.45 Long Colt for Deer Hunting

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Goldslammer

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 10, 2010
    710
    Brooklyn Park
    Shot these out of my Blackhawk, would not shoot them out of an Uberti....


    590827.jpg
     

    photoracer

    Competition Shooter
    Oct 22, 2010
    3,318
    West Virginia
    I used to know a person who hunted deer in MD many years ago with a 45 Long Colt six-gun. To do that he had to exceed the maximum Saami rating of the gun so it could not be done with an older model firearm. Think 45LC at 44Mag velocities. The game wardens thought he was crazy but he did it successfully every year.
     

    Growler215

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 30, 2020
    2,156
    SOMD
    That right there tells you MD's rifle ME regulation needs to change. I suggest that someone with better writing skills than me write a letter to the DNR and make the case that, if the science shows that a .40 caliber slug from an air rifle is acceptable at only 400 FPE, then the . 45 Colt with a 250 gn bullet should also be acceptable.

    I'd like to see them back off the 1200 ft-lb muzzle energy with rifles requirement to, say 900 ft-lbs, at least in "straight wall only" counties.. It's not like you can take such long distance shots with these to justify such a jump from the 700 ft-lbs required for pistols.

    Plus, then I could hunt with the factory Hornady 395 gr subsonic ammo in my 450 Bushmaster instead of trying to work up a 500 gr sub load.
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    Check this out. So, ... you can hunt with a handgun in Maryland. Only if you use 41 magnum, 44 magnum and some 50 caliber rounds not in this chart. No other round is legal, then why even allow handguns for hunting?
    https://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

    That list are all for fairly short barrel handguns. A .357 out of a 6” barrel isn’t that hard to hit 700ft-lbs with hotter loads. Out of an 8” it is easy to do. A 6” 10mm the same.

    A 45 super for a bigger load and 6” barrel with do it. 454 casul. 45LC with a hot load and a 6+” barrel.

    There are easily a dozen relatively common cartridges that will do it out of a 6” barrel. But as you’ve pointed out, that’s why Maryland requires a 6” barrel or longer. The difference in energy between a 4” and a 6” barrel is pretty substantial in hotter loads (usually on the order of 15-20% more energy). Sure, many other states a 45acp or .40 with a 4” barrel is just fine. But you know, same deal. A hunter attempting a marginal shot is a lot more likely to “get her done” better with a higher powered pistol and what is marginal is much harder to get to with that higher powered pistol.
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    I'd like to see them back off the 1200 ft-lb muzzle energy with rifles requirement to, say 900 ft-lbs, at least in "straight wall only" counties.. It's not like you can take such long distance shots with these to justify such a jump from the 700 ft-lbs required for pistols.

    Plus, then I could hunt with the factory Hornady 395 gr subsonic ammo in my 450 Bushmaster instead of trying to work up a 500 gr sub load.

    People can do some really stupendously stupid stuff of course. I’d rather they use “.30 caliber or 1200ft-lbs”

    Want to use a .30 carbine? Yeah that’ll work fine at reasonable ranges with a soft point. Want to use a .223? Well so long as you aren’t using an SBR, many cartridges in .223 designed for hunting will just manage that with a 16” and certainly will with a 20” barrel.

    Want to use an expanding 300BO subsonic? You can do that (and it’ll do an excellent job, if the bullet is designed for it). Cant use a 22lr. Can’t use some subsonic 223 or whatever. I am sure there is some edge case like someone uses a 32-20 or whatever like an idiot.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    If .30 Carbine is " fine" , then so would .32-20 . Back when my Grandfather was homesteading ( sheep herding) in WY in the 1910's , his only gun was .32WCF rifle , and everything from varmints to mule deer ended up just as dead .

    Ft Lb of energy per se in a vacuum is a poor predictor of hunting effectiveness . It's just one factor along with diameter , sectional density , and bullet performance ( of one sort or other ) . There are multiple paradigms than can work well .

    Paper Energy has the attractiveness of being * Simple * , and mathematical . No matter where an energy number is arbitrarily put , there will be multiple examples of calibers/ loads that are reasonably effective falling underneath , and calibers/ loads that pass , yet are severely marginal , and less effective than many approved rounds . Perfect example is .22-250 being " better" than the mainstream 405gr JSP .45-70 . On the same thought , in calibers near the dividing line , loads with more energy on paper can be less effective on medium to large game than loads that have less energy . A 125gr jhp .357 will have more " energy " than a controlled expansion 158 , or a cast 170- ish , but which is better on deer ?

    6in bbl ? What . my 5in .44 mag that exceeds the energy level will just bounce off a deer ? For that matter a 4in .41 mag is just a mosquito bite ?

