45lc for hogs

[rick savage]

looking for a better load for my 45lc pistol for hogs, 98% of shots are point blank. been useing cowboy factory loads, i need a little more exspansion without losing penetration. do not want to blow clean thru hogs, we hunt with dogs

[Rocky Raab]

Rick, I would avoid any JHP load because you simply will not get enough penetration with them. I don't know if there are any factory Jacketed Soft Point loads (from your post I assume you use factory ammo).

You're kind of stuck with factory stuff, though. The cowboy loads and the regular Rem and WW stuff is pretty mild, and loaded with very soft lead besides.

At the other end of the spectrum are the hunting loads by Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bullets and others. Those are all hell for stout and loaded to the max. There simply isn't much in between.

The best route would be to get some reloading friend to brew you up some decent loads with hard cast SWC lead bullets, running at about 900 fps. Those wouldn't over-penetrate but would do the job nicely.

[rick savage]

thanks for the info, like to stay with factory loads but mat have to go another route

[PJgunner]

It would help to know what type of revolver you are shooting. What would be a good stiff load in a Ruger, for example would make a Colt or Colt clone into a potential hand grenade.
Regardless of the pistol, my choice of bullet would be a 260 gr. Keith style semiwadcutter fairly hard cast bullet.
Paul B.

[BILLY D.]

i agree with paul and rocky. a 255 or heavier wadcutter whizzing along at 900-1200 fps would be my choice. i use hogdons universal clays in my loads and oregon trail bullets. they will take out shoulder bones and put a hog down.

the 255wc also makes a good whitetail load out to 150 yds.

as paul said, don't use those loads in anything but a bh or similar configuration handguns.

i had some friends who tested oregon trails 300gr fp on a dead hereford and busted both front shoulders at 25 yds. good performance in my book.

[GoodOlBoy]

unfortunantly I have to disagree. I have found that typically the modern keith bullets are not performing as accurately in my carbine or blackhawk. Instead I am haveing the best luck with Laser-cast 250gr RNFP running about 990fps out of my Blackhawk. Those same loads will drive nails at 75 yards in the carbine on a bad day. HOWSOMEVER they are ONLY safe in FULL SIZED Rugers, Freedom Arms, Moderm Marlins, etc. BTW this load will fully penetrate a medium sized hog lengthwise.

GoodOlBoy

[Rocky Raab]

Well, again...the OP wants to stick with factory loads if possible.

If you prowl the aisles of gun shows, you might be able to find commercially loaded 45 LC ammo holding cast bullets. All of those will be loaded to be safe in any revolver that's safe to shoot - Colts included. If you ask, they'll be chronoed at about 850-900 fps, which is plenty. These will be loaded by smaller companies (HSM is an example) but they do test and load to SAAMI standards.

[BILLY D.]

Originally posted by Rocky Raab
Well, again...the OP wants to stick with factory loads if possible.

If you prowl the aisles of gun shows, you might be able to find commercially loaded 45 LC ammo holding cast bullets. All of those will be loaded to be safe in any revolver that's safe to shoot - Colts included. If you ask, they'll be chronoed at about 850-900 fps, which is plenty. These will be loaded by smaller companies (HSM is an example) but they do test and load to SAAMI standards.

rocky

razzlefrats, sorry i missed that one little detail.

[rick savage]

useing a va. dragoon 5and 3/4 in barrel

[quigleysharps4570]

www.grafs.com has quite a selection to choose from. Hope you find something that will fill your needs.