Bear Guns....Again

[Cyrano]

April 2013 issue of The Handloader has a good article about bear hunting with a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt. Black bear (cinnamon colored) was DRT at first shot, but kid emptied the revolver into him anyway. Penetration and wounds were impressive. The loading table has loads to 23,000 PSI, OK for a new N Frame S&W. I may try them in my Mountain Gun.

 

[keith44spl]

I've carried the 45 Long Colt cartridge in black bear country with no worries....
The 45 long colt or the 44 Special loaded with heavy hard-cast bullets at moderate velocities
is quite the ticket in my book.


In big bear country, my 45 gravitates toward the 45/70.






* Oh, I've kilt a bear er two, my own-self.......


.

 

[Texas Star]

Colin-

I'll look for that issue.

Was the author Brian Pearce? I have a lot of respect for his articles. Just re-read two that he wrote some years ago, about the .44 Special in the Triple Lock and on the .44-40.

Elmer Keith mentioned the effectivenss of the .45 Colt, even in std. loads. One example he cited was that of Frank Waterman, who dropped a standing grizzly with one shot from a Colt .45 SAA with the old black powder ammo. The gun had a 7.5 inch bbl. and nominal velocity from that barrel length was 910 FPS. From a 5.5 inch bbl., it was 860 FPS. Modern smokeless loads develop less, but it's easily handloaded to those specs. Of course, in some Rugers, it can be loaded a good deal hotter.

Does Buffalo Bore offer ammo loaded to full original specs?

 

[chud333]

As ole Dave stated, i would not have any worries if armed
with a .45 long or .44 special handgun in bear country.
These would be my minimum calibers preferring to have
at least a .44 magnum. But with good bullets you could
certainly do alot worse than a .45 long

Chuck

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Colin-

I'll look for that issue.

Was the author Brian Pearce? I have a lot of respect for his articles. Just re-read two that he wrote some years ago, about the .44 Special in the Triple Lock and on the .44-40.

Elmer Keith mentioned the effectivenss of the .45 Colt, even in std. loads. One example he cited was that of Frank Waterman, who dropped a standing grizzly with one shot from a Colt .45 SAA with the old black powder ammo. The gun had a 7.5 inch bbl. and nominal velocity from that barrel length was 910 FPS. From a 5.5 inch bbl., it was 860 FPS. Modern smokeless loads develop less, but it's easily handloaded to those specs. Of course, in some Rugers, it can be loaded a good deal hotter.

Does Buffalo Bore offer ammo loaded to full original specs?

Yep, it was Pearce, and his son is the one who shot the bear.
I think he's the best writer out there today. I've corresponded with him in the past, and he's a very nice and personable fellow. he even published part of my letter to him in an issue of Handloader after that.

 

[Cyrano]

I like Pearce too; he writes interesting stuff. I just may have to try some of those loads in my Mountain Gun. They use an RCBS 285 gr bullet; I'll have to get one of those moulds. I imagine there's some recoil with a 285 gr bullet at 1050 fps, particularly from a light gun like the Mountain Gun. However if a bear is 10 feet away and adrenaline is dripping off the end of your nose, I don't think you'd notice the recoil.

Thumbnail is my Mountain Gun with Spegel grips. They're smooth as I thought checkered grips would bite with heavy recoil. I have a set of checkered Spegels on a 638; they can be uncomfortable with a lot of recoil.

 

[DR505]

I'd feel fine with a .45 Colt revolver. They work well. I've got to find one of these LONG Colts though...must be a stretched version!

What does CTG mean?

 

[thebeamanater107]

I'm not getting within pistol range of something that can slap my face off.

Keyword off.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

 

[Bluecoat76]

"CTG" = CARTRIDGE

 

[DR505]

"CTG" = CARTRIDGE

You don't say!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I like Pearce too; he writes interesting stuff. I just may have to try some of those loads in my Mountain Gun. They use an RCBS 285 gr bullet; I'll have to get one of those moulds. I imagine there's some recoil with a 285 gr bullet at 1050 fps, particularly from a light gun like the Mountain Gun. However if a bear is 10 feet away and adrenaline is dripping off the end of your nose, I don't think you'd notice the recoil.

Thumbnail is my Mountain Gun with Spegel grips. They're smooth as I thought checkered grips would bite with heavy recoil. I have a set of checkered Spegels on a 638; they can be uncomfortable with a lot of recoil.

Pearce's loads are not too bad to shoot. You know they're not SAAMI spec when you touch them off, but they are still well under .44 mag recoil. Maybe about the same as an average full power 210 grain .41mag load. I have used them in my 4" 25-5 and 5" 25-7. I have also used John Linebaugh's loads that he recommends for the same guns. They produce more recoil than most any other .45 Colt load, but the payoff is worth it IMO, if you like the .45 Colt (and I do. It's my favorite). For all around use in that caliber though, Pearce's load are the best choice IMO/E.

