45 acp bullet preference

76Highboy · 07-28-2012, 09:25 PM

For plinking and hunting jack rabbits and cotton tails, what is an all around good bullet for my Ruger 1911? I want to buy some in bulk next month. I haved not loaded much in the 45 acp so I am looking for options for reloading.

Thanks guys

ryan42 · 07-28-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76Highboy

For plinking and hunting jack rabbits and cotton tails, what is an all around good bullet for my Ruger 1911? I want to buy some in bulk next month. I haved not loaded much in the 45 acp so I am looking for options for reloading.

Thanks guys

230 grain fmj is what I use for plinking but I was lucky enough to find some truncated conicles,they are super accurate,they are cone shaped with a flat nose but there hard to find.At least they are for me.

carver · 07-28-2012, 09:59 PM

Round nose, or flat nose, either one works for me! Winchester White Box .44APC is flat nose, and some guns don't feed em well! I use round nose bullets for practice, and for some personal work, like shooting thru a car door!!! Something I've only done on old wrecks! Round nose for the most penetration, and hollow points for those zombies that need shooting! You will also discover that there are hollow points out there that some guns won't feed well! I also use lead round nose at the reloading bench.

Bindernut · 07-28-2012, 10:28 PM

For small game, try to get a flat-nose, truncated cone, or semi-wadcutter style bullet.

Granted, you're smacking them with a .45 slug, but most of the time a round nose FMJ will just drill right on through without phasing them too much.
I've needed 4-5 rounds of 230gr FMJ to finish off a racoon or muskrat. The Winchester 185gr flat nose FMJ that carver mentioned works better on racoon than any 230gr round nose FMJ that I've used.

I've never taken the .45s bunny hunting yet but I'm working on a 200gr cast lead SWC load that might work okay on game when I get the OAL length dialed in so it feeds reliably.

My favorite small-game load for the .380ACP was a 100gr TC. Would down cottontails like a sledgehammer when lead RNs would drill right through. Didn't ruin much meat either so they were edible too.

JLA · 07-28-2012, 11:39 PM

I prefer 200 gr SWC or RN. But its gotta be 200 gr. and I really like cast lead from Dardas or Missouri.

http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5...gory_Code=45RN

http://www.missouribullet.com/result...5&secondary=13

PanhandlePop · 07-30-2012, 10:32 AM

For all around use, I prefer the 200 LSWC (better yet moly or poly coated).

07-28-2012, 09:25 PM	#1
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,924	45 acp bullet preference For plinking and hunting jack rabbits and cotton tails, what is an all around good bullet for my Ruger 1911? I want to buy some in bulk next month. I haved not loaded much in the 45 acp so I am looking for options for reloading. Thanks guys -->

07-28-2012, 09:59 PM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: 45 acp bullet preference Round nose, or flat nose, either one works for me! Winchester White Box .44APC is flat nose, and some guns don't feed em well! I use round nose bullets for practice, and for some personal work, like shooting thru a car door!!! Something I've only done on old wrecks! Round nose for the most penetration, and hollow points for those zombies that need shooting! You will also discover that there are hollow points out there that some guns won't feed well! I also use lead round nose at the reloading bench. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Last edited by carver; 07-28-2012 at 10:00 PM..

07-28-2012, 10:28 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: 45 acp bullet preference For small game, try to get a flat-nose, truncated cone, or semi-wadcutter style bullet. Granted, you're smacking them with a .45 slug, but most of the time a round nose FMJ will just drill right on through without phasing them too much. I've needed 4-5 rounds of 230gr FMJ to finish off a racoon or muskrat. The Winchester 185gr flat nose FMJ that carver mentioned works better on racoon than any 230gr round nose FMJ that I've used. I've never taken the .45s bunny hunting yet but I'm working on a 200gr cast lead SWC load that might work okay on game when I get the OAL length dialed in so it feeds reliably. My favorite small-game load for the .380ACP was a 100gr TC. Would down cottontails like a sledgehammer when lead RNs would drill right through. Didn't ruin much meat either so they were edible too.

07-28-2012, 11:39 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,296	Re: 45 acp bullet preference I prefer 200 gr SWC or RN. But its gotta be 200 gr. and I really like cast lead from Dardas or Missouri. http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5...gory_Code=45RN http://www.missouribullet.com/result...5&secondary=13 __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-30-2012, 10:32 AM	#6
PanhandlePop V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 252	Re: 45 acp bullet preference For all around use, I prefer the 200 LSWC (better yet moly or poly coated).