45ACP for Hogs

taco

New member
Anybody here ever use 45ACP to takes hogs? What load and how did it work? My friend wants to use his Colt 1911 to take a meat hog next year and want me to develop a load for him but I don't know what bullet to use. I'm thinking about 200 gr. SWC at about 1,050 fps. or 230 gr. XTP at about 950 fps. Any suggestions?
 
I haven't killed a hoggy with a .45ACP, but have killed one with a Ruger .45 L.C., 255 gr. hard cast semi wad and a healthy dose of 2400. Worked fine. I suggest the 230 gr XTP, for your friend's .45 ACP. Good luck on the hunt. J.B.
 
A 230 grain bullet at max load is 900 FPS. A 950 FPS bullet, 230 grains, is in +P territory. This is using a Lee reloading manual which is pretty generous when it come to bullet velocities.

Robert
 
According to my Vihtavouri factory loading data 230 gr. FMJ max out at about 980 fps without going up to +P pressure :p . I will obviously start lower and work my way up safely. I already have a 200 gr. SWC load which will do 1,060 fps in my 5" Kimber. Seriously, I just want enough velocity to maximize penetration with a bullet which won't fall apart yet make decent size hole. We will only shoot few dozen rounds to check accuracy/reliability and not hundreds of rounds. Hey Erick, what kind of ammo do you carry in that backup pistol?
 
Taco, I was wondering if you were using VV N350, as that's the only powder I've found that will launch a 230 at 900+ w/o exceeding limits. Interesting.

Gizmo, you're bad.....and I only do that with .45 Colt, not ACP. :)

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Shoot straight & make big holes, regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center
 
45King, I got 1,060 fps with 200 gr. SWC using VV N340 and this is the powder that I'll try first. According to the VV Loading manual I should be able to reach 950 fps. with 230 gr. XTP with N340 or N350. Let me make myself clear that I have never loaded 230 gr. FMJ bullets above 880 fps before but that I think 950 fps can be reached safely.
 
i think you will find that a hardball round may penetrate better at those velosity.most of the comercial bullets for the acp are designed for rapid expansion in humans.(that includes the xtp.)i would try to get some hard cast bullets and work up a good load.you might even bend garrett's ear to see what he has to say on the subject.i would use the acp as a back up or as a last resort. though.
 
I hate to rain on your parade but I think .45 ACP for boar is a very bad idea. I shot a 210 lb. boar at 15 yards with a 12 guage slug (Breneke 3" mag.) 3 times before it stopped and went down for good. First shot was in the shoulder, next two were right behind the shoulder into heart-lung area,all were broadside. A .45 just wouldn't be very ethical in my opinion. A .44 mag would be my choice as the minimum. Just my opinion.
 
Hey guys, I'm talking "meat" hog here not trophy hogs. Around here "meat" hog means under 125 pounds. Of course, if it works on a meat hog we might try it on a little bigger one later.
 
.45ACP will do a hog nicely....if you've got the right shot. I know a fellow who killed a 300# boar with a single shot to the head from his .45 using GI hardball. However, he was in a boat drifting on the Savanah River, and the hog was on the bank, close, so he had the time to line up the shot properly...from a safe seat.

I wouldn't want to meet even a 125# boar in the brush with nothing but an ACP...

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Shoot straight & make big holes, regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center
 
I have shot Javelina with a 1911 in .45acp, but would consider it a bit light for hogs. Reason being, I have seen a hog run a LOOOOONG way after being boiler roomed with a 30-06. Running 200+ yards with no heart or lungs is quite a feat.
They are very tough critters.
 
A couple of years ago, my wife dropped a 200+ pounder with one solid hit with a 10mm hydra-shok. THe round did not expand very much, but penetrated the shield and toook out the heart.

(On the same trip I took two smaller hogs with a knife, which was much more fun than shooting them.)

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-Essayons
 
Things are great in VA, Art.. Thanks for asking. I still say I should've gone full time 5 years ago....


I still keep an eye on things around here, even though I don't post nearly as much..... I probably still rank pretty good on the Total Posts list though...
(Besides, you know I can't resist talking about taking Hogs with knives... ;))



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-Essayons
 
I read Cooper's latest column, this morning. He allows as how using a spear is probably the "best chase" way. Rob needs to explain true heroism to the gentleman...

Cooper also said everybody on the Safari had a good time and shot well. I guess that means that Rich didn't do anything to bring disrespect on TFL. :)

Later, Art
 
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