Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: timberghost72 on March 14, 2011, 07:36:26 PM

Title: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: timberghost72 on March 14, 2011, 07:36:26 PM: I was thinking of buying a Ruger single action in .45 colt as a sidearm during hunting and some backpacking. I currently carry a Kimber .45 ACP hiking and hunting but also I sometimes carry my Ruger Blackhawk .357 hunting. I was looking at the Blackhawk convertable that has the .45 colt and ACP cylinders so I thought that would be a good choice but I like the Vaquero also which doesn't have .45 ACP cylinder. Buffalo Bore carries some ammo in .45 colt that has some pretty big balistic numbers which I may use.

So the question is: Is the .45 colt a good caliber for a protection sidearm out in the woods, either with standard ammo or the Buffalo Bore ammo?

Question 2 if anyone knows: Can the Ruger Vaquero handle the hot loads like Buffalo Bore or should I stick with the Blackhawk?

I am looking at the 5 1/2 inch barrel models

Thanks
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 14, 2011, 07:53:50 PM: I think it is a good self defense from people round. I have a super redhawk that is .454/.45 Colt. I prefer the .454 for defense from big mean animals, but when in human situations like to switch over to .45 Colt. If loaded right, it is a powerful cartridge. I would prefer double action, but single action .45 Colts basically ruled the Old West. Many gunfighters are taking dirt naps courtesy of Sam Colt's revolvers.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: GlennGTR on March 14, 2011, 07:54:37 PM: The new Vaqueros can not handle the pressure. Good news is that unless your hunting or worried about grizzlys you dont need the plus p plus loading. A good hard cast 240 grain going 900-1000 fps is plenty potent.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: timberghost72 on March 14, 2011, 08:01:50 PM: Yes this is for carrying all around Washington. I thought about a .44 mag and other large calibers but for around here my thinking is that is more than enough which is why I was looking at the .45 colt. And yes this is geared more for the 4 legged predators as every gun I own now is sufficient for the 2 legged ones.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: huntinhick on March 14, 2011, 09:02:47 PM: I have a s&w mountain gun is 45LC that I love. Its not recommended to shoot hot loads through it so I use a load from John Linebaugh with a cast 260 grain bullet he is saying that you can get 22" of penatration he has loads for the 260 and the 310 cast bullets and I don't feel under gunned at all with it.

carl
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: high country on March 14, 2011, 09:13:45 PM: I carried one loaded with 365 gr hardcast bullets. I am still alive!
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: timberghost72 on March 14, 2011, 09:27:31 PM: Quote from: high country on March 14, 2011, 09:13:45 PM
I carried one loaded with 365 gr hardcast bullets. I am still alive!

You can't leave it at that :chuckle: Need a story to go with it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on March 14, 2011, 10:47:56 PM: Most threads I have read recommend at least a .41 Mag for stopping Black Bears. After being almost run over by a bull moose in Idaho last Fall, I am of the opinion that a person should carrry the biggest caliber that they are comfortable hiking with. I have a .44 Mag Ruger Black Hawk with a 4 5/8 barrel and would not want to carry anything heavier in the mountains. :twocents:
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2011, 09:06:32 AM: Quote from: Phantom Gobbler on March 14, 2011, 10:47:56 PM
Most threads I have read recommend at least a .41 Mag for stopping Black Bears. After being almost run over by a bull moose in Idaho last Fall, I am of the opinion that a person should carrry the biggest caliber that they are comfortable hiking with. I have a .44 Mag Ruger Black Hawk with a 4 5/8 barrel and would not want to carry anything heavier in the mountains. :twocents:

Thats why I am looking at the Buffalo Bore Heavy .45LC+P. The balistics rival the .44 at 325 grain L.B.T.-L.F.N. 1325 fps 1267 ft lbs. :yike: with the option of using the .45 acp for target practice on the Blackhawk Convertable . I think I am talking myself into this gun. Now I need the money :chuckle:
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: thinkingman on March 15, 2011, 09:11:06 AM: I can't comment on the Vaquero, but I do have a box of Buffalo Bore 45ACP +p hardcast....think its 255 grain.
They're for sale..full box, found out my revo isn't rated for +p.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: Jason on March 15, 2011, 09:39:26 AM: Quote from: timberghost72 on March 15, 2011, 09:06:32 AM
Quote from: Phantom Gobbler on March 14, 2011, 10:47:56 PM
Most threads I have read recommend at least a .41 Mag for stopping Black Bears. After being almost run over by a bull moose in Idaho last Fall, I am of the opinion that a person should carrry the biggest caliber that they are comfortable hiking with. I have a .44 Mag Ruger Black Hawk with a 4 5/8 barrel and would not want to carry anything heavier in the mountains. :twocents:

Thats why I am looking at the Buffalo Bore Heavy .45+P. The balistics rival the .44 at 325 grain L.B.T.-L.F.N. 1325 fps 1267 ft lbs. :yike: with the option of using the .45 acp for target practice on the Blackhawk Convertable . I think I am talking myself into this gun. Now I need the money :chuckle:
There's no comparison between the 45acp and the 44mag, copied these from Buffalo Bores website.
I copied the low recoil 44mag just to make the 45acp not look so bad.

