I've read a few threads in here with folks that have taken deer with the 45 auto and I have 454 casull and whatnot but I am thinking that this year I might take my springer out for some venison. The load that I am thinking about using in a hard cast truncated cone at 250 grains but I'll be damned if I can find any data on it. If not then I think the 230 will work well enough also. Does anyone have any experience with loads for this application? I loaned out my older manuals and never got them back and my memory could blow me up. My range is 50 yards or less and I can make a shot with total confidence at that distance. Does anyone have any experience with the 45 acp on deer that would care to join in? Thanks all...

I have shot exactly one doe deer with a 45acp. So....an expert I am not. But, judging from the performance I experienced, I would say it's certainly adequate. I used a Double Tap 230 jhp @1000fps. Personally, I feel if you put a 45 cal hole in an animal, provided adequate penetration, the show is almost over before you start.

Good point Toby

Toby, at that velocity I'm guessing you stepped up to at the very least an 18 lb spring if not a 22 lb? A pretty authoritative load...

I'm shooting a 20lb spring in my Glock 21. That was actually not listed as a +p load. They have since discontinued the load. Now they show a 230gr at 960fps. I would say that's probably the real velocity of the load I used though. They probably just got more truthful with their claimed velocity. A 45 caliber bullet at that velocity has been used thousands of times to kill deer sized game. People just seem to discredit the 45acp for being underpowered. They probably shouldn't ask Elmer Keith his opinion.....

I have seen first hand many times a 250 at 900 out of my 45 colt go through a deer the long way, so I get you. I think Elmer might smack him with his hat if he were alive today. If a 44 spl loaded right, a 357 mag and lastly the 45 colt at standard power levels can do the job, so can the 45 acp. Never used it for more than squirrels before. Thought it was time...

If you load and have Vihtavuori powder I can get you in the ball park. Buffalo bore makes a 255 grain cast that runs at 950fps with the standard recoil spring. I don't know his powder type or amount.

A 230 grain gold dot with 7.5 grains of VV N350 runs at 915fps and using 8.0 grains it'll run 983fps.

A 265 grain beartooth with 8.0 grains of VV N350 runs 1,004fps while 8.5 grains runs out at 1,061fps.

VV makes some awesome powders, but sometimes they're hard to find locally.

There is an article out there (Taffin I think), about using 255gr SWC hardcasts with Unique (5.0-6.0gr) to get around 1000 fps from a 5" barrel.

I do know with what I've messed with in the .45 ACP, that 7.0gr of Power Pistol will also give around 1000 fps with a 250/255gr in a 5" barrel.

You could go heavier still, Hunters Supply makes a super nice 275gr hardcast with the perfect profile for the ACP as it can be seated to full OAL leaving a good amount of room for powder. I would say that surely 900 fps could be attained from a 5" .45 ACP.

7p and 45bbh... Wow guys... Are those safe? What spring rates would be safe with those loads? Stock is 16 so maybe 22? They all sound like 45 super territory nearly. Pressures? I wonder if a comp would be a good idea or not at that point... Not for recoil but to help the gun as far as battering?

I've taken several deer with several bullets including cast H&G 200 SWCs. The #1 bullet I found (terminal effects, accuracy, fewest shots needed) was the 200 gr. Hornady XTP. Every deer I shot with it took only one shot and none ran more than 5 yards.
I tried 185 Sierras, 200&185 H&Gs, 230 XTP, 230 hardball. None beat the Hornady.
I would like to try the Black Talon.

Hey Wv, hope your doing well. Haven't chatted in awhile... I have not tried the 200 Xtp to be fair. Thinking 45 acp this year and over the winter 460 rowland for that trip to alaska I told you about. I have that africa list of questions but I've been so busy with the house build I haven't had a chance to give you a ring.

IMO, they are very safe loads. Buffalo Bore sells 255 grain cast loads zipping along at 950/965fps using a stock 1911 but caution folks not to make a steady diet of those loads with stock components, as the 1911 will "loosen up" after a while.

I'm using an 18.5# progressive Wolff recoil spring with a buffer. I use a buffer on everything (even target loads), so it's not like I use a buffer just for the heavies.

My Baer PII calls for a 18.5# spring and I have found that to be adequate for the 230 grain loads. Moving up to the 265 grain loads I went to 20# recoil spring but the brass still kicked out 10/12 feet with the heaviest load and I did use 45 ACP Super brass for those 265 grain loads just for a little extra insurance (peace of mind).

