45 Colt Elk

[Big Bore]

I’m thinking seriously about ordering an FA 97 in 45 Colt with 7.5” barrel. I’d like to feel confident carrying it for elk out to 100ish yards. My assumption here is that I’d need to steer away from jacketed bullets, but I’m not 100% sure. If you have experience in this realm, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Bullet choice, load data (if comfortable sharing), etc. 

Thank you in advance. Also, I’m not interested in the model 83. 

Randy

[JCW64]

I think the 97 cylinder in 45 Colt may be too short for heavier cast bullets in the 300-350 grain range. It is something to consider if you plan on shooting these bullets. I don’t recall jacketed bullets being a factor in 97 models other than the same issue being length.

[contender]

I carried my El Dorado in 45 Colt for my 2019 elk hunting trip. I was using a Miha 280 grn cast solid hoping to get a chance. Other than that,, I can't help with info on jacketed slugs etc as most of my stuff is cast nowadays. But,, if I were to look at a jacketed bullet,, I'd choose a quality SP over a HP. As noted above,, look at the length.
Maybe a call to FA can get you a few answers.

[jfs]

Shot a bull at 90 yards with a factory loaded 260 partition from my FA`s 454. Thought I missed as no indication of a hit. Shot again and same thing happened when in reality the shots were 3" apart on the lungs. Then saw a slight stumble when guide said to keep shootin. Complete penetration... Good luck with your 97.................

[Fowler]

Jan 6, 2022 8:15:47 GMT -5 JCW64 said:

I think the 97 cylinder in 45 Colt may be too short for heavier cast bullets in the 300-350 grain range. It is something to consider if you plan on shooting these bullets. I don’t recall jacketed bullets being a factor in 97 models other than the same issue being length.

It will handle the heavier bullets but you are a little restricted on what bullets you use or you deep seat your bullets so they fit into they cylinder. A popular option is to crimp Keith style bullets over the front driving band, the SAA-270 bullet would be an excellent choice for the task at hand. The 97 is at least as strong as the Ruger Blackhawks are so plenty of power there if you can handle the recoil, the little guns can get pretty lively with heavy loads.

There are some jacketed bullets on the market as well that would fit in the cylinder as well.

[bushog]

I think a 265 Swift A-frame will fit.

[clintsfolly]

Killed a 1000 lbs Longhorn cow with a 45 Colt. Used a NOE 454-265 WFN over HS-6. About a 35yd shot. Hit ribs with 2 shots and found the bullets under the hide when we skinned it. First shot was no response and 2nd shot I saw blood come out of the first shot hole. Both lungs where a mess of goo!

[kooz]

Killed a bull a few years ago using .45 Colt . RCBS 255SWC (268gr actual weight) clip-on WW's, air cooled, 12BHN , blew right through him .

[Big Bore]

Great information everyone, Thanks! Definitely sounds doable from all the responses.

[sheriff]

Randy. I posted a pic and info of an elk I took in December with a 7.5" barreled Ruger Bisley model in .45 Colt using a home cast 270 gr SAA clone on the HHI forum. Had a complete pass through. Dick Thompson, Sixshot, used a similar load in Africa last year to take several head of African critters. It'll work....

[bradshaw]

Jan 6, 2022 7:42:28 GMT -5 Big Bore said:

I’m thinking seriously about ordering an FA 97 in 45 Colt with 7.5” barrel. I’d like to feel confident carrying it for elk out to 100ish yards. My assumption here is that I’d need to steer away from jacketed bullets, but I’m not 100% sure. If you have experience in this realm, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Bullet choice, load data (if comfortable sharing), etc. 

Thank you in advance. Also, I’m not interested in the model 83. 

Randy

*****

Randy.... devotees of the M-97 abound on Singleactions.

My experience is not so cheery. Deer camp, some years back, a hunting buddy hands me his Freedom Arms M-97 .45 Colt. Wants my take, as his shooting with the 97 deosn’t match his his several Model 83s. After a couple shots @ 25 yards, I lay back Creedmoor, for a go @ 100 yards. A handload .45 Colt of mine in the 97 slams my middle finger, frame & hammer lay notice at base of my thumb. I could not manage IN-GUN RECOIL.

