45 Colt 255gr SWC for Deer

[BigBORR]

Anyone here have success with Deer using 45 Colt 255gr SWC?  It chronographs out of my Ruger Blackhawk 7.5" at 1025fps.  Should I use XTP instead?  My range is within 50 yards.  My concern is whether or not a hollow point will be needed.  I don't know if the SWC will cause quick human kill.

[500fksjr]

It should work well on deer...I have used the same on a cow elk and a 800 pound bison cow! fwiw

[starmetal47]

You might want a 45 Colt hollow point from MP moulds that one of our residents here, booletdesigner, designed. I got one and love it.

[leftysixgun]

The SWC will do the job for sure, I did it with a 44spl and a H&G 503 clone. In hind sight I wish I had a HP or atleast something that would mushroom.

[contender]

That bullet should be just fine for deer. MANY, MANY critters have fallen to one of those types of bullets in a .45 Colt.

[45MAN]

I USED A 260gr SWC DOING ABOUT THE SAME FPS OUT OF A S&W REVOLVER TO SHOOT AN AOUDAD EWE AT 65 OR SO YARDS. I DID NOT WEIGH THE EWE BUT IT WAS PROBABLY IN THE 100 -130lbs LIVE WEIGHT RANGE. I BASICALLY DEAD CENTERED HER THRU THE SHOULDERS (BULLET EXITED), SHE RAN 35 YARDS STRAIGT'AWAY FROM ME, STOPPED, WOBBLED A BIT AND FELL OVER DEAD.

[jack]

Them big old SWC bullets in all the assorted calibers have been killing nicely for a long time and will continue to do so for a long time to come That 45 cal will bleed a deer size critter out nicely and quickly, I have done so first hand with it at 900 fps, 1150 fps and 1425 fps. Hole in hole out, air in blood out. Dead critter. Lots of concern and worry floating about regarding bullets for mediumish game, but I could and would very happily use SWC bullets in various cartridges for 99% of all the hunting I have left to do in my life and not think twice. I do not have to: I have other molds, and I see more experiments and new bullet tests in my future god willing, but the SWC slugs would serve VERY nicely on most things and I would not feel cheated or handicapped in anyway. If you have the 255's and they are shooting well, and you are comfortable with how YOU are shooting them, then forge ahead. Place your shot well and you will be on the backstraps and eggs in no time!

[bisleyfan41]

The 454424 at 900 fps works just fine for me on deer. I guess you could look for a hp design; don't know if it'd kill any better.

[magnum314]

Oct 7, 2022 17:37:45 GMT -5 500fksjr said:

It should work well on deer...I have used the same on a cow elk and a 800 pound bison cow! fwiw

Yup, this.


While I haven't had the opportunity to take an elk of any size, I have taken more than my share of deer with this or similar with absolutely no issue at all. Actually, I rarely use JHP except for work and EDC. Sure, while it isn't a 44 mag,.454, or whatever (and I love those too) they are not needed for deer. Its like trying to reach 400fps with a compound bow thinking its needed, when for deer, 200+fps is actually completely fine and humane! I mean, even Easton states that 170 fps (given the right combo of blades, weight, etc.) are sufficient for harvesting deer. Kind of along those lines. 

Now I am NOT saying that the same applies when varying further distances are in play (as in my archery example)...but for what you stated...you're fine.

[BigBORR]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I shoot thousands of that particular load per year and am quite comfortable hitting within 50 yards. Gonna give it a go.

[johnnyjr73]

Make your cast bullets soft. Like a bhn of 9/11. They expand a lot better at slower velocity. Good luck.

[sixshot]

I've taken many deer, elk, antelope & one bear using that bullet over the last 50 years & it always works. Mostly I've used 18.5 grs of 2400 but I've taken several deer with 9.0 grs of Unique & always gotten exits. Those big bullets are hard to stop once they come out of the starting gate. The Miha HP works great as well and I've been using it the last several years powder coated on deer & one antelope. Mule deer, here in Idaho & Utah & Montana white tails hate it.
As I've said before, always shoot your bullets as soft as you can & still maintain accuracy, you will still get exits.

Dick

[pws]

Oct 9, 2022 10:12:53 GMT -5 BigBORR said:

….I shoot thousands of that particular load per year and am quite comfortable hitting within 50 yards…

There’s your answer right there. Don’t expect a bang-flop but if you put that slug where it should go, any deer will deflate PDQ and probably leave a “Ray Charles” blood trail.

[clintsfolly]

Used a 265 WFN at 900 last year and the deer didn’t go any further then one shoot with my 458AccRel ……

[reflex264]

They work fine. That is plenty of velocity with that bullet.