    I've done most of my handgun hunting in Va instead of Md . ( Until the recent Straight Wall thing ) , I could more easily go to GWNF , than the rifle/ pistol areas of Md I frequented .

    The Va/ WV floor of 4in bbl and 350 ft lb is actually pretty realistic . But since Maryland has set a precedent of 400 ft lb for exotic Air Rifles . we could realistically push for the same for pistols . ( Added - I'm partially walk back from Realistic , but it would absolutely be Logical .)
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    If .30 Carbine is " fine" , then so would .32-20 . Back when my Grandfather was homesteading ( sheep herding) in WY in the 1910's , his only gun was .32WCF rifle , and everything from varmints to mule deer ended up just as dead .

    Ft Lb of energy per se in a vacuum is a poor predictor of hunting effectiveness . It's just one factor along with diameter , sectional density , and bullet performance ( of one sort or other ) . There are multiple paradigms than can work well .

    Paper Energy has the attractiveness of being * Simple * , and mathematical . No matter where an energy number is arbitrarily put , there will be multiple examples of calibers/ loads that are reasonably effective falling underneath , and calibers/ loads that pass , yet are severely marginal , and less effective than many approved rounds . Perfect example is .22-250 being " better" than the mainstream 405gr JSP .45-70 . On the same thought , in calibers near the dividing line , loads with more energy on paper can be less effective on medium to large game than loads that have less energy . A 125gr jhp .357 will have more " energy " than a controlled expansion 158 , or a cast 170- ish , but which is better on deer ?

    6in bbl ? What . my 5in .44 mag that exceeds the energy level will just bounce off a deer ? For that matter a 4in .41 mag is just a mosquito bite ?

    I've done most of my handgun hunting in Va instead of Md . ( Until the recent Straight Wall thing ) , I could more easily go to GWNF , than the rifle/ pistol areas of Md I frequented .

    The Va/ WV floor of 4in bbl and 350 ft lb is actually pretty realistic . But since Maryland has set a precedent of 400 ft lb for exotic Air Rifles . we could realistically push for the same for pistols . ( Added - I'm partially walk back from Realistic , but it would absolutely be Logical .)

    A 22 can kill a deer too. I think we already mentioned that hunters didn’t use to care nearly as much about ethics and a lot more deer likely limped off to die a century ago than do today. A 32-20 fires a .311” 85gr bullet at about 1000fps. Pretty sure that’s not in the same weight class as a 110gr .308 at 2000fps.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    A 22 can kill a deer too. I think we already mentioned that hunters didn’t use to care nearly as much about ethics and a lot more deer likely limped off to die a century ago than do today. A 32-20 fires a .311” 85gr bullet at about 1000fps. Pretty sure that’s not in the same weight class as a 110gr .308 at 2000fps.

    Might it be the other way around?

    Now as then, it's usually less about the arrow, and more about the Indian.
     

    kmittleman

    Active Member
    Nov 22, 2010
    857
    Howard County
    I live in AA county and looking at the straight wall cartridge regulations realized I could use my Uberti .45. It has the 7” barrel. What I'm curious about is that I've got Hornady cowboy loads @725 Muzzle FPS and Fiochi cowboys @750 Muzzle FPS. Would these rounds meet the proper muzzle velocity when shot out of a lever action? Looking to pick up one that I can carry both out in the woods.

    I’ve never tried it, but I think the cowboy loads are supposed to be pretty anemic. However, properly loaded the .45 LC is supposed to be comparable to a .44 mag. I’d look for something like Buffalo Bore.

    I’ve heard from people that handgun hunt, that a 250 gr hard cast load going around 900 FPS should zip through a deer. I would try to achieve that at least with the rifle.

    K
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Or conversely , back in the day before long range wonder rifles , people knew they had to get close and aim carefully if they wanted to eat . or have their livestock not be eaten by preditors .



    " Cowboy Loads " in the modern context of Cowboy Action Shooting competition are designed to minimize recoil for faster times . ( But even at that , they still in the ballpark of .455 Webley service ammo .)

    " Cowboy Loads " in the context of commercial factory loads used by actual cow hands . ranchers . outdoorsmen , etc from the circa 1873- 1940 was potent stuff . Long after the Smokeless Era started , the standard .45 Colt load remained 40gr of BP , more powerful than early smokeless loads . Think 255 gr @ 850 to 925 fps depending upon bbl length . Non- CAS " Standard .45 Colt " with 250/ 255gr @ 875 fps of circa 1940 to today is equivalent at full SAAMI pressure .

