Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for?

jmay · August 20, 2014, 01:07 PM

Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for besides SD & Plinking? Your thoughts please?

T. O'Heir · August 20, 2014, 01:18 PM

Out of what? Lot of cartridges can use a 250 grain bullet. A lot of .45 Colt max loads runs slower than 800.

jmay · August 20, 2014, 01:26 PM

Lets say .45 cal hardcast flat point chrony @ 800-850 fps out of a Ruger 4 5/8" blackhawk whats it good for besides plinking?

Doyle · August 20, 2014, 02:22 PM

It would make a big hole in bad guy's chest. Not as big a mess as that same weight of bullet going at .44mag speed but still enough to be a reasonable SD round.

T. O'Heir · August 20, 2014, 02:24 PM

CAS or any other shooting game. Or hunting those wee deer you have in Texas. Big and slow isn't a bad thing.
Still isn't unusually slow anyway. A max load of Clays out Hodgdon's 7.25" barrel runs 817 fps.

JD0x0 · August 20, 2014, 02:30 PM

Self defense. Plausible to hunt with that too.

A load like that will make a decent sized hole, and it will penetrate a good amount too. It could be used for hunting with careful shot placement. Ie. don't count on 'hydrostatic shock' making the kill. Obviously not the ideal choice, but the point is, that if you put that bullet in the right place it should go deep enough to kill reliably.

1stmar · August 20, 2014, 02:38 PM

That was my load for uspsa when I was competing. Maybe a little slower but pretty darn close. Low recoil. Easy to shoot

jmay · August 20, 2014, 02:44 PM

I agree with all the things posted above. 45 cal 230 grain hardcast tc @ 855-900 fps regardless if its 45 Colt or 45acp is good for most critters Texans would encounter with 35 yards max shots. Seems if I say hey taking my 45 Colt Blackhawk deer hunting folks say good choice, but if I say hey taking my Colt 1991 deer hunting people say oh no how inhumane you need more power. Why?

Magnum Wheel Man · August 20, 2014, 03:04 PM

bullet choice is everything... a semi wad cutter in a Black hawk = good for deer in my book...

a wildly expanding hollow point in 45 auto... perhaps not so good for deer... however both would IMO, be equally good for 2 legged varmints...

SaxonPig · August 20, 2014, 03:06 PM

Been killing men since 1873.

g.willikers · August 20, 2014, 03:37 PM

There's plenty of power in that load.
A 200 grain bullet, traveling at 850f/s will knock down a 50 lb full size steel popper real quick.

feets · August 20, 2014, 05:37 PM

It'll ventilate a pig nicely.

Quantity has a quality all it's own. 250 grains is a lot of quantity.

Think of it as a 45 ACP with a little more weight behind it.

Colt46 · August 20, 2014, 07:26 PM

That load is easy to shoot, accurate and will penetrate quite well with a good wound channel.
I'd prefer a bit more weight in my slugs(say the RCBS SAA 270grn) but that velocity is just about right.

Nick_C_S · August 20, 2014, 08:13 PM

250 grains @ 850 fps = 400 ft/lbs of kinetic energy.

I'm thinking you can do quite a bit with that.

4runnerman · August 20, 2014, 08:54 PM

A the distance a pistol was meant for it will just about do anything you ask it to do. Im sorry, but I fail to see the sense behind this question.

Wyosmith · August 20, 2014, 09:10 PM

Simple answer.
About 90% of anything you'd want a handgun to do.

jmay · August 20, 2014, 09:37 PM

Guess my point is 45acp 230 hardcast TC or FP bullet traveling between 800-900 fps is just not given enough credit sometimes

especially when it comes to short range hunting. Its darn close in performance with the 250/255 Colt 800 fps loads that have taken all sorts of game. Thanks for all the opinions guys

Hunter Customs · August 21, 2014, 07:27 AM

I've killed two deer with handguns, one (the first one) was with a 1911 in 45 ACP, the other was with a S&W model 27 in 357 mag.

Both deer were average size Missouri bucks, the first an 8 point the second was a 6 point.

I plan on taking my third deer this year with a handgun, I'm not antler hunting so it will be the first legal deer that comes by, I actually prefer a doe.

I'll be using my Cimarron Uberti 45 Colt shooting a 255 gr SWC at a velocity of 950 FPS, that should easily handle any deer in Missouri.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

mavracer · August 21, 2014, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Simple answer.
About 90% of anything you'd want a handgun to do.

Not entirely sure I agree, about anything it won't do I'd rather have a longgun anyway, so I think it's a lot closer to 100%.

WESHOOT2 · August 22, 2014, 04:34 PM

A hardcast 250g will fully penetrate a deer at 800fps......

WESHOOT2 · August 22, 2014, 04:35 PM

I often load a 252g LSWC in 45 ACP for use in my two 5" 1911s and 4.5" Witness.

But I load those past 950fps......

Deaf Smith · August 23, 2014, 06:47 PM

Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for?

Presuming it's a SWC hard cast slug then I'd say anything from small deer on down.

I use 240gr SWCs at about 900 fps in my 629-1 for woods carry. It's pretty much a .357 magnum in power.

Deaf

walks with gun · August 24, 2014, 08:34 AM

There have been a lot of attacks by roving bands of chipmunks and gophers around here, I've had to use my Vaquero to ventilate a bunch of them, knocked the heads off several grouse for supper too. I don't really need a load that comes screaming out the barrel, 850fps is much more enjoyable to shoot.

Deja vu · August 24, 2014, 11:23 AM

I have killed an Idaho Mule deer (only a 4 point) with a 125 grain 357 magnum going about 1100 fps from my j-frame and it worked well enough at about 20 yards.

Unlicensed Dremel · August 25, 2014, 04:09 PM

Yeah, PERFECT for self-defense against VHAs*.

*Violent Human Aggressors.

August 20, 2014, 01:07 PM	#1
jmay Member Join Date: July 31, 2013 Location: Dallas Tejas Posts: 53	Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for? Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for besides SD & Plinking? Your thoughts please?

August 20, 2014, 01:18 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Out of what? Lot of cartridges can use a 250 grain bullet. A lot of .45 Colt max loads runs slower than 800. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 20, 2014, 02:24 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	CAS or any other shooting game. Or hunting those wee deer you have in Texas. Big and slow isn't a bad thing. Still isn't unusually slow anyway. A max load of Clays out Hodgdon's 7.25" barrel runs 817 fps. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 20, 2014, 02:44 PM	#8
jmay Member Join Date: July 31, 2013 Location: Dallas Tejas Posts: 53	I agree with all the things posted above. 45 cal 230 grain hardcast tc @ 855-900 fps regardless if its 45 Colt or 45acp is good for most critters Texans would encounter with 35 yards max shots. Seems if I say hey taking my 45 Colt Blackhawk deer hunting folks say good choice, but if I say hey taking my Colt 1991 deer hunting people say oh no how inhumane you need more power. Why? Last edited by jmay; August 20, 2014 at 03:08 PM.

August 20, 2014, 03:04 PM	#9
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	bullet choice is everything... a semi wad cutter in a Black hawk = good for deer in my book... a wildly expanding hollow point in 45 auto... perhaps not so good for deer... however both would IMO, be equally good for 2 legged varmints... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 20, 2014, 01:26 PM	#3
jmay Member Join Date: July 31, 2013 Location: Dallas Tejas Posts: 53	Lets say .45 cal hardcast flat point chrony @ 800-850 fps out of a Ruger 4 5/8" blackhawk whats it good for besides plinking?

August 20, 2014, 02:22 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	It would make a big hole in bad guy's chest. Not as big a mess as that same weight of bullet going at .44mag speed but still enough to be a reasonable SD round.

