The .45 Colt, a legendary cartridge dating back to 1873, remains a popular choice for handgun hunters pursuing deer. With the right loads and shot placement, this hearty straight-walled round can quickly and humanely take down whitetails at moderate distances.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the ballistics, effective uses, revolver platforms, accessories, safety practices, regulations, and real-world experiences of wielding the tried and true .45 Colt on your next deer hunt.
Overview of the .45 Colt Cartridge
Originally designed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, the .45 Colt, also referred to as the .45 Long Colt, has earned icon status as one of the most storied handgun rounds of the Old West. But beyond its heritage, how does it perform for dropping deer-sized game?
Here are some key bullet attributes:
- Diameter: .452 inches
- Case Length: 1.285 inches
- Common loads: 250-300 grain bullet weight
- Muzzle Velocity: 700-1,000+ fps
- Muzzle Energy: 500-700+ ft/lbs
With properly constructed expanding bullets from major ammo brands, the .45 Colt can achieve 12+ inches of penetration and create a wound channel of at least .75 inches. This meets general industry standards for ethically taking deer within moderate ranges.
Choosing a Hunting Revolver in .45 Colt
While the .45 Colt originated in the Colt Single Action Army revolver, several quality manufacturers now offer hunting handguns chambered in this classic round:
Ruger Blackhawk
A beefed-up .45 Colt built to withstand modern high-pressure loads. Affordable and accurate.
Freedom Arms Model 83
High-end revolver made to tight tolerances for superb accuracy. The premier .45 Colt platform.
Colt Single Action Army
The original old West revolver now manufactured with modern techniques while retaining classic charm.
Taurus/US Firearms Judge
Can shoot both .45 Colt and .410 shotgun shells, providing versatility.
No matter your budget and preferences, quality .45 Colt revolver options exist to carry confidently into big game country.
Ballistics and Effective Range from a Handgun
Understanding the realistic capabilities of the .45 Colt for dropping deer is critical to ensure ethical, lethal shots on whitetails. Here are some key considerations when evaluating the ballistics:
- Standard .45 Colt factory loads drive a 250-grain bullet at around 700-900 fps. This yields 400-600 ft/lbs of energy.
- From an 8 to 10-inch barreled revolver, the effective deer hunting range is around 75-100 yards maximum.
- The heavy bullets retain velocity and energy well within this distance due to the straight-walled design.
- Premium loads utilizing 300-grain bullets from brands like Buffalo Bore can ethically extend range to 125 yards for skilled shooters.
- Carefully test and zero your chosen handgun and load to ensure sufficient accuracy at your intended hunting distances.
Overall, the .45 Colt packs plenty of knockdown power for deer inside 100 yards when using a quality hunting revolver and well-constructed bullets. Practice diligently from field positions to enable effective shot placement.
Matching Bullets to Quarry
Selecting the right bullets and understanding their terminal performance is key to achieving ethical kills. Here are some top .45 Colt loads for deer:
- Hornady FTX – 225 or 300 grain FTX bullets have high weight retention and expand reliably.
- Winchester Silvertip – Time-tested 200 grain silvertip for balanced expansion and penetration.
- Nosler JHP – The partitioned 225 grain JHP provides devastating energy transfer.
- Federal CastCore – Hard cast 265 grain for deep straightline penetration.
Premium hunting rounds from these reputable brands offer the ideal combination of expansion and penetration to dispatch deer quickly. Field test various loads for optimal accuracy.
Regulations for Handgun Hunting
Be sure to understand your state and local laws regarding hunting deer with handguns:
- Most states now allow handgun hunting but with case length requirements such as straight-walled cartridges. The .45 Colt qualifies as straight-walled making it legal in most jurisdictions.
- Several states prohibit the use of handgun cartridges for hunting deer that were originally designed for semi-autos. This bans rounds like .45 ACP in some areas. The .45 Colt avoids this issue by being a true revolver cartridge.
- Some states implement minimum barrel length requirements, often 4-6 inches, for handgun hunting. This is to ensure sufficient velocity for ethical shots.
- Know your area’s exact handgun regulations and season dates. Use a legal, proven revolver and load that aligns with the rules.
With its straight-walled design and origins as a revolver cartridge, the .45 Colt skirts most prohibitive regulations, making it a widely legal handgun hunting choice. But always consult your state’s deer hunting digest first.
Scoping Your Revolver
Adding a quality optic greatly enhances the .45 Colt’s effective range on deer:
- Stick to low magnification scopes in the 1-4x or 2-7x range. Anything above that is hard to use in field conditions.
