.45 colt single action 6 shooter for bear, thoughts?

[TwoSixFourWins]

For hot loads in 45 colt I load a 300gr Hornady xtp mag at about 1200-1300 fps. It has good penetration and more energy than all but the hottest 44mag handloads. I shoot a blackhawk.

[Encore 280]

Just to be on the safe side with that ol Colt and any single action I spose, you want to have the hammer down on an empty hole. That leaves you with 5 rounds, 4 for the bear and 1 for you when things get really ugly.

[saylean]

Just to be on the safe side with that ol Colt and any single action I spose, you want to have the hammer down on an empty hole. That leaves you with 5 rounds, 4 for the bear and 1 for you when things get really ugly.

Ive read that too, having the hammer down on the empty. Thanks for the tips~

[75johndeere]

this thread got me thinking and i think im going to try and take my spring bear with the 44 mag or the 50 s&w (sorry to hijack just hella excited that i finally drew my first spring tag

[Rufous]

If your Ruger is a newer one then you can safely carry it fully loaded. You need to determine if it has the transfer bar safety. If so then you can carry with all 6.

[Encore 280]

It looked like a Colt emblem on the grips in the picture so that's why I brought up the hammer down on an empty hole. Even with the Ruger transfer bar I would still have the hammer on an empty one. If that transfer bar failed, I would sure hate to have a hole in my foot or leg from a 45 Colt. Any other round would be bad enough.

[Rufous]

Saylean, is it a Ruger or Colt or You definately need to figure out if it is safe to carry 6- if not load 5 and have hammer down on empty chamber as suggested. I am pretty sure that with the Ruger transfer bar it is perfectly safe to carry 6. If it is a Colt you will need to stick to weaker loads because they are not as strongly built as the Ruger. Would you be reloading or using factory ammo?

[Encore 280]

Another thing about the picture is that it's a 3 screw and they don't have the transfer bar. I have 8 Rugers and only 3 of them are the 3 screw Blackhawk 357's and one of the older single sixes the rest have the transfer bars.

[high country]

I suggest the same bullet rufous uses. I have sent that same bullet on some long trips through critters. A fat meplatted hardcast may not produce instant bang flops of explosive bullets that hit just right.....but they NEVER fail....and penetrate for days.

[superdown]

The gun in the picture is a Colt New Frontier.

[saylean]

The gun in the picture is a Colt New Frontier.

Correct. Thanks all for the advise. I was hoping for some action with it this spring...but I guess I will have to use the camera till aug/sept!

[Encore 280]

You can always go out and practice with it and get it dialed in, that's always fun.

[saylean]

You can always go out and practice with it and get it dialed in, that's always fun.

Totally intend on it.

[Rufous]

With that gun not being as strong as the Rugers I would suggest a lighter weight bullet than what I have been using. Perhaps a Keith style bullet weighing 270 to 290 grains. Let me know if you would like load details.

[Sideswipe]

Good read Rufus & good luck!