The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Deer hunting with a .45ACP......Which ammo?

rantingredneck · June 8, 2007, 07:19 AM

Let me start off by saying I'm not asking for an ethical debate on the use of a .45ACP as a deer cartridge. Also, yes this is legal in NC. What I am asking is IF you were going to handgun hunt with a .45ACP, which commercially available ammo would you select? (I don't reload)

Right now I'm looking at the 200-230gr. +P loads from companies like Hornady and Doubletap. Are there others I need to evaluate? Should I be looking at some of the 185 +P's? Standard pressures (non +P)?

My shots will be 30 yds or less. (Bow range basically). Yes I can keep a full magazine inside the killzone at that range. My weapon will be my Ruger P90.

Think of this thread like a shopping list. With summer coming on I'll be putting in some range time with my hunting weapons (bow, shotgun, muzzleloader, rifle, handgun.) I'm putting together a list of ammo that I need to aquire to evaluate in the .45ACP. I've got my pet loads already in all the others, this one is new to me in this role. My carry ammo is Hornady TAP, so that's one I'll be testing. Looking for other suggestions.

Suggestions?

June 8, 2007, 07:19 AM	#1
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Deer hunting with a .45ACP......Which ammo? Let me start off by saying I'm not asking for an ethical debate on the use of a .45ACP as a deer cartridge. Also, yes this is legal in NC. What I am asking is IF you were going to handgun hunt with a .45ACP, which commercially available ammo would you select? (I don't reload) Right now I'm looking at the 200-230gr. +P loads from companies like Hornady and Doubletap. Are there others I need to evaluate? Should I be looking at some of the 185 +P's? Standard pressures (non +P)? My shots will be 30 yds or less. (Bow range basically). Yes I can keep a full magazine inside the killzone at that range. My weapon will be my Ruger P90. Think of this thread like a shopping list. With summer coming on I'll be putting in some range time with my hunting weapons (bow, shotgun, muzzleloader, rifle, handgun.) I'm putting together a list of ammo that I need to aquire to evaluate in the .45ACP. I've got my pet loads already in all the others, this one is new to me in this role. My carry ammo is Hornady TAP, so that's one I'll be testing. Looking for other suggestions. Suggestions?