been thinking of one for short range deer.
Always been a big bore revolver guy, But I can outshoot my revolvers with a 1911 at shorter ranges (lets say 25yds in)
Not sure if its the balance, trigger,point-ability.

Just wondering if anyone used one as a hunter?

I?ve shot pigs out to 35yrds with one in .45 ACP.

I've taken around 6 or 7 deer and a dozen or so groundhogs with my Sig .45. Longest shot around 60 yds.
Tried several bullets that didn't work too well (Gold Dot, 185 Sierra). 200 gr. H&G did fairly good. Best performer was 200 gr. XTP. Dropped each deer or ran less than 10 yds.

John Browning ,at the onset design of the .45 ACP ,thought in terms of 200 gr. as the best bullet.
More velocity but still having enough weight ..not to compromise energy & momentum.
117 plus years ago, the original idea proves to have a lot of validity.
A shame is the lack of real good bullets in 200gr. They may be more of them now, but very difficult to buy in bulk ( at least for me... They are always out of stock, or discontinued) .

Glad to see Zee back. Always has interesting posts.

X2!

Lots of good hunters on this forum will tell you of their positive experiences hunting with a .45 acp 1911. My limited experience was not so good. In hindsight, if I hunt with a.45 acp again, I'll set the gun up with heavier springs and load 250 gr. wfn at around 1000 fps. Shot placement, as always, is super critical. Or, check out the long slide 10mm.

Was immediately thinking like Seminole. If you're thinking auto, a good 10mm would probably be really handy for you in the field. The .45 will work, but the 10mm is made for the handgun Hunter.

This has been my experience as well, using 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok. Equates to piss poor performance.

I?ve switched to 200gr bullets and have spent the summer working up handloads to get more speed and surface area as expansion seems to be a lost cause at the diminished velocity created by distance.

Eh, we will see. Speed and surface area are my new horizon. Time will tell.

Science!!

ZEE, This is good to know. I have had the Hydra-Shok suggested to me. I had heard that the XTPs were good too, but never did get a chance to prove or disprove them. This direction, of speed at least, and possible surface area, has been on my mind too. I was thinking of trying the Lehigh Defense bullets in the solids. I am speaking of the 45 ACP here. I do have some Barnes loaded and ready but, I have wondered about the velocity?

Straying from that, I also have strongly considered a spring change and bolt stop switch for the possibility of shooting a 45 super. This would be for more speed. But then we would not be talking about the 45 ACP.

Charles

IF you use Starline 45 Super brass, you can load a 200gr pretty darn spicy. Can't load them too spicy without a comp but with a comp, I've ran 250gr over 1350 fps from a 5" bbl.

Due to some unexpected health stuff and associated medical costs that go with it I won't be going to Idaho this year for whitetail during the rut like I had planned. But my plan was to take a whitetail or two with my 1911 and the 185 Barnes XPB if I could get one at close range setting a trail or something. Next year that is my goal since this year is already out the window.


Eric.

For the past three seasons I have used a S&W 4506 in .45 acp..except I load super loads with 200 grain hard cast to 1230 fps...Has worked quite well for me...

I have killed a hog with my 460 Roland. I used a 225gr hard cast bullet. Plan on killing one with my LAR Grizzly in 45 Win. Mag.

Great hog gun. I have killed a few with the WW 230 gr. JHP. Old school low pressure cartridges do very well with old school bullets.

Probably the only response you need!

I modified my Kimber to shoot 45 super haven't managed to go hot enough to find any pressure issues but it's sure uncomfortable off the bench figure I have a 230 running close to 1200 which is more than enough for Bambi's dad. All it takes is a coupe springs and a new firing pin housing. I used the wolf 18.5 pound spring and firing pin set a 25 pound mainspring I believe and a egw flat firing pin stop. Best part is it will still functions moderate cast loads.