Didn't know if anyone here reloads either of these for hunting (rifle, obviously). Some discussions lead me to believe that the ACP is more efficient since its case capacity is more in line with modern powders. I know that .45 Colt can be loaded hot for rifles...can an ACP round be made as hot for use in a rifle?
.45 Colt vs. .45 ACP For Hunting?
- Thread starter nw mb
- Start date
- Location
- Behind a large rock
Hunting what?
I'm sure I'll get burned for this but I believe in a rifle that the 45 acp with proper bullets is fine for close range hunting up to deer. I'm not sure how fast you can drive the bullet from that case but 30/40 yards broadside on a deer I see no problems. Most Pistol ammo isn't suited to hunting. A well placed bullet of appropriate construction within common sense range and the deer wont get far
...i'm looking at a choice of rifle in either 45 colt or 45 acp ...i like the colt and have a friend with a hand-rifle in it who's done well with deer at close range, but the availability of acp ammo swings me back the other way ...just wondering if i can drive a handloaded acp up to 1000 fps in a 230 or 250 gr flat nosed cast bullet or not?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
If the point of the exercise is to maximize horsepower, the capacity of the .45 Colt simply outmatches the .45 ACP. Load a 330 gr WFN over a jigger full of H-110 and hang on. You can't do that with a .45 auto. If we use a car analogy, cubic inches wins every time. I'm not sure, but I suspect a .45 auto rifle would be a custom gig.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
If you have the ability to reload 45 acp, you might as well reload 45 Colt. Which rifle choice did you say?
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45colt.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45colt.html
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Depending on the strength of the firearm, a 45 Colt can be loaded REALLY hot. Like a 360 grain cast bullet at 1450 out of a 7.5" barreled Ruger Redhawk. That load out of a modern 1892 that can withstand the pressures generated by the 454 Casull is going to be moving at what? 1600? 1700?
Try that with a 45ACP
Try that with a 45ACP
I have a Rossi model 92 in 454 Casull/45LC.
I have shot wild boar and deer stateside with the rifle and hot 45LC loads pushing 255 grain hard cast lead bullets and they dropped like a bag of hammers.
I keep a Colt 45ACP pistol stored with relatives in PA but unfortunately PA doesn't allow semis for hunting either rifle or handgun so I didn't have the opportunity to try the handgun on hogs.
Every jurisdiction has its dumb laws.
I have shot wild boar and deer stateside with the rifle and hot 45LC loads pushing 255 grain hard cast lead bullets and they dropped like a bag of hammers.
I keep a Colt 45ACP pistol stored with relatives in PA but unfortunately PA doesn't allow semis for hunting either rifle or handgun so I didn't have the opportunity to try the handgun on hogs.
Every jurisdiction has its dumb laws.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Short answer...no. I believe there are a few carbines in 45ACP but they're still a lousy choice for big game. Maybe for close range coyotes or things like that but in reality you'll never get where you need to be with the ACP.
This exactly.... so puzzled by the insistance of using sub par cartridges for hunting..... why the attraction?
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
Maybe it's a cool rifle?? It has to be if he's so insistent on 45 acp.....
Its amazing people used too hunt with muskets, yet a hot 45 colt or acp is inadequate. If a medium load of unique in 44 will go through a deer end to end, i see no reason a 45 colt couldnt. Pole a hole in somethings lungs and its gonna die.
Been considering using my H&R Survivor on deer within 30m or so just because the 45 Colt is a nostalgic round, more challenging to have the deer come in close within the limits of the round and of course because I can. Of course both these cartridges have extreme limitations as deer rounds and one has to know these limitations.
A 45 Colt handload will kill the hell out of lots of critters.
The 45 ACP is pretty light even loaded as hot as possible and launched from a rifle. Then again, it's probably similar to a 44-40 and I know that used to get used often.
The 45 ACP is pretty light even loaded as hot as possible and launched from a rifle. Then again, it's probably similar to a 44-40 and I know that used to get used often.