I use starline 45 ACP +P brass for my heavy 230 grain loads jus cus. I use to use regular brass for all my heavy 45 ACP reloads but when I first saw the +P brass become available I just moved up because it was available, not that I felt I "needed" it, so that's been my main brass for the past couple of years.

My one Baer really likes the 7.5 grains of VV N350 with the 230 grain Gold Dot, so that is my walking around load.

What are some of the ranges you guys are taking these deer at ?

I'm thinking about trying the 255 grain Keith 45 colt bullet at .452 at this point. If I can't find VN around my neck of the woods, does anyone have any other loading data to get to 900 fps? I'll run a 20# spring and a buff I think as a safety measure for the gun.

Rooster, I keep my shots within 50 yards or so

Sounds good then. Years back I would not have considered using my 1911 at up to that range, but with the now available powders and bullets it looks more tempting.

Whatever range you feel comfortable shooting a deer/bear/elk with the 44 magnum or the 45 Colt using 240/270 grain bullets zipping along at 900 to 1,000fps - you can shoot that same deer/bear/elk with the 1911 45ACP using 230 to 265 grain bullets.

Using optics, a 100 yard shot is very doable but unless you're on the prairie, it's not likely to happen, most woods shots are 15 to 40 yards in a stand and usually less than 40 yards if you're on the ground.

I say this if your 1911 is capable of grouping 8" at 100 yards, as it does take a well set-up 1911 to do this with a good driver.

As for other loads that will get the 255 grain cast moving along somewhere around 920 to 950fps: other powders 8.5 grains Blue Dot or 7.0 grains of AA #5 with the 255 grain cast. Maybe start a grain under and work up to find what your 1911 likes but I wouldn't go over those loads unless your 1911 is upgraded to handle the extra pressure.

wvhitman,

I've been considering the 200 XTP for the 45 ACP. Sounds like you had great results. Would you share your muzzle velocity or your favorite load?

Thanks,
Oscar

The 200 XTPs have shot well for me using warm loads in 45Super brass. I found one that I had shot through 2 layers of plywood and a treated 4x4. This was at 50 yards and I was amazed how well it had stayed together. I think it still weighed about 180 or so. This was out of my Springfield long slide so my speed may have been a touch faster.

I have shot deer with everything from 185 grain Remington Gold Sabers to 230 grain Federal. +P loads give the most edge in velocity, not for more energy but to increase reliability in expansion. Hollow points are a good choice for lung shots, hard cast are good penetrators but don't shock as much. I have killed deer with "self defense" loads like 230 grain Hydrashoks and 185 grain Golden Sabers. The bullet fragments take on a life of their own, damaging edible backstraps after a double lung shot and so on. My best range is around 200 grains at around a 1000 fps, which includes Hornady XTP (1055 fps nom) and Speer Gold Dot (1080 fps nom) +Ps. The heavier and faster loads require adjusting you semiauto with heavier spring in the firing pin and recoil areas. Wolff sells the set but I usually just use a S&W revolver for the heavier loads, including the 255 grain cast bullets at 950 fps in Auto Rim cases with 6.2 grains of Unique, 8.9 grains of Blue Dot and 12 grains of 2400.

I have a S&W 625 JM and am in the process of working up a heavy hunting load for it. Ran out of cast bullets so until I pour more I tried some 230 gr XTP with 2400 in Auto Rim brass. Turned out to be my most accurate load to date but I really need a crimp groove to maximize the burn potential of the slower powder. Not sure of the velocity of this but I would guess 900 fps+ if not more.

I have 5.5 inch S&W 625 JM. It shoots faster than my S&W 1955 6.5 inch. 200 grain Gold Dot does 1190 fps with 12.4 grains Blue Dot, 21,000 psi load. Speer HP 225 grain 11.6 grain Blue Dot 1027 fps. Hornady 250 XTP 10.8 grains Blue Dot 930 fps. 2400 works well but the crimp on jacketed bullets gives me fits too!

I have taken several deer with the 45ACP round in a 10 inch Contender. I worked up loads in +P cases that I clearly marked with primer sealant so I wouldn't use them in any of my 1911s.

I used a 220 cast LBT WFN. All were pass through broadside shots at 30 to 70 yards, and none traveled more than 25 yards.

Where I live, it is illegal to use a semi-auto handgun to deer hunt.