Who has killed a deer with 45lc

I've shot a three Deer with the 45lc, but all were from a blind along a known Deer trail, and none of the shots were over 50 yds.

I had a Winchester Mod 92 chambered for the cartridge at the time, with a 20 inch bbl.

If you want the 45lc to behave like a 44 magnum, you have to load it to the same specs. Yes, it is safe out of rifles like the Model 92 and your TC single shot.

If you're shooting factory ammunition, intended to be shot in weaker framed hand guns, then IMHO, it's borderline ethical at best.

Even if it's loaded to it's full potential, in stronger firearms, you need to use some discretion.

I quit using that lovely little Model 92, after shooting the third Deer.

The bullet penetrated both lungs, and she was about 45 yards away, but the bullet didn't exit the other side, as happened with the previous two animals. That Doe took off and didn't start blowing blood for at least 100yds.

Good thing she panicked and ran on the familiar path, instead of through the brush on both sides. She piled up appx 200 yds from where she was shot.

There was no blood from the entrance wound, all of it was blown out her mouth and nose from her lungs.

I had a similar experience with the 44 magnum the next fall, now I prefer to use something that has more energy and better sectional density/penetration.

I've spoken with others about this and it's not an uncommon story.

If it's all you've got to hunt with, use stout loads and be careful to get good bullet placement.
 
I have shot 8 deer with my Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt, all in southern Michigan during the straight-wall cartridge season. I called up Henry and they told me that for my gun is it OK to use 45 Colt +P ammunition, so I have been using the T/C section in my reloading manual (yes, I know I am responsible for all of my handloads in my firearm).

Using the 250 gr Hornady XTP I have taken deer 1-shot up to 90 yards. I use Starline brass and Alliant 2400 powder as per my reloading manuals for T/C.

YMMV
 
You can hand load the 45lc for better ballistics than the 44 mag. Wouldn't be an issue out to 100m.

I use the .452" (45cal) muzzle loader solid copper tips to load for my 450 BM with great success. Set up to use them out to 350m.

Could always go solid cast and push them a bit harder in the 45lc. Your in the single shot, so running them hotter should be fine.
 
I have killed a buck and two does with my marlin in 45lc, all under 100 yds. All of them fell on the spot. Two of them were perfect heart shots, absolutely destroying the heart no meat left to eat at all. The other one was a neck shot. I use XTP mags over a max load of H110. If you are comfortable with the rifle there is nothing wrong with 45lc. It can be and quite often is in my world loaded to beat 44mag. There is lots of supporting information to back this up if you go looking for it.
 
wallz said:
You can hand load the 45lc for better ballistics than the 44 mag. Wouldn't be an issue out to 100m.

I use the .452" (45cal) muzzle loader solid copper tips to load for my 450 BM with great success. Set up to use them out to 350m.

Could always go solid cast and push them a bit harder in the 45lc. Your in the single shot, so running them hotter should be fine.
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I have had no luck using solid copper in my marlin. Just terrible grouping. Good to know someone is having success.
 
I've used the 44-40 on deer, and one black bear. Don't expect a lot of expansion is what i learned from my experience. In both cases, the animals died fast, as is normal with lung shots. Starting diameter remember is about what a lot of expanded bullets end up with. The recovered bullet (offside in the bear) had little if any expansion. That was a Winchester bulk bullet. Not sure if they are still available. All the animals I have shot with it, were under 50 yards. Lead would be a big issue on moving game at any distance further than that. Try it on a gong. boom...... ring. There is a definite pause between the two.
 
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