Looking for advise. I just acquired a new full size 1911 in 45 acp. Would this (ETHICALLY) take a white tail deer at close range? 30 yards or less? If so what shot would you look for lung/heart or more of a shoulder shot? I will be using factory JHP loads.

Absolutely! Lung/heart based on your information.

I've taken close to a dozen deer with a .45 experimenting with bullets. Best seems to be 200 gr. Horn. XTP. I've done shoulder and lung shots with it out to 60 yds. Lungs run, shoulders don't move much.

Thanks! That is very helpful!

Although not what you are intending to shoot, but more for a comparison. . .I hunt with a Springfield Armory V16 and have taken several deer and countless hogs at ranges of 35 yards or less. My load is a 214 grain bullet I cast myself, Lee 452-200-RF over 7.5 grains of CFE Pistol. This load travels at 1100 fps and is wicked accurate and wicked deadly on critters! If you keep your shots close and you can hit your mark, the 45ACP will do you a good job. Companies such as Buffalo Bore and CorBon produce some hard hitting factory ammo. . .just find a well constructed bullet that your gun likes to shoot and become proficient with it, you'll be set. Good luck!

Illegal in Indiana or ir would be my choice. I use a 10mm instead (Glock 20) saving for 1911 like Razor Dobbs

I plan to "experiment" with the Barnes 185 gr factory loads out of my Glock 21 this year

You should be solid with a good JHP out to 50 through the heart/lung.

I want to experiment with the Buffalo Bore 185 gr Barnes load. It's cooking right along out of my 1911. Hoping to whack something this winter.


-Eric-

Thanks im going to run to the LGS and pick up a verity of ammo and do some range test to see what ammo my 1911 shoots the best.

Power Pistol powder is very good for warmer loads, I got a 230gr XTP cooking along at about 1100 fps from a 5" 1911.

SCHunter and MRMCPoarkchop would you like to see what happens with the Barnes Bullet ? The 185 gr? I was using for awhile and found good accuracy. Had my mind changed. I can post a Pic on the bragging board if you want to see the results of a lung shot.

Let me know.

Cherokeetracker , I always like to see results, whether good or bad.

Eric.

Lets see!

I would agree. That was a poor performing bullet for sure! You post that pic on the bragging board!

OK Pic is up loaded to the bragging Board.

I checked MY Colt this weekend with the 200 gr XTP and I am satisfied with the results as far as accuracy. The XTP is what I wish to try soon.

You might check out the 45 super as well it's just different brass a few springs and a new firing pin stop and you can ramp it up pretty good I stopped far before I had any pressure signs but it wasn't comfortable o shoot off a bench really gave your wrist a wrenching lol best part is done right and it'll still run medium 45 acp loads so I practice with moderate cast loads and hunt with hammers

I still believe that a good bullet is still the biggest problem with hunting with the 45 ACP. JMHO.
Standard, +P, or Super Loads, we need a good bullet.

Cherokee, I agree. Wish we had a 230 gr jacketed bullet designed for hunting with the 45+p or Super. I've had pretty good results with a 250 gr wfn, but I've wondered how the Lehigh Extreme Penetrators would perform.

Understood - I was hoping that the 185 with a bit more velocity than the 230's would be ticket. Gonna give her a whirl this weekend as it stacks them out of my G21 (uncanned).

From my experience, using a 185 or 200 is like trying to push a nickel through something. You need the weight of a 230 or something similar...to get penetration. I agree with SChunter.

I haven?t had a chance to test it yet due to health reasons but I want to try out the Hornady Critical Duty 220 +p on a deer or small hog.


Eric.

I've wondered if the 250 grain for the 45lc would feed I've never had any to try but o far my 1911 will eat everything it still function with my cast plinking ammo even after the super conversion

250 gr. WFN have fed with few problems in 3 different 1911s set up for 45 Super. No modifications to the guns except springs and firing pin stop. The last round in a mag will sometimes jam.

I run both the 255gr LEE RFN and a Keith 'copy' of a 255gr SWC in 3 different .45's and a .460 Rowland and have had very few feeding problems. None of the 1911's have been particularly 'doctored' to make 'em feed better. In fact, one is a Ithica WWII MilSurp. Good mags will help a lot.

I've thought about trying some heavyish cast my gun will feed swc with no issues as long as the case mouths don't have lube or lead hanging on them.... Of course I have good mags in a quality gun as well but it's eaten everything I've ever fed it with no complaint as long as it's loaded got enough to cycle fully. Not fun to shoot off a bench with the full power loads though it's got plenty of muzzle flip