45 Colt - 250 grain Nosler JHP on deer?

feets · November 10, 2014, 01:03 PM

The time has come to anchor Bambi with a 45 Colt. This will be in a 13" Contender pistol so heavier loads are a given. However, I've never taken a critter with the Colt so I wanted a little input.

First of all, Texas whitetails are about like cocker spaniels with horns. They will be feeding nicely about 70 yards out which is an easy reach for a scoped Contender. The preference is a heart/lung shot. I don't anticipate much heavy bone so the heavy lead may not be necessary. Granted, the angle given may not be the best but we're not talking about punching buffalo.

I decided to run the Nosler 250 grain JHP but am undecided on the charge. I've normally run 18 gr on 2400 under these things. It runs 'em out the tube at 1400 fps.

Will that be running the bullet a little too hard for a 70 yard shot?

Should I back it down or run the 250 gr Hornady FTX?

Thoughts?
Suggestions?

TimSr · November 10, 2014, 03:54 PM

With any kind of expanding bullet, you need to maintain enough velocity at impact to make the bullet work right, otherwise its just a round nose bullet. If you are sighted in for that load, I'd stick with it. Their website claims expansion at 800fps, but most HP bullets like at least 900-1000 to exand reliably.

We have big deer in Ohio, but I'm not fan of JHP for deer hunting ammo, unless its controlled expansion like XTP or FTX.

T. O'Heir · November 10, 2014, 04:20 PM

Nosler shows Lil'gun as giving the most velocity. Over 300 FPS more than 2400.
"...runs 'em out the tube at 1400 fps..." Not according to Nosler. A 20.0 grain max load of 2400 only runs 1103 out of a 12" Contender. 1043 with 19.0. You ain't getting 300ish FPS more out of an inch of barrel with less powder. Either way, if you can hit a 9" pie plate every time at 70, your 18 grain load should be fine. Bambi isn't armoured.

feets · November 10, 2014, 04:29 PM

We all love a good propaganda machine so here's what Nosler says about this bullet:
1 Tapered Copper-Alloy Jacket:
Extremely concentric, tapered jacket is built for maximum accuracy and enhanced game-taking ability

2 Well-Defined Cannelure:
Holds jacket and core together and permits a tight crimp that eliminates bullet movement within the case.

3 Form-Fitted Pure Lead Core
Allows for reliable expansion and maximum accuracy across a broad velocity range.

Optimal Expansion Velocity 800 - 1350 (FPS)

They normally leave the barrel just above the maximum velocity but I'm sure they shed that speed quickly. We are talking about fat blunt bullets.
I've never tried to take any game with them.

The 250 gr FTX is designed to work in a 450 Bushmaster. I bought them a while back for use in my 460 Encore. It was running them at 2200+ fps. I can get them over the 1600 fps minimum muzzle velocity in the Contender but it starts getting a little frisky up there.

I can step up to the 300 gr XTP but they're the non-magnum variant and have a spotty reputation for holding together.

feets · November 10, 2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

"...runs 'em out the tube at 1400 fps..." Not according to Nosler. A 20.0 grain max load of 2400 only runs 1103 out of a 12" Contender. 1043 with 19.0.

I guess my Chrony was being generous. Last time out it was showing 1436 on average. I don't know if my scale was off, the Match Grade Machine barrel is fast, or if pixies were helping push them down range.

Maybe all three were coming together in a perfect storm of velocity and the Chrony was getting my hopes up.

My 7-1/2" Ruger Redhawk was pushing them out at 1100 fps.

Snyper · November 10, 2014, 09:23 PM

Quote:

I can step up to the 30 gr XTP but they're the non-magnum variant and have a spotty reputation for holding together.

The only time I've heard of XTP's not "holding together" is when they are pushed above 1800 fps

I've never had one come apart in the many years I've used them in multiple guns.

I use the 300 gr at about 1600 fps in my muzzleloader, and rarely recover a bullet, although I did find one that penetrated over 3 ft lengthwise in a buck, and was a near perfect mushroom

BIG P · November 11, 2014, 02:46 AM

I shot a 6pt.& a doe saturday with a 45 Colt 180gr.HP @ 1400fps. at about 70 yds.either one made it 25 yds from impact.Whitetail deer in the 100 to 120LBS.class can't take that kind of lick.heavy blood trail but who needs blood trail they only made it 25 yds.Bullet did not pass through.good luck and enjoy your hunt.

eastbank · November 11, 2014, 03:25 AM

i have shot deer with a 7.5" barreled ruger BH .45 colt with the hornady 225 jhp with a heavy dose of win 296 and H-110(use a heavy crimp) and double lung hits kill very quickly. eastbank.