    This load has been used since the beginning to kill anything and everything that walks in North America , including Bison and Grizzly . It regularly gives complete penetration on deer . ( Yes , a SWC or LBT bullet shape are even better . but traditional RN/FP isn't terrible .)

    " Ruger Only " level loads can reach the energy levels of generic mainstream 240gr .44 Mag factory loads .
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    I’ve never tried it, but I think the cowboy loads are supposed to be pretty anemic. However, properly loaded the .45 LC is supposed to be comparable to a .44 mag. I’d look for something like Buffalo Bore.

    I’ve heard from people that handgun hunt, that a 250 gr hard cast load going around 900 FPS should zip through a deer. I would try to achieve that at least with the rifle.

    K

    Though that wouldn’t be Maryland legal. The construction of the bullet must be of “expanding” construction to deer hunt. Hard cast isn’t. And the ME wouldn’t meet the ME requirements either. Not by half for a rifle.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,729
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Though that wouldn’t be Maryland legal. The construction of the bullet must be of “expanding” construction to deer hunt. Hard cast isn’t. And the ME wouldn’t meet the ME requirements either. Not by half for a rifle.

    My "Ranch Dog" designed, cast by me, 270 HP's with 22 grains of H4227 have taken hogs out to 75 yards DRT. (mostly) They are @ 12 Brinell and expand nicely. Depending how deep I make the HP, it either leaves a .60 inch hole shoot through or .80 and found in the hog. This is out of a 16.5 inch Rossi .45 Colt carbine.

    They would do the same to deer if I still hunted deer. :D

    Let's face it, Maralandistan's hunting regs need change but the fruits and nuts don't like us hunting period so it aint going to happen.
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    My "Ranch Dog" designed, cast by me, 270 HP's with 22 grains of H4227 have taken hogs out to 75 yards DRT. (mostly) They are @ 12 Brinell and expand nicely. Depending how deep I make the HP, it either leaves a .60 inch hole shoot through or .80 and found in the hog. This is out of a 16.5 inch Rossi .45 Colt carbine.

    They would do the same to deer if I still hunted deer. :D

    Let's face it, Maralandistan's hunting regs need change but the fruits and nuts don't like us hunting period so it aint going to happen.

    No disagreement here. I think many of the regs might dissuade some of the biggest idiots. But let’s also face it, many of them aren’t paying attention to the regs anyway.

    But they are also overbearing and they stop many hunters who wouldn’t be doing anything chancy, risky or unethical from hunting in a manner of their choosing.

    Neighbor on our neighborhood Facebook group was just lamenting that DNR came by today to mention there was a wounded deer in the neighborhood. Only reason I can think of was to tell her they wanted to search her property. But she was complaining that a neighbor a few properties down has a feeder and stand out and is hunting on her 4 acres and how is that legal?

    Amusingly, her property is 1.5 acres, not 4. But I also seriously doubt her neighbor is hunting on her property. I gently informed her bow hunting is legal on your own property (no, I didn’t bother mentioning safety zones. I don’t even know which neighbor she is taking about, it sure isn’t me as I don’t have a feeder and I am more than a couple houses down. I am like 300yds from her property and I wasn’t hunting today either). But no, someone can’t hunt on your property without permission.

    Haven’t heard back from her. At least she isn’t one of my next door neighbors (who are okay with me deer hunting)
     

    Trigger Time

    Amazed
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 23, 2013
    1,231
    Well now we know a cowboy action 45 can make it through at least one camera person and still go half way through a director from a pistol at close range.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    Though that wouldn’t be Maryland legal. The construction of the bullet must be of “expanding” construction to deer hunt. Hard cast isn’t. And the ME wouldn’t meet the ME requirements either. Not by half for a rifle.

    Cast lead bullets are indeed legal for deer hunting in Maryland. It is full metal jacketed ammunition that is considered non-expanding and thus illegal.
     

    Bisleyfan44

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 11, 2008
    1,758
    Wicomico
    There is so much info in this thread that is 100% inaccurate and nothing more than uneducated guesses by those who have never handgun hunted, no basic understanding of simple ballistics/bullet design on game, and/or have no comprehension of MD game regulations.

    There are others like John from MD, Bigfoot44, AlBeight, archeryrob, ohen cepel, and Uncle Duke who are admirably trying to correct the free flow of absolute misinformation. Can we leave the opining to those who know what they're talking about, please? I know that's alot to ask of an internet forum but handgun hunting game and suitable weapons for such is already complex enough for a beginner without having to sift through guesses and misinformation.

    Flame away.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,917
    Messages
    7,258,650
    Members
    33,348
    Latest member
    Eric_Hehl

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom