Standard Pressure 45 Colt for Deer?

IrvJr · November 13, 2009, 04:53 PM

Has anyone here used standard pressure 45 Colt cast lead bullets for deer hunting? I have a Ruger New Vaquero (in addition to my Super Blackhawk) and I was wondering if using a standard pressure 45 Colt load (250gr, approx 900 fps) would be sufficient for mid sized game, particularly deer.

Is this load adequate for deer or should I stick to the .44 mag loads only?

Thanks in advance.

Dr. A · November 13, 2009, 05:08 PM

I just love a good Keith 250gr. bullet ahead of 9gr. of Herco. It gives you just what you want and is very deadly. Easy to shoot and kills well.

2damnold4this · November 13, 2009, 05:43 PM

My friend Jason has taken several deer with his Ruger in .45 long Colt with standard pressure loads.

RMcL · December 31, 2009, 10:52 PM

While the New Vaquero is smaller than the older 45 frame models, it is still stronger than a single action Colt. How about a 280 grain SWC at 1050fps!

Check this article out for details:

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...246partial.pdf

W. C. Quantrill · January 1, 2010, 07:26 PM

I have killed a number of deer out to 50 yards or so with my new model Blackhawk 7.5" loaded with 270 gr Keiths from Lead Head and 10 gr of Unique. It is a comfortable load to shoot, and it hits like a sledgehammer. Its about a thousand fps load. That is the upper end of Standard pressure but not a real hot load. Because it doesnt hammer you with recoil and muzzleblast, it is a very accurate hunting load.

algentry1 · January 3, 2010, 11:40 PM

Some people use arrows....

I just bought one of the dinky new Model 25-15 Smiths. I plan to try it out on some of them. I like big bullets. The Smith with its weight seems very mild, in comparison to my Cimarron Open Top. I'm sure they'll both work. OK, I'm not sure, but I believe big holes leak better than little ones (arrows).

Al

vanilla_gorilla · January 4, 2010, 01:06 AM

Brian Pearce did an article last year in which he detailed a hunt for mule deer. He used a S&W .45 Colt loaded with a 270 grain LSWC at 900 fps. Two shots and a few steps and the mulie was dead as a wedge. Neither bullet stopped within the animal.

I doubt you'd do any better by adding 200-300 fps to that.

Scorch · January 4, 2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Is this load adequate for deer

Well, considering that deer, antelope, elk, etc, were pretty much wiped out in the late 1800s with cartridges like that, I would say it will work just fine. Just don't try to shoot the deer through the shoulder, go for a lung/heart shot and you should have no problems.

GeauxTide · January 4, 2010, 02:53 PM

I use a 275gr Hunters Supply under 10gr of Unique. It's listed as a 20k psi load by Brian Pearce and velocity is 1050 and very comfortable. 9gr is listed at 991, and 8gr will bring you to 14k psi. and about 900.

November 13, 2009, 04:53 PM	#1
IrvJr Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2004 Posts: 199	Standard Pressure 45 Colt for Deer? Has anyone here used standard pressure 45 Colt cast lead bullets for deer hunting? I have a Ruger New Vaquero (in addition to my Super Blackhawk) and I was wondering if using a standard pressure 45 Colt load (250gr, approx 900 fps) would be sufficient for mid sized game, particularly deer. Is this load adequate for deer or should I stick to the .44 mag loads only? Thanks in advance.

December 31, 2009, 10:52 PM	#4
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	New Vaquero can take heavier loads! While the New Vaquero is smaller than the older 45 frame models, it is still stronger than a single action Colt. How about a 280 grain SWC at 1050fps! Check this article out for details: http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...246partial.pdf Last edited by RMcL; January 1, 2010 at 05:01 PM.

January 1, 2010, 07:26 PM	#5
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	I have killed a number of deer out to 50 yards or so with my new model Blackhawk 7.5" loaded with 270 gr Keiths from Lead Head and 10 gr of Unique. It is a comfortable load to shoot, and it hits like a sledgehammer. Its about a thousand fps load. That is the upper end of Standard pressure but not a real hot load. Because it doesnt hammer you with recoil and muzzleblast, it is a very accurate hunting load. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

January 3, 2010, 11:40 PM	#6
algentry1 Member Join Date: October 2, 2008 Location: Spencer, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 16	Standard 45 Colt enough?? Some people use arrows.... I just bought one of the dinky new Model 25-15 Smiths. I plan to try it out on some of them. I like big bullets. The Smith with its weight seems very mild, in comparison to my Cimarron Open Top. I'm sure they'll both work. OK, I'm not sure, but I believe big holes leak better than little ones (arrows). Al __________________ Al Gentry, Oklahoma, USA

January 4, 2010, 01:06 AM	#7
vanilla_gorilla Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 272	Brian Pearce did an article last year in which he detailed a hunt for mule deer. He used a S&W .45 Colt loaded with a 270 grain LSWC at 900 fps. Two shots and a few steps and the mulie was dead as a wedge. Neither bullet stopped within the animal. I doubt you'd do any better by adding 200-300 fps to that. __________________ A gun is just a tool, the real weapon lies behind the face in the mirror.

November 13, 2009, 05:08 PM	#2
Dr. A Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2007 Location: Salina, KS. Posts: 215	I just love a good Keith 250gr. bullet ahead of 9gr. of Herco. It gives you just what you want and is very deadly. Easy to shoot and kills well.

November 13, 2009, 05:43 PM	#3
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	My friend Jason has taken several deer with his Ruger in .45 long Colt with standard pressure loads.

January 4, 2010, 02:53 PM	#9
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	In my Blackhawk and Bisley I use a 275gr Hunters Supply under 10gr of Unique. It's listed as a 20k psi load by Brian Pearce and velocity is 1050 and very comfortable. 9gr is listed at 991, and 8gr will bring you to 14k psi. and about 900.