45acp backpacking loads ??

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usnrigger

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Me and my hunting buddy are gearing up to go elk hunting this next season. I was sitting down going over the loads for my Rigby, as we are going to hit the range up as weather is getting more like spring here. It hit me I might want to look at my pack pistol loads as well as I will be changing from a 357mag to a 625 3".

We don't have much worry with the black bears and mountain cats but they are present and I like not second guessing my load. Ive been looking at some of the standard heavier weight copper bullets made for 45LC (ie Barnes) as well as hard cast bullets in both standard and heavier weights. I keep going back in forth on loading a heavier load as well as copper vs hard cast. I picked up some 45 Auto Rim cases to make it easier to carry rounds loose and on holsters bandoleer, I will also have some acp brass in half moons.

Would like some input on what I should go with copper vs hardcast and standard acp weight vs heavier LC bullets. I also looked at the 265gr Swift A-Frame for the LC but it needs 900fps to correctly expand can I push them that fast safely out of a 3"? Ive never messed with loading heavies, but always knew I could.

Throw some ideas out, as I need to get bullets ordered for my Rigby to work up and would like to put these in the same order.

Thanks Guys
 
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True, but when im going to be 10-25 miles into wilderness areas, hunting out of a camp I wont have the rifle on me at all times. this is for when I don't have my rifle on me, or im doing camp activities ext... If I have my rifle on me and a situation is needed I would much rather put something down with a 350gr TTSX out of my 416 Rigby vs a 45acp, but being that far in id rather have a few extra pounds and a backup option.
 
Having a handgun with you while hunting isn't a bad idea. I have done it before, it just depends on the situation and what kind of game is around that wouldn't mind having me for lunch. It is not likely that you will have an issue, but I would rather be prepared than not. Besides, a scoped bolt action rifle is not exactly the best weapon to use vs a charging animal (I learned that while hunting pigs in Oklahoma, was able to make the shot, but really would have loved to have a handgun in my hands instead).

I do not believe that the copper or lead makes much of a difference, but between the two I would choose the lead. My only reason for this is when the bullet gets through the hair and hide it has a slightly better chance of deforming if it hits bone and causing more damage. More importantly, I think a fairly hot load with the heavy 250+ grain bullet is the way to go. I like the idea of heavier bullet for deeper penetration and it has a better chance of breaking through bone to do more damage on the other side than the lighter bullet.
 
A 45acp would never be my first choice for bears, but a 200gr WLFP. like the Lee, pushed along @ 1000fps, is going to do a lot of penetrating & the wide nose meplate will crush a lot of tissue. I don;t carry a handgun anymore when I hunt, but if I am backpacking meat, the extra weight & hassle of a rifle for security makes me carry a 3"-4" 44mag or heavy loaded 45colt 4 5/8" RBH.
 
I wouldn't choose one of my 45 ACPs for critter protection (unless it is 2 legged critters). But if you have no choice, load a 230 gr. truncated cone bullet for penetration. Push it as hard as you dare. At 45 ACP velocities, you need penetration rather than expansion...
 
usnrigger said:
.......................................... should go with copper vs hardcast and standard acp weight vs heavier LC bullets.
Click to expand...


you gotta go with LC bullets, copper just wouldn't be fashionable on a bandoleer:D

didn't the US Army choose the 45 acp back when the 38 special didn't cut it in the Philipines? and bears and such aren't jacked up on drugs
 
I carry a 1911 in colorado when I remember to bring one.The pushy mooses are more a concern than black bears or lions :-) Fishing near Yellowstone,I'll carry a 44 mag,but bear spray would be smarter.
 
When hunting with a rifle I see no need to carry a handgun for protection against anything but 2 legged animals so normal SD ammo is just fine in my case.
 
Can't believe all the negative advice against carrying a revolver while rifle hunting. Carry as many guns and bullets as you can physically get by with, in any situation. I am in the process of working up some loads for my 625 in 45acp for punching hogs on my deer lease. Been trying some 200 & 230 lead cast SWC and FP with great results. I keep reading that the heavier 250gr lead cast with Unique are good for hunting. Gonna try some shortly and I'll let you know my results. Good luck on your hunt.
 
usnrigger said:
It hit me I might want to look at my pack pistol loads as well as I will be changing from a 357mag to a 625 3".

We don't have much worry with the black bears and mountain cats but they are present and I like not second guessing my load.
Click to expand...


My question is why the change from the .357 to .45ACP? Do you still have the .357 and if so, why is it you prefer the .45ACP over it when looking at bear protection?
 
littlebass said:
Can't believe all the negative advice against carrying a revolver while rifle hunting. Carry as many guns and bullets as you can physically get by with, in any situation. I am in the process of working up some loads for my 625 in 45acp for punching hogs on my deer lease. Been trying some 200 & 230 lead cast SWC and FP with great results. I keep reading that the heavier 250gr lead cast with Unique are good for hunting. Gonna try some shortly and I'll let you know my results. Good luck on your hunt.
Click to expand...