August 20, 2014, 02:30 PM	#6
JD0x0 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 1,037	Self defense. Plausible to hunt with that too. A load like that will make a decent sized hole, and it will penetrate a good amount too. It could be used for hunting with careful shot placement. Ie. don't count on 'hydrostatic shock' making the kill. Obviously not the ideal choice, but the point is, that if you put that bullet in the right place it should go deep enough to kill reliably.

August 20, 2014, 02:38 PM	#7
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	That was my load for uspsa when I was competing. Maybe a little slower but pretty darn close. Low recoil. Easy to shoot

August 20, 2014, 03:06 PM	#10
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Been killing men since 1873.

August 20, 2014, 03:37 PM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	There's plenty of power in that load. A 200 grain bullet, traveling at 850f/s will knock down a 50 lb full size steel popper real quick. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 20, 2014, 05:37 PM	#12
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	It'll ventilate a pig nicely. Quantity has a quality all it's own. 250 grains is a lot of quantity. Think of it as a 45 ACP with a little more weight behind it.

August 20, 2014, 07:26 PM	#13
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	A good Keith bullet is multi purpose That load is easy to shoot, accurate and will penetrate quite well with a good wound channel. I'd prefer a bit more weight in my slugs(say the RCBS SAA 270grn) but that velocity is just about right.

August 20, 2014, 08:13 PM	#14
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	250 grains @ 850 fps = 400 ft/lbs of kinetic energy. I'm thinking you can do quite a bit with that. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 20, 2014, 08:54 PM	#15
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	A the distance a pistol was meant for it will just about do anything you ask it to do. Im sorry, but I fail to see the sense behind this question. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

August 20, 2014, 09:10 PM	#16
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Simple answer. About 90% of anything you'd want a handgun to do.

August 20, 2014, 09:37 PM	#17
jmay Member Join Date: July 31, 2013 Location: Dallas Tejas Posts: 53	Guess my point is 45acp 230 hardcast TC or FP bullet traveling between 800-900 fps is just not given enough credit sometimes especially when it comes to short range hunting. Its darn close in performance with the 250/255 Colt 800 fps loads that have taken all sorts of game. Thanks for all the opinions guys

August 21, 2014, 07:27 AM	#18
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I've killed two deer with handguns, one (the first one) was with a 1911 in 45 ACP, the other was with a S&W model 27 in 357 mag. Both deer were average size Missouri bucks, the first an 8 point the second was a 6 point. I plan on taking my third deer this year with a handgun, I'm not antler hunting so it will be the first legal deer that comes by, I actually prefer a doe. I'll be using my Cimarron Uberti 45 Colt shooting a 255 gr SWC at a velocity of 950 FPS, that should easily handle any deer in Missouri. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

August 22, 2014, 04:34 PM	#20
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	A hardcast 250g will fully penetrate a deer at 800fps...... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 22, 2014, 04:35 PM	#21
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I often load a 252g LSWC in 45 ACP for use in my two 5" 1911s and 4.5" Witness. But I load those past 950fps...... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 23, 2014, 06:47 PM	#22
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Whats 250 grain @ 800-850 fps good for? Presuming it's a SWC hard cast slug then I'd say anything from small deer on down. I use 240gr SWCs at about 900 fps in my 629-1 for woods carry. It's pretty much a .357 magnum in power. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

August 24, 2014, 08:34 AM	#23
walks with gun Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2014 Location: northern Mn. Posts: 271	There have been a lot of attacks by roving bands of chipmunks and gophers around here, I've had to use my Vaquero to ventilate a bunch of them, knocked the heads off several grouse for supper too. I don't really need a load that comes screaming out the barrel, 850fps is much more enjoyable to shoot.

August 24, 2014, 11:23 AM	#24
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I have killed an Idaho Mule deer (only a 4 point) with a 125 grain 357 magnum going about 1100 fps from my j-frame and it worked well enough at about 20 yards. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

August 25, 2014, 04:09 PM	#25
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Yeah, PERFECT for self-defense against VHAs. Violent Human Aggressors.