Anyone hunting with 45 colt?Read a lot about pumped up loads and the versatility of the load.How the pressures are lower etc. etc.I tell you I never knew there were that many choices of handgun calibers effective for hunting.How many of you have chosen one caliber and stuck with it?

The 45 Colt is my all-time favorite hunting caliber. It is so versatile. Currently I am messing around with Cast Performance 335 grain gas check. I'm not sure if I could stick with one caliber. But, if I had to choose just one it would be a 45 Colt.

In a revolver I've stuck with the 44 mag. For the average guy it will do everything you need, from light paper punching loads, to the current loads I'm carrying in my mod 29 which are 320gr cast @ 1346 fps avg.
That said, if I ever get rich I may try a 480 Ruger. Seems like the cat's meow for big bears up here. Probably wouldn't bother if I didn't live & hunt in AK.
If I didn't already have a 44 mag I wouldn't hesitate at the 45 Colt in the right gun.

I bought mine after reading Gary's article on the Ruger on this site. I really enjoy shooting that gun. I use Corbon Ammo for hunting.

Hands down my favorite Hunting Caliber. I have a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk with a 2X scope and Leupold base and rings Belt mtn #5 Pin and Power Custom Pawl. (That is the one in all the hog photos) If someone told me today let’s go hunting---that would be the gun I would take. I have an extreme amount of confidence in its killing ability and accuracy. I also have a 4 5/8 Blackhawk it is one of the better packing pistols I have and it as well has taken its fair share of game. On the tail end I have a 4” S&W 625 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt while it will not digest the loads I shoot in my Ruger’s it does quite well with 250 gr cast bullets and is incredibly accurate. I need to give it a fair shake and take it to the woods more.

As for loads for the 45 Colt I have 2 favorites (I have tried a pile)

#1---250 gr Hornady XTP on 20.5 grains of 2400 LPM primer (Rugers and T/C’s only) This load really brings out the best in the 45 Colt

#2--- 250 gr Berry Cast Bullet on 16.0 Grains of 2400 LPM primer This load works great in the 625 S&W and also is a great practice load in the Ruger

As an ending thought I just bought a 454 Super Redhawk as of now I am not convinced that it is –key word—significantly better than the 45 Colt. It is a little faster but unless you are shooting bullets over 250 grains I think you have reached a point of diminishing return over the old 45 Colt

If you cant tell I am a 45 Colt Fan

I have two .45LC's...a 5.5" Blackhawk and a Hunter model. The 5.5"er shoots 255gr Penn cast slugs very well...normally around 2" at 25yds when shooting offhand. It's my usual sidegun when LR hunting with the XP's. The Hunter model shoots 340gr Penn Cassull bullets awesome....flat out awesome!! Not used it on game yet...hope to fix that soon.

I only have 1 gun in 45 cal. I have yet to shoot it. Guess I had better get busy. LOL

?? What did they do to the Cylinder of that gun What is the dark band???

I carried a .45Long colt as a duty weapon and counted on it to save my life. So yes I think it is a great caliber. But myself I use a .44mag for hunting just because they don't make the Hunter model in .45 anymore and I didn't want to look for a used one. But I'm perfectly happy with the .44mag it has killed everything on the planet so it works for me. Someday I want to get a cowboy version of the .45LC just for a fun/hunting gun.

I used to have a Ruger Vequero in .45 Long colt. That was a fun gun! Punched holes the size of a nickel! I traded it for something ... I miss it sometimes. I have the .45 /.410 TC Barrel. I haven't had it out of the gun safe in forever. I think it has had mostly .410 through it. Does anyony know what this might be capable of? I would imagin that the accuracy would be questionable at best, even with a scope since it has a smooth barrel. Anyone done any extensive playing with the 45/410 TC barrel?

The gun has the Magnaport velvet hone finish. The band around the cylinder is polished. The trigger and hammer are jeweled and polished.

MIHunter, what kind of red dot is that? Im looking for one that will fit between the rings of my Ruger Bisley Hunter.

Ultra Dot 30. It's the only one I found to fit but I really like it.

I thought those were all rifled????

Another believer for the 30mm Ultra Dot. Mine has been great thru over 5 yrs of Alaskan conditions & hundreds of 320gr bullets @ 1300-1350fps.

Vance, the 45/410 barrels are rifled. It would be illeagle otherwise. The chamber is smooth for the lenght of the 410 cartridge, then rifled to the choke area.

I have a friend with an Encore 45/410 barrel. It's great fun with shot shells. It will bust clay pigeons out to 30-35 yards if you do your part.

We tried it with 45 Colt ammo, accuracy was 5-7" at 25 yards, and the further out you went the worse the "pattern" got. LOL<LOL. The bullet has to "jump the lenght of the chamber and accuracy really suffers. Also REMOVE the choke before shooting the 45 Colt ammo!!!!!!!!! Then after shooting 45 ammo clean the chamber well at the throat to remove any build up of lead.

Okay Tigger, as a homework assignment you will have to take that jewel out to the range and get a performance report for the forum. And shame on you for letting it become a safe queen.

I currently own seven sixshooters, four Ruger Vaqueros, one Ruger Super Bisley Blackhawk and two Colts. I also own a TC G2 with an 8" barrel in straight .45 Colt. I love them all.

And I insist that you have an abnormal amount of fun while completing your assignment.

That is an order I plan on filling ASAP. It will be a little while, as the doctors will not even let me out of Buffalo yet. LOL<LOL<LOL

I hate to even let on as to what 45cal gun it is.



WILL DO!!