So I’m sure this question has come up plenty, but I scrolled down the first page of the handgun reloading forum here and didn’t see any mention of it so here we go.
What’s your favorite cast bullet for shooting deer/pig sized game with a 5” 1911?
I have had great luck with the H&G 68 style 200gr wadcutter. I’ve killed a bunch of pigs with the RCBS knockoff version cast of wheel weights and loaded over Unique in my 5” 1911 and my 5” S&W revolver. Have never caught a bullet yet.
My experience is limited to small game with .45 ACP but wouldn’t hesitate to use the RCBS 45-230 CM on deer or pigs at suitable ranges and velocities. Were I to use it I’d push it to 875-900 and try to break shoulders under 25-30 yards.
I've only hunted 2 black bears, both spot and stalk on public land, and over 40 years ago. Both were one shot kills, one with my Ruger .44 SBH, and the other with my 1911.
I shot this one on the run at around 40 yards. First shot hit him square through the hip joints as he ran by broadside. I shot him between the ear and eye with the second shot to quiet him down.
It was -19 degrees that morning with a 30mph north wind. My rifle’s trigger was frozen solid but the Govt Model was under my coat and still functional, for a minute. Managed to kill two with it before they were out of range.
Thanks y’all. I’ve finished off a few pigs with a 200 SWC. Ordered up some Missouri Bullet co 200SWC and 250 RNFP. Will be fun to play with some heavier FP bullets.
I’ve had my best success running the Lee 452-230-TC bullet at roughly 900 FPS. It’s a truncated cone flat point style. See the attached pic. Feeds well, penetrates well, shoots plenty accurate, can be had in a 6-cavity mold for a reasonable price. What’s not to like! If I was limited to only 1 bullet in 45 Auto, this would be it.
I have run them to 975 fps in +P loads, but could tell no real difference in performance so I dropped back 900 range and felt it was easier on the pistol.