45LC hunting load

rlgarman · December 1, 2002, 01:09 AM

What's a good hunting load(white-tailed deer) for 45LC in a strong Ruger modern SA handgun?

Stephen A. Camp · December 1, 2002, 01:16 AM

Hello. Well, I had good luck with a 250 gr XTP over 8 gr. Unique.
This is not all that hot and your Ruger could certainly take the hotter loadings than the Mountain Gun I'm using in this caliber. I estimate it at somewhere around 900 ft/sec. Got complete penetration and got the deer with one shot so it did the trick. It's very pleasent to shoot as well and it does group well.

Best.

Redneck2 · December 1, 2002, 08:33 AM

try http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm

More info there than you can imagine

I have several friends that have had excellent performance from XTP's, and several others that have had bullets blow apart. Dunno. My concern would be hitting a front shoulder.

If and when I get a deer with my Bisley, it will be a 255LSWC over 11.0 of AA5 (RUGER ONLY LOAD, listed in the AA reloading pamphlet). Same general burn range as Unique but significantly cleaner. This about duplicates Linebaugh's "favorite", shoots easy, and should give total penetration.

NG Bruce · December 1, 2002, 02:00 PM

Here is my .45 Colt, Ruger Blackhawk hunting load (on or over the edge for old Colts and Clones);
Win, R-P, or Starline cases.
18.5 grains of Hercules 2400 (lot #288) or Alliant 2400 (lot #710).
255 grain Lead SWC.
WLP or CCI300 primers.
Chrony's 1110 fps from my 5 1/2" Blackhawk using the above noted lots of 2400.
NG Bruce

LAH · December 1, 2002, 04:26 PM

The NG Bruce load is hard to beat. In truth a 250-260 Keith at 900 fps will kill any deer I've seen.

JoeHatley · December 1, 2002, 05:30 PM

Here's a few loads for ya:
www.realguns.com/loads/45colt.htm

These are Ruger only loads, be safe!!

Joe

WESHOOT2 · December 1, 2002, 07:19 PM

HIGHLY RECOMMEND:

Starline new cases; W296; Magnum primers (I prefer both the CCI350 and Federal 155's); 300g XTP-HP, Swift 325g A-Frame, 300-335g cast bullets from Beartooth, Cast Performance, Dry Creek; serious time with components, patience, thorough understanding, and chronograph.

Of course, I also think a 255g Keith from Dry Creek @ 1000fps is fine for deer

Jerry Stordahl · December 1, 2002, 11:13 PM

In my Ruger Bisley I use 9 grains of Unique and a 250 grain hard cast round nose flatpoint. Groups about 1.5 inches at 25 yards and chronos about 970 fps. Just right.

Johnny Guest · December 2, 2002, 02:23 AM

I've used some fairly heavy loads in a Ruger 7.5 in Blackhawk with 275 cast SWCs, and they worked well. After a few whitetail deer, I decided that the only reason for such heavy loads is to flatten out the trajectory.

I backed down to 8 to 9 grains of Unique or H. Universal for use in N-frame S&Ws and Colt SAs. W231 is another good powder, but I think I get better accuracy from Unique.

I am fond of the XTP bullets in other calibers, but in .45 Colt, I think the hard cast SWC bullets are just as good. Better, in fact, if you're in an area where you might get crossways with a bear or a range bull.

Jerry Stordahl, I've shot a lot of LRNFP bullets in .45 C, and got good results with them. I believe,though, that the SWC has somewhat better results on game animals. Cuts bigger holes, in and out, and they are generally just as accurate, all else being equal.

Best,
Johnny

rlgarman · December 2, 2002, 09:05 PM

Many thanks to you all, I think my question has been answered. I was looking for 1000 fps. with 250gr. XTP, but I may go with the hard cast lead SWC. Again, thanks.

WESHOOT2 · December 2, 2002, 09:45 PM

W-W case; Federal 150; 250g XTP-HP; OAL 1.585"+/-.005"; 10.5g Universal Clays.
Good heavy crimp.

This is not load data; it is merely a recollection of a drug-induced hazy non-specific stupor; no legal recourse available.

Low flash, accurate, 1000fps; tested; don't ask................

December 1, 2002, 01:09 AM	#1
rlgarman Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 47	45LC hunting load What's a good hunting load(white-tailed deer) for 45LC in a strong Ruger modern SA handgun?

