First hog with FA M97 45 colt

[Big Bore]

This is my second M97 and my first custom ordered gun. The M97 fits me perfectly and can see more calibers in my future. 

That being said, finding a jacketed bullet to fit the cylinder length has been a challenge outside of the standard 250 XTP. This bullet fits and shoots very accurately out of this gun, and no doubt is more than enough for our over-sized jackrabbits that we call deer here in Texas. However…our hogs can get pretty hefty and I really wanted a tougher bullet for these critters. 

So I decided to try the 240 XTP magnum, but as I expected, the combo was too long. Ultimately I trimmed the brass down by .03 and this made the combo exactly 1.6” while still being able to be crimped in the cannelure. I also reduced the book loads I found on 2400 by the same percentage and started working up a load. I’m not going to quote my chronograph speeds from it because I truly believe my chronograph is ‘off’. The readings were faster than I expected but after checking all the usual areas for stress signs, and seeing no reason for concern, I settled on a load and went hunting. 

Yesterday morning this 125#ish boar came in to my area and was quartering away from me at about 45-50 yards. The second he paused his walk, I settled the red dot on the opposite shoulder and sent one to meet him. Even with ear protection on I could hear the meat slap at the shot. I saw the hog run in a small circle, pass to my right, and then I lost visibility of him in the brush. After waiting about 20 minutes, I headed down to the impact site and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There was a very impressive blood trail starting right where he stood and ridiculous amounts of blood along the 40 yard recovery. 

Ultimately the bullet made a complete pass through so I wasn’t able to examine it afterwards, but judging from the blood I’m really confident this bullet expanded nicely. 

[leftysixgun]

Congrats Big Bore, hogs with a sixgun is just plain fun!

[45MAN]

RANDY QUESTION: THE CHAMBERS ON SEVERAL 45 COLT MODEL 83 45 COLT CYLINDERS THAT I HAVE ARE VERY LOOSE. WAS WONDERING IF THE SMALLER SIZED MODEL 97 45 COLT CHAMBERS WERE TIGHT, LOOSE OR WHAT?

[Big Bore]

Apr 9, 2023 8:02:57 GMT -5 45MAN said:

RANDY QUESTION: THE CHAMBERS ON SEVERAL 45 COLT MODEL 83 45 COLT CYLINDERS THAT I HAVE ARE VERY LOOSE. WAS WONDERING IF THE SMALLER SIZED MODEL 97 45 COLT CHAMBERS WERE TIGHT, LOOSE OR WHAT?

Rey, I don’t have a way to measure them but they feel snug to me.

[seminolewind]

Great writeup Randy with excellent photography as usual. I hope you'll give us a comparison of your FA 45 Colt vs 41 Magnum after you have hunted with them both for a while.

I agree with you about 97s being excellent hunting revolvers. They are just the right size for me, and their overall excellent fitting allows them to be loaded to punch above their weight class. I'm getting a 357 Magnum ready to hunt with this year and have great confidence in it so far.

[contender]

Excellent write-up & kudos on a successful hunt.

Since you are handloading,, I'd offer a POLITE comment about bullet sizes. Why not use a cast & powder coated slug? Many of us here enjoy them for serious hunting. No brass trimming & they have proven to be an excellent choice for most applications. Just asking politely.

[Big Bore]

Apr 9, 2023 10:02:47 GMT -5 contender said:

Excellent write-up & kudos on a successful hunt.

Since you are handloading,, I'd offer a POLITE comment about bullet sizes. Why not use a cast & powder coated slug? Many of us here enjoy them for serious hunting. No brass trimming & they have proven to be an excellent choice for most applications. Just asking politely.

Great feedback. And I’ve actually already worked up a really solid load using a 265 WFNGC. Super accurate and you are correct on not needing to trim. If I get drawn for elk this fall, this is the combo I’m taking. And I’m definitely not opposed to using it on my Texas lease either. The search for a good jacketed load is merely an attempt to get 44 mag ballistics from the M97 with a strong jacketed bullet. I like options and I like tinkering. Appreciate the response. 

[bigbrowndog]

If you want to try and catch a bullet on a 100-150 pounder, try shooting it almost lengthwise, impact just in front of the shoulder and bullet should wind up in offside ham. When I don’t have 200+ pounders to shoot but want to check terminal performance it’s a spot to aim for. If the bullet exits you know you’ve got excellent penetration, and checking destruction along the way tells you how it can perform. 20-24” of penetration is about the most I’ve gotten from a standard JHP/JSP fired from a 41/44/45 of normal flavor. Nicely done buddy.

Trapr

[sixshot]

Randy, nice job of making that load work so you could use the crimp groove & also I like your set up with the red dot, well done all around! Good shooting buddy on that big old Callshot looking hog! I give you a #9, only because you didn't give more photo's!!

Dick

[KRal]

Well done, as usual, Randy! I may have to get some cast load data from you once you get it settled in. I’ve only tried one cast load in mine and it didn’t do what was expected of a freedom arms and I jumped straight to jacked. I settled on a 260 partition load I got from Ken O’Neill and the 250 xtp load you’re using - both extremely accurate in my M97.

[hampton]

Congrats Randy!  Nice job as always.  That FA is treating you right.

[Encore64]

Excellent Hog...

Excellent Gun...

Excellent Write Up...

As I've posted before, the FA97 is my favorite revolver. For a long time, the 44 Special won hands down.

But, then I discovered 45 Schofield would chamber in my earlier model FA97 45 Colt. So, I sent the second gun (cylinder) off to have the rim recesses opened up. The 45 ACP Cylinder was also open up for 45 Auto Rim. Now, it's impossible to choose between the two chamberings.

Your solution of trimming 45 Colt cases work just as well.

I'm following this one closely...

[lar4570]

Nice shootin, and thanks for the story and pics

[Big Bore]

Thanks everyone.

[bula]

I definitely prefer feedback or stories backed by a gut pile. Thanks !