TimSr · November 11, 2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

The only time I've heard of XTP's not "holding together" is when they are pushed above 1800 fps

Dittos. And even then it was when using the XTP in an application for the XTP-Mag, made for muzzleloaders, .454 Casull, etc.

feets · November 11, 2014, 10:53 AM

I think that speed may have been the problem on the XTPs. I've had them a long time and tried them in my 454 and 460 (never hunting).
I know I had one come apart just by the trail of destruction that it left. Those things moving at 1900 fps will make a mess out of a Chrony.

TimSr · November 11, 2014, 01:37 PM

feets, They make both an XTP and an XTP-Mag in .45 for that reason.

My all time favoite deer round is 240gr XTP-MAG for my 7 1/2" Freedom Arms .454. I've shot a lots of deer with it, and it has never failed to perform.

November 10, 2014, 01:03 PM	#1
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	45 Colt - 250 grain Nosler JHP on deer? The time has come to anchor Bambi with a 45 Colt. This will be in a 13" Contender pistol so heavier loads are a given. However, I've never taken a critter with the Colt so I wanted a little input. First of all, Texas whitetails are about like cocker spaniels with horns. They will be feeding nicely about 70 yards out which is an easy reach for a scoped Contender. The preference is a heart/lung shot. I don't anticipate much heavy bone so the heavy lead may not be necessary. Granted, the angle given may not be the best but we're not talking about punching buffalo. I decided to run the Nosler 250 grain JHP but am undecided on the charge. I've normally run 18 gr on 2400 under these things. It runs 'em out the tube at 1400 fps. Will that be running the bullet a little too hard for a 70 yard shot? Should I back it down or run the 250 gr Hornady FTX? Thoughts? Suggestions? Last edited by feets; November 10, 2014 at 03:08 PM.

November 10, 2014, 04:20 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Nosler shows Lil'gun as giving the most velocity. Over 300 FPS more than 2400. "...runs 'em out the tube at 1400 fps..." Not according to Nosler. A 20.0 grain max load of 2400 only runs 1103 out of a 12" Contender. 1043 with 19.0. You ain't getting 300ish FPS more out of an inch of barrel with less powder. Either way, if you can hit a 9" pie plate every time at 70, your 18 grain load should be fine. Bambi isn't armoured. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 10, 2014, 04:29 PM	#4
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	We all love a good propaganda machine so here's what Nosler says about this bullet: 1 Tapered Copper-Alloy Jacket: Extremely concentric, tapered jacket is built for maximum accuracy and enhanced game-taking ability 2 Well-Defined Cannelure: Holds jacket and core together and permits a tight crimp that eliminates bullet movement within the case. 3 Form-Fitted Pure Lead Core Allows for reliable expansion and maximum accuracy across a broad velocity range. Optimal Expansion Velocity 800 - 1350 (FPS) They normally leave the barrel just above the maximum velocity but I'm sure they shed that speed quickly. We are talking about fat blunt bullets. I've never tried to take any game with them. The 250 gr FTX is designed to work in a 450 Bushmaster. I bought them a while back for use in my 460 Encore. It was running them at 2200+ fps. I can get them over the 1600 fps minimum muzzle velocity in the Contender but it starts getting a little frisky up there. I can step up to the 300 gr XTP but they're the non-magnum variant and have a spotty reputation for holding together. Last edited by feets; November 10, 2014 at 10:04 PM.

November 10, 2014, 03:54 PM	#2
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	With any kind of expanding bullet, you need to maintain enough velocity at impact to make the bullet work right, otherwise its just a round nose bullet. If you are sighted in for that load, I'd stick with it. Their website claims expansion at 800fps, but most HP bullets like at least 900-1000 to exand reliably. We have big deer in Ohio, but I'm not fan of JHP for deer hunting ammo, unless its controlled expansion like XTP or FTX.

November 11, 2014, 02:46 AM	#7
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	I shot a 6pt.& a doe saturday with a 45 Colt 180gr.HP @ 1400fps. at about 70 yds.either one made it 25 yds from impact.Whitetail deer in the 100 to 120LBS.class can't take that kind of lick.heavy blood trail but who needs blood trail they only made it 25 yds.Bullet did not pass through.good luck and enjoy your hunt.

November 11, 2014, 03:25 AM	#8
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	i have shot deer with a 7.5" barreled ruger BH .45 colt with the hornady 225 jhp with a heavy dose of win 296 and H-110(use a heavy crimp) and double lung hits kill very quickly. eastbank.

November 11, 2014, 10:53 AM	#10
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	I think that speed may have been the problem on the XTPs. I've had them a long time and tried them in my 454 and 460 (never hunting). I know I had one come apart just by the trail of destruction that it left. Those things moving at 1900 fps will make a mess out of a Chrony.

November 11, 2014, 01:37 PM	#11
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	feets, They make both an XTP and an XTP-Mag in .45 for that reason. My all time favoite deer round is 240gr XTP-MAG for my 7 1/2" Freedom Arms .454. I've shot a lots of deer with it, and it has never failed to perform.