.44 Special & .45 Colt for large game
I have seen a number of posts in various threads which state that a .44 Special or .45 Colt that uses 240-255 grain Keith style semi-wadcutter travelling at 900-1000 feet per second is a match for any animal in the lower 48 states. However, I haven't found a thread that discusses this exclusively, so I am starting this thread because I would like to hear more about it.
Here are some individual posts about this taken from different threads on this board that mention this topic:
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Wayne Dobbs
Quite frankly, all that extra velocity does is increase recoil, increase gun wear and inconsequentially flatten trajectory. Any of the large meplat .44 caliber full weight bullets will work just fine at 900 fps and are a lot easier to manage at that level. I'd be shocked if you ever recover even a 900 fps bullet from anything elk size down that's shot from side to side. I've used .44 and .45 SWCs a 875-900 fps to shoot lengthwise through enough deer to know that's a hopeless pursuit. Those big bullets knock a good hole all the way through the critter...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lost River
I would be good with either but most comfortable with the big heavy 250s.
I have zero doubt that both would get complete penetration on a skull. Everywhere else is the question. I know that the 250s essentially duplicate the old .45 Colt load, and that was/is a load that has an incredibly long and established history of killing all manner of beasts from big bears to horses (and their riders) to buffalo (Bison). Pretty much anything that walked was taken by the .45 Colt and a heavy slug at moderate speeds.
I know I have killed a good amount of things with a 1911 and heavy slugs to include multiple elk.
The majority of people when they think .45 ACP, think a 230 grain at 750-800 fps. They have no idea about what it can really do when loaded to its potential.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jandbj
John Linebaugh (RIP) shared that opinion and proved it repeatedly. All one gains from his massive bore guns was more penetration and the ability to use larger and heavier slugs. Elmer Keith, Ross Seyfried, John Taffin and others as well have tried all the hot rods but 250 @1000 will kill anything that walks the continent with proper placement and bullet selection.