FA 475, You are right about the gun laws, the powers to be would use them as a foot in the door. Kennedy already tried to push a bill that would outlaw all 30-30 rounds or larger because it could penetrate a police officers vest…

you would think they would want to get criminals off the street instead of guns. liberals...SMH.

Wow, 40 replies. I'm flattered. Thanks for the feed back guys. I like the two handgun approch to hunting. One for close work, one for distance, and I think this pup will do nicely.
Again,
Thanks,
Dogsbreath

Not sure if this is the righ place for this, but a number of years ago a named writer wrote a piece in one of the gunrags I subscribed to at the time. I forget who, so I apologize. But it has kinda stuck with me in the back of my mind all these years.

The argument was that it was possible to hit a critter in the normal lung shot area, and if the critter was on exhale cycle the lungs would be less deflated, and a bullet might cause much less damage then when the lungs are inflated. Maybe Doc might have some thoughts on this from the physiology side. I have always just put this into the back of my mind, as it certianly would add a variable for which we have no control.

Craig

I vaguely remember that article, but cannot recall who penned it. It does make sense in my mind's eye, that damage would be greater if the lungs are full of air. JMHO.

So I guess I need to be watching for that puff of exhaled vapor before I squeeze ;-)

Lungs don't hold much air let alone at any real pressureI(2 lbs). They won't pop if they are full. The only reason something dies when shot in the lungs is that the air gets between the lung and the cavity around it when the diaphram creates a vacuum in the chest cavity to inhale. It collapses the lung and preferably both. They animal suffocaites to death. If anything you'd want to shoot the lungs on an empty lung. Atleast its one breath closer to a collapsed lung.

Exactly -- LOL!

LOL, I would worry more about shot placement…

You could right a dissertation over this subject and it still isn’t going to change the fact that every animal is a rule unto itself. I would more worried about what I am shooting and how competent I am with it…

Everybody knows you have to have at LEAST a 500 S&W to hunt deer with… muwahahahaha…

(For those finding this post with search engines, the last line is suppose to be an “epitome of ironies” statement paralleling the subject of the tread…)

what you talking about, you need at least a 458

If I had my way everyone would have one!

You know, I wish I could recollect the publication where I saw the article. I did make a mental note that the guy had a well established track record ;^) Like I said, one of those things that make me go huhmmmmmm.

I almost resorted to it on the last two cow elk a buddy took. Both perfect lung shots, with a 375 H & H, with premium bullets. Both elk ended up a couple of hudred yards away, dead. He was more of the mind that perhaps back flips were in order.

Humphrey, thanks for your input. I hoped someone with a better knowledge of anatomy and physiology might have more insight. Sure seems consistent with my archery experience that it is not needed to create "jelly". Your perspective does seem to indicate that 2 holes might be better than one for something besides just tracking....

And Dog, I am pretty interested in your original premise here, as I am leaning towards a 45 caliber bullet next season that will not be much more than your shooter. I go way back with the Sixguns and the writings of the traditional folks, as well as the more modern who sort of pioneered handgun hunting with guns that did not have 475, or 500 or Linebaugh on the gun. I spent a couple of hours researching the top break guns this morning, you put a major burr under my sleeping bag.

Craig

Was it possibly the HHI publication: THE SIXGUNNER?

Gregg,

Definately not the Sixgunner. It may have been in one of the magazines I saw at the barber shop here. It has been a lot of years since I read it.

Craig

No, it was in a big monthly publication if I can recall correctly.

I would not worry about the .45.
I have taken many deer with a cap and ball revolver and round balls. The last was on my side of my fence, she made it over in a leap and fell dead when she landed.

dogsbreath I would use it with the 50 yard limit and never think twice. I'd take it to a gunsmith and let him look it over well but I know a 260gr projectile in the 800-950fps range will work if you put it where it belongs. This load is a little over factory ammo but no where near Ruger levels.Good Luck to ya

Are you handloading or buying factory rounds?
Steve

hand loading 250 grainers with 6.3 gr. of tight group. Worked up a bunch of berry's bullets to spec and I'll match some Hornady's to the same speed. at 50 yards or under that should be fine. I'm a real careful hunter. I don't mind passing on questionable shots. I'll have this and a .454 t/c for the longer stuff if needed, but in N. Ga. short range is what it is all about.

I myself use A ruger new model blackhawk scoped with a pistol scope on whitetails here in Ohio.The load i use is for tc contenders or ruger blackhawks only.I have used 21.0 grains of win 296 with the hornady xtp 300 grainer hollowpoint and have had devasteting results out to 100 yrds with this load, DO NOT USE IN ANYTHING BUT A RUGER BLACKHAWK OR STRONGER FRAME. THIS IS A NEAR 44 MAG LAOD WITH A 45 CAL BULLET. I CRONOED IT AT OVER 1250 FPS AT 10 YRDS.do not try and hunt deer with cowboy loads and single action armies.

!!YOU GOT TO KILL IT TO GRILL IT!!TedNugent

I've used several bullet weights and types in .45 Colt or .45 ACP for hunting, including 165 grain Gold Saber Remington, 200 grain Speer Lawman, Federal 230 grain Hydra-Shoks, up to 300 grain Hornady XTPs handloaded to 1100 fps. Cast bullets work well too. A good flat point 255 grain cast bullet at 800 fps from the S&W top brake should stay well below the 14,000 psi limit. Your skill and judgement are the limiting factors. The ethical part is you limiting yourself to your own ability. If you can shoot inside 8 inches at any given distance, given the same field position you practiced in, including all flyers, you can hunt large game at the same distance. I'd stay below 700 pounds in animal weight unless you move up to a modern S&W Model 25 and can up your loads a bit.