It's not that we are being negative, just practical. Toting another 203# when you are already carry other gear, no need unless it just makes you feel good. The idea of carry a handgun as backup to a rifle while hunting just makes so little sense.
 
The 45acp is not a hotrod . If you want a hotrod then a 44 mag is in order .
Or a 45 colt in something like a Redhawk or a Super Blackhawk .
Nothing negative just facts .
 
While a rifle is good, a handgun can serve a useful purpose.
I would recommend any carried handgun deliver at least 700 lb-ft of KE and worth back from there.
 
I'd say the 44 Mag is about the minimum for bears. If I had to use the 45ACP/AR I'd go with 452423 and as much velocity as I could get.
 
Just a quick question to OP. If you are man enough and in that good of shape to pack a "416 Rigby" 10-25 miles and all you are hunting is elk then why worry how much your .357 weighs? Load it with some 180gr buffalo bore and I promise any predator that have or ever will live near elk habitat wont have a chance after a couple of hits.
 
Well, I just ordered some Rim Rock 255gr Hard Cast SWC. I have the 45AR brass all worked up, just need to find some powder and I should be set to do some range testing.

I don't mind the feedback plus (or) negative. I like carrying a pistol in the field, do I believe I will ever need to put a bead on a bear, mountain cat or ext... probably not. I will not have a rifle on me 24hrs a day and I side on the "when you don't have it and need it" coin. yes I will be packing in a custom Ruger No.1 in 416 Rigby I just put together, but to be honest most guys rifles weight just as much, if not more as I don't like big optics and run 1-4x or 2-8x32/36mm. I have 2.5-8x36mm Leupold Vari X III ring'd up right now.

I don't have 357 currently with me here in Colorado, I have 38's, 9mm, 22lr and more 45acps. I like diameter and bullet weight over bullet speed. 6 rounds of hard cast loaded up right should be good. Ill try and post some range reports up with findings and what I decide on.

Maybe ill run the numbers on Taylors Scale
 
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Groo here
I have a 625-3in also.
For you load, 250ish hard cast swc in your AR brass.
Load to close to 45colt speeds ,you will not quite get there with a 3 in but close is ok.
Carry in revolver and some to replace the 1 or 2 you might use.
In the half or full moon clips ,hot fmj's like underwood.
For 2 legged verman,or if you run out of the AR load.
The 45 colt was known to shoot through horses sideways and hit the
"Feathered Fellow" on the other side.
A similar load from your 625 will do same same.
As to a backup gun when hunting.
When at Thunder Ranch one year, our instructor was one of the men
who "Wrote the Book" for the oil companies when the pipeline was built.
He said tiy should have a rifle or shotgun and a large bore handgun.
The handgun was for those times when you could not carry a rifle or
just left it out of reach.
They were not for you to protect your self ,but to help your partner.
Animals are fast [ bears are faster than a horse over a short distance]
and the gun was to shoot the bear off your friend.
The handgun to shoot said bear in the ear.
Or if in your bed to shoot said bear under chin, in ear or eye, or in open mouth,as he dragged you out of the tent.
You will not be under gunned if you target the correct places.
 
Thanks for the input. I also was reading one of P.H Chapstick's books last night and he had a passage about how he wish the Govt. were he was hunting allowed handguns. Ive read a few of his books and i believe this is not the first time ive come across this type of phrasing in his writting.

I was figuring about the same. 6 AR rounds in the gun, 6 AR extra in the bandolier and a set of half moons to make 18rds total. I like the AR in the field as i can replace 1 or 2 rounds easier then stripping moons in the field, downside moons are a faster reload. I will have a set on me for that reason.

I agree in the well placed shot. If Bell can drop elephants with a 7mm, i think 6 45's will be able to stop or turn anything i come into if placed with some regulation

I ordered some 255gr SWC from Rim Rock they provide Buffalo Bore with bullets. Im now just hunting down some Unique, AA#5 or some 231 to get some loads going.
 
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You might consider the 240 JHC Sierra, here is the highest of my tests with it...
Cal Gun bbl b.Gr b.Type Brand pType pGR OAL Primer Case Avg. FPS

45 acp XD-45 Tac 5" 240 JHC Sierra Sportsmaster .Herco 7.4 1.21 Win Nickle Aguila 968 fps with 500# energy which is generally less than a 240gr 44 mag from a 4" bbl
 
A 200 LSWC with a nice charge of WSF would be in my 1911 if I got back into searching for alpine trout.
 
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