I've shot deer with magnums and non-magnums, they all work. I like the .45 ACP with 200 Speer Lawman 200 grain JHPs, .45 Colt with 200 grain Cor-Bons (but the extra velocity isn't necessary). My .44 Special does well with 240 cast bullets at 1000 fps and the .44 Magnum does well with 210 grain Winchester Silvertips at 1250 fps. I've also used the 170 grain Winchester Silvertip in .41 Magnum. I can't address the .357 issue but I'd pick a 125 grain JHP or higher weight. I don't see the need for 180 grain loads in .357 or similar heavyweights in other calibers. A deer doesn't take much lead to get the job done. If a hollowpoint, medium weights are great, hard cast in a semiwadcutter will always give complete penetration on medium animals like deer. This can be nice if bone is in the way, but not really necessary on sensible shots and reasonable angles. I favor conventional revolvers, ease to customize your bullet types, just slip the hammer past the current "next" load to another you have in the second cyliner. Single action and double action are personal choice in the hunting woods. Hollowpoints to the heart-lungs are the best choice in my mind, but you have to have bow and arrow like discipline to make the right angle shot.

I in case anyone is reading the part of this thread on high pressure 45 colt loads I ran across yet more on it.

Chuck Hawks

I guess I took the factory approved way out with the 454. Best of luck whatever your choices.

I've had excellent results with my 44 on everything I've shot with it.(Deer, hogs, bear, elk and a moose.) I doubt that super hot loads are necessary or desirable. Accuracy and proper shot placement will do the job every time.

If you have a notion to go after larger game, larger hogs or bear and elk with your pistol a 44 will be better than a 357. I had less than impressive results with a 357 on hogs years ago, I think I wasn't using a tough enough bullet, that soured me on this caliber for tougher game. I think that a LBT WFNGC in 180gr. might be a option. I'd like to know if anyone has tried these and how it worked out.

For deer it has been my experience that 240gr. jacketed bullets, XTP's etc. will give better results than hard cast on deer. Hard casts work just fine but the deer tend to run farther, in brush this has been a problem, not tracking wise but the deer can expire in some inconvient places. Iron sights are fine for close range shots, but a scope is very nice if your eyes are going south like mine are. I have a Blackhawk Hunter and mounted a 2X scope on it and found that shots out to 100yds are very do-able if you have a good rest. I don't find it akward for close range.

I put Hogue grips on my Hunter and this makes for a more secure grip for me, if you have small hands these might be too bulky.

Carrying a scoped revolver can be a pain but if you are in a blind this may not be a factor. I use a chest carry holster attached to my backpack and it doesn't get in the way too much.

quote:

Originally posted by LeeOtis:
Gentelmen:

After careful consideration as to the caliber of a suitable revolver in which to use for close-in whitetail hunting, I have decided to go with the Ruger New Model Blackhawk with the 5 1/2" barrel in .45 Colt.

Thanks to all who replied to my inquiry. Perhaps in the future I will be able to contribute to this forum the real life experience of having taken a deer with the .45 Colt.

I'm in the same boat Lee, Having .44 mags before , and recently scoring a Bowen "Perfected Bisley" .45 Ruger . I've been told to expect a more devestating effect on game with similar loads to a .44 mag. That will prove very interesting to me , or at least I hope it will ! This year I hope . Waiting for a new holster and trying to decide on a Whitetail load now ...Tom

Tom,
I'm working on my .45 loads and here is a link I think you will find interesting: http://www.linebaughcustom.com/Default.aspx?tabid=103

Lee -

I have this revolver in the 4 and 5/8ths inch bbl and it is a great choice for your application. Consider getting the extra 45 ACP cylinder for flexibility and even fun plinking.

The ACP's can be loaded up to 1100 fps with 255 LGCs and longshot powder with surprisingly little recoil in such a light hunting revolver. The Long Colt can beat this by 100 fps, but the big case needs 50% more powder to do it.

Also, you can shoot 45 cal black powder sabots out of it with either 40 or 357 cal bullets. Longshot works well for this as well.

Finally, some good after market rubber grips are useful if you have average to large hands.

Good hunting!!

I've shot deer with everything from a .357 to a .375JDJ and there are are many handgun calibers that will get the job done nicely. I know some really like the .357 but I don't, at least not for deer. I think the .41 is a much better killer and the .44 Mag. is even better. More important than caliber however is the choice of bullet. I prefer cast LBTs but if I were choosing a jacketed bullet it would probably be a Nosler Partition or Hornady XTP. I think it is very important to get complete penetration whatever bullet you choose. Good luck.

Why limit yourself to 30 yards?
Get a .44 Mag. (minimum) and don't look back, unless it is to drop the deer behind you...
For that short of range, iron sights will work just fine...

http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm

Hunting Whitetails a little differently can be found on the above website.

If reloading for the .45 Colt I'd look at some lighter loads than the conventional "hunting" loads. I would look at the 250 grain Hornady XTP, because it should expand at 900 fps or so, and the 200 grain Cor-Bon at 1100 fps. I've tried similar loads in the .45 Auto Rim and found them "enough gun". Your use of an enclosed blind and relatively little experience would steer me to suggesting light recoil and muzzle blast. All those heavy loads are fun to shoot but not necessary unless big stuff are on the menu. I love the .45 Colt as a reloading platform, lots of loads and bullets, none of which are bad. Even a mild semi-wadcutter at 900 fps is OK for deer according to those I've read. I have killed a couple of big animals, one 250 pound hog and a 750 lb water buffaloe with a SWC at 1000 fps so any .45 Colt will do, even if they don't expand. For deer, I'd leaning to the lighter, faster JHPs because they expand well on typical lungs shots.

OK, that does it! No more whimpy handguns for me. I want one of those cannons! I can get my years supply of firewood at the same time I am hunting. BOOOOOM

They will all work if you hit em right!! After fooling around with Rugers and Smiths in .357, .41 and .44 and various 1911s I have settled on an 8" Dan Wesson in 44 Mag and a Model 19 with a 165 gr Keith as a carry/back-up gun or a 1911 with 200 gr Silver tips. Again, if you hit em right, they all work.