- Leupold and Burris make excellent hunting handgun scopes tuned for the appropriate magnification and parallax.
- Red dot sights like the Trijicon RMR also work nicely on revolvers. Fast to acquire targets but no magnification.
- Make sure your scope mount is robust and tapped into the revolver’s frame for maximum stability. Avoid cheap add-on mounts.
- Dial in your optic so the point of impact matches your desired zero at the distance you plan to take most shots.
A reliable low magnification scope ensures accurate shot placement and extends your ethical shooting distance with the .45 Colt. Just avoid overpowered optics that are cumbersome and slow in hunting situations.
Best Practices for Safety and Responsibility
Hunting with a handgun has some unique safety and ethics considerations:
- Choose your shots wisely. Be within your personal skill limits and the effective range of your revolver and load. Resist marginal or risky shots.
- Know your target and what lies beyond. Be certain of your backdrop and mindful of proximity to other hunters.
- Wear blaze orange even outside regular big game seasons. You can’t have too much visibility carrying a handgun in the field.
- Holster your revolver safely when not in use. Carry it securely when climbing fences, traversing difficult terrain, etc.
- Practice shooting from field positions like seated, kneeling, etc. to prepare for real-world hunting scenarios.
- Stalk carefully within range as you would with a bow or muzzleloader. Avoid startling games unnecessarily.
- Follow up every shot aggressively and humanely. Have a backup plan if your first shot does not immediately anchor the deer.
With thoughtful field practices and marksmanship, the .45 Colt can be wielded responsibly to ensure clean, ethical harvests.
Accessories and Gear to Enhance Your Hunt
Proper supporting gear makes handgun hunting safer and more effective:
- Strong handgun holster – Ensures safe carry and quick access to your revolver. Look for retention straps and robust design.
- Cleaning kit – Proper cleaning tools and solvents keep your revolver in top shape during extensive hunting use.
- Hearing protection – Bulky ear muffs are hard to wear with a handgun. Choose slim electronic muff options.
- Binoculars – High powered binos help spot game and confirm shot placement. Select compact models suited to handgun use.
- Rangefinder – Confirms you are within your max effective range before taking shots. Extremely helpful in unfamiliar terrain.
- Snake boots – When still hunting likely snake habitat, snake boots provide protection when your feet are close to the ground while seated.
The right accessories tailor your .45 Colt revolver into an effective deer hunting tool and keep you safe mile after mile in the field.
Real-World Experiences and Reviews
Don’t just take our word for it. Here are some first-hand testimonials from fellow hunters who have carried the .45 Colt after whitetails:
“I was skeptical that my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt could humanely take down a 200 lb deer past 50 yards. After sighting it in properly and using Hornady 300 grain FTXs, I’ve taken three deer cleanly between 60-90 yards in two seasons. It packs plenty of power within 100 yards with care and shot discipline.”
“- Dan from Missouri”
“The .45 Colt shines when still hunting densely wooded public land here in Wisconsin. With a 2x scope and 250 grain Silvertips, I can react quickly when deer appear from thick cover inside 60 yards. Knocks them down cold but doesn’t tear up edible meat. It’s terrific medicine on deer inside 100 yards.”
“- Amy from Wisconsin”
“I love hunting whitetails with my .45 Colt SAA replica pistol. It’s challenging but extremely rewarding. For me, 75 yards is the max for ensuring clean kills. I use carefully handloaded ammo that groups well from my particular 6-inch revolver. The .45 Colt is an outstanding short range deer round.”
“- Jared from Michigan”
The consensus is that the .45 Colt is indeed potent medicine on deer when hunters understand its realistic capabilities, use quality hardware, make smart shot selections, and keep distances within ethical limits.
Final Thoughts on the .45 Colt for Deer Hunting
The .45 Colt remains a highly effective and widely legal straight-walled revolver cartridge choice for handgunners pursuing whitetails across America. When used thoughtfully, its time-tested heavy bullet drives have proven capable of anchoring deer quickly out to 100+ yards.
Yet it rewards skill and discipline, demanding hunters become proficient with their chosen platform and meticulous about shot placement. Muzzle energy alone does not guarantee an ethical harvest. Marksmanship matters immensely.
For hunters willing to put in diligent range practice and learn the ballistic capabilities of their loads, the .45 Colt can certainly get the job done on deer. Just don’t expect it to do anything unwise or reckless shooting can’t coax any cartridge into doing. Wielded carefully, this classic American caliber remains a fine backcountry companion ready to fill your tag.