A second point is not ergonomic but mechanical. Transfer bar lockwork of the 97 is not a copy of Bill Ruger’s heraldic New Model. Ruger’s New Model is designed to be safely carried with hammer-down on a loaded chamber. Freedom Arms specifically instructs carry of the 97 with empty chamber under hammer. Furthermore, you can dry fire a Ruger indefinitely.

Two days ago, I blasted aerial water jugs with the Blackhawk .357 Maximum, the original World Champion Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag, and the Ruger 03 .45 Colt with a cast 300 grain Truncated Cone over a jigger of Hercules 2400. Temperature 3-below ZERO Fahrenheit. Cold enough that a gallon milk jug of water set out a couple hours earlier was froze solid. Freezing cold weather amps felt recoil, reduces friction on grip. Increasing, at the same time, the snappy jab of recoil. Wearing insulated deerskin gloves, rubbed with a warm mix of mineral oil & beeswax, the .357 Maximum with factory grips recoils smooth as cream. The Super Blackhawk with factory grips revives memory in my middle finger. The Ruger 03 .45 Colt, with Ronnie Wells brass Bradshaw Bisley & Cocobolo scales, feels like a friendly handshake. (I do not like a 300 grain Truncated Cone .45 bullet, but it finds a home in busting ice.)

Shooting of aerial targets was done one-hand, . One-hand shooting a powerful revolver in a deep freeze tests the comfort of a revolver is a way warm weather cannot. I have not shot a 97 in freezing weather, yet harbor no optimism for the result.

The Freedom Arms Model 83 is as properly scaled for full-house .45 Colt as it is for Dick Casull's .454. I prize a .45 cylinder on a .454 Casull. For those leary of shooting .45 Colt in the .454 chamber, beaucoup power is available from deep seating in .454 Casull brass.

My inability to make music with the M-97 .45 Colt suggests it’s desirable to shoot-before-purchase a powerful revolver.
David Bradshaw

[Big Bore]

Appreciate the testimony David. I wish I could find someone around here that owned one. For now I’ll have to settle for my own 97 in 41 mag, which quickly became my favorite of all owned pistols. I’ve never adapted and bonded with a revolver like I have with this one. My only explanation is having small hands for a dude. Still, I get that a full strength 45 load has significant more recoil than a 41.

Knowing me I’ll roll the dice…

[KRal]

Jan 6, 2022 18:37:30 GMT -5 Big Bore said:

Appreciate the testimony David. I wish I could find someone around here that owned one. For now I’ll have to settle for my own 97 in 41 mag, which quickly became my favorite of all owned pistols. I’ve never adapted and bonded with a revolver like I have with this one. My only explanation is having small hands for a dude. Still, I get that a full strength 45 load has significant more recoil than a 41.

Knowing me I’ll roll the dice…

Randy, if we weren’t so fer apart, I’d be glad to let you pop some caps in my 45 M97. I have large hands, but have no issue with the M97 grip - nor the M83. I’m shooting 250xtp’s over 20.5 gr of 2400 in mine - snappy but manageable. I hope I’m never face with the decision, but my M97 45 colt will prolly be the last handgun to ever leave my safe - it’s a 5.5”.

[bigbrowndog]

Randy, after you sent me the text about your 97. I sat in my stand contemplating your idea of a larger caliber 97. My feeling is the 41 is as large as I’d prefer, it’s simply a small framed gun. I wouldnt hesitate to punch an elk with a properly loaded 41 mag though, a good 250-265 cast I think would do a good job. A self imposed range of 100yds shouldn’t be an issue.

Trapr

[sixshot]

I've taken 4 elk with the Ruger 45, 3 of them were with the 325 gr LBT bullet, the same one I used on the Cape Buffalo in Africa. Never recovered one & only took one shot each time. The other elk was taken with the 260 gr Keith, a bullet I've used a great deal but only the one elk. Same result, complete penetration with the one shot. I've shot a model 97 45 a little bit but never owned one, didn't really suit me compared to the model 83, but some guys don't like red heads either. I've also taken 2 elk with the 41 magnum, also in a Ruger. I think it's more about the bullet & where you put it than it is about the caliber. Except that, like David mentions, if it doesn't fit you & it's rapping your knuckles it's going to get your attention. Comfort with recoil cannot be ignored!

Dick