Try to get your hands on a back issue of Handloader #217. It contains an article by Pearce that is probably one of, if not the best ever written on loading the .45 Colt to its potential at safe levels, and data to go along with guns of all strength levels. The loads that a Ruger Redhawk ( a std Redahwk, not the later 454 versions) will take in .45 Colt are almost unbelievable and are the reason I first wrote to Pearce, and to which he replied with some info not included in that article. I tried his loads in my Redhawk .45 and they do just what he said they'd do.

 

[Fishinfool]

Seems like even Colt called it the ".45 Long Colt", on occasion....

Larry

 

[sw282]

US Army wanted a cartridge that could penetrate a horse at 400 yards and kill an lndian on the other side. Model 1873 .45 cal Colt was the result. Likely good for black bear.

For grizz l prefer Mister Winchesters' Model 70 in F O U R - F I V E - E I G H T

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

US Army wanted a cartridge that could penetrate a horse at 400 yards and kill an lndian on the other side. Model 1873 .45 cal Colt was the result. Likely good for black bear.

For grizz l prefer Mister Winchesters' Model 70 in F O U R - F I V E - E I G H T

The desired penetration parameter was set at 100 yards, not 400.

 

[akjaeger]

I really like Pearce's articles.
I've been using the Longshot powder he mentions a lot lately. It's been the most accurate and consistent in my 45 Colts and it's excellent in the 10mm and 45 ACP as well.

 

[keith44spl]

I'd feel fine with a .45 Colt revolver. They work well.

I've got to find one of these LONG Colts though...must be a stretched version!


What does CTG mean?

I got me self one....And have been better satisfied ever since.

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/keith44spl/IMG_0008.jpg


The long & short of it all.........

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/keith44spl/LongColtampShortColt_zps2b31fbc4.jpg


My wilderness 45 Long Colt load'd fur bear.
Hard Cast SWC over a purty stout pour of Unique or 2400

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/...e-1275-4162-8edd-109e41c0b5a6_zpsb39123f9.jpg


It's all in great fun anyhows



.

 

[DR505]

I got me self one....And have been better satisfied ever since.

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/keith44spl/IMG_0008.jpg


The long & short of it all.........

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/keith44spl/LongColtampShortColt_zps2b31fbc4.jpg


My wilderness 45 Long Colt load'd fur bear.
Hard Cast SWC over a purty stout pour of Unique or 2400

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/...e-1275-4162-8edd-109e41c0b5a6_zpsb39123f9.jpg


It's all in great fun anyhows



.

Well I'll be...and here I thought the LONG Colt was like a unicorn or leprechaun! Now I want one.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A few ago a good friend won a raffle. His prize was a bear hunt up on the Jicarilla Apache Res. I offered him the use of one of my 44 mags. He insisted on using his Colt Trooper 357. That was not a real bad idea except It was loaded with Win Silvertips. He shot that bear multiple times I think 5-6. It was a beautiful cinnamon red pelt and made a great looking rug.
At the time I was still hand loading and had some 160 grain cast bullets 357 loads which I think would have penetrated better than the Silvertips.
Bottom line -my friend was Army Ordnance. Ordnance folks don't like it when Air Force folks start advising on firearms!

 

[ElmerKeith]

Excuse me for digging this out but is the above mentioned article available anywhere or may someone of you be so kind and provide it to my as a scan by email?

 

[Cyrano]

I seem to have thrown away my copy of that issue of The Handloader. Not too smart, the dog.

 

[Wyo]

Dave - ya beat me to the punch with that picture of the nickel "45 Long Colt." I was shootin' that one just a few days ago. It's a dandy!

 

[keith44spl]

Dave - ya beat me to the punch with that picture of the nickel "45 Long Colt." I was shootin' that one just a few days ago. It's a dandy!

Yes Sir,

It sur nuf is!



Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Mule Packer]

I lived in heavily populated black bear country for thirty years. It was a rarity when I didn't see at least one black bear whenever I took the pack string into the mountains.

During all those years, this is the gun that was with me 99% of the time...a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Long Colt. The shorter barrel made it easy to pack on my hip without interfering with the cantle on the saddle.

It was usually loaded with either 240-grain semi-jacketed hollow cavities (940 fps) or 300-grain jacketed flat nosed (1325 fps). During that time, and in a few dicey situations, I never (and let me emphasize never) felt under gunned with the .45.

 

[BearBio]

I lived in heavily populated black bear country for thirty years. It was a rarity when I didn't see at least one black bear whenever I took the pack string into the mountains.

During all those years, this is the gun that was with me 99% of the time...a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Long Colt. The shorter barrel made it easy to pack on my hip without interfering with the cantle on the saddle.

It was usually loaded with either 240-grain semi-jacketed hollow cavities (940 fps) or 300-grain jacketed flat nosed (1325 fps). During that time, and in a few dicey situations, I never (and let me emphasize never) felt under gunned with the .45.

Nice rig and knife. Here's mine up here in "grizz country"



Great minds think alike!

Ruger and Randall!