This post goes hand in hand with the other 40 vs 45 post.

Has anyone killed anything with either caliber? Deer, piggys etc? What were the results (wound channels) & reactions of the animals? What distance would you feel safe an animal with these two calibers? I am not talking about your shooting skill rather caliber performance.

I headshot a squirrel with .45ACP at about 20 yards once (luck as much as anything). No real wound channel to report, punched a nice half inch hole through his head. Bullet didn't expand a bit. Slaughtered some hogs with .45 too. Made unremarkable holes in the brain pans of about half inch in size. I don't think I'd be shy of taking a close range shot on a deer with one but the occasion never has come up. I don't think I'd be frightened to try deer or feral pigs on anything inside of 20-25 yards.

quote:

I don't think I'd be frightened to try deer or feral pigs on anything inside of 20-25 yards.

My thoughts exactly. Head shots (on animals standing still of course).

I know you didn't ask, but, if you move up to the 10mm., now you have a horse of a different color. I would use the 10mm (200 grain bullet at about 1200fps) on hogs for example.
Peter.

quote:

I know you didn't ask, but, if you move up to the 10mm

I don't have a 10mm (yet)

I use .45-70 (BFR) or .375 H&H or .30-30 (Encores/Contenders) when I'm intending on pigs and deer with handguns. Killed a wildebeest with the BFR once too. 405 grains of THWACK through the boiler room and he fell and snuffled around a bit. Never owned a 10mm.

Used a .45 ACpP on a whitetail once with the dreaded Black Talon ammunition. Buck was bedded about 30 - 35 yards, shot was 1/4 on. Buck stayed in bed, and required a finishing round whe i walked up. Bullet recover from 1st round could be reloaded... Lucky all around as I wouldn't do it again. Saw a boar taken with a 1911 Colt many years back... 2 magazines and ranges from 15 yards to 18 inches... poor performance then too.

I killed many hogs with my glock 40sw and my 1911s 45acp ,i shot under 25 mts most shots under 10 mts heart lung area not notice any difference,i used too 357 and 44 mags ,all are marginal ,only the central nervous system provides one shot stops,the double taps inproves something the lethality but bear in mind that 40 and 45 are marginal ,and this is the same in humans ,i saw many many wound ballistics ,during my surgery residence.Juan

Hmmm, I'm not sure I would use expanding munitions on deer and hogs. Shouldn't one be trying for maximum penetration?
peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Hmmm, I'm not sure I would use expanding munitions on deer and hogs. Shouldn't one be trying for maximum penetration?
peter.

In some states it is not legal to use FMJ ammunition for game species. Other than that I agree that penetration is essential for killing the subject.

Actually I was thinking of hard cast lead or JFP (jacketed flat point). Would the flat point be legal?
Peter.

I've got a Springfield V16 Longslide in 45 Super. 230g Golden Sabre's at 1150 fps. Fine for deer, and javelina, bullets open up reliably to .7" classic mushrom shape. Haven't hunted with it in a long time though, just use it for concealed carry.



Chuck

230 @ 1150 ?? That's a bit warm !

Hi Mete, not for a 45 Super round out of a Springfield V-16 Longslide. It's actually 1.5g below max...






Chuck

I put a hard cast .45 ACP 220 gr SWC behind the shoulder of a 6' black bear in a pine tree. Bear was dead when he hit the ground.

not trying to be a jerk, but how long did it take for him to suffocate and fall out of the tree?