December 1, 2002, 08:33 AM	#3
Redneck2 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2000 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 519	You might... try http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/dissolving.htm More info there than you can imagine I have several friends that have had excellent performance from XTP's, and several others that have had bullets blow apart. Dunno. My concern would be hitting a front shoulder. If and when I get a deer with my Bisley, it will be a 255LSWC over 11.0 of AA5 (RUGER ONLY LOAD, listed in the AA reloading pamphlet). Same general burn range as Unique but significantly cleaner. This about duplicates Linebaugh's "favorite", shoots easy, and should give total penetration.

December 1, 2002, 05:30 PM	#6
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Here's a few loads for ya: www.realguns.com/loads/45colt.htm These are Ruger only loads, be safe!! Joe __________________ Go NRA

December 2, 2002, 02:23 AM	#9
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Several nice loads above - - - I've used some fairly heavy loads in a Ruger 7.5 in Blackhawk with 275 cast SWCs, and they worked well. After a few whitetail deer, I decided that the only reason for such heavy loads is to flatten out the trajectory. I backed down to 8 to 9 grains of Unique or H. Universal for use in N-frame S&Ws and Colt SAs. W231 is another good powder, but I think I get better accuracy from Unique. I am fond of the XTP bullets in other calibers, but in .45 Colt, I think the hard cast SWC bullets are just as good. Better, in fact, if you're in an area where you might get crossways with a bear or a range bull. Jerry Stordahl, I've shot a lot of LRNFP bullets in .45 C, and got good results with them. I believe,though, that the SWC has somewhat better results on game animals. Cuts bigger holes, in and out, and they are generally just as accurate, all else being equal. Best, Johnny

December 2, 2002, 09:05 PM	#10
rlgarman Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 47	45LC Hunting load Many thanks to you all, I think my question has been answered. I was looking for 1000 fps. with 250gr. XTP, but I may go with the hard cast lead SWC. Again, thanks.

December 1, 2002, 01:16 AM	#2
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 16, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello. Well, I had good luck with a 250 gr XTP over 8 gr. Unique. This is not all that hot and your Ruger could certainly take the hotter loadings than the Mountain Gun I'm using in this caliber. I estimate it at somewhere around 900 ft/sec. Got complete penetration and got the deer with one shot so it did the trick. It's very pleasent to shoot as well and it does group well. Best.

December 1, 2002, 02:00 PM	#4
NG Bruce Member Join Date: February 2, 2001 Location: Beaufort County NC Posts: 51	Here is my .45 Colt, Ruger Blackhawk hunting load (on or over the edge for old Colts and Clones); Win, R-P, or Starline cases. 18.5 grains of Hercules 2400 (lot #288) or Alliant 2400 (lot #710). 255 grain Lead SWC. WLP or CCI300 primers. Chrony's 1110 fps from my 5 1/2" Blackhawk using the above noted lots of 2400. NG Bruce

December 1, 2002, 04:26 PM	#5
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	The NG Bruce load is hard to beat. In truth a 250-260 Keith at 900 fps will kill any deer I've seen.

December 1, 2002, 07:19 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	OH ME! OH MY! HIGHLY RECOMMEND: Starline new cases; W296; Magnum primers (I prefer both the CCI350 and Federal 155's); 300g XTP-HP, Swift 325g A-Frame, 300-335g cast bullets from Beartooth, Cast Performance, Dry Creek; serious time with components, patience, thorough understanding, and chronograph. Of course, I also think a 255g Keith from Dry Creek @ 1000fps is fine for deer __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

December 1, 2002, 11:13 PM	#8
Jerry Stordahl Member Join Date: July 9, 2000 Location: Halstad, MN USA Posts: 96	In my Ruger Bisley I use 9 grains of Unique and a 250 grain hard cast round nose flatpoint. Groups about 1.5 inches at 25 yards and chronos about 970 fps. Just right.

December 2, 2002, 09:45 PM	#11
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	SPECIFICALLY, BUT OVER-SAAMI DANGER SUPERNOVA W-W case; Federal 150; 250g XTP-HP; OAL 1.585"+/-.005"; 10.5g Universal Clays. Good heavy crimp. This is not load data; it is merely a recollection of a drug-induced hazy non-specific stupor; no legal recourse available. Low flash, accurate, 1000fps; tested; don't ask................ __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"