.45 ACP +P Ammo - 255 gr. Hard Cast FN 925 fps/M.E. 484 ft. lbs. - 20 Round Box, (heaviest bullet from Buffalo Broe for 45ACP)

Lower Recoil .44 Magnum Ammo - 255 gr. Keith - G.C. 1,350 fps/M.E. 1,032 ft.lbs.

Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Ammo - 340 gr. L.F.N. - G.C. 1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.

Heavy .44 Magnum Ammo - 270 gr. J.F.N. 1,450 fps/M.E. 1,260 ft. lbs.

Heavy 45 Colt +P Ammo - 260 gr. J.H.P. 1,450 fps/M.E. 1,214 ft. lbs. 20 Round Box (45colt has good speed and power)
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2011, 09:45:25 AM: I wasn't comparing the .45 ACP to the .44 mag. My numbers are straight from the Buffalo Bore site also and am comparing the .45LC heavy +P to the .44 mag. average load.
Of course a .44 +p will be more than a .45 LC+P

I am using the .45ACP for target practice
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: Jason on March 15, 2011, 09:53:04 AM: Gotcha.. I went back and read it again.

Buffalo Bore has some serious rounds for the 45colt, its definitely is a contender.
Title: Re: Thoughts on .45 colts
Post by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2011, 10:00:30 AM: That is why I am looking at that round. I know a .44 mag and .41 mag get bigger numbers with heavier bullets and no doubt can handle any big game in Washington but looking at the .45LC it seems that it would be plenty of gun for around here and also versatile with lighter load and being able to have a cylinder for the .45 ACP. I was thinking about weight also but for these two options I think is a moot point. Both are heavy. I had a typo in a previous post that may have added to some confusion. Went back and corrected it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 15, 2011, 10:10:51 AM: I love the .45 LC. I have loaded some pretty hot rounds out of my Blackhawk. Only thing I don't like about my Blackhawk is the 7.5" barrel. I'd love to trade down sometime. Definitely stick with the shorter barrel as the 7.5" is a little unwieldy and top heavy.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: jdb on March 15, 2011, 06:15:37 PM: imho you are picking the last word in a handgun. it does so many things so well I really cant believe that everyone dosent own one. it hits as hard as the .44 mag. if you want it to, and it does it in a lighter gun. no its not a double action but I highly doubt that the rapid fire capabilities of a double action would do much good in a heavy recoiling gun. personaly I would load it w/ a good cast bullet loaded to about 900 fps shoot the hell out of it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: jdb on March 15, 2011, 06:30:18 PM: now after all that I will tell you that my personal b-hawk has the 7 1/2" barrel but the shorted barrel will be the next handgun I buy
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: high country on March 15, 2011, 07:10:23 PM: Having a gun you are deadly accurate with is more important then the size of bullet you missed with. I carry a 45acp often, I know the gun and me very well. I may not bore a tunnel clear through a bull moose....but I could turn his head into a canoe.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2011, 07:27:56 PM: Quote from: high country on March 15, 2011, 07:10:23 PM
Having a gun you are deadly accurate with is more important then the size of bullet you missed with. I carry a 45acp often, I know the gun and me very well. I may not bore a tunnel clear through a bull moose....but I could turn his head into a canoe.

Thats another reason I am leaning towards another revolver. I own several 1911's in .45ACP and can shoot fairly well with them but I am finding out that I am much better with a revolver. I also like the single actions better than the double actions.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on March 15, 2011, 07:39:15 PM: Here's an opinion from another thread:

"Lots of factory ammo available for both. I'd rather shoot the .45 colt due to felt recoil. The .44 Magnum has a bit of punch. .44 Magnum ammo is a little easier to find, and a little cheaper. I love the .44 Magnum. Great all around cartridge for self defense, hunting, target practice, etc. You can also shoot the .44 Special load for target out of the .44 Mag."

I personally think both rounds are great. .44 Mag may have the edge if you are headed north or are in Moose country (which are becoming more common in many places in Washington State). :dunno:
Title: Re: Thoughts on the .45LC
Post by: dad98684 on March 16, 2011, 10:05:29 AM: i have a 45 blackhawk convertable 7 /12" barrel. i carry it during deer and elk season with some lc p+ home loads for hunting, and load up a ton of 45acp for plinking. i don't think you can go wrong. :twocents: