Just purchased Ruger Super Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Would like advise on hunting loads. My reloading manuals (and the handgun hunting forum) seems to prefer cast bullets due to better penetration(?). Have bought several boxes of bullets to start loading/shooting: 200 gr. lead SWC, 200 gr.copper plated SWC, 250 gr. Speer Gold Dot, and Sierra 300 gr. JSP. These are basically a sampling of several bullet weights to get started.

My intention, at least this season, is to develop a load for open-sight, close-in hunting should the opportunity arise (I still hunt with a rifle). Will appreciate any .45 Colt hunters sharing with me your favorite hunting loads.

Thanks.

man I have a great one for both the 300gr XTP HP & Sierra 300 JSP out of my Ruger BLK HWK also is outstanding in my Win. Legacy for whitetails out to 150 yds. When I get home tonight I'll post it for you.
You hit a deer with that sucker an the snot flies out one end an the crap out the other.

I've used cast lead bullets in my 45 colt and they pass right thru a deer without expanding much. The 45 does put a big hole in a deer even if the bullet dosen't expand. For the 45 colt (long colt to some) I prefer the nosler 250 grain jacketed HP great expansion, and a lot of damage. You don't have to track them far. My second choice is the Hornady 250 gr XTP. good expansion and capable of higher velocitys. I load 21 gr of 2400 powder for a velocity of 1350fps with the XTP, and 19 gr of 2400 with the Nosler for 1130 fps.. 21 gr of 2400 is listed as max so you my want to start a little lower in your gun. Both loads are accurate in my ruger and drop white tail deer quickly. A deer isn't that big of an animal that you need a heavier bullet, a lighter bullet would work fine if it'll expand and is accurate, my ruger likes the 250 gr bullets.
Mike

I have been loading 24.5 grains of W-W 296 with 250s since the 80's. I now use Hornady's 250 grain HP XTP and have no complaints other than recoil. Don't let anyone tell you that a hard LSWC isn't potent...because it is, and so is the 300 grain flat point by Oregon Trail. 2400 is a great powder too, but I chose 296 for reasons I can't remember.

big doses of 2400 an 45 Colts go together like milk & cookies BUT I do not like the fouling left in my leverguns. For a practice load I use 16 gr of 2400 and a soft cast lead in my Blk Hwk
As I recall I am loading 32.gr of H322 under those 300 gr bullets but until I verify that latter today DON"T do it. I love this load on hogs and deer in brush under 100 yds in my Blk Hwk and Win. Legacy

IMHO, 300 gr bullets are not needed for deer.

I use 24.0 gr Lilgun topped with a 250 gr XTP and lit with a CCI large pistol primer. Very accurate and hits hard from my Ruger Bisley.

Cats, 32.0 grains of H322 under a 300gr bullet is definitely NOT for handguns. It may work in your rifle, but I'm no so sure you can even get 32.0 grains inside the 45 Colt case. I may be wrong... In other words, DO NOT use this in your pistol. It's far too slow of a powder to work properly in a 5.5" barrel.

Lee, for use on whitetail, I've used everything from 250 RN cowboy loads, 345gr hardcast, 265gr hardcast, and 250gr jacketed. I settled on 9.0gr of Unique under a 250gr XTP. It shoots into one cloverleafed hole at 25 yards. It's not going very fast ~ 1050fps, but it will bag 'em and tag 'em!! The bullet doesn't expand very violently but it provides more than adequate penetration. Moderate velocity, moderate expansion, deadly accuracy which produces clean kills 100% of the time.

mancannon read this thread thru...reread my posts where I said I WAS NOT CERTAIN AND DO NOT USE THIS LOAD UNTIL I CHECK IT LATTER TODAY!!!!
But in a few minutes I'm leaving the office and will be home then will post it for certain!
GEEZE A CHRIST THERE'S ALWAYS ONE IN THE BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, man... Try decaf. Can one not comment on your posts? Are they off limits? Please specify this on all further postings and I will surely save my comments. Or better yet, use PM's so no one can see your posts and add anything. Wouldn't want you to blow a gasket or anything...

I'm home an as promised in 2 prior posts I am NOW giving the load Lee may be looking for 300gr XTP HP/24.0 gr H110
Mr Cannon : I haven't a problem with anyone question any load I list, to a fact it is always wise to do so if in doubt, but for a new member to completely disregard my 2 PRIOR posts stating NOT to use this until I can verify my old memory is nothing short of being rude! In the future should you so wish to address my post please do so in an acceptable manner. cats

Hey Cats, how's this for ya?!?!?

actually nothing less than I expected from the sandbox squad

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
Mr Cannon : I haven't a problem with anyone question any load I list, to a fact it is always wise to do so if in doubt, but for a new member to completely disregard my 2 PRIOR posts stating NOT to use this until I can verify my old memory is nothing short of being rude! In the future should you so wish to address my post please do so in an acceptable manner. cats

If you can't remember the load exactly from memory, why take the time to post something that you're uncertain of? Especially since you knew you were going to go home right away. I'm with ManCannon on this issue. Use some common sense.

-- Scott

I thought I was correct by memory like I posted but added the waiver in case I wasn't, then posted the proper load when i was home.
BTW do you also side with his type of picture posting?????? Cause I think that is acting like a complete childish asshole an can think of no way to justify that . cats

I have a EMF Hartford lever gun in .45 Colt and have tried every thing from 200 gr-300 JHP in it with a variety of powders. 2400 does a good job and fills the case about as well as any of the powders and I understand that 110 does much the same, but have never used it. My best load for the RIFLE has been Hornady 300 gr JFP in front of 14.6 gr of Blue Dot. The recoil was moderate and the accuracy was by far the best I have achieved. Make sure to follow the published loads for your handgun. Good luck.

Cats, did you find out your exact load? I have a custom TC Contender carbine barrel and I'm looking for a nice, hot whitetail load, too, with the 240 gr XTP Mag. The barrel is 17 1/2" long

I have a 240 gr load with H110 but I normally shoot 300 gr loads, 24.0 gr H110 under 300grXTPHP/starline brass
I have found while 300 gr bullets are not needed for deer size animals the accuracy is better out of my Blk Hwk and my 24" rifle with them than the 240 XTP
16.0 gr of 2400 is a good accurate 240 gr practice load and will kill deer but I never trust that speed to open a HP bullet so I use it with the 240XTPMAG you can easily bump that up to 20.0 grs as well with a JSP while a cast may begin leading at that speed if it is poured from softer lead. cats

Taurus Raging Bull 45 Colt six shooter

300 Hornady XTP/HP crimped in front groove.
21.6/WW296
CCI 350 primer
Starline brass
average 1,130 fps

Thanks, guys. I'll probably give a few of those loads a whirl on Monday.

i have used the 300 grain xtp and its performance was not what i want. it did drop the small doe in her tracks but litterly exloded. 1 entrance hole and 4 exit holes (up through back, out far side, back down through paunch, and staight down through bottom of chest. i have used the 320 (or 325?) grain lbt with impressive results, and also the 265g gas checked lbt (shoots great but haven't killed with it yet), and the 260 grain speer hollow point (holds together even at 1400 fps). i use h110 loads hotter than most book loads but still less than those developed by john linebaugh, see his web site to read the articles and get the load info. just be sure to use the stock 6 shot blackhawk loads and not the 5 shot blackhawk loads. http://www.linebaughcustom.com/