese. A 12 is much more effective with slugs on big game, "buck" shot is a misnomer.

Buffalo Bore loads a 255 grain FPRN at 960 FPS. I have been testing that load and I am rather impressed. It is accurate and hits harder than any 230 grainer that I have ever shot or seen shot

I think this load brings the 45 ACP up a step in the power departmant

I think a 230 grain bonded bullet is impressive but after looking at this round, I would say you are right in that it's a BIG step up in the power department. I would think you could take a blackie straight on and probably break both the front shoulder and rear hip - can't really ask for much more. Thanks for the info JWP475.

I too have shot my share of Whitetails that had been hit by vehicles and had to be dispatched with a .45 ACP. In my old S&W Model 645 with a 22 Lb Recoil Spring I used either 185gr. Remington +P JHP's or a Handload using 185gr. Nosler JHP's loaded with Blue Dot to the same velocity level (1150 FPS).

In 4" S&W Model 19 .357 Magnuk I used 125gr. Federal JHP's and am here to tell you that the above mentioned +P loads in the .45 ACP were way more effective than the 125 Federals in the .357.

I only ever took one Whitetail with the S&W 645 in a hunting situation. I was walking a shelterbelt when a large doe burst from cover about 30 yards in front of me and was planning on heading out across a field. Before she had covered 10 yards I put two of the 185gr. Nosler JHP's right behind her shoulder and a 3rd was not needed. Actually the second was probably not needed but the instant the sights settled back on the does chest the .45 roared again.

Larry

Pure lead 00 buckshot is indeed a poor penetrator. If one wants to use buckshot Dixie Slugs make a Buckshot load called Tri-Ball it is 3 .60 caliber heat treated hard cast balls that are devestating

With a choke of .660" diameter and 1 inch of parallel sides it will place all 3 balls within 3 to 4 inches at 40 yards. Each ball wieghs 315 grains each for a total payload of 945 grains

Put a 230 gr. lead wadcutter bullet thru the lungs and you got a dead deer. I sometimes carry a .45 when I dont feel like toting the big irons. If your gun is accurate enough you shouldnt have a problem. I like to keep my shots under 25 yds.

TomG, If you can put a decent bullet in the right place with your 45acp you will get your deer. I pulled an old "Handgunning
Deer" article by Hal Swiggett from one of Petersons Deer Hunting
mags and quote the following "Swiggett has taken a lot of deer with his accurized Colt .45 MK IV. Because of the larger diameter of the .45, he feels that it is superior to the .357 as a 50 yard deer gun." It also shows a picture of his 45 auto along with 3 recovered 185gr Rem. bullets that were all perfectly expanded. Almost took a shot at a doe with my Colt Defender loaded with Speers 200gr JHP but he was a little to far for my ability. Good luck, James

If I was going to try the 45 Auto on deer I would use a 185 Rem HP or a 230 SWC as stoked up as a 18 lb spring would take.

I have killed several deer with my 45acp. Have used ball ammo and hydra shocks. You should have no problem at all.

double tap!

see also: 45 super

The 45acp in a 1911 platform will kill deer. What it wont have is the versatility of other handgun rounds that are more commonly used to hunt with. Keeping in mind that the 1911 and the 45acp were intended as a man stopping combo at close range (7-25yds) if you limit your shots to an effective range for the ammo you choose and the accuracy of your firearm then you should be fine. Personally I have never hunted with my 1911s. I carry one every day but the thought of hunting with it as my primary hunting rig never occured to me. Honestly given my choice of the 1911 or my SBH for hunting ill go SBH every time.

Some of the most accurate handguns in the world are 1911, 45 ACP's, their limitations are distance. Using good bullets (hunting) they will easily handle deer at moderate distances & do it well. Many 45 auto's will shoot with the finest revolvers out to 50-75 yds.
In the early days of Handgun Silhouette (1977-78)there were a number of shooters who entered using their 1911's, accuracy wasn't the problem & knockdown wasn't the problem, it was distance. The rainbow trajectory beyond the 100 meter pigs was just too much to overcome & they quickly disappeared from long range Silhouette shooting.

Dick

sixshot well said--I have a 1911 that I do well with out to 75 yds it just runs out of gas at that range.
I sure would like to have my Delta back--that is a 100 yd gun

Sixshot, in those same years I tried my .45 a.c.p. match gun. I could hit the 50 and 100 meter targets. Hardball worked well and flattened them. The 150 meter turkeys were tough to range. Once hit they would rock and sometimes fall. The 200 meter rams were almost impossible to hit due to the trajectory. 230 grain hardball would rock the rams. If they were hit in the head area they would teeter and sometimes fall. It all convinced me that the .45 was at best a 50 yard gun.

so does anyone have any load data for a 255 hard cast SWC in the 45? not looking to push it hard just enough for deer at bow ranges

This topic scares me a bit. I DO NOT like to Hot Rod the 1911 platform. I had a friend in college who wears the permanant scarring from it. 230 gr ball ammo will drop deer/hogs like nobody's business if you keep your shots within range. No need to use the big heavies or run 'em hot.

I've taken a pile of South Texas deer and quite a few Axis with the 45 ACP.

I only hunt hogs now days. I took a pair with the ACP a while back.

one thing that hasn't been addressed here is it legal where you are at? I know here in Oregon they aren't, you can't use any weapon with a removable magazine capable of holding more that five rounds. I guess you could rig a mag stop to limit the number of rounds. I know the regs back east are alot more liberal but something to think about.

What would be considered hot roding? Factory ball is what 950 or so? What would be wrong with a 255 at 700-750 if the pressures are the same. Put a heavy spring and gun came with a buffer that is still in great shape. Loaded 5 to chrono today with 4.8 gr unique

The .45acp works like a champ on whitetail.
It is a low velocity round,big bore like a .44-40, .44Spl,.45 Roundball, etc.
Effective within 50yds no problem. Thats well within treestand distance.

Only about a week ago, I was in conversation in my gunstore hangout, about the upcoming deer season, and handgun hunting for whitetail.
I mentioned I used a handload 225gr .45Colt at appox. 850/900fps for whitetail.
Several people chimed in that the old .45 Colt was a great game getter, etc.
I said,"I meant, a Colt .45acp", and then everyone grimmaced and said I needed a bigger gun.
AFTER THEY ALL HAD AGREED THE COLT WAS FINE AT THAT LOADING!

Funny, change only the name, and it suddenly becomes a spitwad.

I have a few deer under my belt with 1911's and an xd45. They work just fine. Even with modern hollow points most are found on the far side just under the skin. 185xtp's and 230hst. Both worked about the same. Keep your ranges within bow range. No need to hot rod unless you want. I agree with Dan. The old round is said to be good then you mention acp and then all of a sudden.Spitwad.Lol, The 45acp is underrated for deer.

a round that may be of interest is the Hornady Critical Defense. This ammo has the hp cavity filled with a polymer identical to what they use on the leverevolution ammo. The purpose is to keep it from opening prematurely. The idea is it keeps the hp from starting to open if the target person is wearing heavy clothing, it allows it to penetrate further before expansion begins. I've seen penetration tests on tv using the 380 ammo and it penetrates alot further than a standard hp. My guess is it will work for deer since there isn't much difference between a leather coat and a leather hide. I have them for my 38spcl derringer but I'm going to switch to them in my Custom 45 from the Hydra Shocks as they have an elongated point that feeds better.

Good point, Rod. Not to mention the minimum power requirement for Foot Pounds Energy. The .45 ACP would be illegal for big game in Colorado with the original factory load.

I sure wouldn't want one of my elk hunters to shoot a big bull with it.

Can someone 'splain this one to me?

It was primarily implemented to stop the use of semi auto's with high capacity magazines and guys spraying the woods with bullets but it applies to bolt or lever guns with removable magazines too. If it's a fixed mazazine like my Marlin CLTD 1895 which holds 9 45-70 rounds your legal. We also have a restriction on shotguns of a capacity of two in the mag and one in the chamber so you have to have the plug in. I think that is a pretty common law but I don't know for sure. Anyways in Oregon since we have no power restrictions (only caliber which is .22 centerfire) the 1911 would be legal but only if you put a block in the mag to only allow 5 rounds.

I understand that Rod. But I really think it has to do with the perception of the "machiner gun" whacking and stacking critters. We have a plug restriction for warterfowl as well, but it is intended for folks who think their 12 guage is a heat seeking missile that can drop a gander at 50 going away. Magazine restrictions are just a way for Brady to get their foot in the door, that's all. You have crazy politics in your neck of the woods, but to appease those with a mag restriction is only a stopgap for future battles. I never had a thought of an AR as a hunting gun a few years back wouldn't have cared less about them, but they are the whipping boy for the anti's now.

I agree with you, Oregon was a very conservative state when I moved here. At my high school opening weekend of deer season they gave you that Monday off too so you had a 3 day weekend to hunt. Most of my teachers hunted and most of the guys that had trucks had guns in the gun racks and it wasn't a problem but now they would throw the kid in jail for it. Our problem is that retirees from CA started moving here in force in the late 80's early 90's and the mexican migrant workers quit migrating as they figured out they could make more money staying in one place selling drugs. That is why I want out of here and it's really too bad, I could just move to the other side of the state and have the weather and country I like but I'd still be stuck with the politics. We have Roosevelt, Cascade and Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule deer, Cascade Blacktails, Columbia and Coastal Blacktails and Columbia Whitetails, tons of cougars and bears, Pronghorn, Mountain Goats, California and Rocky Mtn Bighorns, we just got confirmation that we have our first permanent moose population and of course the wolves are here now and the Grizzly's are on their way. It's hard to find a selection of big game anywhere but the regulations are only going to get worse. I have my fingers crossed and I'm saying my prayers that my wife gets this job, just depends on how many others apply for it and their qualifications since she was in Escrow for most of her career and just recently switched to Title which is what the two job listings are for, but we'll see.

Sorry not trying to hijack thread just kind of lead down another path.

I've killed a bunch od deer with .45s and used a lot of lead and jacketed bullets. The best performer for me has been the Hornady 200 gr. HP-XTP.
WV Hitman

The state of Nevada Division of Wildlife has made it very plain that a .45ACP is not to be used for big game hunting. You can use a .22 caliber cartridge provided that COL is 2'' or more. Other handgun cartridges must have a case length as long as a .44 Magnum. I'm sure there is some logic there somewhere.....