Oliverfan

May have to set aside my current .270 project for a few months. My dad rarely lets anyone on his property but I convinced him to let a good friend of mine do some bow hunting this year to help thin the deer out. Buddy called tonight so thrilled about what he saw on his trail camera. Even though they are his stands and is running the risk of me ruining his setups, he told me I need to get out this fall too as there were some nice bucks in the pictures. Haven't hunted deer in a few years and back then it was with a bow. I'm more for filling the freezer with a fat doe but might as well try to get a nice buck.
All I have right now for handguns that is currently legal in Iowa is my SR1911 in .45ACP. I've heard that this isn't the best option for deer hunting but it's what I have to work with. Have any of you used your 1911s to tag deer? My carry ammo is 185gr Golden Saber but think a 230gr HP is a better choice and would be limiting myself to bow range (30 yard and under).

Thoughts?

laidlerj

I've never heard of anyone hunting deer with a .45 ACP, although I know of one person who hunts white-tails with a 10mm auto in a 1911-style pistol. Of course, the 10mm has more power than the .45 ACP, but not a whole lot more.

I'm pretty sure you can kill a deer with a .45 ACP, but I'm not so sure that it will be a quick kill. Has anyone out there killed a deer with a .45 ACP, even in self-defense?

Jim

TMB

I think the 45acp should work fine there have been lots of deer killed with 45 colt,44/40 & even smaller calibers like 32/20 etc... over the years.

kiwihunter

self defense from a Deer.....well actually the last fire fight i had with a deer luckily worked out in my favour as its AR15 jammed whilst it was fumbling around trying to get another thirty rounder in there with its hoof...and as luck would have it i managed to get the drop on it...even luckier was the fact that my son was able to outflank several of the said deers com padres as they were trying to pull a very cunning pincer movement on me...dang if that deer didnt taste good......But seriously the .45 will do it from a tree stand if you place your shot but if you are unsure its probably a better idea to borrow a more suitable gun for the job you don't want a wounded deer running off its a cruel end for a animal and it will save you a whole lot of grief tracking a wounded animal...time better spent celebrating and boning out your kill whilst enjoying a beer at the end of a day in the field.

429421Cowboy

You got lucky there Kiwi, next time you better set up an ambush and get the drop on them before he has a chance to shoot back!

I would think a quality, heavy bullet in .45 acp would do it but only if you can place it just right and really have not alot of other options.

James6591

All I can there Kiwi is you got lucky.....
lucky you had backup, that is.....
Other advice as above.

Oliverfan

You sure were lucky that deer's AR jammed, other wise your head might be mounted on his wall! I'm thinking the .45acp round would do the trick at close range as it seems to have worked pretty well on bad guys for many years. I'd prefer to use a .45 Colt but don't have the extra funds for a new handgun, nor have I decided on which Ruger single action model to buy.

Benemorte

While I used to know a few states that allowed handgun hunting for deer, they required .357 and .44 loads, with 6"+ barrels only. That has been quite a while ago. You states hunting laws say the .45acp is legal for hunting deer?. I myself, would not shoot a deer with a .45acp unless forced to. Would it be possible to perhaps look into getting or borrowing a 12ga shotgun? At the very least, this would add another 75 yards range to your hunting opportunities.

kiwihunter

Hey Oliverfan, you might want to look at a S/A in .357 a little more penetration if you want to use a handgun to hunt and you can always use .38 special for plinking....if your hunting from a tree stand you should be able to get a pretty close shot....but practice ,practice ,practice....if shooting down on the deer ,either heart/ lung shot or neck/spine ....head would be great but there's a lot of room for error and with hand gun accuracy might not be the best idea....what ever you decide stay safe and good hunting.
KIWI

Tater

I am not sure about using a 1911 for hunting unless it was a survival situation. It's just not the best weapon out there for the job.

Choose your bullet well. Most of the 45ACP HP ammo is for defensive purposes and may open a lot faster than you want it to. Most of the FMJ ammo has that nice round point that will slip right through for no blood trail and minimal disruption.

Keep your shots close and you should be okay.

terry_p

The issue isn't will it kill a deer as a 22 LR will do that with the right shot placement but can you make the shot placement that will kill the animal when you pull the trigger. Most hunting calibers give you a margin of error and I don't see that margin of error with the 45 ACP. If it were me I would beg or borrow a rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun. The 45 ACP is a great self defense caliber which usually occurs within 10' and I'm sure your accuracy is fine while punching paper but there is a lot going on when a 200 lb + big ole Iowa buck wanders by in low light.

North country gal

Okay, no one ever accused the 45 auto of being a deer cartridge, but under 30 yards, I'd say it's doable with the right load, especially some of the new heavy 45 +P loads being offered by Cor-Bon and Buffalo Bore. Some loads being offered by Buffalo Bore, for instance, get you traditional 357 magnum energy levels out of a 45 auto, using some excellent Barnes bullets or hardcast lead. Penetration should be good. If you're going to shoot more than a box or two of this heavy stuff, Buffalo Bore recommends changing to a heavier recoil spring, but the loads are safe to shoot in any 1911 in good condition.

Terry G

I carried a .45 Colt Series 70 for almost 25 years, than switched to a Glock 21, so I consider the ,45 ACP the best thing going. For self-defense. For Deer hunting? No way, No how. Even hit well, you'll end up chasing the poor critter for who know's how far and probably losing it. Whitetails are tough. I hit a fair sized Doe with a 180 Grain 30/06 and tracked it almost 200 yards. The post mortem showed a shot out heart and lung. Yeah, that's right. I'd say don't try it. Not fair chase in my opinion.

TMB

I think shot placement is most important. A lot of people just cant shoot a pistol very well & they do most of their practice at 7yrds or less & 25yrds max.The 45acp can do it if you can. So if your not a good pistol shot at 50yrds + you'd probably be better to have carbine , rifle or shotgun. The 45acp will drop a deer just as good if not better than your buddys bow IMO

Hans13

Thank God it wasn't squirrels... all we can do is thank God...